Minkov is a Bulgarian patronymic surname meaning "son of Minko". Minko is a diminutive of the Bulgarian name Mihail, which is a form of Michael. The name Michael comes from the Hebrew מִיכָאֵל (Miḵaʾel) meaning "who is like God?", a rhetorical question affirming that no one is like God. Historical and Cultural ContextPatronymic surnames are common in Bulgarian naming traditions, where the suffix "-ov" (or "-ev" after soft consonants) denotes "son of". The feminine form is Minkova. The root name Michael has immense religious significance as one of the archangels in Judeo-Christian tradition, and the name Mihail has been widely used in Bulgaria, Romania, and other Orthodox countries. The surname Minkov thus connects its bearers to this venerated name. Notable BearersThe surname Minkov has been borne by several prominent individuals across various fields:Aleksandr Vitalyevich Minkov (b. 1957), Russian singer, songwriter, and musician.Donka Minkova (b. 1944), Bulgarian-American linguist and professor.Marin Minkov, also known as Maxim of Bulgaria (1914–2012), Bulgarian patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church from 1971 to 2012.Mark Anatolievich Minkov (1944–2012), Soviet/Russian music composer.Mihail Minkov (b. 1993), Bulgarian professional footballer.Nikola Minkov (b. 1987), former Bulgarian footballer.Nikolay Minkov (b. 1997), Bulgarian footballer.Svetoslav Konstantinov Minkov (1902–1966), Bulgarian absurdist fiction writer. Related NamesVariants and related surnames include Mihaylov and Mihov, which share the same root. The feminine counterparts are Mihaylova and Minkova. Comparable names in other languages include Michel (French), Mihaljević (Croatian), Mikkelsen (Danish), and Michael (German). Meaning: "son of Minko" (diminutive of Mihail)Origin: BulgarianType: Patronymic surnameUsage Regions: Bulgaria, Russia, neighboring Slavic countries