Russian Names

Sharp and spiky with international potential, as a feminine name, Nikita has its roots in Hindi, Marathi, and ultimately Sanskrit. It comes from niketa, meaning "home, habitation", and may also be spelled as Nikitha. 
 
Alternatively, it is a traditionally masculine name from its Russian roots, deriving from the Greek name Niketas, meaning "victory". It took on a new image, however, when it was used on the female spy/assassin in the movie and TV series La Femme Nikita back in the 90s.
 
Appearing in the US charts a few times back in the 70s, it had its peak in 1986, when it climbed nearly 700 places up the list, from #956 to #250. An impressive leap, but why? The song Nikita by Elton John (released towards the end of 1985) may well be the cause — and yes, the singer knew full well it was a Russian masculine name. 
 
These days, Nikita is a gender neutral choice in the US, given to around 30 girls and 30 boys in a recent year. Elsewhere, the balance is different and it remains a popular masculine name in Russia and a familiar female choice in India.

Nikita

A timeless cultural crossover name, Nadiya can either be a variant spelling of Nadia, a diminutive of the Russian name Nadezhda, meaning "hope"; or derived from the Arabic word Nada, meaning "morning dew" or "to be wet with dew" — something especially precious in dry climates.

Nadiya

Makar is a masculine name with Slavic origins, particularly popular in Russia, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries. It derives from the Greek name Makarios, meaning "blessed" or "happy." In Russian culture, the name has deep historical roots and appears in classic literature, including works by Dostoevsky. Makar has seen increased international recognition in recent decades as global naming patterns have expanded beyond traditional Western choices. In its native regions, the name is associated with strength, good fortune, and a certain rustic charm. The name's straightforward pronunciation (muh-KAR) and strong consonant sounds give it a distinct, masculine quality. While still uncommon in English-speaking countries, Makar appeals to parents seeking a name with authentic cultural roots and positive meaning.

Makar

Known in America via the wife of Soviet head Mikhail Gorbachev; a possibility for parents of Eastern-European descent wanting to move beyond Natasha and Nadia or for parents from the Middle East looking for a name that works in both cultures.

Raisa

This strong and commanding Russian name is pronounced ah-KEEM. 

Akim

A short, light name with a powerful meaning, Mir relates to the Russian word for "peace" and the "universe". Also appearing as an element in other names (like Casimir), it may appeal to those who like short names with no fuss, but also enjoy big, interesting meanings.
 
Also seen as a Japanese name meaning "dragon" (and pronounced MEE-ru). when it is written as Mîr id a Kurdish name meaning "prince".

Kirill

This sleek form of Constantine is traditional in many European countries, and most popular in German-speaking nations and Russia.

Konstantin

A pretty international form of Helena used in many Slavic languages, also sometimes spelled Yelena.

Jelena

This was a 100 percent boys' name till the willowy Mischa Barton of TV's "The OC" made it unisex, a la Sascha. 

Mischa

A Top 10 name in Moscow. In Russian, the emphasis is put on the first syllable.

Yeva

A form of Timothy that is popular in its native Russia. 

Timofey

This form of Irene feels fresher and gives the classic name a chic, international flair. It's most commonly used in Eastern Europe.

Irena

Rolan is a masculine name with multiple possible origins, including as a variation of Roland, which comes from Germanic elements meaning 'fame' and 'land,' referring to someone famous throughout the land. It may also have Slavic roots in some contexts. This concise, strong-sounding name carries heroic associations through the legendary medieval knight Roland, featured prominently in French epic literature. While never reaching mainstream popularity in English-speaking countries, Rolan has maintained a consistent presence, appreciated for its straightforward pronunciation, masculine sound, and cross-cultural adaptability. The name projects qualities of bravery, strength, and adventure while offering a subtle alternative to the more common Roland variation.

Rolan

Zenovia makes Zenobia even more unusual. This mythology-adjacent name is worth a look.

Zenovia

This form got noticed as the first name of long-reigning Russian president Brezhnev; other bearers include playwright and short-story writer Andreyev, Leonid the Magnificent,a Russian performance artist on America's Got Talent, and Leonid McGill, the protagonist of a Walter Mosley private eye series. All in all, though, Leonid is not the most likely to join the pride of lion-related names here.

Leonid

Since this is strictly a male name in Slavic cultures, better to stick with the "Bella" spelling here. 

Bela

Pronounced like Lillia, Liliya is the cognate of Lily in various Slavic languages.

Liliya

The most famous Vlad was nicknamed "the Impaler." Enough said. 

Vlad

Nadya and Nadia are Eastern European short forms -- for the more difficult Nadezhda -- now fully accepted on their own. 

Nadya

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 6)