Tonja
Tonja is a girl's name of Slavic origin.
Meaning
Praiseworthy or invaluable.
Origin and history
Tonja is a feminine name of Russian origin, serving as a variant spelling of Tonya, which itself developed as a diminutive of Antonina or Antonia. It gained moderate popularity in the United States during the mid-to-late 20th century. Today, it is rarely given to newborn babies in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
6,989 babies in the United States have been named Tonja since 1880. It ranks #2024 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- TX (13.2 %)
- CA (7.9 %)
- OH (6.4 %)
- GA (5.6 %)
- MI (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 104 |
| 1950-1960 | 533 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,352 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,414 |
| 1980-1990 | 435 |
| 1990-2000 | 124 |
| 2000-2010 | 27 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Toni
Fun facts
- Tonja is an alternative phonetic spelling of Tonya, reflecting Northern and Eastern European spelling conventions using the letter 'j' for a 'y' sound.
- Although used as a independent full given name in the United States, it originated as a short form for Antonina.