Slavic Boy Names

Yaroslav

Russian

"fierce and glorious"

The Russian form of an ancient Slavic name, which belonged to several Grand Princes of Kyiv and Novgorod, including Yaroslav I "the Wise". A city and region called Yaroslavl in Western Russia are…

Alexey

Alexey is a masculine name of Russian origin, serving as the Russian form of Alexis or Alex. Derived from the Greek 'Alexios,' it carries the powerful meaning 'defender' or 'protector.' Popular…

Platon

Greek, Russian from Greek

"broad-shouldered"

Philosopher names can be difficult to wear — the original Greek form of Plato is just different enough from the typical English form to give your child his own identity.

Shura

Russian diminutive of Alexander

"defending men"

Shura is a unisex Russian nickname for Aleksandr or Aleksandra, themselves forms of Alexander. Less known in the English=speaking world than Sasha, it's also more assertive -- probably because of…

Lavrenti

Russian, Georgian

"from Laurentium"

A form of Laurence used in Russia and Georgia. From Russian, it may also be transliterated as Lavrentiy or Lavrenty.

Efim

Russian diminutive of Euphemios, Greek

"fair speech"

Efim originated as a short form of the elaborate Greek name Euphemios and is now used as a name in its own right. It can also be spelled Yefim.

Yermolai

Russian variation of Hermolaos, Greek

"people of Hermes"

This distinctly Russian name derives from the Greek Hermolaos. Yermolai can also be spelled without the initial Y, as Ermolai.

Stepan

Stepan is the Slavic variation of Stephen, a name with ancient Greek origins meaning 'crown' or 'garland.' Particularly popular in Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other Eastern…

Arseni

Arseni is a masculine name with Slavic and Greek origins, primarily used in Russia, Belarus, and other Eastern European countries. It derives from the Greek name Arsenios, which means 'virile' or…

Arseniy

Mavriki

Mavriki is a masculine name of Russian origin, derived from the ancient Roman name Mauritius, which means "dark-skinned" or "Moorish." In Russian tradition, it appears in historical contexts and…

Venedikt

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…

Ignati

Ignati is a masculine name that serves as a variant of Ignatius, which derives from the Latin name Ignatius, originally from the Roman family name Egnatius. The root meaning may connect to the Latin…

Veniamin

Veniamin is a masculine name of Russian and Eastern European origin, serving as the Slavic form of Benjamin. The name derives from Hebrew roots, meaning 'son of the right hand' or 'son of the south,'…

Danila

Danila is a masculine name of Slavic origin, primarily used in Russia, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries. It's the Slavic form of Daniel, which comes from Hebrew and means 'God is my…

Yakov

Russian variation of Jacob

"supplanter"

What a difference a couple of letters make: Old World version of most popular name never quite made it out of the shtetl.

Kamil

Arabic; Polish, Czech, Slovak

"perfect; young ceremonial attendant"

Although popular in the Muslim community as representing one of the 99 qualities of God listed in the Quran, this could be confused with the female Camille. It's also common in the West Slavic…

Zinov

Zinov is a masculine name likely derived from the Slavic name Zinovy or Zinoviy (Зиновий), which comes from the Greek name Zenobios, meaning "life of Zeus." The name has roots in Eastern European…

Matvei

Matvei is a masculine name of Russian origin, serving as the Russian form of Matthew, which derives from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning 'gift of God.' This name has been used in Russia and other…

Dragomir

Slavic

"precious peace, precious world"

This name, used in many Eastern European countries including Serbia and Romania, has two possible (and equally lovely) meanings. The feminine version is Dragomira.