Meaning & History
Antoņina is a Latvian feminine given name, the Latvian form of Antonina. It is first recorded as a given name in Latvia in 1877, and according to the Latvian Population Register, there were 7,031 persons with this as their only given name in Latvia as of 2010, including Russian speakers. The name reflects both native Latvian usage and the rendering of the Russian name Антонина (Antonina) through transliteration.
Etymology
Antoņina derives from the Slavic and Roman name Antonina, the feminine form of Antoninus, which itself is a Roman cognomen derived from Anthony (originally the Roman family name Antonius). The ultimate origin is Etruscan, though it has long been associated with Greek anthos (anthos) meaning "flower"—a folk etymology that influenced spelling. The root name Anthony gained currency through Saint Anthony the Great and Saint Anthony of Padua.
Cultural Context
In Latvia, Antoņina belongs to a class of names adapted from Orthodox Slavic naming traditions via Russian, which maintained currency under Imperial Russian and Soviet rule. The related Latvian form Antonina is shared with Ukrainian; other regional versions include Lithuanian Antanina and diminutive forms like Nina (Ukrainian), Nena (English), and Niina (Finnish). The masculine counterpart is Antons.
- Meaning: Feminine form of Antoninus/Anthony; folk etymology links it to "flower"
- Origin: Latvian adaptation of Latin Antonina via Russian and Slavic usage
- Type: Feminine first name
- Usage regions: Latvia, also among Russian speakers in the Baltic region
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Antoņina