Zhdanov (Ukrainian and Russian: Жданов) or Zhdanova (feminine; Жданова) is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
People
Andrei Zhdanov (1896–1948), Stalinist politician, developer of the Zhdanov Doctrine that governed Soviet cultural activities for a number of years
Alexander Zhdanov (1858–?), Russian astronomer
Igor Zhdanov (1920-1996), Latvian chess master
Ihor Zhdanov (1967-), Ukrainian businessman. 3rd Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.
Ivan Zhdanov (1846–1901), Russian literary critic and student of folklore
Leonid Zhdanov (1890–?), Russian selectionist
Lev Zhdanov (1864–?), Russian novelist and playwright
Victor M. Zhdanov (1914–1987), Russian virologist, instrumental in the push for global smallpox eradication
Vladimir Zhdanov (1902–1964), Soviet army officer and Hero of the Soviet Union
Yevgeny Zhdanov (1839–1892), Russian land surveyor and cartographer
Yuri Zhdanov (1919–2006), Russian chemist, rector of Rostov State University from 1957 to 1988; son of Andrei Zhdanov and former husband of Svetlana Alliluyeva
