National Theatre Live: Vanya

Vanya, as a name, is a Russian form of the Slavic name Ivan, derived from the Hebrew names John, Johnny, or Jane, which means "'gracious gift of God", "God is gracious". In Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is primarily used for boys, while in Serbia and Croatia, it is considered a unisex name. Additionally, Vanya is commonly given to baby girls in Bulgaria and Scandinavian countries. Being a variant of John, Jane, or Ivan, the name Vanya can be associated with John, a cherished disciple of Jesus and known for his unwavering faith and loyalty, as mentioned in the New Testament. Among the Twelve Apostles, he played a significant role and is often associated with the authorship of various New Testament writings, such as the Gospel of John, according to Christian tradition.