Nonna

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Fact sheet

Name
Nonna
Gender
Girl name
Syllables
2

The first name Nonna (Нонна) is a Russian form of the Greek name Nonnos (Νόννος). This ancient name comes from the ancient Greek term nónnos (νόννος), which encompasses meanings such as 'the father', 'the monk', 'the tutor', and 'the old man'. Consequently, Nonna can be translated as 'the grandmother' or 'the nun'.

What does the name Nonna mean?

The name Nonna (Нонна) is a Russian feminine variant of the Greek Nonnos (Νόννος). It derives from the ancient Greek nónnos (νόννος), which means 'the father', 'the monk', 'the tutor', and 'the old man'. This leads to the meanings 'the grandmother' or 'the nun'. An alternative interpretation of the name leads to the meaning 'the ninth', derived from the Latin nōnus for 'ninth' and nŏvem for 'nine'. Additionally, Nonna is also used as a Scandinavian short form of the names Eleonora and Yvonne. A related form is Nona.

Where does the name Nonna come from?

The origin of the name Nonna lies in both ancient Greek and Latin and means 'the grandmother' or 'the ninth'. The ancient Greek term nónnos (νόννος) stands for 'the father', 'the monk', 'the tutor', and 'the old man', while the Latin term nōnus means 'ninth' and nŏvem means 'nine'. The name is common in Russian, Swedish, and other Scandinavian languages.

How do you pronounce Nonna?

The pronunciation of Nonna is 'Non-na' [ˈnɔnə]. The name is two syllables and rhythmically well-structured. The round sound 'o' at the beginning gives the sound warmth and fullness. The double consonant 'n' stabilizes the inner sound, while the ending '-a' softens the sound. Nonna has a familiar and friendly sound that feels warm and traditional.

When is the name day of Nonna?

The name day of Nonna is celebrated on August 5.

Popularity

In Germany, Nonna is among the less common first names. In 2021, it ranked 5,220th on the list of the most common female baby names. Its highest ranking was 4,092 in 2015. In the last ten years, Nonna has been given as a first name fewer than ten times, placing it 7,773rd in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 9,410th.

Famous people

  • Nonna Bella (singer)
  • Nonna Grishayeva (Russian actress)
  • Nonna Karakashyan (chess player from Russia)
  • Nonna Mordyukova (Russian actress)

Frequently asked questions about the name Nonna

What is the origin of the name Nonna?

The name Nonna has its roots in ancient Greek and Latin. It means both 'the grandmother' and 'the ninth'.

What does the name Nonna mean?

The meaning of Nonna derives from the Greek nónnos, which means 'the father', 'the monk', or 'the old man'. It is also interpreted as 'the nun'.

How popular is the name Nonna?

Nonna is appreciated and used in several countries, particularly in Russia and Scandinavian regions, with varying popularity.

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