Russian Names that Start With V

  1. Vera
    • Origin:

      Russian
    • Meaning:

      "faith"
    • Description:

      Vera was the height of fashion in 1910, then was for a long time difficult to picture embroidered on a baby blanket. Now, though, it has come back into style along with other old-fashioned simple names such as Ada and Iris.
  2. Vladimir
    • Origin:

      Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "great ruler, peaceful ruler, ruler of the world"
    • Description:

      Vladimir is a cultured and deep-rooted Slavic name associated in this country with cultural figures including piano virtuoso Vladimir Horowitz and the author of Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov.
  3. Valentin
    • Origin:

      French, German, Russian, Czech, Scandinavian variation of Valentine
    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"
    • Description:

      Romantic name used throughout Europe, though sure to lead to pronunciation problems here. Though it's never been too widely used in the US, it's quite popular in Switzerland, France, Austria, and Romania.
  4. Viktor
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, Russian, and Eastern European variation of Victor
    • Description:

      The Viktor form of this classic name is widely used throughout Europe and is rising in the US as well.
  5. Vadim
    • Origin:

      Russian
    • Meaning:

      "attractive"
    • Description:

      Shorter, more palatable form of Vladimir, best known as the surname of French director Roger.
  6. Viktoria
    • Description:

      Viktoria is the Eastern European and Germanic spelling of Victoria, a name derived from Latin meaning 'victory.' This variation maintains the powerful meaning while giving it a distinctive continental European flair. Particularly popular in countries like Russia, Germany, Hungary, and across Eastern Europe, Viktoria carries a sense of strength and triumph. The 'k' spelling gives the name a sharp, dynamic quality that differs slightly from the softer 'c' version. While less common in English-speaking countries, global connections have increased its usage worldwide. Viktoria combines classical heritage with cross-cultural appeal, making it both timeless and contemporary for parents seeking a name with established roots but a distinctive character.
  7. Vasili
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "royal, kingly"
    • Description:

      Alternative form of Basil that might suit the adventurous.
  8. Viera
    • Origin:

      Slovak; Russian variation of Vera
    • Meaning:

      "truth"
    • Description:

      With the rise of both international names and those that start with the letter V, this sharp alternative to Vera may become more familiar in the English-speaking world.
  9. Varya
    • Origin:

      Russian
    • Meaning:

      "foreign"
    • Description:

      Short form of the Russian Varvara, a feistier version of Barbara.
  10. Vlad
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Vladimir, Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "great ruler, peaceful ruler, ruler of the world"
    • Description:

      The most famous Vlad was nicknamed "the Impaler." Enough said.
  11. Venera
    • Description:

      Venera is a feminine name with Latin roots, derived from Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. In several Slavic languages, particularly Russian, Bulgarian, and Serbian, Venera is the direct name for both the goddess and the planet Venus. The name carries strong associations with feminine beauty, love, and celestial brilliance. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, Venera enjoys moderate popularity in Eastern European nations and parts of Central Asia. Its classical origins give it an elegant, timeless quality, while its relative rarity in Western contexts makes it distinctive. The name has a melodic flow with its three syllables and soft consonants. Venera appeals to parents drawn to names with classical mythology connections or those seeking to honor Slavic heritage while choosing a name that translates well across cultural boundaries.

  12. Vanya
    • Origin:

      Russian, diminutive of John
    • Description:

      This short form of Ivan just could join the other Russian nickname names coming into fashion, and it does have the Chekhov connection.
  13. Vasilisa
    • Origin:

      Feminization of Vasili, Russian from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "royal, kingly"
    • Description:

      Vasilisa is the feminine form of Vasili, the Russian translation of Basil.
  14. Venedikt
    • Description:

      Venedikt is a masculine name of Slavic origin, predominantly used in Russia and Eastern European countries. It is the Slavic form of Benedict, which derives from the Latin 'benedictus' meaning 'blessed.' The name carries significant religious heritage, connected to Saint Benedict of Nursia, who founded the Benedictine monastic order in the 6th century. In Russian culture, Venedikt maintained moderate popularity through the medieval and imperial periods, though it became less common during the Soviet era. Contemporary usage remains limited, giving the name a distinctive quality. Notable bearers include Russian writer Venedikt Yerofeyev. The name conveys qualities of spiritual blessing and historical tradition while maintaining its unique Slavic character.
  15. Vasya
    • Description:

      Vasya is a masculine name of Russian origin, functioning primarily as an affectionate diminutive of the name Vasily (Russian form of Basil, meaning 'royal' or 'kingly'). Common throughout Russia and other Slavic countries, Vasya maintains a warm, familiar quality that makes it popular as a nickname rather than a formal given name. In Russian culture, diminutives like Vasya play an important role in expressing closeness in relationships. The name carries cultural significance in Slavic literature and folk traditions, where characters named Vasya often represent the everyday Russian man. Though rarely used as a legal name in international contexts, Vasya's simple pronunciation and friendly sound have given it recognition beyond Slavic countries.

  16. Valerii
    • Description:

      Valerii is a masculine name with ancient Roman origins, derived from the Latin name Valerius, meaning 'to be strong' or 'to be healthy.' It's the original Latin form of the more common Valery or Valerie. Particularly popular in Eastern European countries, especially Russia and Ukraine, Valerii maintains strong cultural connections to Slavic heritage. The name carries an air of classical dignity and strength, reflecting its etymological roots in wellness and vigor. While less common in Western countries, Valerii has maintained consistent usage throughout history in Eastern Europe. The double 'i' ending is characteristic of the traditional Russian spelling, distinguishing it from Western variants. The name conveys both historical depth and a certain aristocratic quality.

  17. Valya
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Valentina, Russian, Bulgarian, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"
    • Description:

      A confident sounding choice with plenty of energy, Valya is a Russian and Bulgarian diminutive of Valentina and Valentin. The name was used for a character in the 2025 HBO TV series Dune: Prophecy, set in the universe of Frank Herbert's novel of the same name, while real life bearers include singers Valya Kaneva and Valya Balkanska and social media star and influencer, Valya Karnaval.
  18. Vitaliy
    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Vitalis, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "life"
    • Description:

      Lively Russian choice born by several saints.
  19. Verina
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "true"
    • Description:

      More often spelled VERENA, this name is attached to a third century Swiss saint. But the "virtue" name VERITY, is more appealing and comes more directly to the point.
  20. 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.

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