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 Tiana heart image baby boy sign Unisex An aunt; Princess
heart image Tiane heart image baby boy sign Girl She who brings light
heart image Tianna heart image baby boy sign Girl Diminutive of Christiana; Follower of Jesus Christ
heart image Tiarna heart image baby boy sign Girl A graceful princess
heart image Tiauna heart image baby boy sign Girl Variation of Tatiana; Queen of fairies
heart image Timofei heart image baby boy sign Boy The honor of god
heart image Timofey heart image baby boy sign Boy One who fears from God in honor
heart image Tiona heart image baby boy sign Girl A fairy queen; A deity
heart image Tionna heart image baby boy sign Girl From the clan of Roman empire
heart image Tisha heart image baby boy sign Girl Aristocrat
heart image Todor heart image baby boy sign Boy A beautiful and pleasant gift from God
heart image Tolya heart image baby boy sign Boy One who belongs or come from the east
heart image Tonja heart image baby boy sign Girl One who is precious; Priceless
heart image Tonya heart image baby boy sign Unisex Priceless
heart image Tora heart image baby boy sign Girl Tigress; Thunder
heart image Tyanna heart image baby boy sign Girl Disciple or devotee of Jesus Christ
heart image Ulya heart image baby boy sign Unisex High; Elevated
heart image Ulyana heart image baby boy sign Girl Graceful or youthful
heart image Vadim heart image baby boy sign Boy Ruler
heart image Valek heart image baby boy sign Unisex Strength, power, protector
heart image Valentin heart image baby boy sign Unisex Strength; Health
heart image Valeriya heart image baby boy sign Girl Strong; Brave woman
heart image Valery heart image baby boy sign Unisex Strength; Health
heart image Valik heart image baby boy sign Boy Power; Rule
heart image Valya heart image baby boy sign Girl Strong; Healthy
heart image Vanya heart image baby boy sign Girl Gracious gift of God
heart image Varvara heart image baby boy sign Girl Foreign; Bulgarian form of Barbara
heart image Varya heart image baby boy sign Girl Treasure; Something precious
heart image Vasilisa heart image baby boy sign Girl Queen
heart image Vasily heart image baby boy sign Boy Royal or kingly
heart image Vasya heart image baby boy sign Boy Royal; Kingly.
heart image Venera heart image baby boy sign Girl Honorable; Beloved
heart image Vera heart image baby boy sign Girl Faith
heart image Verochka heart image baby boy sign Girl Verity; Truth
heart image Vika heart image baby boy sign Boy Victorious, powerful, strong
heart image Viktor heart image baby boy sign Boy A form of Victor
heart image Viktoria heart image baby boy sign Girl Croatian form of Victoria; Victory
heart image Vitali heart image baby boy sign Boy Vibrant and full of life
heart image Vitaliy heart image baby boy sign Boy Full of life; Vitality
heart image Vitaly heart image baby boy sign Unisex Full of life
heart image Vjera heart image baby boy sign Girl Faith
heart image Vlad heart image baby boy sign Boy Rule
heart image Vladimir heart image baby boy sign Girl Ruler of peace
heart image Vonya heart image baby boy sign Unisex Yew
heart image Vyacheslav heart image baby boy sign Boy Glory, honor, fame
heart image Wadim heart image baby boy sign Boy Romanian form of Vadim; Knowing one
heart image Yanina heart image baby boy sign Unisex God is gracious
heart image Yaroslav heart image baby boy sign Unisex Fierce; Glorious
heart image Yaryna heart image baby boy sign Girl Peaceful
heart image Yasha heart image baby boy sign Boy Yahweh will protect; Holder of heel; Supplanter
heart image Yassen heart image baby boy sign Boy Gifted, wise, strong
heart image Yekaterina heart image baby boy sign Girl Pure or blessed
heart image Yelena heart image baby boy sign Girl Light, shining, bright, sun
heart image Yeva heart image baby boy sign Boy Life
heart image Yevgeny heart image baby boy sign Boy Aristocrat
heart image Youri heart image baby boy sign Unisex Farmer or earthworker
heart image Yulian heart image baby boy sign Unisex Youthful and light-hearted
heart image Yuliana heart image baby boy sign Girl Youthful
heart image Yuliya heart image baby boy sign Girl Youthful; Soft-haired
heart image Yuna heart image baby boy sign Girl Gentleness; Friendliness
heart image Yuri heart image baby boy sign Unisex Lily; Light
heart image Yuriy heart image baby boy sign Boy Strong and noble
heart image Yury heart image baby boy sign Boy Farmer; Worker of the Earth
heart image Yvan heart image baby boy sign Boy God is gracious
heart image Zakhar heart image baby boy sign Boy Remembered by God
heart image Zarena heart image baby boy sign Girl Queen; Empress
heart image Zariyah heart image baby boy sign Girl Blooming flower
heart image Zarya heart image baby boy sign Girl Sunrise; Dawn
heart image Zathura heart image baby boy sign Unisex Mysterious; Adventurous; Otherworldly
heart image Zedd heart image baby boy sign Unisex Energetic, innovative, unique
heart image Zena heart image baby boy sign Girl A hospitable woman
heart image Zenaida heart image baby boy sign Boy Life of Zeus
heart image Zenovia heart image baby boy sign Girl Life of Zeus
heart image Zenya heart image baby boy sign Unisex Welcoming; Hospitable
heart image Zhanna heart image baby boy sign Unisex Gift of God
heart image Zhenya heart image baby boy sign Girl Noble
heart image Zhora heart image baby boy sign Unisex Dawn; Daybreak
heart image Zigfrids heart image baby boy sign Boy Victory; Peace; Protection; Safety
heart image Zilya heart image baby boy sign Girl Hunter; Harvester; Guardian; Women from Therasia; A derivative of Theresa
heart image Zinaida heart image baby boy sign Girl Daughter of Zeus
heart image Zoria heart image baby boy sign Unisex Dawn; Morning light
heart image Zorin heart image baby boy sign Girl Strong, powerful, determined
heart image Zoya heart image baby boy sign Girl Life
heart image Zvezda heart image baby boy sign Unisex Star
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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