Kolev () is a common Bulgarian surname derived from the name of Nikolaj, Kolja. It is the surname of sons and daughters (for women: Koleva) of a father who is named Nikolaj. Notable people with the name Kolev include: Aleksandar Kolev (born 1992), Bulgarian football forward Angel Kolev (born 1926), Bulgarian Olympic sprinter Atanas Kolev (born 1967), Bulgarian chess player Atanas Kolev (rapper) (born 1996), Bulgarian rapper and basketball player Binko Kolev (born 1958), Bulgarian Olympic runner Bozhil Kolev (born 1949), Bulgarian football player and manager Deyan Kolev (1965–2013), Bulgarian Olympic gymnast Diana Koleva (born 1959), Bulgarian Olympic badminton player Dilyan Kolev (born 1988), Bulgarian football player Dimitar Kolev, later Dumitru Coliu Elena Koleva (born 1977), Bulgarian volleyball player Elizabeth Koleva (born 1972), Bulgarian rhythmic gymnast Hristo Kolev (born 1964), Bulgarian football midfielder Ivan Kolev (disambiguation) Ivanka Koleva (born 1968), Bulgarian field athlete Krasimir Kolev (born 1971), Bulgarian football goalkeeper Maria Koleva (born 1940), Bulgarian writer Maria Koleva (gymnast) (born 1977), Bulgarian rhythmic gymnast Nikolay Kolev (disambiguation) Nedelcho Kolev (born 1953), Bulgarian weightlifter Pavel Kolev (born 1975), Bulgarian football defender Petar Kolev (disambiguation) Petrana Koleva (born 1947), Bulgarian sprint canoer Plamen Kolev (born 1988), Bulgarian football goalkeeper Rosen Kolev (born 1990), Bulgarian football defender Slavina Koleva (born 1986), Bulgarian volleyball player Stancho Kolev (born 1937), Bulgarian freestyle wrestler Stefan Kolev (born 1966), Bulgarian football manager and former football defender Stefka Koleva (born 1954), Bulgarian Olympic rower Svetla Zlateva-Koleva (born 1952), Bulgarian runner Stoyan Kolev (born 1976), Bulgarian football goalkeeper Stoyko Kolev (born 1986), Bulgarian football player Tanya Stefanova-Koleva (born 1972), Bulgarian pole vaulter Todor Kolev (disambiguation) Victoria Koleva (born 1960), Bulgarian actress Vladimir Kolev (born 1953), Bulgarian boxer Yoan Kolev (born 1991), Bulgarian windsurfer Zornitza Koleva (born 1979), Spanish handball player Bulgarian-language surnames