Russian Names

Russian diminutive of Alexei, borne by the protagonist in Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. Alyosha, like most other Russian diminutive forms, is not generally given as a standalone name in Russia itself.

Alyosha

Bera is a rare feminine form of Biǫrn (or Björn), used in Scandinavian and Nordic countries, albeit quietly. Derived from Old Norse, it means "bear", either in relation to the animal or to the idea of bearing or carrying weight. 
 
Alternatively, Bera may also be used as a variation of Russian Vera, notably among speakers Aragonese in northern Spain and in Kazakhstan, while as a Biblical or Hebrew name, it may be associated with Bereket, Beracha, or Bracha, which meaning "blessing".

Bera

Egor is a Slavic masculine name, primarily used in Russia and Eastern Europe. It is a variant of the name Igor, which derives from the Old Norse name Ingvarr, composed of 'Ing' (a Germanic god) and 'varr' (warrior). Egor gained popularity in Russia during the 19th century and remains a common name there today. 

In Western countries, the name is less common but has seen occasional use among families with Slavic heritage. Its pronunciation varies slightly across regions, with the Russian version sounding like 'YEH-gohr'. The name conveys strength and carries historical significance in Slavic cultures.

Egor

A fiery and mythological name, Flegont is the Russian variation of the Greek name Phlegon. In Greek mythology, it is the name of one of the horses that pull the chariot of Helios (the sun god), while in the Bible, it appears as the name of one of the seventy disciples in the New Testament. 
 
A notable bearer of this form is the 19th century writer, Flegont Arsenyevich Arsenyev, and the name also appears in the 1848 play, Fortune's Fool by Ivan Turgenev.

Flegont

A nickname for Grigoriy, Grigorii, and Grigori, the Russian forms of the Gregory, Grishka isn't as internationally known as the likes of Sasha, Pasha and Misha, or even as alternative diminutive Grisha. Nevertheless, it has a kick to it, with that cool -ka ending.
 
Grishka might also be used among French speakers, though it would typically be spelled as Grichka (GRISH-ka).

Grishka

As a Russian name, Ilary is a masculine choice and an alternative transcription of Ilariy; as an Italian name, it is a variation of Ilaria and predominantly used as a girl name. Either way, the roots are same:  Ilary comes from the Roman Hilarius, meaning "cheerful, merriment". 


Ilary

While Ina is typically used as a feminine diminutive of Martina, Carolina, and similar, it may also be considered a Chamarro name, associated with light, and a variation of the Russian saint name, Inna, borne by one of the first Russian holy martyrs.

With its distinctive '-inka' suffix, common in Slavic and Eastern European diminutives, Katinka carries a playful yet sophisticated quality. The name enjoyed some popularity in the Netherlands and Hungary throughout the 20th century but remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries. 

Its international character, combined with its melodic sound and friendly nickname potential, gives Katinka an exotic yet accessible appeal for parents seeking something distinctive with established roots. And it makes a distinctive spin for the honor name Katherine.

Katinka

Succinct and simple on the surface, Lin is a surprisingly complex name with a variety of different roots. As a Chinese name, it is a unisex option, connected to the color green. Pronounced as LEEN, it means "forest" or "green gem, fine jade" depending on the characters used.
 
As a Burmese name, it would be said to rhyme with pin or kin, and holds the meaning "clear, bright", while in French, Russian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, and occasionally Spanish, it is a variation of Linus, a Greek name meaning "flax". In this case, it would be said as LOH(n) in French, with that barely there n, while in Russian and Ukrainian, it would be LIHN.
 
Lin may occasionally be used as a spelling of the Welsh Lyn, meaning "lake", while as a feminine name, it has its roots in Korean ("luster of jade), Arabic ("soft, flexible"), and English ("pretty", "soft, flexible"). 
 
A notable male bearer of the name is writer, singer, actor, and filmmaker Lin-Manuel Miranda, famous for Hamilton, Moana and more. He was named for the poem Nana roja para mi hijo Lin Manuel ("Red Lullaby for My Son Lin Manuel") by the Puerto Rican writer José Manuel Torres Santiago, about the Vietnam War.

Monja is a name with two separate origins. From its Russian roots, it's an alternative form of Monya and Manya, both used diminutives of the classic Maria. In this case, it would mean "beloved", "drop of the sea", or "bitterness", due to Maria's uncertain etymology.
 
From its Slovene roots, however, Monja is a diminutive of Monika, likely meaning "advisor" or possibly "single, one", and while in Russia, it is used as a short form, in Slovenia, it may be used as a stand alone choice.
 
The name is also used in Germany, South Africa, and the Netherlands, again as a form of Monika, Mona, or Maria.

Monja

A rare form of Nadezhda, itself derived from the Russian and Bulgarian word for "hope", or separate name, derived from nadezhnyy, meaning "reliable". They ultimately share the same Proto-Slavic root however, both descending from nadeďa meaning "hopeful" or "trustworthy".

Nadezna

Boyish nicknames are back in style for girls, and Nate is one of the more unusual entries in the Billie & Frankie club. While a short form of Natalie would more likely be Nat, Nate can definitely work.

Nate

Naum is a Biblical name, rarely heard outside Russia, Bulgaria and surrounding areas, though alternative form Nahum is beginning to receive more attention in the US. Derived from the Hebrew naham, it has the pleasing and gentle meaning of "comfort, console".
 
Also used in the Latin Bible, Naum is pronounced as nu-OOM in Russia and as NA-oom in Macedonia. It is a saintly choice, borne by the 9th century Naum of Preslav, and an arty feeling choice, thanks to the prominent Russian Constructionist sculptor Naum Gabo.

Naum

Derived from the Russian word for November (noyabr), this name was used by communist parents to celebrate the Revolution of 1917 (which took place in November, according to the Gregorian calendar). A now rare choice, one notable bearer was actress Noyabrina "Nonna" Mordyukova.

Noyabrina

A variation of the arty and elegant Shakespearian name, Ofeliya is sometimes used in Russia, the Ukraine, and Bulgaria, and in Azerbaijan, where it is likely transcribed as Ofeliya, with the dotted I. Notable bearers include TV host Ofeliya Sənani and actress Ofeliya Aslan, the stripped back Ofelya is also sometimes used. 

Ofeliya

A spelling variation of vintage Percy or a Bulgarian, Ukrainian, and Russian form of the Greek Persey. In the first case, the pronunciation is PUR-see, while in the second, it would likely be PEER-say.

Persey

A Russian and Bulgarian surname that may sound like a given name to English ears, Petrova means "descendant of Peter" (or of Petar or Pyotr: its Bulgarian and Russian forms) and would be unlikely (or at least very, very rarely) used as a first name in its native countries.
 
It was however used as a given name for one of the Fossil sisters in Noel Streatfield's popular novel, Ballet Shoes and as such, it may be considered a literary name.

Petrova

Sasha in all its forms -- which include Sacha and Sascha -- is rising in popularity for both boys and girls, especially with the Sasha spelling attached to one of the First Daughters. Sacha with this spelling is a Top 20 name for baby boys in France.


Sacha

Strong but melodic in sound, Valeriy is used in Russia, Belarus, and the Ukraine as a form of Valerius, a Roman name relating to health and strength. The name may also be transcribed as Valery, though the -iy form may distinguish it from being an alternative spelling for (feminine) Valerie in an English speaking context. 
 
Notable bearers have included sprinter Valeriy Borzov and figure skater Valeriy Angelopol.

Valeriy

Strong, confident, and energetic, Valya is a Russian and Bulgarian diminutive of Valentina and Valentin. Derived from the Latin valens, it is associated with strength and health, and Valentine's Day.

Valya

Russian names are attracting new attention in the Western World, thanks to the increased visibility of Russian culture and an influx of Russian models with stunning Russian names like Natalia, Irina and Daria.

 generated from our complete database and ordered according to their current popularity on Nameberry. The Russian baby names here include familiar choices like Anastasia and Alexei, as well as little-known Russian gems like Zoya and Zinoviy.

 for girls include Alina, Kira, Mila, Nadia, and Nina. For boys, Russian baby names in the US Top 1000 include Ivan, Nikolai and Valentin. In Russia, popular names include Polina, Varvara and Ksenia for girls, and Mikhail, Lev and Artem for boys.

: names ending in -sha, -ka and, in some cases, -ya are diminutive forms in Russian – which means they are generally used only as nicknames in Russia, rather than as formal names in their own right. Many would also make for cool and unexpected nickname ideas for more popular English names: think Katya for Katherine, or Misha for Michael.

This list includes all the Russian girl names and Russian boy names on Nameberry, ordered by their current popularity among visitors to the site.

Names of Russian origin with meaning and popularity, for baby boys and baby girls, including top names in Russia and unique Russian baby names. (Page 17)