Russian Girl Names

Largely male throughout Europe, this name--spelled with or without the c, is an energetic choice that has really taken off for girls here; it's been used for the daughters of Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld, and Vanessa Williams. The Barack Obamas use Sasha as the nickname for their younger daughter, whose proper name is Natasha. Sasha Alexander, on the TV show Rizzoli & Isles, was born Suzana.

Saint Savina of Milan gave comfort to prisoners. Her name is a variation of the Latin Sabina, which refers to the Sabine people. Not completely unknown in the US, there were 25 baby girls named Savina last year, and fewer than 100 called Sabina. Savina and Sabina will inevitably be confused with Sabrina, which is much more popular.

Tora is the female version of Tor or Thor, the name of the Norse god of thunder. Actress Jeanne Tripplehorn chose it for her daughter.

Kenya, a name borrowed from the East African nation and theoretically unisex, is now used mostly for girls. While it's had its ups and downs since entering the US Top 1000 in 1968, it currently ranks lower than spelling variant Kenia.

Festive name of the wife of Salvador Dali. In Spanish, Gala comes from the Roman name Galla, a feminine form of Gallus meaning "rooster" or "a person from Gaul".

Perfect name for a little girl born at Christmas. Its many variations and pet forms include NATALIA, NATALIYA, NATALIE, NATALY, NATASCHA, TALYA, TALIA, TASHA and TASYA.

Shura is a unisex Russian nickname for Aleksandr or Aleksandra, themselves forms of Alexander. Less known in the English-speaking world than Sasha, it's also more assertive — probably because of that "sure" sound.

Makes Jane anything but plain.

This version of the more familiar Paulina is occasionally used in the US, though some may see it as relating more to the word pole than to the classic Paul.

Since it's also Spanish for "nothing," this name wouldn't be great for a girl's self-esteem.

Courageous sister of Raskolnikov in Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment.

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

Beautiful African name with a nevertheless mournful meaning.

Sweet and soft alternative to Sasha.

Popular Russian name, familiar here via author Svetlana Stalin, the dictator's daughter.

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

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