Ivanova

Ivanova is a Slavic surname, the feminine form of Ivanov, meaning “belonging to Ivan” or “daughter of Ivan.” It is commonly used in Russia and in other Slavic-speaking countries, including Ukraine, Bulgaria, Belarus, Serbia, Croatia, and Moldova. The given name Ivan derives from John, and Ivanova is formed through traditional patronymic naming conventions to indicate lineage from a man named Ivan.

In languages with gendered surnames, Ivanova designates a female bearer while the masculine form is Ivanov. In Czech and Slovak, the equivalent feminine form is Ivanová. The surname’s distribution reflects historical population movements within the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, and it is also common among diaspora communities in North America and Western Europe.

Notable individuals with the surname span fields such as politics, sports, arts, and academia, and include many Russians, Bulgarians, and other Slavic speakers. The name also appears in literature and media as a representative Slavic surname.

Ivanova, like other patronymic-derived surnames, illustrates how gendered surname forms convey family lineage in many Slavic cultures, while in some contexts, individuals may use the masculine or feminine form interchangeably depending on local customs or personal preference.