Tonia

Updated: July 11, 2022 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Tonia was quite popular from the 1950s through the 1980s as an alternative form of Tanya. And when you see or read the name, it probably takes you back to the mid-20th century and feels a bit dated. However, Tonia can also be a derivative of the Italian name Antonia, giving it a whole new pronunciation and a fresher outlook. Tonia pairs well with most middle names, both classic and current.

Meaning of the name Tonia:

Italian: Woman, priceless
Slavic: Meaning unknown
Russian: Meaning unknown

Origin of the name Tonia:

There is a lot of debate surrounding the exact origins of the name Tonia. We know that when it's pronounced with three syllables, it's thought to be a shortened form of the Italian name Antonia, which is ultimately derived from Anthony. Anthony's meaning is unknown, though some people say it means “priceless” or “man,” which would leave a feminization of the name meaning “priceless” or “women.” If you pronounce Tonia with two syllables, there's an idea that it's a Slavic or Russian name that was derived from Tatiana. Again, the meaning is unknown, though Tatiana may also be a derivative of Anthony. The only thing most experts can agree on is that Tonia is most likely a derivative of Anthony and has roots in ancient Rome.

Symbolism of the name Tonia:

Because of its lack of origin story and true meaning, Tonia doesn't offer much in the way of symbolism.

Style of the name Tonia:

Traditional

Gender of the name Tonia:

Tonia is a girl's name.

Pronunciation of the name Tonia:

TONE-ee-uh or TOHN-yah

Number of syllables in the name Tonia:

Two or three, depending on pronunciation

Emotion evoked from the name Tonia:

The baby name Tonia evokes images of someone who is cheerful and friendly and someone who is always dreaming.

Alternative spellings for the name Tonia:

Nicknames for the name Tonia:

Tawny
Toni
YaYa

Popularity of the name Tonia:

According to the Social Security Administration, Tonia was a top 1,000 baby name in the United States on and off between 1947 and 1985. It was most popular in 1971 when it ranked at number 212. It last ranked at number 856 in 1985.