Surname Petrova - Meaning and Origin
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Petrova: What does the surname Petrova mean?
The last name Petrova is of Slavic origin and is most common in Russia and other parts of Eastern Europe. The name Petrova is derived from the Greek name "Petros" (meaning 'rock' or 'stone') and is also related to the Latin word "petra". As a result, the literal meaning of Petrova could be interpreted as "son or daughter of the rock" or "stone" and suggests an association with strength and stability.
In its broader sense, the name Petrova can also be taken to represent courage and resourcefulness. This is due to its Greek origins, as Petros was the name given to the biblical figure of Peter, who was chosen by Jesus to play a major role of leadership in his Church. Indeed, the strength of character embodied by Peter is celebrated by many Christian denominations and can provide an empowering source of identity for those with the last name Petrova.
In terms of linguistic origin, Petrova is a feminine version of the typically masculine name Petrov. Men who carry this surname may be fond of this association as it reflects the deep-rooted ties to Slavic culture and could therefore be viewed as an inspiring example of male strength and power.
Ultimately, the last name Petrova is a meaningful and powerful indicator of Slavic ancestry, and is steeped in history, strength and courage.
Order DNA origin analysisPetrova: Where does the name Petrova come from?
The last name Petrova is most common in Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Serbia. It is a patronymic surname derived from the Slavic name "Peter" meaning "rock" or "stone".
In Russia, Petrova is the third most common last name. About 2.6 million people share this name mostly inhabiting major cities such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Sochi. Several archaic spellings of the name are also popular including Petroff, Petrovich and Petrovna.
In Ukraine, Petrova is also considered one of the most common surnames. It is estimated that about 1.2 million Ukrainians bear this name and mostly inhabit major cities such as Kiev and Kharkiv.
Bulgaria is the third most common country having this name with around 160,000 people bearing it. It has also been found in other Slavic countries such as Serbia and Slovenia, albeit in smaller numbers.
Petrova is also quite popular in certain Western countries and is used as an alias name for people of Eastern European ancestry living in them. In the United States, for instance, it is the 5,288th most common last name out of a total of 88,799 recorded surnames or about 5.94 / 1000 names. Similarly in Canada, it is estimated that around 11,333 people share this surname or about 0.32% of the population. Other countries with concentrations of people bearing this last name include Australia, France, Poland, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Petrova
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Petrova are as follows:
Petrov - This spelling is often used in Russia and other countries subscribing to the Cyrillic alphabet. It is a patronymic form of the name Petr (the Ukrainian and Russian form of Peter) and derives from the Greek word meaning “rock” or “stone”.
Petroff - This spelling is sometimes used to refer to the same family tree, and has the same origin as the surname Petrova.
Petrow - This variant is most commonly used in the German-speaking parts of Europe, and has the same origin as the surname Petrova.
Petrović - This legalized spelling is used in the countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. It is derived from the Russian language and refers to the same family tree.
Petrowicz - This variant is a legal name form that is often used in other Slavic countries, and also has the same origin as the surname Petrova.
Petrushevskaia - This spelling is typically used among Russian families, and has the same origin as the surname Petrova.
Petrushevsky - This variant is derived from the Ukrainian language, and has the same origin as the surname Petrova.
Petrusevichs - This spelling is used in some regions of the former Soviet Union, and has the same origin as the surname Petrova.
Petruchelka - This variant is derived from the Czech language, and has the same origin as the surname Petrova.
Petrovich - This surname has been common among certain Russian families and has the same origin as the surname Petrova.
Famous people with the name Petrova
- Vasil Petrova, Bulgarian Miss Universe contestant
- Maria Petrova, Bulgarian Architect
- Marina Petrovic, a Serbian journalist
- Faye Petrova, Bulgarian award-winning actress
- Youri Petrovich, Russian ice hockey player
- Pavel Petrova, Belarusian freestyle swimmer
- Alexey Petrovich, Russian figure skater
- Valentin Petrova, Russian television personality
- Maxim Petrovich, Russian high jumper
- Sonya Petrova, Bulgarian rhythmic gymnast
- Andrea Petrova, Bulgarian former footballer
- Tatiana Petrovna, Russian rhythmic gymnast
- Lidiya Petrovna, famous Russian Jaysvistani actress
- Galina Petrovna, famous Soviet film director
- Angelina Petrovna, Russian actress
- Georgi Petrovich, Russian composer and conductor
- Konstantin Petrovich, former Soviet Army General
- Aleksandr Petrovich, Russian philosopher
- Pyotr Petrovich, renowned Russian scientist
- Nadya Petrovna, famous Russian swimmer