Surname Vovk - Meaning and Origin
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Vovk: What does the surname Vovk mean?
The last name Vovk is of Slavic origin and has two possible meanings. It is derived from either the old Slavonic word “Vovk”, meaning "wolf", or from the old Slavic name “Volk”, meaning "monster, ogre, or giant". It is a fairly common surname and may have been adopted to distinguish families from one another, although the exact reason for its adoption is unknown.
As a surname, Vovk is said to significate traits such as perseverance, strength, courage, and a “survival of the fittest” mentality. People with this last name are believed to be strong-minded individuals and have the ability to push through difficult moments with a decisive attitude.
The origins of the name also suggest that those with the last name Vovk have a spiritual affinity with the wild, and are innately connected to nature and its many mysteries. They are thought to make brilliant environmental activists and conservationists, and are also said to be able to stick to their goals no matter the circumstance.
As a note, some variants of the name include: Wovk, Wovka, Vovka, Vovko, Vovk
In conclusion, the last name Vovk suggests a strong and independent nature, with a spirit attuned to the wonders of nature. Those with the name may have inherited these qualities and may follow them with a fierce determination in life.
Order DNA origin analysisVovk: Where does the name Vovk come from?
The last name Vovk is most common in Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland. In Ukraine, Vovk is a top 50 last name, with over 35,000 people carrying the name. In Russia, the name ranks within the top 100, with over 42,000 individuals having the surname. It is also popular in Belarus, ranking within the top 500 last names, with over 19,000 people having the name.
In other parts of Europe, the name is still seen, although with less frequency. In the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia, Vovk is a lower-medium ranking last name, with around 2,000 to 4,000 people each carrying the name. In Germany and Austria, the name is a low ranking last name, with around 2,000 people in each country having the name.
The United States is also home to some individuals with the last name Vovk. However, the surname is rarer here than in Eastern Europe; around 600 people in the US carry the last name. Americans with the Vovk last name likely have their origins in Eastern Europe, or are related to someone who has immigrated from the region.
Variations of the surname Vovk
The surname Vovk (or Vovka, Wovka, Wovk, Vovchok, Wovchok, Vovko, and Wovko) is a patronymic derived from the Old Slavic personal name Vladimir (Владимир). It is a Slavic paternal surname of ancient origin, found mainly in Eastern Europe, namely Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The surname Vovk in Russia is commonly found in the regions of Pereslavl-Zalessky, Voronezh, Saransk. It is known to be a relatively uncommon surname in other regions.
In Belarus, Vovk is more common than in Russia and it is found in the majority of towns in the country. In Ukraine, the surname is mainly located in the West and Volyn regions. In Bulgaria, the surname is among the top 100 most common family names. It is also abundantly found in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Alternative spellings of the surname Vovka includes Vovochka, Wovochka, and Vovka. Vovchok and Wovchok are variations of the same surname that are mainly used by Jewish communities. The female version of the surname is Vovka and Wovka, respectively. Variants of the Vovk surname can also be found in other countries including United Kingdom, Serbia, Romania and Croatia.
The surname Vovk is sometimes derived from the ancient Slavic personal name Bogdan, which in some areas may have been a pet form of Vladimir. In old Russia, Bogdan was a being used as a nickname for Vladimir, and this might explain the presence of the Vovk surname in some places.
Famous people with the name Vovk
- Andrej Vovk: A famous Slovenian actor known for roles in films such as “Nebeška vas”, “The Rainmaker”, and “Večno svetlobo.”
- Marianna Vovk: An Ukrainian actress who has starred in films such as “Killer Penguins” and “Tenderness.”
- Jan Vovk: A Slovakian actor who has appeared in productions such as “Svadobný obrad”, “Raiomore”, and “Kadevce.”
- Zoran Vovk: An Yugoslavian musician and bassist for the rock band Sreča.
- Dontavian Vovk: An American professional football player who currently plays for the Nevada Wolf Pack.
- Galina Vovk: A Russian dancer and former principal dancer of the Moscow Ballet.
- Ivana Vovk: A Slovenian actress who has appeared in films such as “V Iskanju Uresničenega Časa” and “Nataša.”
- Liudmila Vovk: A Ukrainian actress who has appeared in films such as “Ena Slika Dugo Potovanje” and “Marsiala.”
- Daria Vovk: An Ukrainian actress who has starred in television series such as “The White Pyramid” and “Striking Lightning.”
- Alexandr Vovk: A Russian ice hockey player who currently plays for the Kontinental Hockey League.