Leontieva

Leontieva is a Russian feminine surname. It derives from the masculine Leontiev (also transliterated Leontyev), which in turn originates from the given name Leontiy or Leontius, itself derived from the Greek Leon, meaning lion. The feminine form Leontieva is formed by adding the standard feminine suffix -eva to the masculine stem. Transliteration variants reflect differences in Cyrillic spelling and language, including Leontieva and Leontyeva for the feminine form, and Leontiev/Leontyev for the masculine form.

The surname is most common in Russia and other Slavic-speaking regions, and is also found among diaspora communities with Russian or Eastern European heritage. Spelling and pronunciation may vary by country and transliteration system, but the underlying etymology remains tied to the given name Leontiy/Leontius and to the root meaning lion.

As with many Russian surnames, Leontieva does not convey a professional or regional affiliation by itself and is used across different walks of life. It may appear in historical, literary, and contemporary contexts, reflecting family lineage rather than a specific occupation.

See also: Leontiev, Leontyev.