I've got another one: Lenja (also spelled Lenia, Lenya/ pronounced either lehn-ya (long eh sound) or more commonly lenn-ya). It was popular in Germany for a while making the top 100. Especially around 2010.
Now lots of
German sites claim that this is a Russian nickname for
Helena or
Elena (it's usually
Helena).
As far as I know
Helena isn't even commonly used in Russia? And
Elena was super common but all the Russian Elenas I know are ALWAYS
Elena, never Lenja.
I'm starting to think that this was made up in Germany (sort of like
Svenja was) by combining the very popular
Lena with -ja names such as
Maja,
Ronja,
Anja (which are also popular in Germany).
Any ideas?
Please rate my list:
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/6232