Surname Vorobyov - Meaning and Origin

Vorobyov: What does the surname Vorobyov mean?

The last name Vorobyov is a Russian surname derived from the word “vorob” (“sparrow”). It is believed to originate from the ancient Slavic word describing someone with a sparrow-like character, referring to a person who was quick, agile, and active. The last name Vorobyov is one of the most common surnames in Russia, with roughly 130 thousand Russians holding the name.

The literal translations of Vorobyov are “from the sparrow” and “belonging to the sparrow,” suggesting that descendants of Vorobyov were seen as sharp and nimble, like a sparrow. In some cases, the surname has also been seen as being a patronymic, meaning that it is a name derived from the father's name, in this case the father having the name of a bird (Vorob).

From a symbolic perspective, the sparrow can be seen as having both positive and negative traits. On the positive side, corvids, such as a sparrow, are symbols of intelligence, wisdom, agility, industriousness, and great communication skills. On the negative side, the sparrow can be seen as a symbol of chatter and gossip.

Overall, the last name Vorobyov is often associated with individuals who are intelligent, agile, and carry strong communication skills. It is derived from the ancient Slavic word describing someone who was sparrow-like and allows for descendants of Vorobyov to carry the bright characteristics of the sparrow throughout the generations.

Vorobyov: Where does the name Vorobyov come from?

The last name Vorobyov is most commonly associated with Russia. It originates from the Slavic word "vorobey," which refers to a bird (sparrow). The Vorobyovs were prominent landowners in the mid-seventeenth century Russia, particularly in the north-western provinces of the country.

Today, the name is still relatively widespread in Russia, particularly in the Novgorod and Pskov regions. It's also common in parts of Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. As Russian emigration increased, the name was carried to countries around the world, including the United States and Canada.

Many with the surname Vorobyov have become prominent in their respective fields. For example, Russian wrestler Alina Vorobyova won gold at both the European and World Championships in 2013. Anastasia Vorobyova is a Russian Paralympic swimmer, who took a gold and two silver medals at the 2004 Paralympics. In the United States, Alexi Vorobyov is a singer and the winner of many music awards, including “Person of the Year”.

Outside of sport and music, Vorobyovs also hold prominent positions in education. Vasily Vorobyov was Rector of St. Petersburg State University, one of Russia's oldest and most prestigious universities, from 2005 to 2012.

Overall, the last name Vorobyov continues to remain relatively common in Russia and some of the neighbouring countries. It has also travelled abroad, due to population movements in the 19th and 20th centuries, with some individuals attaining success in various fields.

Variations of the surname Vorobyov

The Vorobyov surname is most likely of Russian or Ukrainian origin. Alternate spellings of this name include Vorobiev, Vorobyeva, Vorob'yov, Vorob'ev, Vorobyovitch, Vorobyeva, Vorobeyov, Vorob'yeva, Vorobeyeva, Vorobevich, Vorobiev, Vorob'yovitch, Vorobev, and Vorobyovitch.

The surname Vorobyov is derived from the root word “vorob”, which literally translates to “sparrow” in Russian. It is also thought to derive from the root word “vorobei”, another word for the small bird.

The name is found mainly in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and western Europe. It is likely that it was carried to western Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries by immigrants. Surnames similar to Vorobyov, but of other origin include Voorhees (Dutch), Habovick (Slovak), Orlowski (Polish), Fletch (English), and Robert (French).

In Russian, the male version of the surname Vorobyov is Vorobyov, while the female version is Vorobyova. The male version can also be spelled Vorobev or Vorob'ev, while the female version can be Vorobyeva or Vorob'yeva.

In Ukrainian, the male version of the surname Vorobyov is Vorobyov, while the female version is Vorobyova. The male version can also be spelled Vorobiyov or Vorobiyiv, while the female version can be Vorobyeva or Vorob'yeva.

Other surnames formed from the root “vorob” are Vorobeyov, Vorobevich, Vorobiev, Vorobiyenko, Vorobiychuk, and Vorobiyov. Additionally, surnames formed from the female variants of the root word “vorob” include Vorobeva, Vorobychyk, Vorobychenko, Vorobyuk, and Vorobeychenka.

Famous people with the name Vorobyov

• Dmitry Vorobyov: Ukrainian figure skater and former world junior champion.
• Yevgeny Vorobyov: Russian singer, songwriter, producer, actor, director, and television presenter.
• Pavel Vorobyov: Russian professional basketball player.
• Vladimir Vorobyov: Soviet speed skater who competed in the early 1960s.
• Ivan Vorobyov: Russian footballer.
• Kseniya Vorobyova: Former Russian Biathlete and five-time World Cup winner.
• Alexey Vorobyov: Singer, musician and judge on the popular Russian talent show "Golos".
• Roman Vorobyov: Russian model and actor.
• Elena Vorobyova: Former Soviet rhythmic gymnast.
• Alexander Vorobyov: Soviet biathlete who competed in the 1980s.
• Konstantin Vorobyov: Modern Russian painter and sculptor.
• Andrey Vorobyov: Former Russian ice hockey defender.
• Kirill Vorobyov: Russian actor and theatre director.
• Natalia Vorobyova: Russian swimmer and two-time European Champion.

Other surnames

VorobyevVorobyova