Help translating female name

[rwf]

I'm unable to decipher the attached female name. Can anyone please help me on this one?

Thanks!

Richard

[IreneLviv]

Hello Richard
Have not heard from you for some time
Are you now studing Old Church Slavonic language prior to your trip?
Can you produce a larger portion of the text
The first letter is pronounced as F or T
The second is E
THe third one is pronounced as O
F/TEOMA?

There is an old Russian name - FEONA - probably this one?

[rwf]

Hello Irene,

Thank you for your response! This one really had me puzzled; it is certainly not among the popular female given names that I have encountered.

I wasn't even sure if the first letter was "F", or more like the Greek theta ("Th" sound). I keep seeing it used alternately in the spelling of other names, such as "Theodor" and "Feodor".

A trip to Ukraine has definitely been on my mind, especially since I started doing this fascinating research. I have much preparation beforehand, as I still need to research my mother's maternal family. I think I would be better served learning some basic Ukrainian language skills in the meantime.

Cheers!

Richard

[Victor_Lviv]

- probably "Fevronia" - from Greek "Φευρωνία" (radiant).

St. Peter and Fevronia are Russian Orthodox Saints - patrons of family and marriage. Name-day is June 25th (might be a clue to your name - if birthdate is close), - same date - also church holiday - "Day of Peter and Fevronia" - which 3 years ago become official holiday in Russia - "Day of family, love and faithfulness".

The Tale of Peter and Fevronia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[rwf]

Thank you, Victor!

Your reply reminded my that given names were often closely tied to the name day. She was born January 2 and baptised on January 6, the day associated with Theophania. I'm going to assume that her name is somehow derived from Theophania.

Richard

[IreneLviv]

Richard - the dates of your records must correspond to the Old Style calendar
In the Old Style Calendar: Feofania is listed on16 December
For the first decade of January I can suggest Feona (sorry this is a male name) and Feozva.

[rwf]

Thank you Irene! It is an unusual name to my ear (and eye), unlike all of the Anna's and Maria's and Safta's that I've encountered in my records.

This has been an enlightening learning experience for me. I've now added an Orthodox church link to my resource list for future reference to saints and name days.

Richard