234 Classic Russian Boy Names

Russia is the world's largest country by landmass. It is also known for its sprawling empire that has extended towards the East and West for hundreds of years. They have fascinating Russian boy names that are boosted by nicknames, topographic names, and diminutive names.

Delving into the depths of history, we discover that Russian-given names hold a deep-rooted significance, tracing back to an era predating Christianity in the country. In medieval times, there were two categories of names: canonical names, associated with Christian saints and bestowed at baptism, and non-canonical names. Non-canonical names gradually faded, eventually disappearing by the 18th century (1). However, during the 20th century, considerable changes in naming practices occurred, coinciding with the October Revolution. It was a completely new era in the history of Russian names, reflected by major changes in common names. It is a prevalent tradition to bestow a baby's name based on the saint who serves as the patron on their birthday.

The rich tapestry of Russian names goes beyond religious traditions. While many names are rooted in Orthodox Christianity, there are also intriguing exceptions like Communist names, pre-Christian Slavic names, and names derived from ethnic minorities living in Russia. This diverse mix of naming practices mirrors the intricate history and cultural amalgamation that define the nation.

In Russia, family names often take the form of patronymics, derived from the father's name. For instance, for a son, the suffix -ович (-ovich) is added, creating a classic name like Ivanovich, beautifully reflecting the cherished bond between the father and child.

Overall, Russian baby names carry the essence of the nation's identity and hold profound meaning for families. Shuffle through this curated collection of Russian names for boys and find that perfect name for your little one your heart approves of.

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Browse Baby Names By Gender

Browse Baby Names By Alphabet

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NameGenderMeaning
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Adrian
Baby Boy Sign Boy Man from Hadria
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Luka
Baby Boy Sign Boy From Lucania; Light
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Mark
Baby Boy Sign Boy Mars; God of war; Male; Warlike; Hammer; Defender
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Martin
Baby Boy Sign Boy The god of war; Mars; Dedicated to Mars; Warlike; Male
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Nikolai
Baby Boy Sign Boy Victory; People
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Damir
Baby Boy Sign Boy Peace giver; Steel; Iron; Conscience
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Dimitri
Baby Boy Sign Boy Earth lover; Follower of Demeter
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Lev
Baby Boy Sign Boy Lion; Heart
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Maxim
Baby Boy Sign Boy Greatest; Supreme; Maximum; Eldest
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Veer
Baby Boy Sign Boy A brave person; Hero; Warrior; To be powerful or valiant; To make a heroic effort; Faith; True
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Emil
Baby Boy Sign Boy Rival
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Viktor
Baby Boy Sign Boy Victor; Conqueror
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Mikhail
Baby Boy Sign Boy Who is like God
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Vladimir
Baby Girl Sign Girl A great and famous ruler; Peace; World
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Yakov
Baby Boy Sign Boy Supplanter; May God protect; Holder of the heel
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Andrei
Baby Boy Sign Boy Courageous; Enduring; Manly; Masculine
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Nestor
Baby Boy Sign Boy Returner; Homecomer
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Denis
Baby Boy Sign Boy Follower of Dionysius; Of Zeus;
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Avian
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bird-like; Lively
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Maksim
Baby Boy Sign Boy The greatest
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Isaak
Baby Boy Sign Boy He will laugh; He will rejoice
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Lenin
Baby Boy Sign Boy One who belongs to the river Lena
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Kion
Baby Boy Sign Boy Ocean; Request garden
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Adryan
Baby Boy Sign Boy From Hadria
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Mishka
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Who is like God; Gift of God; Gift of love; Niche for light
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Alexei
Baby Boy Sign Boy Defender of mankind
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Timur
Baby Boy Sign Boy Iron; Strong
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Aleksandr
Baby Boy Sign Boy Defender of mankind
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Ilya
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex My God is Yahweh; Great; Glorious
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Boris
Baby Boy Sign Boy Snow leopard; Wolf
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Dmitri
Baby Boy Sign Boy Earth lover; Follower of Demeter
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Bogdan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Given by God
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Kaz
Baby Boy Sign Boy Beloved; Empty
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Rolan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Famous land; Renowned land
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Akim
Baby Boy Sign Boy God will establish; Raised by Yahweh
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Eduard
Baby Boy Sign Boy Rich guard
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Nazar
Baby Boy Sign Boy From Nazareth; Vision; To look
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Lazar
Baby Boy Sign Boy God will help
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Laszlo
Baby Boy Sign Boy To rule; Glory
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Pavel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Small; Humble
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Miron
Baby Boy Sign Boy Sweet oil; Perfume; Mount Meron
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Yulian
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Downy-bearded
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Aysen
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Aythe's son; Grandson
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Vlad
Baby Boy Sign Boy Rule; Control
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Yaman
Baby Boy Sign Boy Goat; Intelligent; Efficient; Strong; Redoubtable; Stalwart
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Jeremie
Baby Boy Sign Boy Same as Jeremy
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Konstantin
Baby Boy Sign Boy Constant; Steadfast; Firm
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Ruslan
Baby Boy Sign Boy One who is like a Lion
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Dmitry
Baby Boy Sign Boy Earth-lover; Follower of Demeter; Devoted
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Nikoli
Baby Boy Sign Boy Victory of the people
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Liev
Baby Boy Sign Boy Heart; Lion; Dear God
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Mir
Baby Boy Sign Boy A prince; World; Universe; Peace; Dragon; Commander; Elite
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Adrik
Baby Boy Sign Boy One who is from Hadria; Dark; Small mountain
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Igor
Baby Boy Sign Boy Warrior; Army of the Germanic god Yngvi
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Kazimir
Baby Boy Sign Boy Destroyer of peace
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Lui
Baby Boy Sign Boy Light; From Lucania; Famous warrior; Thunder
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Valerian
Baby Boy Sign Boy To be strong
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Aleksey
Baby Boy Sign Boy Defender or helper of the people
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Nikolay
Baby Boy Sign Boy Victory; The triumph of the public
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Andrick
Baby Boy Sign Boy Manly; Mighty; Distinguished; Rich; Home ruler
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Dmitriy
Baby Boy Sign Boy Earth lover; Greek goddess of harvest
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Makar
Baby Boy Sign Boy Blessed; Happy; Crocodile; Capricornus constellation
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Timofey
Baby Boy Sign Boy Honoring God
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Vadim
Baby Boy Sign Boy To accuse; To argue
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Vladislav
Baby Boy Sign Boy Glorious rule
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Adrean
Baby Boy Sign Boy From Hadria
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Egor
Baby Boy Sign Boy Farmer; Earthworker
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Platon
Baby Boy Sign Boy A broad-shouldered person
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Danil
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is my judge
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Kagan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Priest; King; Ruler
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Savino
Baby Boy Sign Boy One of the Sabines
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Samvel
Baby Boy Sign Boy From Ecclesiastic Greek Shmuel; Name of God, God has heard; More of religious connected to God; Heard of God, Asked of God
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Artyom
Baby Boy Sign Boy Safe; Butcher
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Gleb
Baby Boy Sign Boy God's inheritance; God's legacy
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Gennady
Baby Boy Sign Boy Noble; Generous
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Fedor
Baby Boy Sign Boy A divine Gift of God
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Ilia
Baby Boy Sign Boy My God is Yahweh
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Khabib
Baby Boy Sign Boy Beloved; Darling
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Miroslav
Baby Boy Sign Boy Peace; World; Glory
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Nikolaj
Baby Boy Sign Boy Victory; The victor among all
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Sergey
Baby Boy Sign Boy Servant; To preserve; To keep safe
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Vitaliy
Baby Boy Sign Boy Vital; Of life
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Feliks
Baby Boy Sign Boy A lucky and successful man
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Vika
Baby Boy Sign Boy Victor; Conqueror
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Karev
Baby Boy Sign Boy Noble ruler; Noble leader
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Jakim
Baby Boy Sign Boy Raised by Yahweh; Yahweh will establish
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Korvin
Baby Boy Sign Boy Raven
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Maks
Baby Boy Sign Boy The greatest
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Keval
Baby Boy Sign Boy The only; Mere; Simply; Blacksmith
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Oleg
Baby Boy Sign Boy Holy; Blessed; Sacred
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Sergei
Baby Boy Sign Boy Servant
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Savva
Baby Boy Sign Boy Wise; Old man; Grandfather
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Vitaly
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Vital; Of life
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Alik
Baby Boy Sign Boy Defender of men; Protector of mankind; Noble
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Andrian
Baby Boy Sign Boy Masculine; Manly; Courageous; Virility
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Yuli
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Downy-bearded
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Efrem
Baby Boy Sign Boy Fruitful
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Matvei
Baby Boy Sign Boy Gift of God
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Adasha
Baby Girl Sign Girl Man; To be red; To make; Earth
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Michail
Baby Boy Sign Boy Who is like God?
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Russian boy names comprise an intriguing tapestry weaved from a rich history of cultural, religious, and familial influences. As families continue to bestow these significant names upon their children, they carry forward the essence of the nation's identity and heritage. Find your favorite name from this thoughtfully curated collection, and allow the perfect name to become a timeless testament to your son's place in the rich fabric of Russia's cultural legacy.

Infographic: Meaningful And Unique Russian Baby Boy Names

Russian names come from the Russian and Slavic languages. They also have distinctive features, such as the presence of the suffix 'sha' in several Russian names. If you are enamored by Russian culture and history or simply want a one-of-a-kind name for your boy, read this infographic.

splendid russian boy names with strong meanings (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some popular nicknames or shortened versions of Russian baby boy names?

Popular nicknames or shortened versions of Russian baby boy names include Misha (Mikhail), Sanya, Sasha (Aleksandr), Tolya (Anatoly), and Vadim or Vlad (Vladimir).

2. How can I ensure that the Russian baby boy name I choose is appropriate and respectful?

Before picking a Russian baby boy name, it is important to research its cultural and historical background. Learn about its meaning, origin, and potential associations or connotations. Additionally, consult with native Russians knowledgeable about Russian culture to gain insights and feedback on the chosen name.

3. Can I choose a Russian name for my baby boy if I'm not Russian?

Yes, you can choose a Russian name for your baby boy even if you're not Russian. Names are not restricted to specific ethnicities, and many parents choose names from different cultures for various reasons, such as personal preferences or cultural connections.

4. What are some Russian baby boy names that have fallen out of favor in recent years?

Names that have become less common in recent years include Anatoly, Boris, Igor, and Sergey.

5. What are the rules for Russian names?

Russian names typically consist of a first name, a patronymic (derived from the father's name), and a surname. The patronymic is a middle name that indicates the father's name. Russian names are gendered, and the suffixes "-ovich" (son of) and "-ovna" (daughter of) are added to the father's name for patronymics. Surnames usually end with "-ov" or "-ev" for men and "-ova" or "-eva" for women.

6. What are non-gendered Russian names?

Most Russian names are gendered, but there are a few exceptions that can be considered non-gendered or unisex. Examples include Sasha, Zhenya, Misha, and Nikola.

7. Do Russian last names depend on gender?

In Russian, some surnames do change depending on the gender of the person. This is particularly true for surnames ending in v (Russian letter в) and n (Russian letter н). In these cases, the feminine form of the surname is usually the same as the male form but with an additional “а” at the end. For example, the surname Ivanov is used for men, while the feminine form Ivanova is used for women. This distinction helps indicate the gender of the individual when referring to them by their last name.

References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Russian anthroponymy of the 18th century according to the confessional registers of the Opochetsky uyezd churches.
    https://elib.psu.by/bitstream/123456789/36643/1/200-203.pdf

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