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
Jasha	Boy	A supplanter
Jenia	Unisex	Noble; Well-born
Jeniya	Unisex	God is gracious
Jeramie	Unisex	God will uplift
Jeramy	Unisex	God will uplift
Jeremie	Boy	Same as Jeremy
Kamir	Unisex	Perfect
Karev	Boy	Noble ruler; Noble leader
Karik	Boy	Ever powerful ruler
Karina	Boy	Pure; Beloved

Karol	Boy	Strong; Manly
Kazimir	Boy	Destroyer of peace
Kervyn	Boy	Ruler
Kesar	Boy	Small black one
Khabib	Boy	Strong or powerful
Kiril	Boy	Noble
Kirill	Boy	Ruler
Kiska	Unisex	Pure
Kliment	Boy	One who is merciful and mild; A variant of Clement
Kodiak	Boy	Island

Kolya	Boy	People's victory
Konstantin	Boy	Constant
Kostya	Boy	Kostya means Stady
Krugan	Boy	Krugan means burial mound
Leika	Unisex	Reward; Gift; Child of heaven
Lenaya	Unisex	Light or torch
Lenin	Boy	One who belongs to the river Lena
Lenya	Boy	Lion
Leonid	Boy	Latin variation of the name Leon
Lev	Boy	Lion; Heart

Levushka	Boy	Lion
Liev	Boy	Heart; Lion
Ludis	Boy	Fame or war
Lukah	Unisex	Bringer of light; Light giving
Makar	Boy	A person who is blessed with great happiness
Makari	Boy	Blessed
Maks	Boy	The greatest of men
Maksim	Boy	A man who is greater than others
Malishka	Unisex	Little one; Small girl
Matvei	Boy	Gift of God

Mavra	Boy	Moorish; Dark
Mavriki	Boy	Swarthy; Dark-skinned
Melor	Boy	A member of the Communist party or a socialist who advocates communism
Micha	Unisex	Who is like God
Mikhail	Boy	Who is like God
Milaya	Unisex	Sweetheart; Darling
Misha	Unisex	Who is like God
Mishka	Unisex	Gift of God
Mitre	Boy	Earth
Nastasha	Unisex	Graceful; Strong; Determined

Nastassia	Unisex	Resurrection or Rebirth
Natan	Boy	God has provided
Naum	Boy	Comforter
Neia	Unisex	Full of hope
Nicholi	Boy	Victory of the people
Nickolai	Boy	Victory of the people
Nika	Unisex	People's victory
Nikel	Unisex	Victory of the people
Nikol	Unisex	Victorious; People's victory
Nikolai	Boy	Victory of the people

Nikolaj	Boy	The victor among all
Norvina	Unisex	To work
Novaya	Unisex	New
Okb	Boy	A confident; Reticent and comfortable human being
Oleg	Boy	Filled with internal brightness; Filled with inner nimble
Olesya	Unisex	Pristine beauty
Onya	Unisex	Honorable
Orel	Boy	Precious and bright like gold
Orlyn	Unisex	Eagle; Light
Panas	Boy	Immortal

Pavel	Boy	Small; Humble
Pavlo	Boy	A natty and intellectual person
Platon	Boy	A broad-shouldered person
Pushka	Boy	A gun or a cannon; One who is a barrel of a rifled gun; helpful
Pushkin	Boy	An artilleryman; One good with the cannon and the gun
Puskin	Boy	The cannon
Pyotr	Boy	Rock; Stone
Radomir	Boy	One who is peaceful
Rahil	Boy	One who departs on a journey
Ramil	Boy	Lover; Attractive; Charming

Rasputin	Boy	A mystic
Renat	Boy	Reborn
Rhodie	Unisex	Vibrant, unique, and spirited
Rodina	Unisex	Family or homeland
Rodion	Boy	A song of the hero warrior
Rostislav	Boy	One whose glory grows
Rubal	Boy	Russian Currency
Rurik	Boy	A notable, legendary ruler
Ruslan	Boy	One who is like a Lion
Ruston	Boy	Rustic, strong, and rugged

Sambo	Unisex	God has heard
Samvel	Boy	From Ecclesiastic Greek Shmuel; Name of God, God has heard; More of religious connected to God; Heard of God, Asked of God
Sascha	Boy	Defender; Protector of mankind
Sasha	Unisex	Defender; Helper of mankind
Savya	Boy	Lord Vishnu
Senya	Unisex	Bright as the sun; From Japan
Sergei	Boy	Protector
Seryozha	Boy	Diminutive of Sergei
Sevastian	Unisex	Victorious, honorable, strong
Shura	Boy	He who defends people

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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

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