Choosing the right name for a child is a meaningful and often challenging decision for many parents. Russian names, with their rich history, cultural significance, and beautiful meanings, offer a wide array of options for both boys and girls. In this guide, we have curated a selection of Russian names categorized into various themes such as traditional, modern, nature-inspired, and historically significant names. Whether you are looking for a name that honors Russian heritage or simply want something unique and meaningful, these tables provide a comprehensive list to help you make the perfect choice.
Popular Russian Names for Boys and Girls
If you enjoy keeping up with the latest trends, one of these popular Russian names could be the perfect choice for your baby boy. Below, we’ve compiled the top 10 Russian boy names from the most recent baby name statistics.
Traditional Russian Boys’ Names
| Russian Name | English Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ivan | ee-VAHN | God is gracious |
| Alexei | ah-lehk-SYAY | Defender |
| Nikolai | nee-kah-LIE | Victory of the people |
| Vasily | vah-SEE-lee | King, Royal |
| Andrei | ahn-DRAY | Manly, Brave |
| Sergei | SEHR-gay | Servant |
| Fedor | FYOH-dohr | Gift of God |
| Yuri | YOO-ree | Farmer |
| Artem | AHR-tyom | Safe, Unharmed |
| Gennady | geh-NAH-dee | Generous, Noble |
2. Modern Russian Girls’ Names
| Russian Name | English Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Eva | YEH-vah | Life |
| Kseniya | KSEH-nee-yah | Hospitable, Welcoming |
| Sofia | soh-FEE-yah | Wisdom |
| Veronika | veh-roh-NEE-kah | Victory bringer |
| Milana | mee-LAH-nah | Gracious, Dear |
| Vasilisa | vah-see-LEE-sah | Queen, Royal |
| Alyona | ah-LYOH-nah | Bright, Shining light |
| Alisa | ah-LEE-sah | Noble, Truth |
| Diana | dee-AH-nah | Divine, Heavenly |
| Karina | kah-REE-nah | Pure, Chaste |
3. Nature-Inspired Russian Names for Boys
| Russian Name | English Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Borislav | bo-ree-SLAHF | Fighter for glory, Battle glory |
| Oleg | OH-lehk | Holy, Blessed |
| Rostislav | roh-stee-SLAHF | Growing glory |
| Valentin | vah-lehn-TEEN | Healthy, Strong |
| Radomir | rah-DOH-meer | Joyful peace |
| Miroslav | mee-roh-SLAHF | Peaceful glory |
| Stanislav | stah-nee-SLAHF | Become glorious |
| Yaromir | yah-roh-MEER | Fierce peace, Peaceful fame |
| Gleb | GLEHB | Heir of God |
| Bogdan | bohg-DAHN | Given by God |
4. Mythological Russian Girls’ Names
| Russian Name | English Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Lada | LAH-dah | Goddess of beauty and love |
| Maya | MYE-yah | Illusion, Dream |
| Zhanna | ZHAH-nah | God is gracious |
| Marina | mah-REE-nah | Of the sea |
| Oksana | ahk-SAH-nah | Praise be to God |
| Rada | RAH-dah | Joyful, Happy |
| Tamara | tah-MAH-rah | Date palm, Tree |
| Lilia | LEE-lee-yah | Lily, Pure |
| Nadezhda | nah-DYEHZH-dah | Hope |
| Galina | gah-LEE-nah | Calm, Healer |
5. Royal Russian Boys’ Names
| Russian Name | English Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Vladimir | vlah-DEE-meer | Great ruler, Ruler of the world |
| Mikhail | mee-KAH-eel | Who is like God, Godlike |
| Dmitry | dee-MEE-tree | Earth lover, Follower of Demeter |
| Yaroslav | yah-roh-SLAHF | Fierce and glorious |
| Boris | BOH-rees | Battle glory |
| Ivan | ee-VAHN | God is gracious |
| Alexander | ah-lehk-SAHN-dr | Defender of men |
| Fyodor | FYOH-dohr | Gift of God |
| Konstantin | kohn-stahn-TEEN | Constant, Steadfast |
| Vsevolod | fseh-VOH-lohd | Ruler of all |
6. Popular Russian Girls’ Names
| Russian Name | English Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anna | AHN-nah | Grace, Favor |
| Olga | OHL-gah | Holy, Blessed |
| Maria | mah-REE-yah | Bitter, Beloved |
| Tatyana | tah-TEE-yah-nah | Fairy queen |
| Svetlana | svet-LAH-nah | Light, Pure |
| Ekaterina | yeh-kah-teh-REE-nah | Pure |
| Elena | yeh-LEH-nah | Shining light, Bright one |
| Vera | VYE-rah | Faith |
| Lyudmila | lyood-MEE-lah | Beloved by the people |
| Galina | gah-LEE-nah | Calm, Healer |
7. Unique Russian Boys’ Names
| Russian Name | English Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Arkadiy | ahr-KAH-dee | Happy, Blessed |
| Ruslan | ROOS-lahn | Lion-like, Powerful |
| Tikhon | TEE-khahn | Silent, Quiet |
| Zinoviy | zee-NOH-vee-yah | Zeus’ life |
| Yefim | yeh-FEEM | Pious, Devout |
| Lavrenti | lah-VREHN-tee | Laurel, Honored |
| Kirill | kee-REEL | Lordly, Masterful |
| Semyon | seh-MYOHN | He who hears |
| Timofey | tee-moh-FEY | Honoring God |
| Zahar | zah-HAR | God has remembered |
8. Russian Names for Baby Boys
| Russian Name | English Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Artem | AHR-tyom | Safe, Unharmed |
| Pavel | PAH-vehl | Small, Humble |
| Gavriil | gahv-REE-eel | God is my strength |
| Leonid | leh-oh-NEED | Son of the lion, Lion-like |
| Matvey | maht-VYEH | Gift of God |
| Mark | MAHRK | Warlike, Dedicated to Mars |
| Roman | ROH-mahn | Citizen of Rome |
| Viktor | VEEK-tohr | Conqueror, Victor |
| Vadim | vah-DEEM | Powerful ruler |
| Yuriy | YOO-ree | Farmer |
9. Russian Baby Girl Names Inspired by Flowers
| Russian Name | English Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Lilya | LEE-lee-yah | Lily, Pure |
| Rosa | ROH-zah | Rose, Beautiful |
| Iris | EE-rees | Rainbow, Messenger |
| Violetta | vee-ah-LEH-tah | Violet, Beautiful flower |
| Flora | FLOH-rah | Flower, Blooming |
| Yasmin | YAHSS-meen | Jasmine, Gift from God |
| Margarita | mahr-gah-REE-tah | Daisy, Pearl |
| Zinaida | zee-nah-EE-dah | Flower of Zeus, Blossoming |
| Dahlia | DAHL-yah | Dahlia, Valley flower |
| Azalea | ah-ZAY-lee-yah | Azalea, Dry flower |
10. Russian Names with Historical Significance
| Russian Name | English Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Aleksandr | ah-lehk-SAHN-dr | Defender of men |
| Nikolai | nee-koh-LIE | Victory of the people |
| Catherine | kah-THEH-reen | Pure |
| Ivan | ee-VAHN | God is gracious |
| Anastasia | ah-nah-STAH-see-yah | Resurrection |
| Peter | PEH-tehr | Stone, Rock |
| Tatiana | tah-TEE-yah-nah | Fairy queen |
| Sofia | soh-FEE-yah | Wisdom |
| Vladimir | vlah-DEE-meer | Great ruler, Ruler of the world |
| Maria | mah-REE-yah | Bitter, Beloved |
Conclusion
Selecting a name is more than just picking a word; it’s about finding something that resonates with your hopes and dreams for your child. The Russian names provided in this guide offer a blend of tradition, modernity, nature, and history, each with its own unique story and meaning. Whether you are drawn to the classic elegance of names like Ivan and Anna, or the modern charm of names like Milana and Artem, this collection is designed to inspire and assist you in your journey of naming your child. Let these names be a starting point in choosing a name that will carry your child’s identity with pride and significance.
