Polina

The name Polina is a Russian feminine given name derived from the Greek name Apollinaria. It is a variant of the Russian name Polya, which in turn comes from the Greek name Apollonia, meaning "of Apollo" or "related to Apollo." Apollo was the Greek god of music, poetry, prophecy, and medicine.

The name Polina has its roots in ancient Greek mythology and culture. It was used in the Byzantine Empire and spread to Slavic countries through the influence of the Orthodox Christian faith. The name's association with the god Apollo may have originally given it a connection to the arts, knowledge, and healing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Polina can be found in the hagiography of Saint Apollinaria, a Christian martyr from the 3rd century AD. She was a virgin from Antioch who was tortured and executed for her faith during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Philip the Arab.

In the 9th century, Saint Polina of Ríonobo was a nun and abbess in the Iberian Peninsula who founded several monasteries and is venerated in the Orthodox Church. Her feast day is celebrated on September 9th.

Polina Viardo (1821-1910) was a Russian opera singer and one of the leading sopranos of her time. She performed extensively in Italy, France, and Russia, and is considered one of the greatest interpreters of the works of Giuseppe Verdi.

Polina Semionova (born 1984) is a Russian ballet dancer who has been a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and the Berliner Staatsballett. She is widely acclaimed for her technical virtuosity and dramatic intensity.

Polina Zherebyateva (born 1989) is a Russian former artistic gymnast who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where she won a silver medal in the team competition.