Vasja

Vasja is a masculine given name or informal nickname used in several Slavic-speaking countries. It is commonly a diminutive form of Vasiliy (Vasily) or Vasilij, and in some contexts can be used as a formal name in its own right. The name derives from the Greek Basileus, meaning “king” or “ruler.”

In Russian contexts, the standard diminutive is Vasya (Ва́ся). The spelling Vasja reflects certain transliteration conventions found in Slovenian and some other Slavic languages, where it functions as an affectionate or informal form of Vasilii/Vasily. Across different languages, Vasja can be used as a familiar form of the longer name, or, less commonly, as a standalone given name.

Regional usage and variants vary across Eastern Europe. The form Vasja and its related variants are especially associated with Slavic-speaking regions, including Russia and parts of the Balkans, where it appears in everyday usage, literature, and media as a casual or familiar name.

Overall, Vasja functions primarily as a nickname linked to the name Vasiliy, with its exact form and usage shaped by local linguistic traditions. Related forms include Vasya, Vasiliy, Vasilij, and Basil, among other equivalents in Slavic naming.