Atanasov (Cyrillic: Атанасов), in its feminine form Atanasova, is a Bulgarian and Macedonian surname. It is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Atanas". Atanas is the Bulgarian and Macedonian form of Athanasius, a Greek name derived from Ἀθανάσιος (Athanasios), meaning "immortal" — from the negative prefix ἀ (meaning "not") and θάνατος (meaning "death"). The name gained prominence through Saint Athanasius of Alexandria, a 4th-century theologian who defended orthodox Christianity against Arianism. Etymology and Distribution The suffix "-ov" in Atanasov indicates "son of" in Bulgarian and Macedonian, forming a patronymic surname. The name is widespread in Bulgaria and North Macedonia, where it ranks among common surnames. Due to immigration, variants may also appear in other countries, such as Argentina or the United States. Notable Bearers Numerous individuals have borne the name Atanasov across various fields. In sports, Bulgarian footballers include Atanas Atanasov (born 1985), Andrey Atanasov (born 1987), and Chavdar Atanasov (born 1973). In athletics, Atanas Atanasov competed as a runner in the 1960s, was a long jumper in the modern era, and Dimitar Atanasov was a sprint canoer. In the arts, Georgi Atanasov (1882–1931) was a Bulgarian composer, while Gavril Atanasov, a 19th-century Yugoslavian icon painter, contributed to religious art. Politician and activist Atanas Atanasov (born 1990) and Argentine politician Alfredo Atanasof also share the surname. These bearers reflect the name's enduring presence from Eastern Europe to the Americas. Related Forms and Variants The feminine form Atanasova is a Macedonian patronymic for women. In Greek, the equivalent surname is Athanasiou. Other related forms arose from derivative given names, all ultimately rooted in Athanasius. Meaning: Son of Atanas (immortal) Origin: Bulgarian, Macedonian Type: Patronymic surname Usage regions: Bulgaria, North Macedonia, diaspora worldwide