The etymology of the name Kosjenka is uncertain. Possibly it comes from the root "kosa", meaning "hair". In the fairy tale, the character Kosjenka had very long and tangled hair, and historically hair has been a feminine beauty symbol. It could also have been formed as a compound word, "ko sjenka", meaning "like a shadow". The character Kosjenka was very small and could use magic to hide herself, rather like a shadow.
Possibly it comes from the root "kosa", meaning "hair". In the fairy tale, the character Kosjenka had very long and tangled hair, and historically hair has been a feminine beauty symbol.
It could also have been formed as a compound word, "ko sjenka", meaning "like a shadow". The character Kosjenka was very small and could use magic to hide herself, rather like a shadow.