Surname Prokofev - Meaning and Origin
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Prokofev: What does the surname Prokofev mean?
Prokofev is a Slavic surname derived from the root Prokop meaning “progress” or “advancement”. The surname is commonly found amongst Russians, Ukrainians and Belarussians and is thought to stem from the personal name Prokopiy. It is thought to have been a popular given name in the Kiev Grand Principality in the 10th century.
The surname has passed down through generations and is linked to some famous bearers, in particular Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953). He is remembered for a number of popular ballets and seven influential works for piano, including the ‘Rite of Spring’ suite in 1913. Prokofiev was a leader in the development of modern symphonic sound where rhythm dominates harmony. He is recognised as a key figure of the 20th century and his influence can still be heard today in classical music.
Prokofiev’s legacy is part of the wider legacy of the Prokofev surname. It is testament to the courage and ambition which characterised the Prokofev families throughout the centuries and have been passed down through generations. In essence, the name Prokofev symbols not only progress and development, but also a strength of spirit and a commitment to success.
Order DNA origin analysisProkofev: Where does the name Prokofev come from?
The last name Prokofev is a fairly common last name in Russia, with the surname ranked as the 179th most common surnames among its citizens. This name is closely linked to the famous Russian composer and pianist Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953), whose works were prized around the world. Some other regions in which Prokofev is common include Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.
Apart from the Eastern European regions, Prokofev is not as widespread in other parts of the world. For example, in the United States, it is a relatively uncommon name; only about one thousand people have this last name. Prokofev can still be found in Canada, but it is exceedingly rare, with users numbering to only less than two hundred out of over sixty million people in the country.
In Asian countries like Japan, India, and China, the surname is not as common as in Europe and North America. For instance, the last name is typically not present in Chinese given names, owing to its foreign origins. Although there are reports of a few Filipino families bearing the Prokofev name .
Clearly, the Prokofev surname is still highly concentrated in the Eastern European region. Although it is gradually gaining a wider adoption in other parts of the world, it is not as widespread as other last names.
Variations of the surname Prokofev
Variations of the surname Prokofev include Prokofyev, Prokofyeva, Prokofiev, Prokofeva, and Prokofeev.
The affair Prokofev is believed to originated in Russia as a feature of an old Slavic family whose members once served the old Russian tsars. The term Prokofev as a surname comes from a diminutive form of the name of the ancient Slavic patron of the family—Prokop, which stands for ‘he who is successful’. Over time, the actual Prokop's name became Prokofy, after which the surnames Prokofev, Prokofyev, Prokofyeva, Prokofiev, and Prokofeva evolved.
The surname Prokofev is superceded by other similar variants in countries outside of Russia, such as Ukraine, where it is known as Prokopyev. It is also found in Germany where it is spelled as Prokopieff, and in Poland where it is spelled as Prokopowicz.
Prokofev is also seen as a variation of the older Russian and Ukrainian surname Prokopova, which means the same and has the same root Prokop.
In addition, the surnames Prokopenko and Prosperakareis based on the Prokofev lineage and are found in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus.
Finally, Prokofev". has also taken the form of compound surnames that include the given name plus the root patronymical -ov, such as Prokofev-Kukhtarov, Prokofev-Neelov, and Prokofev-Medvedev.
Famous people with the name Prokofev
- Sergei Prokofiev: Russian composer, pianist and conductor from the first half of the 20th century. He is renowned as one of the foremost composers of the World War II era, and is famous for works such as the cantata Alexander Nevsky, the opera War and Peace, and the ballet Romeo and Juliet.
- Oleg Prokofiev: Russian violinist, violist, and composer, and the son of Sergei Prokofiev. He gained international attention primarily through his attempt to reconstruct and perform undiscovered works associated with his father.
- Oleg Prokofiev Jr.: Russian pianist and the son of Oleg Prokofiev. He is notable for having performed the works of his great-grandfather Sergei Prokofiev throughout Europe, as well as the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.
- Dmitri Prokofiev: Russian violinist and conductor, and the son of Oleg Prokofiev. He is known for participating in a multitude of performances and recordings of his grandfather and father's works, in addition to works of other well-known composers.
- Varvara Prokofiev: Russian musicologist and the daughter of Oleg Prokofiev. She is notable for teaching for many years at the Moscow Conservatory, and for her research work on the life and works of her grandfather.
- Sofia Prokofiev: Russian musicologist and the daughter of Dmitri Prokofiev. She is notable for her research on the work of her great-grandfather, Sergei Prokofiev. In addition, she founded the Prokofiev River Charitable Foundation, which is dedicated to the preservation of the composer’s heritage.