Surname Prokofyev - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Prokofyev: What does the surname Prokofyev mean?
The last name Prokofyev is a patronymic Russian surname, derived from the given name Prokofiy, which in turn is derived from Prokopiy - a male given name with Greek origins. The Greek origin of the name Prokopiy comes from the Greek words “prokopos”, meaning progress, and “opos” meaning work. Prokopiy is the Russian version of the Greek given name Procopius, which means “promoter of progress” or “one who makes progress.”
The surname Prokofyev is popular in Slavic countries, like Belarus, Bulgaria, the Ukraine, and even Russia itself. It was first recorded in 1440 in the eastern Russian province of Tver. It is a common surname for families of the nobility, although it can be seen among the common people as well. While not as common as other last names in the region, its meaning is still relevant in modern society.
In Russian culture, the Prokofyev name is associated with accomplishment, ambition, and hard work. It also reflects the strong patriotism seen in the region, as well as highlighting a high regard for progress. The name carries a sense of traditional family values; admiration for those that make progress through hard work and dedication.
For those with the Prokofyev surname, the meaning behind it carries with it the echoes of generations past and reminds us to strive for progress and accomplishment in our own lives.
Order DNA origin analysisProkofyev: Where does the name Prokofyev come from?
The last name Prokofyev is most common in Russia and other post-Soviet states such as Ukraine and Belarus. It originates from the ancient Proto-Slavic words "prokop" (growth) and "fev" (rock) meaning "a growing rock".
Prokofyev is becoming increasingly common throughout Europe and North America. In the United States, it ranks among the 1,000 most common surnames. In Germany, it ranks some 800 places below first place but is still among the top 8,000 surnames in the country.
In Russia, Prokofyev is a popular name that has seen tremendous usage in recent years. This is largely due to the composer Sergei Prokofiev, who was born in 1891 in present-day Ukraine.
In 2015, Prokofyev was the 175th most popular surname in Russia, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It was particularly popular in the Moscow region, where it was the 56th most common name. Prokofyev is also well represented in several Russian towns. For example, Yuryuzan, a district of Bashkortostan, has 3,143 people with this last name, making it the fourth most common name in the region.
The Prokofyev surname is also very common in Ukraine. It was the 238th most popular name in 2015, according to the Ukrainian Census Bureau. In Belarus, it was the 123rd most common name in the same year.
Overall, the surname Prokofyev is becoming increasingly common worldwide with its highest concentrations in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
Variations of the surname Prokofyev
The Prokofyev surname has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, depending on the language and cultural context.
In Russian, the surname is spelled Прокофьев or Прокофьёв and is pronounced as Prokofyev (Pro-ko-fee-iev). Variants of this surname include Prokofiev, Prokofjev, Prokofyeff, Prokof'ev and Prokofjeff.
In Church Slavonic, the surname is spelled Пракофиевъ or Prokofiíev, and is also pronounced as Prokofyev. This variant is sometimes found in records of the Russian Orthodox Church and other historical sources.
In English, variants of Prokofyev include Prokofiev, Prokofjev, Prokoffieff, Prokoffiev, Prokovich and Prokoef.
In other languages, variants and spellings can vary widely. In German, the surname is spelled Prokoffieff and Prokoffiew. In Polish, the surname is spelled Prokofiew, Prokofiewicz and Prokoffiew. In Ukrainian, the name is spelled Прокофєв and is pronounced as Prokofyev. Other variations include Prokofiew and Prokoffiew.
Altogether, the various spellings and surnames derived from the original Prokofyev can be confusing to keep track of. It's important to be aware of the variations to ensure accuracy when researching genealogy records.
Famous people with the name Prokofyev
- Sergei Prokofiev: Russian composer, pianist and conductor, best known for his classical works such as “Peter and the Wolf” and “Romeo and Juliet”.
- Stanislav Prokofyev: Russian author and playwright who wrote “The Last Days of Pompeii”.
- Sergei Prokofyev: Russian architect and urban planner, best known for his design of the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre.
- Oleg Prokofyev: Russian actor considered to be the first Russian professional film director.
- Ariadna Prokofyeva: Soviet and Russian movie and stage actress.
- Andrey Prokofyev: Russian-American classical composer.
- Andrei Andreyevich Prokofyev: Soviet military commander and Hero of the Soviet Union.
- Dmitry Prokofyev: Russian journalist and writer who authored multiple books on historical, scientific and artistic topics.
- Alexander Prokofyev: Russian film and theater director and producer who directed “The Master and Margarita”.
- Vladimir Prokofyev: Soviet and Russian film, theater, and television actor.