262 Russian Baby Boy Names With Meanings

From the land of great czars, comes a name for your little one to cherish

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• Aug 21, 2023

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Russia is the world's largest country by landmass. It is also known for its sprawling empire that has extended towards the East and West for hundreds of years. They have fascinating Russian boy names that are boosted by nicknames, topographic names, and diminutive names.

Delving into the depths of history, we discover that Russian-given names hold a deep-rooted significance, tracing back to an era predating Christianity in the country. In medieval times, there were two categories of names: canonical names, associated with Christian saints and bestowed at baptism, and non-canonical names. Non-canonical names gradually faded, eventually disappearing by the 18th century (1). However, during the 20th century, considerable changes in naming practices occurred, coinciding with the October Revolution. It was a completely new era in the history of Russian names, reflected by major changes in common names. It is a prevalent tradition to bestow a baby's name based on the saint who serves as the patron on their birthday.

The rich tapestry of Russian names goes beyond religious traditions. While many names are rooted in Orthodox Christianity, there are also intriguing exceptions like Communist names, pre-Christian Slavic names, and names derived from ethnic minorities living in Russia. This diverse mix of naming practices mirrors the intricate history and cultural amalgamation that define the nation.

In Russia, family names often take the form of patronymics, derived from the father's name. For instance, for a son, the suffix -ович (-ovich) is added, creating a classic name like Ivanovich, beautifully reflecting the cherished bond between the father and child.

Overall, Russian baby names carry the essence of the nation's identity and hold profound meaning for families. Shuffle through this curated collection of Russian names for boys and find that perfect name for your little one your heart approves of.

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Name	Gender	Meaning
Aleksandr	Boy	Defender of mankind
Andrei	Boy	Courageous; Enduring
Artem	Boy	Shorter version of Artemas; Variant of Artemis
Dima	Boy	Strong fighter
Nikita	Unisex	Victorious; Unconquered
Sergey	Boy	A Russian saint name
Shasha	Boy	One who defends men
Vlad	Boy	Rule
Abrasha	Boy	Yiddish form of Abraham, meaning Father of a multitudes
Aizel	Unisex	Unique; Strong

Akim	Boy	God will establish; The Lord exalts
Alek	Boy	Defender of Men; A variant of name Alec and Alexander
Alekai	Unisex	Protector; Defender
Aleksei	Boy	Defender of Men; Defender; A variant of name Alexander
Alesya	Unisex	Noble; Graceful; Beautiful
Alex	Boy	To defend; To protect
Alexei	Boy	Defender of men; Defender; A variant of name Alexander
Alleya	Unisex	Exalted; Sublime
Anastasiy	Boy	Bulgarian form of Anastasius; To resurrect
Andrej	Boy	Male; Manly; Brave; Virility; A variant of name Andreas

Andrian	Boy	Male; Manly; Brave; Virility; Man from Hadria; Dark One; A variant of name Adrian
Andros	Boy	A born warrior; Manly and brave
Aniska	Unisex	Unique; Mystical; Graceful
Antosha	Boy	Invaluable; Priceless; Inestimable
Arman	Boy	Desire; Hope; Warrior
Armen	Boy	Soldier
Avgust	Boy	Great
Avraam	Boy	Father of many
Balanchine	Boy	Russian born United States dancer and choreographer
Baranan	Boy	Ram

Benedikt	Boy	Happy; Blessed; A title for a beatified person
Bogdan	Boy	Given by God; A Godsent person
Bohdanko	Boy	God's gift
Bubley	Unisex	One who is from Babylon; A surname
Burian	Boy	Lives near the weeds
Czar	Boy	A born emperor
Damien	Boy	Master; To tame; Divine power
Damir	Boy	Peace given
Damyan	Boy	One who tames
Damyon	Boy	A legendary son and ruler

Danil	Boy	A Judge
Danila	Boy	God is a judge
Danya	Boy	A darling individual
Dascha	Unisex	Gift of God
Dasha	Boy	Gift sent from God
Demyan	Boy	A confident and super excited being
Dimitre	Boy	An earth lover who loves adventure
Dimitri	Boy	Earth lover; Follower of Demeter
Dimitur	Boy	Variation of Demeter; Earth
Dimity	Boy	Of double thread; A type of cotton cloth

Dmitri	Boy	Earth lover; Devotee of Demeter
Dmitriy	Boy	Earth lover; Greek goddess of harvest
Dusa	Boy	A spirit; Creative beings
Duscha	Boy	A virgin woman; They exist in the soul
Edik	Boy	A healthy and wealthy guardian
Edmon	Boy	A guardian; they are having a protective nature
Efim	Boy	One who is well famed
Efrem	Boy	The one who is productive
Egor	Boy	Warrior
Ellya	Unisex	God is my salvation

Erlan	Unisex	Son of noble heritage
Evgen	Boy	One who was born good
Evgeni	Boy	He who was born good
Evgeniy	Boy	He who was born as a good person
Evgeny	Boy	Noble; Well-born
Fedir	Boy	Gift from above
Fedor	Boy	A divine Gift of God
Feliks	Boy	A lucky and successful man
Feodor	Boy	A heavenly gift
Feya	Unisex	Fairy; Enchanted

Fima	Unisex	Good speech; Well spoken
Fyodor	Boy	Skills from the most holy high God
Garald	Boy	The commander who rules the troops with a spear
Garold	Boy	A ruler who controls the army with a spear
Gedeon	Boy	Slayer or killer
Geni	Boy	Noble birth
Gennadi	Boy	Variant of Gennadiy; Noble; Generous
Gennadius	Boy	The person who is decent and a well wisher
Gennady	Boy	One who cares for others
Georgi	Boy	Bulgarian accent of George; Farmer

Georgy	Boy	Variant of Gerogiy; Farmer; Earth worker
Gleb	Boy	Believer, thoughtful, sincere
Go	Unisex	Movement, energy, progress
Gorky	Unisex	The bitter one
Gosha	Unisex	Farmer; Earth worker
Gregori	Boy	Lover of companionship and peace
Gresha	Unisex	Watchful; Alert
Grigor	Boy	Fast and alert person
Grigori	Boy	Fast and alert person; A person can watch everything very clearly and can act upon instantly
Grigorii	Boy	Watchful; Alert

Grisha	Boy	Vigilant guardian
Hakoda	Boy	Gift of God
Hedeon	Boy	Destroyer
Igor	Boy	Warrior; Army
Ilin	Unisex	Masculine variant of Ilina
Ilya	Unisex	God is my Lord
Ilyena	Unisex	Torch; Bright
Ira	Unisex	Watchful
Iraida	Boy	Dawn; beautiful; strong
Irya	Unisex	Powerful; Energetic

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Russian boy names comprise an intriguing tapestry weaved from a rich history of cultural, religious, and familial influences. As families continue to bestow these significant names upon their children, they carry forward the essence of the nation's identity and heritage. Find your favorite name from this thoughtfully curated collection, and allow the perfect name to become a timeless testament to your son's place in the rich fabric of Russia's cultural legacy.

Infographic: Meaningful And Unique Russian Baby Boy Names

Russian names come from the Russian and Slavic languages. They also have distinctive features, such as the presence of the suffix 'sha' in several Russian names. If you are enamored by Russian culture and history or simply want a one-of-a-kind name for your boy, read this infographic.

splendid russian boy names with strong meanings (infographic)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some popular nicknames or shortened versions of Russian baby boy names?

Popular nicknames or shortened versions of Russian baby boy names include Misha (Mikhail), Sanya, Sasha (Aleksandr), Tolya (Anatoly), and Vadim or Vlad (Vladimir).

2. How can I ensure that the Russian baby boy name I choose is appropriate and respectful?

Before picking a Russian baby boy name, it is important to research its cultural and historical background. Learn about its meaning, origin, and potential associations or connotations. Additionally, consult with native Russians knowledgeable about Russian culture to gain insights and feedback on the chosen name.

3. Can I choose a Russian name for my baby boy if I'm not Russian?

Yes, you can choose a Russian name for your baby boy even if you're not Russian. Names are not restricted to specific ethnicities, and many parents choose names from different cultures for various reasons, such as personal preferences or cultural connections.

4. What are some Russian baby boy names that have fallen out of favor in recent years?

Names that have become less common in recent years include Anatoly, Boris, Igor, and Sergey.

5. What are the rules for Russian names?

Russian names typically consist of a first name, a patronymic (derived from the father's name), and a surname. The patronymic is a middle name that indicates the father's name. Russian names are gendered, and the suffixes "-ovich" (son of) and "-ovna" (daughter of) are added to the father's name for patronymics. Surnames usually end with "-ov" or "-ev" for men and "-ova" or "-eva" for women.

6. What are non-gendered Russian names?

Most Russian names are gendered, but there are a few exceptions that can be considered non-gendered or unisex. Examples include Sasha, Zhenya, Misha, and Nikola.

7. Do Russian last names depend on gender?

In Russian, some surnames do change depending on the gender of the person. This is particularly true for surnames ending in v (Russian letter в) and n (Russian letter н). In these cases, the feminine form of the surname is usually the same as the male form but with an additional “а” at the end. For example, the surname Ivanov is used for men, while the feminine form Ivanova is used for women. This distinction helps indicate the gender of the individual when referring to them by their last name.

References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Russian anthroponymy of the 18th century according to the confessional registers of the Opochetsky uyezd churches.
https://elib.psu.by/bitstream/123456789/36643/1/200-203.pdf

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.