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Names From War and Peace

CJDavisMaine
By CJDavisMaine
Updated Thu May 25 2023
This is a list of every prominent character in Leo Tolstoy's literary masterpiece "War and Peace".
  1. Adolf

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "noble wolf"

    • Description:

      Adolf may have been a Swedish royal name but the terrible dictatorship of Adolf Hitler has ruled out this name Adolf for any sensible parent. In the US last year, there were more than 100 boys' given the Spanish variation Adolfo and a handful given the old school Adolphus, but none named Adolf or Adolph....thank goodness.
  2. Amalia

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "work"

    • Description:

      Amalia is a widely cross-cultural name, heard from Italy to Romania, Germany to Scandinavia. The current heir to the Dutch throne is Princess Catharina-Amalia of Orange. It can be pronounced ah-MAH-lee-a or ah-mah-LEE-a.
  3. Anatole

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "from the east, rising sun"

    • Description:

      Anatole is one of the unique boys' names with an unusual-ish feel but an uncertain provenance, with a meaning related to sunrise and thus to fire. While it's Greek in origin, it is associated more closely with France. Anatole Kuragin is a dashing, roguish prince in Tolstoy's War and Peace.
  4. Andrei

    • Origin:

      Russian form of Andrew

    • Meaning:

      "manly"

    • Description:

      Russian, Belarusian, Romanian and Bulgarian form of Andrew
  5. Anna

    • Origin:

      Variation of Hannah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Anna has become the dominant form of the Ann family, offering a touch of the international to English speakers and a bit more style than the oversimplified Ann or Anne.
  6. Alexandrovna
    • Boris

      • Origin:

        Slavic

      • Meaning:

        "to fight"

      • Description:

        Boris is one of the old Russian names being revived by chic Europeans; it hasn't quite made a comeback yet in the U.S., but it does have potential.
    • Elena

      • Origin:

        Spanish, Italian, German, Greek variation of Helen

      • Meaning:

        "bright, shining light"

      • Description:

        Elena is at its most popular point ever in the US, thanks to its cross-cultural appeal and the overall popularity of El- names. It's more international than Ellen or Eleanor, but still accessible.
    • Fyodor

      • Origin:

        Russian variation of Theodore

      • Meaning:

        "God's gift"

      • Description:

        This variation of Theodore is familiar here mostly via the great Russian novelist Dostoyevsky. It was also the name of three early tsars of Russia.
    • Hélène
      • Ilya

        • Origin:

          Russian variation of Elijah

        • Meaning:

          "the Lord is my God"

        • Description:

          A rare example of an a-ending boy's name that sounds masculine, Ilya has a large measure of creative Slavic charm. >p>Ilya Ilyich Oblomov is the central character in Goncharov's novel "Oblomov." Unfortunately, he spends most of his life in his bathrobe and slippers.
      • Ippolit
        • Kirill

          • Origin:

            Russian variation of Cyril, Greek

          • Meaning:

            "lordly"

          • Description:

            Strong and attractive form of Cyril.
        • Marya

          • Origin:

            Arabic

          • Meaning:

            "purity, bright whiteness"

          • Description:

            The final a adds a lot of style.
        • 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.
        • 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.
        • 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.
        • Osip

          • Description:

            Osip is a masculine name of Russian origin, derived from the Hebrew name Joseph (Yosef), meaning 'God will add' or 'God will increase.' It gained prominence in Russian history and literature, notably through the poet Osip Mandelstam. The name has historical significance in Eastern European and Russian Orthodox traditions but has remained relatively uncommon outside these regions. Osip has never ranked high on Western naming charts, maintaining its distinctive cultural identity. The name carries a strong, concise sound with its two syllables, offering a unique alternative to the more common Joseph. Parents drawn to this name often appreciate its literary connections, Russian heritage, or are seeking a distinctive name with historical roots.

        • Petya

          • Origin:

            Diminutive of Pyotr, Russian, Greek

          • Meaning:

            "stone"

          • Description:

            A diminutive of the Russian form of Peter, used on a character in Leo Tolstoy's novel, War and Peace. In Bulgaria, it is used as a feminine name.
        • Pierre

          • Origin:

            French variation of Peter

          • Meaning:

            "rock, stone"

          • Description:

            One of the most familiar — if not stereotypical — Gallic names. Pierre was a Top 5 name in France from the 19th century through 1940 and is now on a steady decline in its native land. In the US, Pierre was most common in the 1980s but it has never cracked the Top 300.