262 Russian Baby Boy Names With Meanings

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... more

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 ar... more

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 thre... more

• Aug 21, 2023

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.

‹

›

Name	Gender	Meaning
Sidor	Boy	One who is a gift of Goddess Isis
Simeon	Boy	Obedient; Listening; Little hyena
Slava	Boy	Glory
Slavik	Boy	One who finds glory in the army
Sochi	Unisex	Blessed; Joyful
Stas	Boy	Becoming famous
Stasha	Boy	Resurrection, rebirth, or stand up
Stepan	Boy	One who is crowned with a crown
Stepka	Boy	He who is crowned with laurels
Stesha	Boy	A man who is crowned with a laurel

Svyatopolk	Boy	Celebrating people
Tahna	Boy	Abbreviation of Tatiana
Tamryn	Boy	Palm tree
Tanis	Unisex	Serpent lady
Tanny	Boy	A familiar form of Tanner
Tasha	Unisex	Christ's birthday
Tasher	Boy	One who is born on christmas; energetic
Tawnya	Boy	A green field
Tiana	Unisex	An aunt; Princess
Timofei	Boy	The honor of god

Timofey	Boy	One who fears from God in honor
Todor	Boy	A beautiful and pleasant gift from God
Tolya	Boy	One who belongs or come from the east
Tonya	Unisex	Priceless
Ulya	Unisex	High; Elevated
Vadim	Boy	Ruler
Valek	Unisex	Strength, power, protector
Valentin	Unisex	Strength; Health
Valery	Unisex	Strength; Health
Valik	Boy	Power; Rule

Vasily	Boy	Royal or kingly
Vasya	Boy	Royal; Kingly.
Vika	Boy	Victorious, powerful, strong
Viktor	Boy	A form of Victor
Vitali	Boy	Vibrant and full of life
Vitaliy	Boy	Full of life; Vitality
Vitaly	Unisex	Full of life
Vonya	Unisex	Yew
Vyacheslav	Boy	Glory, honor, fame
Wadim	Boy	Romanian form of Vadim; Knowing one

Yanina	Unisex	God is gracious
Yaroslav	Unisex	Fierce; Glorious
Yasha	Boy	Yahweh will protect; Holder of heel; Supplanter
Yassen	Boy	Gifted, wise, strong
Yeva	Boy	Life
Yevgeny	Boy	Aristocrat
Youri	Unisex	Farmer or earthworker
Yulian	Unisex	Youthful and light-hearted
Yuri	Unisex	Lily; Light
Yuriy	Boy	Strong and noble

Yury	Boy	Farmer; Worker of the Earth
Yvan	Boy	God is gracious
Zakhar	Boy	Remembered by God
Zathura	Unisex	Mysterious; Adventurous; Otherworldly
Zedd	Unisex	Energetic, innovative, unique
Zenaida	Boy	Life of Zeus
Zenya	Unisex	Welcoming; Hospitable
Zhanna	Unisex	Gift of God
Zhora	Unisex	Dawn; Daybreak
Zigfrids	Boy	Victory; Peace; Protection; Safety

Zoria	Unisex	Dawn; Morning light
Zvezda	Unisex	Star

« 1 2 3

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)

Get the high-quality PDF version of this 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.