234 Classic Russian Boy Names

From the land of great czars, comes a name for your little one to cherish

Written by Trisha Chakraborty, MA, BEd Specialty: Child development & educationExperience: 5 years

Trisha worked as a schoolteacher for three years before taking up professional writing in 2021. She completed her masters in English from the University of Calcutta and bachelors in Education from the University of Burdwan.

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Edited by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Fact-checked by Kavita Kankani, MBA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 7 years

Kavita has a diverse background in finance, human resources, and teaching. She did her MBA in Finance and HR at Solapur University, and bachelor in Education at Pune University. After working for three years in the banking industry, Kavita took up teaching before moving to writing.

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Last Updated on Jul 24, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

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.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Adrian	Boy	Man from Hadria
Luka	Boy	From Lucania; Light
Mark	Boy	Mars; God of war; Male; Warlike; Hammer; Defender
Martin	Boy	The god of war; Mars; Dedicated to Mars; Warlike; Male
Nikolai	Boy	Victory; People
Damir	Boy	Peace giver; Steel; Iron; Conscience
Dimitri	Boy	Earth lover; Follower of Demeter
Lev	Boy	Lion; Heart
Maxim	Boy	Greatest; Supreme; Maximum; Eldest
Veer	Boy	A brave person; Hero; Warrior; To be powerful or valiant; To make a heroic effort; Faith; True

Emil	Boy	Rival
Viktor	Boy	Victor; Conqueror
Mikhail	Boy	Who is like God
Vladimir	Girl	A great and famous ruler; Peace; World
Yakov	Boy	Supplanter; May God protect; Holder of the heel
Andrei	Boy	Courageous; Enduring; Manly; Masculine
Nestor	Boy	Returner; Homecomer
Denis	Boy	Follower of Dionysius; Of Zeus;
Avian	Boy	Bird-like; Lively
Maksim	Boy	The greatest

Isaak	Boy	He will laugh; He will rejoice
Lenin	Boy	One who belongs to the river Lena
Kion	Boy	Ocean; Request garden
Adryan	Boy	From Hadria
Mishka	Unisex	Who is like God; Gift of God; Gift of love; Niche for light
Alexei	Boy	Defender of mankind
Timur	Boy	Iron; Strong
Aleksandr	Boy	Defender of mankind
Ilya	Unisex	My God is Yahweh; Great; Glorious
Boris	Boy	Snow leopard; Wolf

Dmitri	Boy	Earth lover; Follower of Demeter
Bogdan	Boy	Given by God
Kaz	Boy	Beloved; Empty
Rolan	Boy	Famous land; Renowned land
Akim	Boy	God will establish; Raised by Yahweh
Eduard	Boy	Rich guard
Nazar	Boy	From Nazareth; Vision; To look
Lazar	Boy	God will help
Laszlo	Boy	To rule; Glory
Pavel	Boy	Small; Humble

Miron	Boy	Sweet oil; Perfume; Mount Meron
Yulian	Unisex	Downy-bearded
Aysen	Unisex	Aythe's son; Grandson
Vlad	Boy	Rule; Control
Yaman	Boy	Goat; Intelligent; Efficient; Strong; Redoubtable; Stalwart
Jeremie	Boy	Same as Jeremy
Konstantin	Boy	Constant; Steadfast; Firm
Ruslan	Boy	One who is like a Lion
Dmitry	Boy	Earth-lover; Follower of Demeter; Devoted
Nikoli	Boy	Victory of the people

Liev	Boy	Heart; Lion; Dear God
Mir	Boy	A prince; World; Universe; Peace; Dragon; Commander; Elite
Adrik	Boy	One who is from Hadria; Dark; Small mountain
Igor	Boy	Warrior; Army of the Germanic god Yngvi
Kazimir	Boy	Destroyer of peace
Lui	Boy	Light; From Lucania; Famous warrior; Thunder
Valerian	Boy	To be strong
Aleksey	Boy	Defender or helper of the people
Nikolay	Boy	Victory; The triumph of the public
Andrick	Boy	Manly; Mighty; Distinguished; Rich; Home ruler

Dmitriy	Boy	Earth lover; Greek goddess of harvest
Makar	Boy	Blessed; Happy; Crocodile; Capricornus constellation
Timofey	Boy	Honoring God
Vadim	Boy	To accuse; To argue
Vladislav	Boy	Glorious rule
Adrean	Boy	From Hadria
Egor	Boy	Farmer; Earthworker
Platon	Boy	A broad-shouldered person
Danil	Boy	God is my judge
Kagan	Boy	Priest; King; Ruler

Savino	Boy	One of the Sabines
Samvel	Boy	From Ecclesiastic Greek Shmuel; Name of God, God has heard; More of religious connected to God; Heard of God, Asked of God
Artyom	Boy	Safe; Butcher
Gleb	Boy	God's inheritance; God's legacy
Gennady	Boy	Noble; Generous
Fedor	Boy	A divine Gift of God
Ilia	Boy	My God is Yahweh
Khabib	Boy	Beloved; Darling
Miroslav	Boy	Peace; World; Glory
Nikolaj	Boy	Victory; The victor among all

Sergey	Boy	Servant; To preserve; To keep safe
Vitaliy	Boy	Vital; Of life
Feliks	Boy	A lucky and successful man
Vika	Boy	Victor; Conqueror
Karev	Boy	Noble ruler; Noble leader
Jakim	Boy	Raised by Yahweh; Yahweh will establish
Korvin	Boy	Raven
Maks	Boy	The greatest
Keval	Boy	The only; Mere; Simply; Blacksmith
Oleg	Boy	Holy; Blessed; Sacred

Sergei	Boy	Servant
Savva	Boy	Wise; Old man; Grandfather
Vitaly	Unisex	Vital; Of life
Alik	Boy	Defender of men; Protector of mankind; Noble
Andrian	Boy	Masculine; Manly; Courageous; Virility
Yuli	Unisex	Downy-bearded
Efrem	Boy	Fruitful
Matvei	Boy	Gift of God
Adasha	Girl	Man; To be red; To make; Earth
Michail	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)

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.

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

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.