vija

Vija is a feminine given name of Baltic origin, most commonly used in Latvia and among Latvian-speaking communities. In Latvian usage, Vija is typically treated as a standalone given name rather than a nickname for another name. The etymology of the name is not widely documented in standard reference works, but it has become established as a personal name in modern times across Baltic-influenced cultures.

Notable individuals named Vija include Vija Celmins (born 1938), a Latvian-born American painter and printmaker known for meticulous renderings of natural scenes such as oceans, star fields, and desert textures. Another notable bearer is Vija Artmane (1929–2008), an Estonian stage and film actress with a prominent career in European theater and cinema.

Vija has also appeared in various cultural contexts as a given name within Baltic communities, contributing to its recognition beyond the local region. The name’s simple, vowel-led structure is characteristic of many Baltic-style feminine given names and has helped it endure across generations.