Slavic Girl Names

Katya

Russian, diminutive of Ekatarina, Russian variation of Katherine

"pure"

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

Ludmila

Slavic

"beloved of the people"

This Slavic classic name might begin to make its mark with American parents, what with the growing popularity of the short form Mila. Borne by a tenth century saint who had been a princess from…

Esfir

Russian variation of Esther, Persian

"star"

Esfir is a warm and traditional Russian name that derives from Esther. It might appeal to parents with Russian ancestry or those looking for a rarer alternative to Esther.

Daniya

Daniya is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins, primarily Arabic and Slavic. In Arabic, it means 'close' or 'near,' while in Slavic languages, it's related to the male name Daniel, meaning…

Yeva

Russian and Armenian variation of Eve, Hebrew

"life"

A Top 10 name in Moscow. In Russian, the emphasis is put on the first syllable.

Polina

Russian and Basque, feminine variation of Paul

This version of the more familiar Paulina is occasionally used in the US, though some may see it as relating more to the word pole than to the classic Paul.

Anessa

Variation of Agnessa, Russian from Greek

"pure, viriginal"

In the US, Anessa reads as Vanessa with the V lobbed off. But it's actually missing a G — that from Agnessa, the Russian variation of Agnes.

Zinaida

Russian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian form of Zenaida, Greek

"life of Zeus; dedicated to Zeus"

A name is a bright, sharp sound and an air of antiquity, Zinaida is associated with genus of white-winged doves, a first-century saint and doctor, and the highest of the Greek gods. This particular…

Danya

Russian, diminutive of Danielle, Hebrew

"judgment of God"

An energetic name with an embroidered feel.

Aleksia

Aleksia is a feminine name representing an Eastern European or Slavic variation of Alexia, ultimately derived from the Greek name Alexios meaning 'defender' or 'helper.' The spelling with 'k' instead…

Aleksandra

Russian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian version of Alexandra, Greek

"defending men"

Aleksandra is the preferred spelling in many Eastern European languages and cultures, but for English-speakers it's ironically more confusing if also perfectly phonetically clear.

Evgenia

Modern Greek, Russian, and Bulgarian form of Eugenia

"well-born, noble"

Used as the modern Greek form of Eugenia and as an alternative transcription of the Russian Yevgeniya, and the Bulgarian Evgeniya, this name is pronounced differently depending on location and…

Zuzanna

Slavic variation of Susannah

"lily"

Remember Zuzu, the adorable little girl you watch every Christmas in "It's a Wonderful Life"? Here's a direct path to that nickname, a lot more zesty than the more familiar Susannah.

Luiza

Russian and Portuguese variations of Louisa

"renowned warrior"

Luiza livens up Louisa. The insertion of the letter "Z" adds a lot more pizzazz. Luiza Perote is a Brazilian model.

Basia

Polish and Slavic diminutive of Barbara, Greek

"foreign woman"

Basia functions as a diminutive or nickname for Barbara, though many people now use it as a standalone name. The name derives from the Greek word 'barbaros,' originally referring to non-Greek…

Viera

Slovak; Russian variation of Vera

"truth"

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.

Nadezhda

Slavic

"hope"

Nadezhda is more familiar in the English-speaking world by its short forms, Nadia or Nadya. Well-used through the Slavic countries and Russia, Nadezhda was the name of Lenin's wife. Viewers of The…

Parasha

Russian

"born on Good Friday"

Slavic possibility for a girl born during the Easter season.

Asya

Turkish; Russian and Bulgarian diminutive of Anastasia

"Asia; resurrection"

Asya has dual origins: it is both the Turkish word for Asia (the continent), and a short form of Anastasia in Russian and Bulgarian. Beyond that, it is a beautiful example of a "travelling light"…

Nata

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…