Fun Facts About the Name Fania
- 37 babies named Fania: U.S. records list 37 babies given the name Fania from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Fania Mean?
Fania is a feminine short form whose source names are Greek; it is used in Polish, Italian, Russian, and Yiddish. It is most often an affectionate form of Stefania, the Polish and Italian form of Stephanie. Stefania comes from Greek Stephanos, 'crown' or 'garland,' so Fania is commonly glossed as 'crown.' In Russian and Yiddish settings, the related spelling Fanya can also shorten Feofaniya, the Russian form of Theophania; Theophania combines Greek theos ('God') with phainein ('to appear') and means 'manifestation of God.' The spelling alone does not show which fuller name a particular Fania was formed from.
Fania Name History & Origins
Fania's history is tied to the fuller names it abbreviates. In Polish and Italian, it is an affectionate form of Stefania, the feminine counterpart of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. In Russian and Yiddish usage, Fania or Fanya appears as a diminutive of Feofaniya, a name connected with Theophany, the Christian feast of Christ's baptism. In the United States, Fania appears among Jewish and Slavic immigrant families; the comedian Fanny Brice was born Fania Borach in New York in 1891. In English, the name is usually understood as a short form or variant.
How Popular is the Name Fania?
Fania has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1972. Its best rank was #7,568 in 1972.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | #18,210 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2007 | #18,532 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2006 | #18,037 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1986 | #11,505 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1983 | #9,392 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1981 | #10,906 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1972 | #7,568 | 6 | 0.0004% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with F
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How the Name Fania Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are kind, home-loving, hospitable and friendly. Since you take responsibility well, you are a good organizer of social affairs. Compassion for others is an outstanding trait. You are a great lover and a great flirt – an artist, musician, actor, teacher, nurse. Your character can be contradictory. You are practical, yet idealistic and intuitive; capable of selfless devotion to someone you love, yet look to receive payback. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Fania's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Fania's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.