Zinaida

Zinaida is a feminine given name used in Russia and other Slavic-speaking countries. It is often treated as the Slavic form of the Greek name Zenais, a feminine name that entered Eastern European usage through literary and religious channels.

In Russian usage, Zinaida has appeared in literature and art since the 19th century and achieved cultural prominence in the early 20th century. The name has produced notable bearers in Russian culture, including Zinaida Gippius (1869–1945), a leading poet, essayist, and salon figure of the Silver Age, and Zinaida Serebryakova (1884–1967), a painter associated with the Russian avant-garde and post-impressionist movements. In modern times, the name is less common but remains recognizable.

A common diminutive is Zina, and the name has various transliterations in different languages. The form Zenaida exists as a related variant in Spanish and other languages, though it may have different etymological roots in those contexts.

Overall, Zinaida is regarded as a traditional Slavic feminine name with classical associations, still understood and occasionally used in contemporary naming, though it is not among the most popular choices today.