Zoya

♀ Girl

Zoya Pronunciation

Zoya is pronounced ZOY-uh /ˈzɔɪ.ə/High

Meaning: Life; Russian form of the Greek name Zoe, from Greek zoe (life)High

In 30 seconds: The Russian form of Zoe, meaning 'life' in Greek. It carries the warmth of a Slavic diminutive while retaining the ancient Greek root, giving it both exotic depth and simple directness.

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Origin HighRussian, Greek

MeaningLife; Russian form of the Greek name Zoe, from Greek zoe (life)

U.S. rank (2024)#976 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births266 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,633

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Zoya is the Russian adaptation of the Greek name Zoe (zoe: life). The Greek root entered Byzantine Christianity and spread through the Eastern Orthodox world as the name of several saints. In Russian, Zoya has been a given name since at least the 19th century.

Zoya appears in U.S. birth data primarily in Russian American and South Asian communities (where it is also popular in India and Pakistan). It ranked #976 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya (1923–1941) was a Soviet war heroine who became the first woman to receive the Hero of the Soviet Union designation in World War II — one of Russia's most celebrated Zoyas.

Overall data confidence 94%

Behind the Name — Zoya — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ZojaZoiya

Nicknames

ZoZoe

Themes & Styles

Greek Short Slavic Russian Life

Famous Bearers

★Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya (1923–1941)
Soviet partisan and war heroine, the first woman awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union title during World War II.

If you like Zoya…

Zoe— the Greek original from which Zoya derives

Zoey— the most popular American spelling of the same Greek root

Nadia— Russian/Slavic short name with the same warm European feel

Sasha— Russian diminutive name widely used in the West

Natasha— Russian diminutive name with the same Slavic warmth

→ See all names like Zoya

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Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Zoya?

Zoya is pronounced ZOY-uh (/ˈzɔɪ.ə/). Press play above to hear Zoya said aloud.

How do you say Zoya?

Zoya is said ZOY-uh (/ˈzɔɪ.ə/). Press play above to hear Zoya said aloud.

What does the name Zoya mean?

Zoya means 'life,' as the Russian form of the Greek name Zoe (zoe: life).

Is Zoya a boy or girl name?

Zoya is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Zoya?

Zoya ranked #976 for U.S. girls in 2024.