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Ukrainian And Russian Girl Names

esp
By esp
Updated Thu May 25 2023
Beautiful Slavic girl names. These traditional names come from both Ukraine and Russia. These lovely names are perfect for your little girl with lots of potential nicknames,
  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. Sofia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "wisdom"

    • Description:

      Sofia is a refined variation of the Greek name Sophia, which was derived directly from sophia, the Greek word for wisdom. It was the name of a Roman saint—the mother of Faith, Hope, and Charity—and queens of Russia and Spain.
  3. Anastasia

    • Origin:

      Greek, feminine variation of Anastasios

    • Meaning:

      "resurrection"

    • Description:

      Anastasia is the feminine form on Anastasius, a Greek name derived from the word anastasis, meaning "resurrection." It was a common name among early Christians, who often gave it to daughters born around Christmas or Easter. There are handful of saints named Anastasia, including the patron saint of weavers.
  4. Valentina

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"

    • Description:

      Effortlessly stylish, with plenty of sweetness and strength, Valentina feels like a fresh alternative to Valerie, Victoria, or Vanessa.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Marina

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from the sea"

    • Description:

      This pretty sea-born name was used to dramatic effect by Shakespeare in his play Pericles for the virtuous princess who says she is "Call'd Marina, for I was born at sea."
  8. Sasha

    • Origin:

      Russian, diminutive of Greek Alexander

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      Sasha, largely male in Russia--and also spelled Sascha and Sacha--is an energetic name that has really taken off for girls here, chosen by Jerry Seinfeld (using the alternate Sascha spelling) and other celebs. The Barack Obamas use it as the nickname for their younger daughter, whose proper name is Natasha. But in line with a trend toward softer-sounding boys' names like Asher and Joshua and thanks to Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen, Sasha also still has life as a boys' name too--it's popular in France for boys and girls almost equally.
  9. Karina

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, German, Polish, and Russian variation of Carina

    • Description:

      This sweet and loving name, favored in recent years by a mix of Hispanic-American parents and Bob Dylan fans, was chosen for her daughter by TV actress Melina Kanakaredes.
  10. Tamara

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "date palm tree"

    • Description:

      Adding a final a to Tamar lends it a more sensual Slavic tone, making it a more popular choice than the original.
  11. Klara

    • Origin:

      German, Russian, Polish, Scandinavian variation of Clara

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      German, Slavic and Scandinavian form of Clara, which is a Top 100 girl name in multiple European countries, including Austria, Croatia, Iceland and Poland. While Clara is fashionable in the US, the Klara spelling retains an Old World air.
  12. Ira

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Russian, Greek, Finnish, Sanskrit, "watchful one; peace; protectress; earth

    • Description:

      Truly multi-cultural, Ira can be: a Russian short form of Irina, meaning "peace"; a gender-switch of the Hebrew male name Ira, meaning "watchful"; a modern Greek and Finnish form of Hera, meaning "hero" or "protectress"; a Sanskrit name meaning "earth" or "enjoyment"; and a Basque nature name meaning "fern", from the word iratzea.
  13. Zoya

    • Origin:

      Russian and Greek variation of Zoe, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "life"

    • Description:

      Now that Zoe is getting wildly popular in the U.S. and the U.K. -- one poll puts it at number one in Wales -- parents may start hunting down fresh twists like this.
  14. Eleonora

    • Origin:

      Italian, German, Dutch, and Polish variation of Eleanor

    • Description:

      Makes a serious name frilly and feminine, which, depending on your viewpoint, might be a good or a bad thing. In this case, we vote good.
  15. Oksana

    • Origin:

      Russian from Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "praise to God"

    • Description:

      Ukrainian figure-skating champion Oksana Baiul made it known here.
  16. Ksenia

    • Description:

      Ksenia is a feminine name with deep Slavic roots, particularly popular in Russia, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries. Derived from the Greek word "xenos" meaning "stranger" or "hospitality," it carries connotations of welcoming and generosity. Traditionally spelled "Xenia" in Western countries, the Slavic spelling with 'K' maintains its authentic cultural connection. The name gained wider recognition through figures like Russian Saint Ksenia of Petersburg and various contemporary celebrities. With its exotic sound and relatively uncommon usage in English-speaking countries, Ksenia offers a distinctive choice that's still accessible in pronunciation. The name combines strength and femininity with its crisp 'k' sound and melodic ending.
  17. Iryna

    • Description:

      Iryna is a Slavic feminine name, primarily used in Ukrainian and Belarusian cultures as their version of Irene. The name derives from the Greek 'Eirene,' meaning 'peace.' Iryna carries a beautiful cultural heritage and has gained recognition beyond Eastern Europe, especially with increased global awareness of Ukrainian culture. The name combines strength and femininity with its crisp pronunciation and meaningful etymology. While maintaining its traditional Slavic roots, Iryna offers a distinctive alternative to the more common Western versions like Irene or Irina. The 'y' spelling gives it a unique visual appearance while preserving the authentic pronunciation from its origin countries. Iryna represents peace and harmony, qualities that transcend cultural boundaries.
  18. Liliya

    • Origin:

      Russian; Bulgarian; Ukrainian

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      Pronounced like Lillia, Liliya is the cognate of Lily in various Slavic languages.
  19. Katya

    • Origin:

      Russian, diminutive of Ekatarina, Russian variation of Katherine

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      One of the warm and earthy Russian nickname names now coming into style. Denzel Washington gave his daughter the Katia spelling.
  20. Dariya

    • Description:

      Dariya is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Slavic countries, particularly Russia and Ukraine, it's a variation of Daria, derived from the Persian name Daraya meaning 'sea' or from the Greek name Dareios meaning 'possessing goodness.' In Hindi and Sanskrit, Dariya means 'ocean' or 'river.' The name has been used consistently throughout Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and South Asia for centuries. Dariya has a melodious, flowing quality that reflects its aquatic meanings across cultures. Its international character makes it accessible in multiple languages while maintaining its distinctive charm. In recent years, as global names have gained popularity, Dariya has seen increased usage in Western countries, appealing to parents seeking a beautiful, meaningful name with international roots.