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Russian Names for Boys

  1. Anatoly

    • Origin:

      Russian, from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "from the east, rising sun"

    • Description:

      A sweet and gentle-sounding Russian name with a sunny meaning, typically nicknamed Tolya in Russia. It can also be written as Anatoli or Anatoliy.
  2. Kirill

    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Cyril, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "lordly"

    • Description:

      Strong and attractive form of Cyril.
  3. Vadim

    • Origin:

      Russian

    • Meaning:

      "attractive"

    • Description:

      Shorter, more palatable form of Vladimir, best known as the surname of French director Roger.
  4. Wassily

    • Description:

      Wassily is a masculine name of Russian origin, representing the Russian form of Basil (Василий/Vasiliy). The name derives from the Greek 'Basilios,' meaning 'royal' or 'kingly.' While the standard transliteration from Cyrillic is usually Vasily or Vasiliy, the 'W' spelling reflects German influence on transliteration practices. The name gained international recognition through the renowned Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky, one of the pioneers of abstract art. Despite this notable bearer, the name remains uncommon outside of Russian and Eastern European communities. Traditional in Russia, the name carries historical depth and cultural significance, associated with several Russian rulers and saints. Wassily projects a dignified, artistic character with its distinctive sound and international character.

  5. Motka

    • Description:

      Motka is a masculine name with an exotic, distinctive quality. Its origins are somewhat obscure, potentially drawing from Eastern European, Native American, or other cultural traditions. The name has a strong, compact sound with its two syllables and bold consonants. Motka remains quite rare in English-speaking countries, giving it a distinctive character for those seeking uncommon names. The name's brevity and straightforward pronunciation make it accessible despite its unfamiliarity. Motka carries an impression of strength and resilience, possibly evoking connections to nature or ancient traditions depending on its specific cultural origins. For parents seeking a truly distinctive name that still has an approachable sound, Motka represents an intriguing possibility.

  6. Alek

    • Origin:

      Polish, Armenian, Serbian, and Russian form of Alex, Greek, Greenlandic

    • Meaning:

      "defending men; harpoon line"

    • Description:

      A variation of Alex used in a number of languages, Alek has the cool, solid feel of Erik and Axel. It can also be a name of Greenlandic origin, meaning "harpoon line".
  7. Arman

    • Origin:

      Form of Herman or Armen, French, Armenian, Persian, Kazakh, Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "soldier; land of Armenia; wish, hope, purpose"

    • Description:

      One of those truly international names, with a similar feel to Roman, Arthur, and Artem, without the popularity, in the US at least. The name is in fact in the Top 50 in Armenia and Bosnia, while it also features in the UK Top 800.
  8. Adas

    • Description:

      Adas is a masculine name with diverse cultural roots. In Lithuanian, it functions as a diminutive of the biblical name Adam, meaning 'earth' or 'man.' It's also found in Polish communities with similar origins. In other contexts, particularly in Middle Eastern cultures, Adas can relate to the Arabic word for 'lentil.' The name carries a crisp, modern sound despite its traditional roots, with just two syllables that are easy to pronounce across multiple languages. While relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Adas enjoys modest usage in Baltic nations and parts of Eastern Europe. Its short, distinctive nature makes it both memorable and accessible, offering a less common alternative to the more widely used Adam while maintaining the connection to this ancient name's rich heritage.
  9. Nikita

    • Origin:

      Russian cognate of Greek Aniketos

    • Meaning:

      "unconquered"

    • Description:

      Redolent of Khrushchev and la femme.
  10. Feodore

    • Description:

      Feodore is a masculine name with noble Russian roots, serving as a variant of the more common Theodore. Derived from Greek elements meaning 'gift of God,' Feodore carries the same profound meaning but with a distinctly Slavic character. The name was borne by several Russian nobles and royals, including Grand Duke Feodor Alexandrovich of Russia. While Theodore remains widely used internationally, Feodore offers a more uncommon alternative with historical depth. The name experienced limited popularity in Imperial Russia but has remained rare elsewhere. Feodore combines aristocratic heritage with a melodic quality, featuring the gentle 'f' sound opening to rich vowels. For parents seeking a name with royal connections and classic origins beyond the common rankings, Feodore presents an elegant option.
  11. Kolya

    • Origin:

      Russian, diminutive of Nikolai

    • Description:

      Could be seen as an affectionate Old World take on Kole.
  12. Ilias

    • Origin:

      Greek, from Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Yahweh is God"

    • Description:

      The Greek form of Elijah.
  13. Orel

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "light of God"

    • Description:

      Unisex name in Israel, ideal for a Hanukkah baby.
  14. Venka

    • Description:

      Venka is a masculine name with roots in various cultures. In Bulgarian, it's a diminutive form of names containing 'ven' which often relates to 'venets' meaning 'crown' or 'wreath'. In Indian cultures, particularly in southern regions, Venka can be a shortened form of longer names like Venkatesh or Venkataramana, which refer to Lord Vishnu. The name carries connotations of divinity and strength in these contexts. Though relatively uncommon internationally, Venka has maintained a steady presence in its regions of origin. The name's brevity and strong consonant sounds give it a distinctive quality while remaining straightforward to pronounce across many languages.
  15. Armen

    • Origin:

      Armenian

    • Meaning:

      "Armenian"

    • Description:

      Naming your son Armen is like naming him Roman, or German -- it's the term that denotes a person of Armenian descent. Armen has been used as a first name for centuries and is an unusual yet approachable choice, especially if you want to honor your Armenian heritage.
  16. Vas

    • Description:

      Vas is a concise masculine name with diverse cultural origins. In Hungarian, it literally means 'iron', symbolizing strength and durability. It can also be found as a shortened form of various Slavic names like Vasiliy or Vasilios, which derive from the Greek 'Basilios' meaning 'royal' or 'kingly'. In some Indian communities, particularly in southern India, Vas appears as a surname or shortened form of Christian names. The name is quite uncommon in English-speaking countries, giving it a distinctive quality. Its brevity makes it practical and memorable, while its cross-cultural presence gives it versatility. Vas projects an image of strength and resilience, appealing to parents seeking a short, powerful name with international connections.
  17. Danylo

    • Description:

      Danylo is a masculine name of Ukrainian and Eastern Slavic origin, representing the Ukrainian form of Daniel. The name derives from Hebrew origins meaning 'God is my judge.' Danylo has deep historical roots in Ukraine, being the name of several important historical figures including Danylo Romanovych, the first King of Ruthenia in the 13th century. The name features the distinctive Slavic spelling pattern with the 'y' replacing the 'i' found in other variants. While primarily used in Ukraine and by Ukrainian diaspora communities, Danylo has gained modest international recognition as interest in Eastern European names has increased. The name offers a strong cultural connection while maintaining links to the widely recognized biblical name, combining heritage with accessibility.

  18. Sergei

    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Sergius

    • Description:

      Common Russian name of one of that country's most beloved saints, known for his kindness and gentility.
  19. Aleksandr

    • Origin:

      Russian; Armenian, from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      A form of Alexander commonly used in Russia, Armenia, Estonia and Kazakhstan.
  20. Bogdan

    • Origin:

      Russian, Polish, Serbian, Croatian, Slovene, Bulgarian, Romanian

    • Meaning:

      "gift from God"

    • Description:

      Popular in Poland, Moldova, Romania, and Russia, and familiar in the UK too, Bogdan is a rugged and strong sounding choice with a similar meaning to US favorite Theodore. Made up of the Slavic elements bogŭ and danŭ, it means "gift from God".