Apolonia

Apolonia is a feminine given name of Greek origin, a variant of Apollonia, derived from the name of the god Apollo. The meaning is typically understood as “belonging to Apollo” or “of Apollo.” The form Apolonia appears in several languages, with related spellings such as Apollonia and Apolonija used in various regions and traditions.

Saint Apolonia (also known as Apollonia) is a Christian martyr from the 3rd century who is venerated in Western and Eastern churches. She is the patron saint of dentistry and those suffering from toothache, and her feast day is February 9. Her cult spread widely in the Catholic and Orthodox worlds, and she is often depicted with dental imagery.

Geography and archaeology: Apollonia, sometimes rendered Apolonia in some languages, refers to an ancient Greek city of Illyria on the Adriatic coast. Located in what is now Albania, near Fier, it was an important urban center in antiquity, flourishing under Greek and later Roman rule. The site preserves substantial ruins, including a theater, an agora, and several temples, and is a well-known archaeological park that sheds light on Hellenistic and Roman-era urban life.

In modern usage, Apolonia appears as a given name across cultures and as a toponym in various places, reflecting the historical reach of the name through antiquity and Christianity. See also Apollonia for related spellings and disambiguation.