Holding steady.
Popularity of Tonja since 1940
Babies named Tonja per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 104 |
| 1950s | 533 |
| 1960s | 3,352 |
| 1970s | 2,414 |
| 1980s | 435 |
| 1990s | 124 |
| 2000s | 27 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Tonja first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1940, but its popularity peaked in 1967, when it was most commonly given. Since then, it has followed a stable trajectory and fallen out of common use, not ranking in recent years. The name represents a phonetic spelling of the more traditional Tonia or Tonya, reflecting a mid-20th-century trend for simplified, modernized spellings. Tonja was never concentrated in any particular state, but it enjoyed modest use across the country during the 1960s.
Tonja is a modern feminine variant of Tony, the diminutive of Anthony. Anthony ultimately derives from the Roman family name Antonius, of uncertain Etruscan origin, though folk etymology has long associated it with the Greek word 'anthos' meaning 'flower'. The spelling Tonja emerged in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, as a phonetic variation of Tonia.
Where Tonja is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Toni, T
Sibling names for Tonja
Names that share Tonja's style, for a brother or sister.
