Surname Vasileva - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
Vasileva: What does the surname Vasileva mean?
The last name Vasileva is a Russian and Bulgarian surname. It is derived from the Latin word "vasilis" which is roughly translated to mean " king". It suggests the holder of the name were part of a royal class.
Historically, the name may have arisen from the rule of the Byzantine emperor Basil I, the Macedonian, in 867 CE. His reign marked the beginning of the Macedonian dynasty which brought about an abrupt change to the history of the Byzantine Empire. Many of his descendants changed their surname from "makedonas" to "Vasileios", which was a common practice in those days. This likely had a major effect in the bearers of the Vasileva surname today.
The exact meaning of the name is uncertain, though is widely speculated to be related to either divine rule or a symbolic piety. The term could also be linked to a nobility family which took on the surname during the empire's Golden Age— which lasted from the 10th to 12th centuries. Legend says that some of the families assumed the title Vasileva to suggest that they were one of the chosen few of the royal court.
Overall, the surname Vasileva is a reminder of the imperial heritage and legacy of the past. It's a fitting tribute to the family's noble origins and power.
Order DNA origin analysisVasileva: Where does the name Vasileva come from?
The last name Vasileva is primarily found in Slavic countries today, particularly in Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
In Russia, data from 2020 shows the name Vasileva is the 513th most common name, while in Bulgaria it is the 79th most popular name. Population studies indicate that over 1.5 million people living in Russia hold the name Vasileva, while it is present in an additional 620,000 people in Bulgaria. The name is also popular in Serbia, with approximately 600,000 people recorded as having the name in 2018, and approximately 400,000 people in Ukraine.
Data from 2011 shows that the name is also relatively widespread in Belarus, with over 100,000 people holding the name in addition to an additional 40,000 in other nearby countries such as Lithuania and Latvia. Although its popularity varies in each of these countries, the last name Vasileva is still strongly associated with Slavic countries today.
Variations of the surname Vasileva
The surname Vasileva is a patronymic derived from the male given name Vasile. This Slavic and Romanian surname shares its origin with several other spellings and surnames, all of which can be traced back to the same nominee. These forms of the surname include: Vasilyev, Vasilev, Vasiliev, Vasolyev, Vassilyev, Wasilewski, Vasiljevic, Vasilevic and Vassiljevic.
Variations in spelling, as well as linguistically diverse pronunciations, have been observed among people of the same family line. Different spellings may be employed in the same family, often changing with each generation or as the effect of immigration and migration.
When taking into consideration the Romanian spelling of this surname, forms such as Vasilescu, Vasilesco, Vasilescu, Vasilescoiu, Vasilevschi and Vasilevscu may be observed. As well, alternate spellings that reflect other non-Romanian languages, including Wassiliew and Wasseliv, may emerge.
In Russian the same name has been crafted as Vasil'ev, Vasil'yev, Vasil'yevich, Vassil'ev, Vassil'evich and Vassil'yev, while the Belarusian forms have also been recorded as Vasilyeva, Vasylevich, Vasylevka, Vasyliuk, Vasylchuk, Vasyleuskaya and Vasyleuta.
Overall, it is evident that there is a great deal of variations between the spellings of this surname, which serves as a reminder of the diverse Eastern-European origin of this surname. Even in its multiple form, the root of this surname—Vasile—remains intact, demonstrating the clear connection between all the variants.
Famous people with the name Vasileva
- Maria Vasileva: Bulgaria's rhythm gymnast and Olympic medalist.
- Svetlana Vasileva: Ukrainian writer, journalist, and editor.
- Alexander Vasilev: Russian-language Ukrainian journalist and editor.
- Tanya Vasileva: Bulgarian politician and Member of the European Parliament from Bulgaria.
- Olga Vasileva: Russian-language Ukrainian actress, singer, composer, and journalist.
- Ekaterina Vasileva: ballet dancer and choreographer.
- Victoria Vasileva: Russian-born American diver and entrepreneur.
- Yulia Vasileva: Ukrainian doctor, researcher, and author.
- Anastasia Vasileva: Russian actress.
- Evgenia Vasileva: Russian pop-singer and actress.