Varja

Varja is a feminine given name found in several Slavic-speaking countries. It is commonly regarded as a diminutive or variant form of Varvara, the Slavic equivalent of Barbara. The root Varvara ultimately derives from the Greek word barbaros, meaning foreign or stranger, though in modern usage the name is simply a traditional given name.

Spelling and pronunciation vary by language and transliteration. Varja is one common transliteration into the Latin alphabet from Cyrillic or other scripts; other variants include Varya and Varvara. In informal speech, Varja may function as a pet form of Varvara without retaining the full form of the root.

Geographic and cultural usage: The name appears in multiple Slavic communities, including Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Serbian, and Croatian contexts, among others. In these communities, Varja is typically used for girls and may appear in literature, media, and historical records as a given name.

Variations and related names: Varvara and Barbara are the corresponding forms in other languages; Varya is another transliteration commonly used in English-language contexts. The name may appear in compound given names or as part of longer names in certain regions.

See also: Barbara, Varvara.