583 Russian Baby Names With Meanings

Russian Baby Names With Meanings

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Selecting a Russian baby name for your bundle of joy can be challenging, considering the number of options available. But our list will help you find some of the most appealing Russian baby names with meanings. Russian names follow the order of given or first name, a patronymic name, and a surname. The first name is given soon after the birth of the child. The patronymic name, which is a suffix according to the gender, is derived from the father’s first name and applies to both genders but with different endings. For boys, the patronymic typically ends with -ovich ('son of'), -evich, or -yevich. For instance, if the father's name is Ivan, his son's patronymic would be Ivanovich. On the other hand, for girls, the patronymic would end in -ovna ('daughter of'), -evna, or -yevna. Here, if the father's name is Ivan, his daughter's patronymic would be Ivanovna (1). And just like other cultures, Russian surnames are family names handed down from generation to generation. Russian names were originally composed in the Cyrillic script. When transliterated into the Western alphabet, various methods were employed, which led to some discrepancies in the English spelling of Russian names (1). In Russia, each personal name typically boasts a wide array of nicknames, with numerous diminutives and suffixes (2). This results in a plethora of potential nicknames for a single name, resulting in dozens of possibilities. While most Russian baby names originated in Russia, some names are taken from the Greek language as well, especially names from the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Some parents even combine two names to create a unique name for their baby. However, Russian baby names showcase cultural pride and identity to the nation's rich past, making them a popular choice for parents seeking meaningful names for their children. Below is the list of these names.

NameGenderMeaning
heart image Karol heart image baby boy sign Boy Strong; Manly
heart image Karyna heart image baby boy sign Girl A keel of the ship
heart image Kate heart image baby boy sign Girl Pure; Clear
heart image Katenka heart image baby boy sign Girl Torture; Pure
heart image Katerina heart image baby boy sign Girl Pure
heart image Katia heart image baby boy sign Girl Pure; Clear; Each of the two
heart image Katina heart image baby boy sign Girl Pure
heart image Katiya heart image baby boy sign Girl Perfect; Pure
heart image Katja heart image baby boy sign Girl Neat; Natural; Pure
heart image Katrya heart image baby boy sign Girl Pure; A pure and chaste woman
heart image Katyana heart image baby boy sign Girl Exotic and feminine
heart image Kazimir heart image baby boy sign Boy Destroyer of peace
heart image Kenya heart image baby boy sign Girl Mountain of white; The one having stripes
heart image Kervyn heart image baby boy sign Boy Ruler
heart image Kesar heart image baby boy sign Boy Small black one
heart image Kesha heart image baby boy sign Girl Hair
heart image Khabib heart image baby boy sign Boy Strong or powerful
heart image Khristina heart image baby boy sign Girl Christian woman; A follower of Christ; A variant form of Christina
heart image Khrystyna heart image baby boy sign Girl Follower of Christ
heart image Kima heart image baby boy sign Girl Butterfly
heart image Kira heart image baby boy sign Girl Throne; Lord; Young
heart image Kiril heart image baby boy sign Boy Noble
heart image Kirill heart image baby boy sign Boy Ruler
heart image Kiska heart image baby boy sign Unisex Pure
heart image Klarika heart image baby boy sign Girl Bright and famous
heart image Kliment heart image baby boy sign Boy One who is merciful and mild; A variant of Clement
heart image Kodiak heart image baby boy sign Boy Island
heart image Kolya heart image baby boy sign Boy People's victory
heart image Konstantin heart image baby boy sign Boy Constant
heart image Kostya heart image baby boy sign Boy Kostya means Stady
heart image Krugan heart image baby boy sign Boy Krugan means burial mound
heart image Ksenia heart image baby boy sign Girl Hospitality
heart image Kseniya heart image baby boy sign Girl The name means Stranger
heart image Lada heart image baby boy sign Girl Slavic Goddess of love; Maiden; Girl
heart image Laika heart image baby boy sign Girl Barker
heart image Lara heart image baby boy sign Girl Protection; Water fairy
heart image Larisa heart image baby boy sign Girl Citadel; Fortress; Joyful
heart image Larissa heart image baby boy sign Girl Citadel; Fortress
heart image Latonya heart image baby boy sign Girl Praiseworthy; Priceless one
heart image Laurissa heart image baby boy sign Girl Variation of the name Laurel; Laurel tree
heart image Lavra heart image baby boy sign Girl One crowned with a crown of laurel tree leaves
heart image Leika heart image baby boy sign Unisex Reward; Gift; Child of heaven
heart image Lenaya heart image baby boy sign Unisex Light or torch
heart image Lenin heart image baby boy sign Boy One who belongs to the river Lena
heart image Lenya heart image baby boy sign Boy Lion
heart image Leonid heart image baby boy sign Boy Latin variation of the name Leon
heart image Lera heart image baby boy sign Girl An allusion to the Virgin Mary
heart image Lesya heart image baby boy sign Girl Defender; Helper; Liberator of men
heart image Lev heart image baby boy sign Boy Lion; Heart
heart image Levka heart image baby boy sign Girl Lioness
heart image Levushka heart image baby boy sign Boy Lion
heart image Lia heart image baby boy sign Girl Weary; Relaxed
heart image Lida heart image baby boy sign Girl Loved by people; Grace
heart image Lidia heart image baby boy sign Girl A person who is from Lydia
heart image Lidija heart image baby boy sign Girl She who is from an ancient Kingdom of Lydia
heart image Lidiya heart image baby boy sign Girl One who comes from ancient Lydia
heart image Liev heart image baby boy sign Boy Heart; Lion
heart image Lieve heart image baby boy sign Girl A Woman with a heart as brave as a Lion's
heart image Lilia heart image baby boy sign Girl Lily; Purity
heart image Liliya heart image baby boy sign Girl Russian cognate of Lily; flower lily
heart image Lilya heart image baby boy sign Girl Pure; Lily flower
heart image Liya heart image baby boy sign Girl I am with God
heart image Lizabeta heart image baby boy sign Girl A woman who is consecrated to God
heart image Luba heart image baby boy sign Girl Slavic word for Love
heart image Lubba heart image baby boy sign Girl A feeling of deep love
heart image Luda heart image baby boy sign Girl Loved by the people
heart image Ludis heart image baby boy sign Boy Fame or war
heart image Ludmilla heart image baby boy sign Girl The one who loves people
heart image Lukah heart image baby boy sign Unisex Bringer of light; Light giving
heart image Lydie heart image baby boy sign Girl A Maiden from Lydia; Greece
heart image Lyuba heart image baby boy sign Girl The one who loves
heart image Lyubov heart image baby boy sign Girl Love
heart image Lyudmila heart image baby boy sign Girl A dear person who loves and feels deeply
heart image Madelina heart image baby boy sign Girl Of Magdala
heart image Maiya heart image baby boy sign Girl Rice valley
heart image Makar heart image baby boy sign Boy A person who is blessed with great happiness
heart image Makara heart image baby boy sign Girl A blessed person; Mostly used as a surname
heart image Makari heart image baby boy sign Boy Blessed
heart image Maks heart image baby boy sign Boy The greatest of men
heart image Maksim heart image baby boy sign Boy A man who is greater than others
heart image Malishka heart image baby boy sign Unisex Little one; Small girl
heart image Manya heart image baby boy sign Girl Star of the sea
heart image Marfa heart image baby boy sign Girl A mistress; A lady
heart image Marina heart image baby boy sign Girl Belonging to the sea
heart image Marisha heart image baby boy sign Girl A melancholic, bitter individual
heart image Marushka heart image baby boy sign Girl Bitter; Rebellious
heart image Marya heart image baby boy sign Girl Rebelliousness
heart image Maryana heart image baby boy sign Girl Pearl
heart image Masha heart image baby boy sign Girl Wished for child; Sea of bitterness
heart image Matvei heart image baby boy sign Boy Gift of God
heart image Mavra heart image baby boy sign Boy Moorish; Dark
heart image Mavriki heart image baby boy sign Boy Swarthy; Dark-skinned
heart image Melana heart image baby boy sign Girl Black; Dark
heart image Melor heart image baby boy sign Boy A member of the Communist party or a socialist who advocates communism
heart image Micha heart image baby boy sign Unisex Who is like God
heart image Mika heart image baby boy sign Girl Beautiful fragrance
heart image Mikhail heart image baby boy sign Boy Who is like God
heart image Mila heart image baby boy sign Girl Gracious; Dear
heart image Milaslava heart image baby boy sign Girl One who likes or wants to be glorified
heart image Milaya heart image baby boy sign Unisex Sweetheart; Darling
Russian baby names offer a diverse range of options, reflecting the nation's vast geography and varied influences. With a perfect blend of tradition and modernism, Russian baby names possess a unique charm that resonate globally and serve as a reminder of the country's cultural heritage. Whether parents seek names to honor their native roots or simply admire the elegant sounds, Russian baby names provide a captivating array of choices that will continue to allure parents worldwide.

Infographic: Awe-Inspiring Russian Baby Names With Meanings

Russia is a land of rich history and vibrant culture. It is no wonder the names from the country are distinctive and have an exotic touch to them. Many parents consider Russian names for their specialness and charm. Explore the infographic below, where we present the finest Russian baby names you may consider when naming your baby.

ravishing russian names for boys and girls (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Russian male names mean warrior?

Examples of Russian names meaning ‘fighter’ or ‘warrior’ for boys include Arman (warrior), Igor (warrior, army), and Andrii (warrior, manly).

2. What Russian names mean star, moon, and angel?

Russian baby names that are inspired by celestial bodies such as moon or stars include Svetlana (meaning star), Yelena (meaning moon), Anzhelina (meaning angel), Luna (meaning moon), and Anzhela (meaning angel or messenger).

3. Is Yuri a Russian name?

Yes. Yuri is a Russian boy's name that means ‘farmer.’ It is also commonly used in the Belarusian and Ukrainian languages.

4. Are there any traditional naming conventions or customs for Russian names?

Yes. Naming conventions do exist in Russian culture. According to the conventions, Russian names are structured as [first name] [middle patronymic name] [SURNAME]. The middle patronymic name is created by adding the suffixes ‘vich’ or ‘ovich’ for boys and “avna” or “ovna” for girls, after the father’s name.

5. Are there any famous or notable people in Russia with unique or interesting names?

Famous Russian people with unique names include Vladimir Putin (the current president of Russia), Mikhail Gorbachev (the eighth and final leader of the Soviet Union), and Alexander Ovechkin (captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League). The others include Pyotr Tchaikovsky (music composer of the Romantic period), Maya Plisetskaya (an international ballet sensation), and Yuri Gagarin (the first man to travel to outer space).

6. How have Russian names evolved over time and what influences have shaped them?

The changes in the Russian naming patterns can be dated back to the pre-Christian era. Russian names have changed over time due to the October Revolution and the adoption of Christianity, characterized by the elimination of differences between canonical, calendar, and non-calendar names, active borrowing, and active name construction.

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.
  1. A Guide to Names and Naming Practices
    https://www.fbiic.gov/public/2008/nov/Naming_practice_guide_UK_2006.pdf
  2. Russian Naming Convention
    https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/RussianNamingConvention
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