175 Classic Russian Boy Names

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

Written by Trisha Chakraborty, MA, BEd Specialty: Child development & educationExperience: 5 years

Trisha worked as a schoolteacher for three years before taking up professional writing in 2021. She completed her masters in English from the University of Calcutta and bachelors in Education from the University of Burdwan.

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Edited by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Fact-checked by Kavita Kankani, MBA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 7 years

Kavita has a diverse background in finance, human resources, and teaching. She did her MBA in Finance and HR at Solapur University, and bachelor in Education at Pune University. After working for three years in the banking industry, Kavita took up teaching before moving to writing.

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Last Updated on Jul 24, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

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
Damien	Boy	Master; To tame; Divine power
Nikolai	Boy	Victory of the people
Damir	Boy	Peace given
Dimitri	Boy	Earth lover; Follower of Demeter
Lev	Boy	Lion; Heart
Simeon	Boy	Obedient; Listening; Little hyena
Viktor	Boy	A form of Victor
Arman	Boy	Desire; Hope; Warrior
Mikhail	Boy	Who is like God
Maksim	Boy	A man who is greater than others

Lenin	Boy	One who belongs to the river Lena
Natan	Boy	God has provided
Armen	Boy	Soldier
Ruston	Boy	Rustic, strong, and rugged
Dmitri	Boy	Earth lover; Devotee of Demeter
Kodiak	Boy	Island
Bogdan	Boy	Given by God; A Godsent person
Akim	Boy	God will establish; The Lord exalts
Pavel	Boy	Small; Humble
Vlad	Boy	Rule

Jeremie	Boy	Same as Jeremy
Konstantin	Boy	Constant
Ruslan	Boy	One who is like a Lion
Liev	Boy	Heart; Lion
Igor	Boy	Warrior; Army
Kazimir	Boy	Destroyer of peace
Kirill	Boy	Ruler
Nickolai	Boy	Victory of the people
Czar	Boy	A born emperor
Dmitriy	Boy	Earth lover; Greek goddess of harvest

Makar	Boy	A person who is blessed with great happiness
Garald	Boy	The commander who rules the troops with a spear
Timofey	Boy	One who fears from God in honor
Vadim	Boy	Ruler
Sascha	Boy	Defender; Protector of mankind
Yvan	Boy	God is gracious
Egor	Boy	Warrior
Platon	Boy	A broad-shouldered person
Danil	Boy	A Judge
Samvel	Boy	From Ecclesiastic Greek Shmuel; Name of God, God has heard; More of religious connected to God; Heard of God, Asked of God

Gennady	Boy	One who cares for others
Rahil	Boy	One who departs on a journey
Fedor	Boy	A divine Gift of God
Karol	Boy	Strong; Manly
Nikolaj	Boy	The victor among all
Sergey	Boy	A Russian saint name
Andros	Boy	A born warrior; Manly and brave
Grigor	Boy	Fast and alert person
Dima	Boy	Strong fighter
Feliks	Boy	A lucky and successful man

Karev	Boy	Noble ruler; Noble leader
Maks	Boy	The greatest of men
Kiril	Boy	Noble
Oleg	Boy	Filled with internal brightness; Filled with inner nimble
Orel	Boy	Precious and bright like gold
Khabib	Boy	Strong or powerful
Sergei	Boy	Protector
Dimitre	Boy	An earth lover who loves adventure
Efrem	Boy	The one who is productive
Gedeon	Boy	Slayer or killer

Matvei	Boy	Gift of God
Benedikt	Boy	Happy; Blessed; A title for a beatified person
Demyan	Boy	A confident and super excited being
Damyan	Boy	One who tames
Damyon	Boy	A legendary son and ruler
Fyodor	Boy	Skills from the most holy high God
Karina	Boy	Pure; Beloved
Pavlo	Boy	A natty and intellectual person
Stepan	Boy	One who is crowned with a crown
Naum	Boy	Comforter

Yassen	Boy	Gifted, wise, strong
Garold	Boy	A ruler who controls the army with a spear
Yasha	Boy	Yahweh will protect; Holder of heel; Supplanter
Vitaliy	Boy	Full of life; Vitality
Danila	Boy	God is a judge
Edmon	Boy	A guardian; they are having a protective nature
Georgi	Boy	Bulgarian accent of George; Farmer
Gregori	Boy	Lover of companionship and peace
Georgy	Boy	Variant of Gerogiy; Farmer; Earth worker
Gleb	Boy	Believer, thoughtful, sincere

Hakoda	Boy	Gift of God
Vika	Boy	Victorious, powerful, strong
Nicholi	Boy	Victory of the people
Rurik	Boy	A notable, legendary ruler
Timofei	Boy	The honor of god
Tamryn	Boy	Palm tree
Vasily	Boy	Royal or kingly
Vitali	Boy	Vibrant and full of life
Vyacheslav	Boy	Glory, honor, fame
Stas	Boy	Becoming famous

Yuriy	Boy	Strong and noble
Valik	Boy	Power; Rule
Ramil	Boy	Lover; Attractive; Charming
Zakhar	Boy	Remembered by God
Stasha	Boy	Resurrection, rebirth, or stand up
Iraida	Boy	Dawn; beautiful; strong
Yury	Boy	Farmer; Worker of the Earth
Danya	Boy	A darling individual
Kolya	Boy	People's victory
Renat	Boy	Reborn

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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.

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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

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Infographic: Meaningful And Unique Russian Baby Boy Names

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