Oparina

Oparina is a Russian surname that appears in various records primarily within the Russian Federation and former Soviet republics. The name is typically considered feminine, with the masculine form usually rendered as Oparin. Linguistic analysis suggests it may be derived from the Russian noun «опар» (pronounced "opār"), meaning a type of stew or a process of steeping, implying an occupational origin for an ancestor who prepared such foods or worked in a kitchen. Another hypothesis connects the name to the adjective «опарный», describing someone strong or sturdy, although this etymology is less widely accepted.

The surname Oparina is moderately uncommon but can be found in several regions. In the Moscow and Tula Oblasts, for instance, local registries have recorded numerous families bearing the name over the past two centuries. A few individuals with the surname have achieved recognition in the arts and sciences. One notable figure is Elena Oparina, a Soviet-era graphic designer known for her work in book illustration and children's literature. In sports, a track and field athlete named Marina Oparina has represented Russia at national championships during the early 1990s.

Oparina may also refer to a small rural settlement in Russia – a selo categorized as a village in the Boksitogorsky District of Kirov Oblast. This locality, with a population of fewer than five hundred residents, is known for its agricultural activities, particularly crop cultivation and dairy farming. The village’s name is believed to share the same root as the surname, indicating either the original landowners’ name or the community’s occupation.

While the name is not among the most common Russian surnames, it maintains a presence in both personal and geographical contexts, reflecting a small but distinct branch of Russian onomastic history.