Russian Names that Start With N

  1. Nina
    • Origin:

      Short form of names that end in -nina
    • Description:

      Nina is as multiethnic as you can get: Nina is a common nickname name in Spain and Russia, a Babylonian goddess of the oceans, and an Incan goddess of fire. Here and now, it's a stylish possibility that's been underused. "Weird Al" Yankovic chose this decidedly nonweird name for his daughter.
  2. Nadia
    • Origin:

      Russian, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "hope; tender, delicate"
    • Description:

      Nadia, an accessible Slavic favorite, has a strong run of popularity in the US in the early 2000s, partially thanks to the character on Lost called Nadia but actually named Noor, but it's since slumped down the rankings. An earlier inspiration was Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, who won the 1976 Olympics.
  3. Natalia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "birthday [of the Lord]"
    • Description:

      Natalia was derived from the Latin word natalis, meaning "birthday." It refers to the birthday of Jesus Christ, and thus originated as a name for girls born on Christmas Day. Related forms include the French Natalie, Portuguese Natalina, and Russian diminutive Natasha.
  4. Natasha
    • Origin:

      Russian diminutive of Natalya
    • Meaning:

      "birthday of the Lord"
    • Description:

      Natasha, an appealing, still unusual name, entered the American mainstream post-Cold War but seems to have peaked in the eighties, replaced by the more straightforward Natalie. As is common for Natashas the world over, the Obamas shorten their Natasha's name to Sasha.
  5. Nikita
    • Origin:

      Russian, Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "victor; house"
    • Description:

      Sharp and spiky with international potential, as a feminine name, Nikita has its roots in Hindi, Marathi, and ultimately Sanskrit. It comes from niketa, meaning "home, habitation", and may also be spelled as Nikitha.
  6. Nikolai
    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Nicholas
    • Meaning:

      "people of victory"
    • Description:

      Russian forms, like Russian supermodels, are hot these days. This is a strong, worldly way to make Nicholas new; it was chosen for his son by Barry Bonds, Jr. Nikolai also comes with several attractive nickname options, including approachable Nik, spunky Niko, or even hip Kai. A traditional nickname for Nikolai in Russia is Kolya.
  7. Nessa
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "headlands, promontory"
    • Description:

      Like its cousin Tessa, Nessa -- a shortening of Vanessa or Agnes or Anastasia among other possibilities -- is an attractive nickname that can stand on its own.
  8. Nikita
    • Origin:

      Russian cognate of Greek Aniketos
    • Meaning:

      "unconquered"
    • Description:

      A popular choice in Russia, Nikita is a sharp, zippy choice that became heavily associated with the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in the 50s and 60s. Derived from the Greek name Niketas meaning "victory", it is also used in Moldova, Latvia, Czechia, and Poland.
  9. Nadiya
    • Origin:

      Russian, Arabic; "hope; moist with dew"
    • Meaning:

      "hope; moist with dew"
    • Description:

      A timeless cultural crossover name, Nadiya can either be a variant spelling of Nadia, a diminutive of the Russian name Nadezhda, meaning "hope"; or derived from the Arabic word Nada, meaning "morning dew" or "to be wet with dew" — something especially precious in dry climates.
  10. Nika
    • Origin:

      Russian, diminutive of Veronika; Slovenian; Croatian, feminine form of Nicholas
    • Description:

      Enticing modern nickname name possibility.
  11. Natalya
    • Origin:

      Russian from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "natal day, Christmas"
    • Description:

      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.
  12. Nelya
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Helen, Eleanor, et al: "bright, shining one"
    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining one"
  13. Nataly
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Natalie, French
    • Meaning:

      "birthday of the Lord"
    • Description:

      With Natalie and Natalia in the US Top 100, it is not a surprise for spelling variations to gain popularity. Nataly was given to nearly 300 baby girls in 2023 and was one of the fastest-rising girl names that year.
  14. Nastya
    • Origin:

      Russian diminutive of Anastasiya, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "resurrection"
    • Description:

      A Russian diminutive of Anastasiya, also spelled as Nastia, this form is notably borne by YouTuber Anastasia Radzinskaya "Like Natsya".
  15. Natan
    • Origin:

      Variation of Nathan, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "given"
    • Description:

      For jet-setting parents or those with many cultural backgrounds, a name that is workable across various languages is often a priority. Natan is a great option, as it is a familiar name in many European countries. It is currently most popular in Poland but seeing significant use in Israel as well.
  16. Nastasia
    • Description:

      Nastasia is a feminine name of Russian origin, a variant of Anastasia which means 'resurrection' in Greek. It emerged as a shortened form while retaining the elegant, sophisticated sound of the original. Throughout history, Nastasia has been associated with Russian royalty and literature, appearing in works by Dostoevsky and other classic authors. Though less common than Anastasia in English-speaking countries, Nastasia offers a distinctive alternative with the same rich heritage. The name carries a mysterious, exotic quality that appeals to parents seeking something traditional yet uncommon. Popularity of Nastasia tends to be higher in Eastern European countries, while remaining a relatively rare choice in the United States and Western Europe.

  17. Nata
    • Description:

      Nata is a feminine name with multicultural origins. In Slavic languages, particularly Russian, it serves as a diminutive of Natalia or Natasha, names derived from the Latin 'natalis' meaning 'birthday' or 'birth,' with connections to Christmas. In Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, Nata can relate to 'cream' or something natural and pure. The name also appears in Japanese, where it can be written with characters representing different meanings. Nata remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries but has a presence in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia. Its brevity and melodic quality make it appealing as a modern, cross-cultural choice that's simple yet distinctive.
  18. Nadya
    • Origin:

      Slavic and Russian
    • Meaning:

      "hope"
    • Description:

      Nadya and Nadia are Eastern European short forms -- for the more difficult Nadezhda -- now fully accepted on their own.
  19. Nadka
    • Description:

      Nadka is a feminine name of Slavic origin, primarily used in Bulgarian, Russian, and other Eastern European cultures. It likely developed as a diminutive form of names containing the element 'nad' (meaning 'hope') such as Nadezhda, or possibly as a variant of Natalia. The suffix '-ka' typically adds an affectionate or familiar quality in Slavic languages. This compact name carries cultural significance in Eastern Europe while remaining distinctive and uncommon in Western countries. Nadka combines strength and softness in its sound, reflecting Slavic naming traditions that often feature a blend of consonants with feminine endings. The name appeals to parents seeking a connection to Eastern European heritage or those drawn to distinctive international names.
  20. Narkissa
    • Description:

      Narkissa is a feminine name that appears to be a variant of Narcissa, which derives from the Greek word 'narkissos' meaning 'daffodil' or 'narcissus flower.' In Greek mythology, Narcissus was a hunter known for his beauty who fell in love with his own reflection. Despite potential associations with vanity from the myth, the name carries the beauty and delicacy of its floral origins. Narkissa is quite rare, offering an exotic alternative to more common floral names. The unique spelling with 'k' instead of 'c' gives it a distinctive quality while maintaining its classical Greek heritage. Its melodic sound and uncommon nature make it appealing to parents seeking a name that combines ancient roots with contemporary uniqueness.

Introducing the Nameberry App

Nameberry App
Find your perfect baby name together with our new mobile app.
  • Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
  • Names you match on are saved to your shared list
  • Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
  • Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
  • Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
Sign up to be notified when the app launches and to receive a discount on full access.
Nameberry App Logo