Surname Korolenko - Meaning and Origin
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Korolenko: What does the surname Korolenko mean?
The last name Korolenko is derived from the Ukrainian word ‘koroleva’, which translates to ‘queen’. This name has been associated with several notable Ukrainian literary figures, most notably Vasily Korolenko.
Initially, this last name was adopted by members of the Ukrainian gentry as a way to express their noble status. The name became widely accepted and thus remains in use today by many families in Ukraine.
The name also has ties to Eastern European religion, in which it translates to patriarchal or earthly royalty. This may have been due to a belief that a Korolenko, whether a man or a woman, held some divine quality or charm.
In addition, the term ‘korole’ means ‘camp,’ connecting the name to the concept of gathering and uniting many people in one place. It is through this association that the name first became attached to a literary figure.
Overall, the name Korolenko is an embodiment of royalty, power, and unity. It is an important part of Ukrainian history and literature and is cherished by families in Ukraine.
Order DNA origin analysisKorolenko: Where does the name Korolenko come from?
The last name Korolenko is most commonly found today in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus region, and parts of Russia and Ukraine. The name is of Slavic origin and was most likely derived from the word 'Korol', which translates to mean 'king'. As a patronymic, the suffix 'enko' was likely added to signify a son of a king or a descendant of royalty.
In Russia, Korolenko is a fairly popular surname, especially within the larger cities such as Moscow and Saint Petersburg. A more widespread use of the name can be found within the Russian-speaking countries and regions, such as Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Ukraine. Outside of the eastern European and Russian regions, the usage of the name becomes increasingly scarce with very few occurrences in Western Europe, the United States, and Canada.
Today, there are many people with the last name Korolenko, including a variety of prominent individuals in Russian literature and culture. Names such as Vladimir Korolenko, a famous Russian writer and public figure, and Pavel Korolenko, a Soviet officer, school teacher, and consul-general in various European countries are well-known for their respective contributions and legacies to culture.
Variations of the surname Korolenko
Korolenko is a patronymic surname derived from the old Slavic name Korol, which translates to "king". This surname can be seen in various forms throughout historical and modern contexts, depending on the country and family.
Korolenko is the common Ukrainian spelling of this surname, with variants such as Korolenko, Korol'enko, Korolenka, Korol'enka, and Korolenya all existing in the present day.
Russian variants of Korolenko often incorporate two distinct elements: Korolenko becomes Korol'evich or Korolevna, which signify "son of king" and "daughter of king" respectively. Alternate spellings include Korolevich, Korolovna, and Koroloff. In Polish, this name translates to Korolewicz or Korolowicz.
Korolenko families may also be recognized by related surnames stemming from the "King" root, including Corlew, Corliss, and Korrell. Through marriage and adoption, there are a number of surnames related to and derived from variants of Korolenko, resulting in Korolinski, Korolski, Krolenko, and Choronenko.
Although this surname is not particularly common, its many variations provide insight into the familial history and legacy of people with Korolenko as their original surname. Its presence in various societies and its multiple spellings demonstrate the autonomy and adaptability of this surname as it traveled through generations and geographical boundaries.
Famous people with the name Korolenko
- Vladimir Galaktionovich Korolenko (1853: 1921): Russian short story writer, journalist, human rights activist, and humanitarian.
- Anastasia Korolenko (1916: 2006): Russian Olympic Champion figure skater. She won two consecutive European Championship titles, four consecutive national titles, and earned a sixth-place finish at the 1936 Winter Olympics.
- Viktor Vladimirovich Korolenko (born 1954): Russian actor and director.
- Dmitry Viktorovich Korolenko (born 1986): Russian politician and member of the State Duma, chairman of the Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs.
- Alexandra Korolenko (born 1989): Russian figure skater. She won silver medals at the 1994 World Junior Championships and at the 1995 Russian Championships.
- Valeriy Aleksandrovich Korolenko (born 1960): Russian ice hockey player.
- Yevgeniy Yevgenevich Korolenko (born 1952): Russian politician and member of the State Duma, deputy chairman of the Committee on Education and Science.
- Olga Viktorovna Korolenko (born 1988): Russian figure skater. She won the gold medal in junior at the 2002 World Junior Championships and placed fourth in senior at the 2004 Russian Championships.
- Ivan Yuriyovich Korolenko (born 1976): Russian rock musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the rock band DDT.
- Sergey Vladimirovich Korolenko (born 1973): Russian actor and television host. He is best known for his roles in the film Brothers and the series 15 Minutes of Fame.