Surname Smirnov - Meaning and Origin
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Smirnov: What does the surname Smirnov mean?
The last name Smirnov is an East Slavic patronymic surname which originates from the personal name Smirna, which in turn, derives from the Slavic word 'smir', which means 'peace'. This surname is one of the oldest and most popular surnames across Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. It is also widely adopted by several other countries as a given name, including Estonia and Lithuania.
In terms of etymology, it is believed that the origin of this surname is connected with the Russian god of peace, Czechemir, also known as Veremir. This god was a father figure and protector of the Slavic people, who presided over contracts and oaths of peace and was believed to be the bringer of good luck.
The most common spelling of this surname is Smirnov, and those who bear this name are usually of nobility and aristocracy. It is also said that the name Smirnov often indicates power and wealth in the family, even if the family members do not bear any title.
The bearer of this name may come from any of the many families who bear this name, may be related to famous political figures, or may be entirely unrelated. What all bearers of this name do have in common, however, is a connection to the past and the pride that comes with a name with a rich history.
Order DNA origin analysisSmirnov: Where does the name Smirnov come from?
The last name Smirnov is most common in Russia and other Slavic countries. As of the most recent census, Russia had an estimated 139,673 people with the last name Smirnov. Other areas with high concentrations of Smirnovs include the Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Finland.
The name is also common in some countries of the former Soviet Union and in some remote parts of the United States. Within the United States, California, New York, Florida and Washington are the states with the highest concentrations of the last name Smirnov. The highest number of Smirnovs is found in New York City, with nearly 1000 people having the name.
In addition, the last name Smirnov has been increasingly adopted by other countries outside of the Slavic world, although to a lesser degree. Smirnov has been seen in countries such as Austria, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The etymology of the last name Smirnov is from the given name Alexander, derived from the Greek Alexandros, which means defender or protector of men. The name first suffix of -ov or -ev was added to Alexander to signify the patronymic origin of the name. The name is likely to have originated in either East or South Russian and was a title given to an upper-class family.
Variations of the surname Smirnov
The surname Smirnov, or Смирнов in Russian, is a patronymic derived from "Smirnyi," the Russian adjective meaning "meek" or "humble.” The most common variants of Smirnov are Smirnoff, Smirnova (feminine form), Smirnovs, Smirnovskaya (feminine form), Smirnoff, Smirnovitsch, Smirniewicz, Smirnaeus, and Smirnyi.
The surname Smirnov is most commonly found among Russian speakers, but also has variants in other languages of the region. In Polish, forms include Smirnow, Smirnowicz, and Smirniak; in Belarusian, it is Smirnov or Smirnovets; in Ukrainian, Smirnov, Smirnovs’kyi, Smirnovs’ka, and Smirnovskyi; in Kazakh, Smirnov; and in Czech, Smírnov or Smírnoff.
In the United States the surname Smirnov is most likely to be of Russian and Eastern European origin, however other variants have been known to exist in different regions. In Germany, Smirnovs may be of Slavic and Baltic origin. In Finland, the surname Smirnov can refer both to Russian immigrants and to native Finns, in which case it ultimately originated from the Finnish word "sumeru" (calm).
In some European countries, the Smirnov surname has been anglicised and may now appear as Smyrnov. The surname Smirnoff can also be found among other Slavic nations, including Bulgaria and Romania.
As sub-variations of the surname Smirnov, diminutive forms are also in use. In Russia, these may include Smirnyonok (“little Smirnyi”) and Smirnyushka (“little Smirnyi girl”). In many countries, the surname exists in a patronymic form of Smirnovitch or Smirnovna.
Famous people with the name Smirnov
- Dmitry Smirnov: Russian ice hockey player
- Vitaly Smirnov: Soviet Sports Minister
- Alexander Smirnov: Russian ice hockey player
- Alexandra Smirnov: Olympic Gold Medal winning Russian rhythmic gymnast
- Arkady Smirnov: Russian cross-country skier
- Ivan Smirnov: Russian professional footballer
- Anastasia Smirnova: psychologist and author
- Nikolai Smirnov: Russian-born Greco-Roman wrestler and Olympic gold medalist
- Svetlana Smirnova: opera singer
- Alexander Smirnov: Russian painter