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Russian Baby Names and Meanings

Written by Monica Beyer

Russian names have a rich tradition. Prior to the Russian Revolution in 1917, names were heavily influenced by the Russian Orthodox Church, including names of favorite saints. Upon the introduction of communism, the government encouraged parents to choose new names to suggest that the country was taking a new direction. Traditional names still persisted, and combined with more modern names, you will find a large variety of uniquely Russian names for your baby!

Russian names are also popularly known for their large number of nicknames (or diminutives), which are commonly used in everyday speech and often in place of given names. We've included many here.

One thing to note: Russian names are ordinarily written in the Cyrillic alphabet, which is the alphabet of the Russian language. When they are written in the Latin alphabet (such as the English language uses as well as other western languages) the names are transcribed, and this can result in a variety of spelling for the same name. This can account for a name being spelled differently depending on the source, but it is the same name!

Russian Baby Boy Names

Abram: This name is borrowed from Hebrew, it is a variation of Avram, which is Abraham's original name. Other forms of this name are Avraam, Avram, Avramij. Nickname: Abrasha.

Akim: This is the Russian form of Joaquim, which means "God will establish." Another form of this name is Yakim. Nickname: Kima

Aleksandr: This very popular name is derived from a Greek name and means "defender of mankind." Nicknames: Alek, Aleks, Alik, Sanya, Sasha, Shura.

Anton: This is the Russian version of Anthony, and it can be spelled Antoni as well. Nicknames: Antosha, Tosha.

Bogdan: This name has Slavic origins and means "God's gift." Nicknames: Danja, Danya.

Boris: This is another popular Russian name. Nicknames: Boba, Borinka, Borja, Borka, Busja, Busya.

Dmitri: This name comes from Greek origins and means "of Demeter," who is the Greek goddess of fertility and agriculture. Other forms of this name are Dimitri and Dimitrij. Nicknames: Dima, Mitya.

Evfimi: This is the Russian version of a Greek name which means "fair of voice." Nickname: Efim.

Foka: This name is derived from the Greek name Phocas, which means "from Phocaea."
Grigori: This name is from a Greek name which means "vigilant" and was borne by several early saints and popes. Nicknames: Grinya, Grisha.

Iakov: This is the Russian version of Jacob, which means "supplanter."

Ioseph: This is the Russian version of Joseph. It can also be spelled Iosif or Osip. Nickname: Osya.

Jevstachi: This is another name with Greek origins which means "fruitful."

Maksimilian: This is the Russian form of Maxmillian. Nicknames: Maks, Maksim, Sima.

Nikolai: This is the Russian version of Nicholas, which is a name that has Greek origins. Nicknames: Koka, Kolya, Nika, Nil, Nilya.

Piotr: Russian version of Peter, and has a nickname of Petya.

Sevastian: This is the Russian version of Sebastian, a name with Greek origins. Nicknames: Seva, Sevastyasha.

Stanislav: This Slavic name means "glorius government." Nicknames: Slava, Stas, Stasi.

Viktor: This name is derived from the Latin name Victor. Nicknames: Vika, Vitja, Vitya.

Get more boy baby name ideas here!

Russian Baby Girl Names

Akulina: This is a version of the Latin name Aquilina, which means "eagle." Nicknames: Akulya, Kilya, Kulya, Lina.

Anastasiya: This is the Russian feminine version of the Greek name Anastasios, which means "of the resurrection." Other versions of this name are Anastasia and Natassja. Nicknames: Asya, Nastenka, Nastya, Stasya, Tasya.

Dominika: This is the feminine form of Dominik, which is a Latin name meaning "belonging to a Lord." Nicknames: Minka, Nika.

Ekaterina: This is the Russian version of a Greek name, meaning "pure, unsullied." This name was borne by prominent Russian leaders. Nicknames: Katya, Ketti, Ketya, Kitti, Koka.

Elena: This popular Russian name is derived from the Greek name Helene, which means "light." Other versions of this name are Alena, Alyena, Elina, Yelena. Nicknames: Elya, Leka, Lelya, Lena, Lilya, Nelli, Nelya.

Evelina: This is an elaborated version of the name Eva, which means "life."

Inessa: This is the Russian version of Agnes, which means "chaste, pure."

Ivanna: This is the popular feminine version of Ivan, which is the Russian version of John ("God is gracious").

Klavdiya: This is the Russian version of Claudia. Nicknames: Klanya, Klasha, Klava, Klavdya.

Luzia: This is a popular Russian name and the feminine form of Louis (meaning "famous in war").

Madina: This is the Russian version of a Greek name that refers to Mary Magdalene.

Mariya: This is the Russian form of Mary. Nicknames: Manya, Mara, Marisha, Masha, Meri, Munya, Mura.

Oksana: This name has Hebrew origins and means "praise be to God."

Polina: This is the Russian feminine form of the name Paul (Pavel in Russian). Nicknames: Lina, Polya.

Rubina: Meaning "reddish, red," this name originated in Italy for a person with red hair.

Taisiya: This name is the Russian version of the Greek name Thais. Nicknames: Tasya, Tava.

valentina: The feminine form of Valentin, which means "to be healthy and strong." Nicknames: Tina, Valya.

Vera: This popular name was derived from the Russian word vjera which means "faith."

Zaneta: This is the Russian version of Janet, a form of Jane, which is the feminine form of the name John.

Get more baby girl name ideas here!

You can see that not only are there many unique and beautiful Russian baby names to choose from, but the huge amount of nicknames stemming from those names are fertile name hunting ground as well! If you're keen to pick a Russian-sounding name, feel free to explore these names and their pet names. You're sure to find something you like.