Nadezhda (Cyrillic: Надежда) is a Slavic female given name meaning "hope". It is popular in Belarus, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine and other Slavic countries, as well as in former Soviet states like Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The name originates from Old Slavic and is a calque (direct translation) of the Greek name Ἐλπίς (Elpis), which also means "hope". Etymology and History Nadezhda entered Russian culture as part of a trio—alongside Vera ("faith") and Lyubov ("love")—translating the Greek names of the saints Faith, Hope, and Charity. This trio became deeply ingrained in Russian onomastics and orthodox Christian tradition. The Bulgarian variant is Nadejda, spelled identically to the Russian but pronounced slightly differently. Variants and Diminutives Common diminutives include Nadia (Cyrillic: Надя), used in Bulgarian, and Nadya in Russian. In Bulgarian, speakers also use Nadka. Across other Slavic languages, cognates include Belarusian Nadzeya (Надзея), Czech Naděžda (shortened to Naďa), Serbian Nadica, and Slovene Nada. The Catalan form is Nàdia. Ukrainian uses Nadiya (Надія). Cultural Significance As a virtue name, Nadezhda represents aspirational qualities, a trend common in Slavic naming traditions. The name gained prominence in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in Russia, where it remains a classic choice. Its meaning of "hope" has universal appeal, making it a timeless name across Eastern Europe and beyond. Meaning: HopeOrigin: Slavic (calque from Greek Elpis)Type: Feminine given nameRegions: Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Ukraine, Belarus, Czech Republic, and other Slavic countries