Russian Names for Boys

Zinoviy is a masculine name of Russian and Ukrainian origin, derived from the Greek name Zenobios, which combines 'Zeus' (the supreme Greek god) and 'bios' (life). The name can be interpreted as 'living by Zeus' or 'life of Zeus.' Zinoviy has been used among Eastern Slavic peoples for centuries, particularly in Orthodox Christian communities. While common in Russia and Ukraine, it remains rare in Western countries, giving it an exotic quality outside Slavic regions. The name is sometimes transliterated as Zinovii or Zinoviy, with the nickname Zino occasionally used. Culturally rich with its connection to both ancient Greek traditions and Slavic heritage, Zinoviy carries historical depth while offering a distinctive option for parents seeking a name with Eastern European roots.

Zinoviy

For lovers of Pasternak's great doctor, a lively middle name choice, one made by actress Nia Long. 

Zhivago

The unlikely name of the hero of Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake, named for an author his father revered.

Gogol

Well used in Russia, this is a distinctive and undiscovered choice here. 
Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov is the fictional protagonist of Crime and Punishment by Feodor Dostoyevsky.

Rodion

Dimitre is a masculine name of Slavic origin, specifically a Bulgarian variation of Dimitri or Dmitry. It derives from the Greek name Demetrios, which comes from Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and harvest in Greek mythology. The name conveys strength and connection to the earth. While less common in English-speaking countries, Dimitre maintains popularity in Eastern European nations, particularly Bulgaria and Macedonia. Its soft yet distinctive pronunciation distinguishes it from the more familiar Dimitri, giving it a unique quality while maintaining its classical roots. Bearers of this name often appreciate its cultural depth and slightly uncommon status in Western countries.

Dimitre

Yefrem is a masculine name of Russian origin, derived from the Hebrew name Ephraim, which means 'fruitful' or 'fertile.' In the Bible, Ephraim was the second son of Joseph and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Yefrem represents the Russian Orthodox variation of this ancient name, featuring the characteristic Slavic adaptation of biblical names. While common in Russia and some Eastern European countries, Yefrem remains quite rare in Western nations. The name carries a sense of historical depth and religious significance. Its distinctive sound, with the soft 'Y' beginning and the rolled 'r,' gives Yefrem an exotic quality to English speakers while maintaining its cultural authenticity.

Yefrem

Simunek is a masculine name of Czech and Slovak origin, functioning primarily as a surname in those cultures. It's a diminutive form of 'Šimůnek', which itself derives from 'Šimon' (Simon), ultimately from the Hebrew name 'Shimon' meaning 'he has heard'. As a given name, Simunek is extremely rare, maintaining strong connections to Czech and Slovak heritage. The name carries the warmth typical of Slavic diminutive forms while honoring family lineage. For those with Czech or Slovak ancestry, Simunek might serve as a distinctive way to honor family heritage. Its uncommon status as a first name makes it a unique choice that reflects Central European cultural traditions.

Simunek

Semyon

Deniska

An epithet of Lord Vishnu in Hindu legend.

Savya

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

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

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

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

Ultimately derived from the Greek Alexius, Aliocha is the French form of the Russian name Alyosha. In Russia, it is used as a diminutive of Aleksey (meaning "defender, helper"), while in French, it might be used for Alexis. A notable bearer is actor Aliocha Schneider.

Aliocha

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.

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

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

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 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

Russian names for boys range from the familiar (Nikolai, Ivan, Vladimir), to the under-the-radar (Matvei, Leonid, Rodion), to the utterly unknown (Timofel, Innokenti, Yelisei).



Along with Nikolai and Ivan, other Russian boys’ names that have featured in the US Top 1000 in recent years include Valentin and Dimitri. Baby boy names popular in Russia include Mikhail — the Russian variation of Michael — Kirill, Maksim, Lev, Roman and Alexei.



All of these Russian boys’ names share a certain special power and energy — the Russian "strong man" image in baby name form, if you like. Whether you’re looking for a Russian boy name to honor your heritage, or you’re simply drawn to the strong sounds and striking looks of Russian baby names, you’re sure to find something to love in our long-list of Russian names for boys, below, organized by their popularity on Nameberry. 



A note on Russian usage: most boys' names ending in -sha, -ya and -ka, like Sasha (from Aleksandr), Kostya (from Konstantin) and Vovka (from Vladimir), are diminutive forms in Russian, and are not usually given as names in their own right.

Boy names of Russian origin with meanings and popularity (Page 8)