Quote Originally Posted by it-ogo View Post
Tanya - Таня. Actually it is diminutive from the name Татьяна (Tatiana). There is no tradition in Russia to use diminutives instead original names so you hardly can find name "Tanya" in official documents.
I knew my name was a nickname. My mother (being the daughter of a Russian/Czech) actually wanted me to have an American name. She was going to give me the name "Nicole." My father (an Irish guy) wanted my name to be Tanya. He actually chose it. I do know "Tanya" in Czech Republic is used as a common first name though.