Tonya
Tonya is a girl's name of Russian origin.
Meaning
Priceless, invaluable, or highly praiseworthy.
Origin and history
Tonya originated as a Russian short form of Antonina, which ultimately derives from the ancient Roman family name Antonius. It became very popular in the United States during the mid-to-late 20th century. Today, it is seen as a classic retro name.
Popularity in the United States
120,421 babies in the United States have been named Tonya since 1880. It ranks #326 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2014.
States where it is most popular
- OH (7 %)
- TX (6.5 %)
- NC (6 %)
- GA (5 %)
- CA (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 7 |
| 1930-1940 | 123 |
| 1940-1950 | 944 |
| 1950-1960 | 4,694 |
| 1960-1970 | 34,072 |
| 1970-1980 | 57,789 |
| 1980-1990 | 17,987 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,664 |
| 2000-2010 | 775 |
| 2010-2019 | 279 |
| 2020-2029 | 87 |
Famous people named Tonya
- Tonya Harding: Figure skater
Nicknames
Toni
Fun facts
- Tonya began as a traditional diminutive for Antonina in Russian-speaking regions before gaining independent status worldwide.
- The name experienced its highest popularity in the United States between the late 1960s and 1970s.