​
​
Advanced Search

Russian Names that Start With L

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
  1. Lia

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of names ending in -lia or Italian, Portuguese and Greek variation of Leah

    • Meaning:

      "weary"

    • Description:

      Short, sweet, and clear, Lia is used throughout Europe, across America, and in some areas of Asia and Africa, making it a truly international and versatile choice.
  2. Lev

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Russian

    • Meaning:

      "heart; lion"

    • Description:

      This concise one-syllable name, has two possible derivations and two positive meanings associated with it. In Hebrew, it means "heart", while in Russian it means "lion". So strong and simple Lev has both a soft and a fierce side.
  3. Lara

    • Origin:

      Russian, diminutive of Larissa or Larisa

    • Meaning:

      "citadel"

    • Description:

      This is an alternative to Laura or Lauren made romantic by Dr Zhivago, and badass by video-game heroine Lara Croft.
  4. Lilia

    • Origin:

      Spanish, Italian and Russian

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      Lilia is pretty double L name that makes for sparkly, floral choice with plenty of international flair. More distinctive that Lily, less popular than Liliana, Lia, and Lilian, Lilia was a new entry to the US Top 1000 in 2023.
  5. Larissa

    • Origin:

      English, German, and Portuguese variation of Larisa, Greek and Russian

    • Meaning:

      "citadel"

    • Description:

      Daintily pretty without being frilly, Larissa is familiar but more quietly used than its sound-alikes Melissa and Alyssa. Though this is the more common variation in the Western World, the original is actually Larisa.
  6. Liya

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "I am with God"

    • Description:

      The first name of Ethiopian supermodel Liya (pronounced like Leah) Kebede is also a Russian variation of Lia and Lily. Rather than using Liya, English speakers will do better to call a child Leah or Lia.
  7. Lida

    • Origin:

      Russian diminutive of Lidia; Scandinavian diminutive of Alida; variation of Leda, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "woman from Lydia; noble; happy"

    • Description:

      Multicultural mini name with an intuitive pronunciation — it's a recipe for success, yet Lida remains under the radar.
  8. Liliya

    • Origin:

      Russian; Bulgarian; Ukrainian

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      Pronounced like Lillia, Liliya is the cognate of Lily in various Slavic languages.
  9. 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.
  10. Lidia

    • Origin:

      Portuguese, Spanish, Polish, Romanian, from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "woman from Lydia"

    • Description:

      A spelling variant of Lydia used in parts of Southern & Eastern Europe.
  11. Luba

    • Origin:

      Russian, Slavic, Yiddish, "love, lover, dear"

    • Meaning:

      "love, lover, dear"

    • Description:

      Its association with the word liebe gives this name an endearing, adored aura.
  12. Lelya

    • Description:

      Lelya is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Leila or Layla, names with Arabic origins meaning 'night' or 'dark beauty.' Alternatively, it could be related to the Russian diminutive of Elena (Lelya) or have connections to similar-sounding names in various cultures. The name has a delicate, flowing quality with its soft consonants and open vowel sounds. While never achieving widespread popularity in English-speaking countries, Lelya has a cross-cultural appeal with its simple, melodic structure. The name's brevity and ease of pronunciation make it accessible across language barriers, while its relative rarity offers a sense of uniqueness without seeming invented or difficult to recognize.
  13. Lera

    • Description:

      Lera is a feminine given name with multiple origins. In Slavic countries, it functions as a diminutive of Valeria, meaning 'strength' or 'health.' In Greek contexts, it may relate to names derived from 'Leander,' meaning 'lion-man.' Lera has a simple, elegant sound with just two syllables, making it easily pronounceable across many languages. While never reaching widespread popularity in English-speaking countries, the name maintains a steady presence in Eastern European regions. Lera has a timeless quality that works well across generations. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel despite its classical roots, potentially appealing to parents seeking something simple yet distinctive.

  14. Lydie

    • Description:

      Lydie is a feminine name with French origins, representing the French form of Lydia. The name traces back to ancient times, derived from the historic region of Lydia in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). The name means 'from Lydia' and has connections to the ancient Greek culture. In France and French-speaking regions, Lydie has maintained steady usage, appreciated for its elegant simplicity and classical roots. The name has a delicate, refined quality while remaining straightforward to pronounce. While less common in English-speaking countries than the form Lydia, Lydie offers a subtle French twist that appeals to parents seeking names with European flair. The name carries associations with culture and refinement, reflecting its ancient heritage and continued use in sophisticated naming traditions.
  15. Lizija

    • Description:

      Lizija is an uncommon feminine name that appears to be a creative variation of Elizabeth or Liza with an Eastern European or Baltic influence, particularly in the spelling pattern. The "ija" ending is reminiscent of naming patterns in countries like Latvia or Lithuania. This distinctive name combines familiarity (through its connection to the Elizabeth name family) with an exotic quality through its unusual spelling and pronunciation. While extremely rare in English-speaking countries, Lizija might appeal to parents seeking a name with potential Eastern European heritage connections or simply desiring a very unique alternative to more common Elizabeth derivatives. The name has a melodic quality despite its unfamiliarity.
  16. Lidija

    • Origin:

      Latvian; Lithuanian; Slovene; Croatian; Serbian, from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "woman from Lydia"

    • Description:

      A variant spelling of Lydia used in several European countries.
  17. Lavra

    • Description:

      Lavra is a feminine name with Slavic origins, particularly found in regions like Russia, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries. It may derive from the ancient Greek word 'laura,' which referred to a collection of cells or caves where monks lived in early Christian communities. In Russian Orthodox tradition, the term 'lavra' designates important monasteries of historical and spiritual significance. As a personal name, Lavra has remained relatively uncommon even in its countries of origin. The name has a gentle, flowing quality with its soft consonants and open vowel sounds. Lavra might appeal to parents seeking a unique name with religious or cultural connections to Eastern European heritage.

  18. Lesya

    • Description:

      Lesya is a feminine name with Slavic origins, particularly popular in Ukraine where it serves as a diminutive form of Oleksandra (Ukrainian variant of Alexandra). The name gained prominence through Ukrainian writer and poet Lesya Ukrainka (pen name of Larysa Kosach), one of Ukraine's most celebrated literary figures. Lesya has a lyrical quality with its soft consonants and flowing vowel sounds. While maintaining its strong cultural ties to Eastern European heritage, particularly Ukrainian identity, the name travels well across language boundaries due to its relatively straightforward pronunciation. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, Lesya offers an accessible yet distinctive option for parents seeking a name with Slavic roots and literary connections.
  19. Lyudmila

    • Description:

      Lyudmila is a feminine Slavic name with deep historical roots, particularly in Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian cultures. The name derives from two Slavic elements: 'lyud' meaning 'people' and 'mila' meaning 'dear' or 'gracious,' thus conveying the beautiful meaning of 'dear to the people' or 'beloved by the people.' Lyudmila gained significant prominence through Russian literature, notably as the heroine in Alexander Pushkin's poem 'Ruslan and Lyudmila.' The name saw peak popularity in the Soviet era but has declined somewhat in recent decades. Notable bearers include Soviet gymnast Lyudmila Turischeva and the first woman in space, Lyudmila Savelyeva. The name carries an air of classic elegance and strength while maintaining feminine qualities, representing a woman who is both respected and loved by her community.
  20. Lutza

    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Louise, feminine variation of Louis, German and French

    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      Lutza is largely unknown in the English-speaking world and might remain that way, due to its resemblance to klutz.