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Russian Names for Boys

  1. 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".
  2. Konstantin

    • Origin:

      Slavic; Estonian; Finnish; Hungarian; German, from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "steadfast"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Greek, from Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Yahweh is God"

    • Description:

      The Greek form of Elijah.
  4. Todor

    • Description:

      Todor is a masculine name with Slavic origins, primarily used in Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Serbian cultures. It derives from the Greek name Theodoros (Theodore), meaning 'gift of God.' Todor represents a perfect example of how names evolve as they travel between languages and cultures, maintaining their essential meaning while adapting to local phonetic patterns. The name carries historical significance in Eastern European regions, with numerous notable bearers including politicians, athletes, and artists. While less common internationally than Theodore or its variants, Todor maintains steady usage in its home regions. The name combines strength and spirituality, with its divine meaning giving it a sense of significance while its concise two-syllable structure provides a direct, accessible quality.
  5. Pavel

    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Paul

    • Meaning:

      "small"

    • Description:

      Pavel may be widespread in the former Soviet Union, but it has a somewhat impoverished image here.
  6. Leonid

    • Origin:

      Russian, variation of Leonidas "lion"

    • Meaning:

      "lion"

    • Description:

      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.
  7. 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.
  8. Maksim

    • Description:

      Maksim is a masculine name of Slavic origin, representing the Eastern European form of Maximus, derived from Latin meaning 'greatest' or 'largest.' Particularly popular in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other Slavic countries, Maksim carries connotations of greatness, achievement, and leadership. The name has historic connections to several saints and notable figures throughout Eastern European history. In recent decades, Maksim has gained some international recognition as cultural boundaries blur, though it retains its strong Slavic identity. The spelling with a 'k' rather than an 'x' reflects the Cyrillic alphabet's representation of the sound, giving the name an authentic Eastern European character while remaining accessible to English speakers.
  9. Dema

    • Description:

      Dema is a masculine name with diverse cultural origins. In Arabic, it means "lasting" or "eternal," while in Russian and Ukrainian, it functions as a diminutive of Demyan or Demian (derived from Damian, meaning "to tame" or "subdue"). The name also appears in Greek mythology where Dema was associated with the earth and agriculture. Despite its multicultural background, Dema remains relatively uncommon in Western countries. It offers a concise, strong-sounding option for parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel, while its various cultural connections provide depth and meaning. Dema's simplicity allows it to travel well across language boundaries.

  10. Abrasha

    • Description:

      Abrasha is a masculine name of Russian and Yiddish origin, functioning as a diminutive form of Abraham. The name carries the same meaning as its root - "father of many" or "father of a multitude" - derived from Hebrew traditions. Primarily used in Eastern European Jewish communities, Abrasha represents the affectionate, familiar version of the more formal Abraham. The suffix "-sha" adds warmth and intimacy to the original name, following Slavic naming patterns. While uncommon in Western countries, the name maintains cultural significance in Russian-speaking and Jewish contexts. Abrasha balances historical gravitas with a gentle, approachable quality, making it a meaningful choice for families honoring Eastern European Jewish heritage or seeking a distinctive name with biblical roots.

  11. Vasily

    • Origin:

      Russian form of Basil, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "royal"

    • Description:

      Vasily is one of many forms of the Greek Basil, all rare in the US.
  12. 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.
  13. Valery

    • Origin:

      Russian form of Valerius, Roman

    • Meaning:

      "strong, health"

    • Description:

      A spirited Russian name, derived from the Roman Valerius, this name is also transcribed as Valeriy. In an English speaking context, it has been used as a (feminine) alternative spelling to Valerie, however, the pronunciation and emphasis of the two names differ. Borne by Russian singer Valery Meladze and Russian composer, Valery Gergiev, it is also used for the titular character of Natasha Pulley's 2022 novel, The Half Life of Valery K.
  14. Yelisei

    • Description:

      Yelisei is a masculine name of Russian origin, derived from the biblical name Elisha, which means 'God is my salvation' or 'God is help' in Hebrew. In Russian tradition, it's spelled Елисей (Yelisey), with Yelisei being a transliteration variant. The name carries deep historical and religious significance, being connected to the prophet Elisha in the Old Testament. While common in Russia and other Slavic countries, Yelisei remains rare in English-speaking regions, giving it an exotic quality outside its cultural origins. The name's four syllables create a melodic, flowing sound. Yelisei combines spiritual heritage with a distinctive sound that feels both traditional in its Slavic context and refreshingly unusual elsewhere.
  15. Mitya

    • Description:

      Mitya is a masculine name of Russian origin, functioning as a diminutive or nickname for Dmitri (also spelled Dmitry or Dimitri). The root name Dmitri derives from the Greek name Demetrios, meaning "follower of Demeter," the goddess of agriculture and fertility. Mitya carries a warm, affectionate quality while maintaining its Slavic heritage. In Russian literature, the name appears notably in Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov" as the nickname for the character Dmitri. While uncommon outside of Russian-speaking regions, it offers an accessible yet distinctive option for parents seeking a name with Eastern European roots. The name conveys both strength and approachability, with its short, rhythmic sound pattern and rich cultural connections.

  16. Gavriil

    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Gabriel

    • Description:

      See GABRIEL.
  17. Gorky

    • Origin:

      Russian place-name and surname

    • Description:

      Perky, quirky literary and artistic name tied to the "father of Soviet literature" Maxim and influential Armenian-American painter Arshile.
  18. Yerik

    • Description:

      Yerik is a masculine name with Kazakh and Russian origins. In Kazakh culture, it derives from the word meaning 'freedom' or 'liberty,' making it a powerful name symbolizing independence and an unbounded spirit. In Russian contexts, it may be considered a diminutive form of names like Erich or Erik, which have Germanic roots meaning 'ever' or 'eternal' combined with 'ruler' or 'king.' Yerik has a strong, distinctive sound while remaining relatively short and easy to pronounce. Though not widely used in Western countries, the name has moderate popularity in Central Asian nations, particularly Kazakhstan and among Russian-speaking communities. Its unique character and positive connotations make it an increasingly appealing choice for parents seeking a name with cultural depth.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.