Žilinskaitė is a Lithuanian feminine surname, formed as the unmarried (maiden) form of Žilinskas. In Lithuanian naming tradition, masculine surnames ending in -as take the suffix -aitė for unmarried women and -ienė for married women. Thus, Žilinskaitė denotes 'daughter of Žilinskas' or 'Miss Žilinskas.' Etymology and Origin The root of Žilinskaitė is the Lithuanian surname Žilinskas, itself a Lithuanian form of the Polish surname Zieliński, derived from Polish zieleń meaning 'green.' Originally, it was likely a nickname for someone who wore green clothing or lived near greenery. The surname can also be linked to the Lithuanian word žilysis (grayness) or žilvitis (willow tree), though the Polish connection is more established. Notable Bearers Notable individuals with the masculine form Žilinskas include Lithuanian military officer Jonas Žilinskas (1888–1956), judoka Egidijus Žilinskas (born 1986), journalist and politician Rokas Žilinskas (1972–2017), and Lithuanian writer Vytautė Žilinskaitė (born 1930), whose surname follows the same formation. Other figures include Annette Zilinskas (born 1962), an American musician of Lithuanian descent, and Victoria Zhilinskayte (born 1989), a Russian handball player bearing the Russified feminine form. Related Names The married counterpart of Žilinskaitė is Žilinskienė. Cognate surnames in other Slavic languages include Zieliński and Zielińska (Polish), Zelenka and Zelenková (Czech), and Zelenko (Ukrainian), all derived from roots meaning 'green' or 'young shoot.' Meaning: Feminine form of Žilinskas; derived from 'green.' Origin: Lithuanian language, adapted from Polish Zieliński. Type: Feminine surname used by unmarried women. Usage: Lithuania.