Russian might be one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn, but you don’t need to know how to speak the language to recognize the depth and meaning behind their names. Russian names are steeped in culture and history. 

A traditional Russian name is typically made up of a first name, a middle name or patronymic name, and a family name. A given name is one given at birth or in the event of a name change. A patronymic name is usually a name that comes from the father or a paternal relative. Most Russians have all three names. When speaking to a person who is older than you or in a position of authority, you might be required to use their first and patronymic names.

Russian names come from many sources. They include ancient Slavic names, Christian names, and names popularized in soviet and post soviet Russia. Some of the most popular Russian names you might recognize include Vladimir, Olga, and Sasha. Before you settle on a Russian name for your child, learn about the meaning behind the name and which famous person your child might be sharing names with. 

Top Russian Names

These are some of our favorite names to choose from.

  • AleksandrAlexseiAnastasiyaDinaraDmitriDominikEvaFyodorIgorInnessaIrinaIvanKatyaKarinaKlaraLarisaLeonidNatalyaMaratSasha

These are some of the most popular Russian baby names for girls, their origins, what they mean, and a couple of fun facts about them.

Agrafena

  • Origin: Russian, GreekMeaning: Feet firstAlternative Spellings & Variations: Fenya, Agrippina, Agrafina, AgripinaFamous Namesakes: Agrippina Vaganova, Russian ballerina Peak Popularity: Agrafena is a unique name and can’t be found in the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Alina

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Bright, beautifulAlternative Spellings & Variations: Alena, Adelina, Albina, AlyaFamous Namesakes: Alina Jidkova, tennis playerPeak Popularity: In 2019 Alina peaked in popularity as the 156th most popular name in the United States.

Alyona

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Bright and shining light Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lena, Elena, YelenaFamous Namesakes: Alyona Alyona, rapper; Alyona Minkovski, T.V. Correspondent Peak Popularity: Alyona is a classic and unique Russian name. Although Alyona has not been in the list of top 1,000 girls names, Elena was the 55th most popular girl’s name of 2020.

Anastasiya

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: ResurrectionAlternative Spellings & Variations: Anastasia, Nastasia, Nastasya, Nastya, StasyaFamous Namesakes: Anastasia Bitsenko, Russian revolutionaryPeak Popularity: Its more popular spelling variation, Anastasia, was the most popular name for girls in Russia in 2008. In 2020, it was the 158th most popular name for girls in the United States.

Anoushka

  • Origin: Russian, HebrewMeaning: Grace, favorAlternative Spellings & Variations: Anuschka, Annushka, AnushkaFamous Namesakes: Anouska Hempel, film and T.V. actressPeak Popularity: In 2009, 58 girls were given the name Anoushka in the United States.

Anya

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: GraceAlternative Spellings & Variations: Anja, AniaFamous Namesakes: Anya Monzikova, model and actress; Anya Chalotra, actressPeak Popularity: Anya reached peak popularity in 2009 as the 362nd most popular girl’s name in the United States. In 2020 it was ranked 656.

Dinara

  • Origin: Arabic, LatinMeaning: WealthAlternative Spellings & Variations: DinarahFamous Namesakes: Dinara Safina, a Russian tennis playerPeak Popularity: Dinara is a unique name and can’t be found in the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Dominika

  • Origin: Czech, Latin, PolishMeaning: From the LordAlternative Spellings & Variations: Dominica, DomenicaFamous Namesakes: Dominika Cibulková, former professional tennis playerPeak Popularity: Dominika is most popularly used in Czech, Poland, and Russia. It has not been in the list of top 1,000 girls names in the U.S.

Doroteya

  • Origin: Russian, GreekMeaning: Gift of GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: Doroteia, Doroteja, DorotheaFamous Namesakes: Doroteya Toleva, actressPeak Popularity: Doroteya is a unique name and can’t be found in the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Eva

  • Origin: Hebrew, GreekMeaning: LifeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ava, Eve, YevaFamous Namesakes: Eva Herzigova, model; Eva Mendes, actress; Eva Longoria, actressPeak Popularity: Eva is a popular name for girls. It peaked in 1900 when it was the 33rd most popular name for girls in the United States.

Faina

  • Origin: Russian, LatinMeaning: Shinning, crownAlternative Spellings & Variations: Phaena, FaenaFamous Namesakes: Faina Melnyk, Olympic discus championPeak Popularity: Faina is a unique name and can’t be found in the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Feodora

  • Origin: Russian Meaning: Divine gift Alternative Spellings & Variations: Feo, Fyodora, FedoraFamous Namesakes: Princess Feodora of LeiningenPeak Popularity: Feodora is a unique name and can’t be found in the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Galina

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Calm, tranquilAlternative Spellings & Variations: Gala, Galya, GalochkaFamous Namesakes: Galina Starovoytova, Russian politician; Galina Voskoboeva, a Russian tennis player Peak Popularity: The name Galina is not popular in the United States.

Inga

  • Origin: Scandinavian, RussianMeaning: Guarded by Ing (Norse god of peace and prosperity).Alternative Spellings & Variations: Inge, Ingrid, IngerFamous Namesakes: Inga Babakova, athletePeak Popularity: The peak of its popularity was in 1901 when 29 people in the United States were named Inga.

Innessa

  • Origin: Russian, GreekMeaning: Chaste, purityAlternative Spellings & Variations: Inesa, Ines, Inaas, Inessa, Agnessa, AgniyaFamous Namesakes: Innessa, Russian singer and songwriterPeak Popularity: Innessa is a unique name and can’t be found in the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Inna

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Rough stream, coming from strong watersAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ina, InneFamous Namesakes: Inna, singer; Inna Churikova, Russian actressPeak Popularity: Inna is a unique name and can’t be found in the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Irina

  • Origin: Russian, GreekMeaning: Peace, peacefulAlternative Spellings & Variations: Irisha, Ira, Arisha, Atina, Irena, Irene, IrinFamous Namesakes: Irina Shayk, modelPeak Popularity: Irina is a unique name and can’t be found in the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Katya

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Pure, perfectAlternative Spellings & Variations: Katiya, Katia, Ekaterina, KatyushaFamous Namesakes: Katya Jones, dancer; Katya Zamolodchikova, drag queenPeak Popularity: Katiya is a unique name and can’t be found in the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Karina

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Pure, chasteAlternative Spellings & Variations: Carina, KarinFamous Namesakes: Karin Knapp, retired tennis player; Karin Dreijer Andersson, singer, and songwriterPeak Popularity: In 1996, 2867 babies were given the name Karina. This is the peak of its popularity in the United States.

Kira

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Leader of the peopleAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kiran, Kaira, Keera, Kiera, KyraFamous Namesakes: Princess Kira of Prussia, Grand Duchess Kira Kirillovna of Russia

Klara

  • Origin: Russian, German, HungarianMeaning: Clear, brightAlternative Spellings & Variations: Clara, ClareFamous Namesakes: Klara Soderberg, singerPeak Popularity: Klara is a unique name and can’t be found in the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Ksana

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Praise be to GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ksanochka, Ksann Ksanna, KsenaFamous Namesakes: Ksana Sergienko, singerPeak Popularity: Ksana is a unique name and can’t be found in the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Lada

  • Origin: Russian, SlavicMeaning: Goddess of beauty Alternative Spellings & Variations: Vladislava, VladimiraFamous Namesakes: Lada Kozlíková, road and track cyclistPeak Popularity: Lada is a unique name and can’t be found in the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Larisa

  • Origin: Russian, Greek, LatinMeaning: Fortress, citadel, cheerfulAlternative Spellings & Variations: Larissa, Lara, LarysaFamous Namesakes: Larissa Loukianenko, former Belarusian gymnastPeak Popularity: The alternative spelling of the name, Larissa, was given to 715 babies in the United States in 1994. This is the most the name has ever been used in the United States.

Lubov

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Love, belovedAlternative Spellings & Variations: Lyubov, Liubov, LyubochkaFamous Namesakes: Lubov Orlova, Russian actressPeak Popularity: The name Lubov isn’t popular in the United States.

Luda

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Love of the peopleAlternative Spellings & Variations: Lyudmila, LudmilaFamous Namesakes: Lyudmila Chernykh, astronomerPeak Popularity: The name Luda isn’t popular in the United States.

Manya

  • Origin: Hindu, RussianMeaning: BitterAlternative Spellings & Variations: Maria, Maanya, ManjaFamous Namesakes: Manya Shochat, politicianPeak Popularity: Manya is a unique name and can’t be found in the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Margarita

  • Origin: LatinMeaning: PearlAlternative Spellings & Variations: Greta, Margaret, Rita Famous Namesakes: Margarita Levieva, actress; Margarita Gasparyan, a Russian tennis playerPeak Popularity: Margarita was most popular in the United States in 1950. It fell off the top 1000 list in 2006.

Marina

  • Origin: Russian, LatinMeaning: Of the seaAlternative Spellings & Variations: Maren, Maryna, Marine, Mari, MinaFamous Namesakes: Marina Tsvetaeva, Russian poet, and writer; Princess Marina of GreecePeak Popularity: Marina reached height popularity in the United States in the mid-1990s.

Maya

  • Origin: Spanish, Hindu, Russian
  • Meaning: Dream
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Maia, Maiyah, Mya, Miah
  • Famous Namesakes: Maya Angelou, poet; Maya Rudolph actress
  • Peak Popularity: Maya was most popular in the United States in the 2000s. In 2006, 5,047 babies were named Maya at peak popularity. It’s currently the 61st most popular name for girls.

Mila

  • Origin: Russian, Slavic
  • Meaning: Loved by the people, gracious, dear one
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ludmila, Mela, Milena, Milica
  • Famous Namesakes: Mila Kunis, actress
  • Peak Popularity: Mila has surged in popularity in the United States since 2011. In 2018, 8154 babies were given the name Mila at peak popularity.

Mischa

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Who is like God?Alternative Spellings & Variations: MishaFamous Namesakes: Mischa Barton, actress

Nadenka

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: HopeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nadezhda, Nada, Nadja, Nadya, NadinaFamous Namesakes: Nadya Suleman, American media personality Peak Popularity: Nadenka isn’t very popular in the United States and has made it into the top 1000 names list.

Natalya

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: the birthday of Christ Alternative Spellings & Variations: Natalia, Nataliya, NatalieFamous Namesakes: Natalia Vodianova, Russian model; Natalia Tena, actressPeak Popularity: Natalya reached height popularity in the United States in 2009, 380 babies were named Natalya.

Nikita

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Winner, victorAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nikki, Nikitha, Nakita, NickitaFamous Namesakes: Nikita Thukral, actress; Nikita Dragun, American internet personalityPeak Popularity: Nikita is one of the most popular names in Russia. It’s also fairly common in the United States. In 1986, 1034 babies were named Nikita.

Oksana

  • Origin: Russian, UkrainianMeaning: Praise to GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: Oxana, Ksenia, KseniyaFamous Namesakes: Oksana Akinshina, actress; Oxana Fedorova, Russian television presenterPeak Popularity: The name Oksana has never been ranked in the top 1000 names in the United States.

Polina

  • Origin: Russian, GreekMeaning: Small, humbleAlternative Spellings & Variations: Paulina, Apollinariya, PalinaFamous Namesakes: Polina Gagarina, singer and songwriter Peak Popularity: The name Polina has never been ranked in the top 1000 names in the United States.

Raisa

  • Origin: Russian, GreekMeaning: Easygoing, roseAlternative Spellings & Variations: Raissa, RisaFamous Namesakes: Raisa Blokh, Russian poet; Raisa Gorbacheva, former first lady of the Soviet Union Peak Popularity: Raisa is a unique name that isn’t found on the top 1000 list of girl’s names in the United States.

Sonya

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Wisdom Alternative Spellings & Variations: Soniyah, Sonjah, SonyahFamous Namesakes: Sonya Jeyaseelan, a Canadian tennis playerPeak Popularity: At the peak of its popularity in 1967, 2980 babies were named Sonya in the United States.

Sasha

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Leader of men, defender of mankindAlternative Spellings & Variations: Sacha, Sascha, SashenkaFamous Namesakes: Sasha Alexander, actress; Sasha Pieterse, singer, and songwriterPeak Popularity: The use of the name Sasha in the United States, peaked for the first time in 1988 when 1886 babies were named Sasha. It peaked again in 2009, ranking 261.

Sonechka

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: WiseAlternative Spellings & Variations: Sofia, SophiePeak Popularity: Sonechka isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Svetlana

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Star, shining starAlternative Spellings & Variations: Lana, Sveta, SvitlanaFamous Namesakes: Svetlana Kuznetsova, tennis player; Svetlana Khodchenkova, actressPeak Popularity: Svetlana isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Taisiya

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Clever, witty Alternative Spellings & Variations: TaisiaFamous Namesakes: Taisia Povaliy, Ukrainian singer and actressPeak Popularity: Taisia isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Ulyana

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: YouthfulAlternative Spellings & Variations: Uliana, Yuliana, Yulianna, Famous Namesakes: Uliana of Tver, daughter of Prince Alexander of Tver; Uliana Donskova, Russian gymnastPeak Popularity: Ulyana isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Vanka

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Grace, favored by GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ivanka, VanyaFamous Namesakes: Ivanka Trump, American businesswoman Peak Popularity: Vanka isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Yekaterina

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Pure, innocentAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ekaterina, Katenka, Katya, Katerina, KatyushaFamous Namesakes: Yekaterina Lobaznyuk, former Olympic gymnastPeak Popularity: The name Yekaterina isn’t popular in the United States.

Yelizaveta

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Consecrated to God, pledged to GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: ElizavetaFamous Namesakes: Yelizaveta Kozhevnikova, Olympic skier; Yelizaveta Lavrovskaya, Russian mezzo-sopranoPeak Popularity: The name Yelizaveta isn’t popular in the United States.

Yana

  • Origin: Russian, HebrewMeaning: God is gracious, a gift from GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: JanaFamous Namesakes: Yana Kudryavtseva, former Russian gymnastPeak Popularity: The name Yana isn’t popular in the United States.

Yulia

  • Origin: Russian, LatinMeaning: Youthful, young Alternative Spellings & Variations: Yuliya, Julia, JuliyaFamous Namesakes: Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukrainian politician; Yulia Efimova, Russian swimmerPeak Popularity: Yulia is not a popular name in the United States.

Here are a few of the most popular Russian baby names for boys, their origins, what they mean, and a couple of fun facts about them.

Fun Fact: Agrafena is the Russian variation of the Greek name, Agrippina which was the name of the mother of the famous King Nero. 

Fun Fact: Alina is a variation of the classic name Helen. In Arabic it means noble. 

Fun Fact: Alyona is a modern Russian variant of the Greek name Helen.

Fun Fact: Anastasia Romanovna was the name of the wife of the Russian czar Ivan the Terrible.

Fun Fact: Anoushka is a Russian variation of the more popular name Anna.

Fun Fact: Anya is derived from the name Anna. It also means power in Kurdish and is the Hungarian word for mother.

Fun Fact: Dinara is derived from the word denarius, which means gold coin or treasure.

Fun Fact: Dominika is the female equivalent of the popular name, Dominque which also means “From the Lord.”

Fun Fact: Dorothy used to be a less common variant of Dorothea. Between 1904 and 1940 it became one of the most popular girl’s names in the United States.

Fun Fact: The name Eva is used in many languages as a variation to the name Eve.

Fun Fact: Feodora is derived from the Greek name Theodora which means God’s gift. 

Fun Fact: The name Inga has appeared on the top 1000 list in the U.S. only 13 times between 1900 and 1914.

Fun Fact: Inessa is also used in Spain and Germany. It is believed to be derived from a combination of the names Agnes and Ines.

Fun Fact: Inna is the nickname of Elena Alexandra Apostoleanu, a Romanian singer and songwriter. 

Fun fact: Denzel Washington’s daughter is named Katia.

Fun Fact: Karina was the 611th most popular baby girl’s name in the U.S. in 2020.

Fun Fact: Kira is the feminine version of the masculine name Kir, in Russia. It could also mean “mistress” and “ruler.”

Fun Fact: The name Larisa is either derived from a nymph in Greek mythology or from the name of an ancient Greek city called Larisa, which meant citadel.

Fun Fact: The name Lyudmila was first used in Russia in the Age of Romanticism.

Fun Fact: Margarita is also the Spanish word for the daisy.

Fun Fact: Marina is the name of a character in Shakespeare’s play “Pericles, Prince of Tyre.”

Fun Fact: Maya is also the name of an indigenous group of people from Mexico and Central America.

Fun Fact: Mila is the 20th most popular girl’s name in the United States today.

Fun Fact: Nadenka is the Russian variation of the popular name Nadia.

Fun Fact: The variations Natalie and Nathalie is now more commonly used than Natalya.

Fun Fact: Nikita is the Russian variation of the name Nicole. Elton John has a song named Nikita, and it’s also the name of a popular T.V. series

Fun Fact: Oksana Baiul, a Ukrainian figure skating champion, made the name popular in the United States.

Fun Fact: Polina is a feminine variation of the masculine name Paul.

Fun Fact: Sonya is a diminutive form of the name Sophia. It’s also the name of a character in Leo Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace.”

Fun Fact: Sasha started as a nickname for the name Alexandra, but is now recognized as a name of its own.

Fun Fact: Svetlana Stalin, the dictator’s daughter, helped popularize the name.

Fun Fact: Thaïs of Alexandria is thought to have inspired the birth of the name.

Fun Fact: Yekaterina is the Russian version of the popular name Katherine. Ekaterina is also the name of a Russian television show.

Fun Fact: Yelizaveta is the Russian version of the popular name Elizabeth.

Fun Fact: Yana is also the name of a river in Russia.

Adrik

  • Origin: Russian, LatinMeaning: DarkAlternative Spellings & Variations: Adrion, AdrienPeak Popularity: Adrik isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Aleksandr

  • Origin: Russian, UkrainianMeaning: Man’s defender, defending men Alternative Spellings & Variations: Oleksander, Oleksandr, Aleks, AlexFamous Namesakes: Aleksandr Pushkin, Russian poet; Aleksandr Karelin, Olympic athlete; Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, novelistPeak Popularity: In the United States, the name Aleksandr has never ranked in the top 1000.

Alexei

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: DefenderAlternative Spellings & Variations: Alexey, Aleksey, Alexej, AlekseiFamous Namesakes: Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia; Alexei Emelin, professional ice hockey player Peak Popularity: Alexei isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Alyosha

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Defender of man Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aleksey, AleksisFamous Namesakes: Alyosha Popovich, a folk hero in Russian folklore; Alyosha Andonov, Bulgarian football coachPeak Popularity: The name Alyosha isn’t popular in the United States.

Anatoly

  • Origin: Russian Meaning: From the east rising sun, sunriseAlternative Spellings & Variations: Anatoli, AnatoleFamous Namesakes: Anatoli Aslamov, Russian football coach; Anatoly Karpov, Russian chess grandmasterPeak Popularity: The name Anatoly isn’t popular in the United States.

Arseny

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Strong, virileAlternative Spellings & Variations: Arseniy, ArseniiFamous Namesakes: Arseny Avraamov, Russian composer; Arseny Tarkovsky, Soviet poet and translator Peak Popularity: Arseny isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Boris

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Fight, fighterAlternative Spellings & Variations: Borys, BarysFamous Namesakes: Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Boris Kodjoe, actor Peak Popularity: The popularity of the name has peaked and dipped several times since the 19th century. It reached the peak of its popularity in the United States in 1962.

Daniil

  • Origin: Russian, HebrewMeaning: God is my judgeAlternative Spellings & Variations: DanilaFamous Namesakes: Daniil Kvyat, Russian racing driver; Daniil Medvedev, a Russian tennis playerPeak Popularity: Daniil is not a common name in the United States.

Dmitri

  • Origin: Russian, GreekMeaning: Earth loverAlternative Spellings & Variations: Dmitry, Dimitri, Dmitry, Dmitrii, DmitriyFamous Namesakes: Dmitri Aliev, Russian figure skater; Dmitri Bulykin, Russian football playerPeak Popularity: In the United States, the use of the name Dmitri started to gain popularity in 1992, peaking in 2015, and dipping in 2017.

Dominik

  • Origin: Bulgarian, Russian, LatinMeaning: Belonging to GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: DominicFamous Namesakes: Dominic Jacobetti, politicianPeak Popularity: The name peaked in popularity in 2012.

Eriks

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Eternal rulerAlternative Spellings & Variations: Erik, EricFamous Namesakes: Erik Per Sullivan, actor; Erik Knudsen, actorPeak Popularity: The name Eriks isn’t popular in the United States.

Fedyenka

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Gift from GodPeak Popularity: The name Fedyenka isn’t popular in the United States.

Fyodor

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: God’s giftAlternative Spellings & Variations: Fedor, FeodorFamous Namesakes: Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Russian author; Fedor Bondarchuk, Russian film directorPeak Popularity: Fyodor is not common in the United States.

Gavriil

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Worships God, God is my strength Alternative Spellings & Variations: GavrilFamous Namesakes: Gavril Ilizarov, Russian physician Peak Popularity: Gavriil isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Gennady

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Generous, nobleAlternative Spellings & Variations: Gennadiy, Gennadi Famous Namesakes: Gennadi Karponosov, Russian Olympic ice dancer and coach; Gennady Padalka, Russian cosmonautPeak Popularity: Gennady has never ranked in the top 1000 in the United States.

Grigory

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: WatchfulAlternative Spellings & Variations: Grigori, GrigoriiFamous Namesakes: Grigoriy Rasputin, Russian mystic; Grigory Laguta, motorcycle speedway riderPeak Popularity: Grigory isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Igor

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: WarriorAlternative Spellings & Variations: IhorFamous Namesakes: Igor Stravinsk, a Russian composer; Igor Sikorsky, the Russian-American designer of the first successful helicopterPeak Popularity: Igor is not popular in the United States.

Iosif

  • Origin: Russian, HebrewMeaning: Jehovah increases, God shall addAlternative Spellings & Variations: OsipFamous Namesakes: Iosif Rotariu, Romanian footballerPeak Popularity: The name Iosif isn’t popular in the United States.

Ivan

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: God is gracious Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ioann, Ioan, Famous Namesakes: Ivan the terrible, first Tsar of Russia; Ivan Rakitić, football playerPeak Popularity: The use of the name Ivan was most popular in the United States in 2012 with 3,231 babies were given the name in that year, and it has remained popular since then.

Kiril

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Lord, master, ruler Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kirill, Kiryl, Famous Namesakes: Kirill Pokrovsky, Russian composerPeak Popularity: Kiril is not popular in the United States.

Leonid

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Lion-likeAlternative Spellings & Variations: LeonidasFamous Namesakes: Leonid Andreyev, Russian playwright; Leonid Brezhnev, former leader of the USSRPeak Popularity: Leonid has never made the top 1000 list in the United States.

Lev

  • Origin: Russian, HebrewMeaning: Heart, lion Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lyev, LyovFamous Namesakes: Lev Grossman, Russian author; Lev Landau, Soviet physicist and Nobel laureate; Lev Vygotsky, a Russian psychologistPeak Popularity: Lev is not popular in the United States.

Luka

  • Origin: Russian, Latin
  • Meaning: Light, bringer of light
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Luca, Lucas, Luke
  • Famous Namesakes: Luka Modrić, football player; Luka Milivojević, football player
  • Peak Popularity: Luka started to gain popularity in 2004, and continues to rise. In 2020, 2,319 babies were given the name.

Lyonechka

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Lion, braveAlternative Spellings & Variations: Leon, Leonidas, LyonPeak Popularity: Lyonechka is not ranked within the top 1000 names.

Maksimilian

  • Origin: Russian, PolishMeaning: Greatest Alternative Spellings & Variations: Maksimillian, MaksymilianFamous Namesakes: Maximillian Schmeling, German boxer; Peak Popularity: The name Maksimilian isn’t popular in the United States.

Marat

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: DesiredAlternative Spellings & Variations: Marrat, MarahtFamous Namesakes: Marat Safin, Russian tennis player; Marat Tazhin, Kazakh politicianPeak Popularity: Marat isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Matvey

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Gift of God, God’s gift Alternative Spellings & Variations: Matvei, MatfeyFamous Namesakes: Matvei Blanter, Russian composer; Matvey Gusev, Russian astronomerPeak Popularity: Matvey isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Mikhail

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Who is like God?Alternative Spellings & Variations: Michail, MihailFamous Namesakes: Mikhail Lermontov, poet; Mikhail Gorbachev, former Soviet leaderPeak Popularity: Mikhail only ranked in the top 1000 the United States twice in 1988 and 1990.

Nikolai

  • Origin: Russian, GreekMeaning: VictoriousAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nikolay, NikolaFamous Namesakes: Prince Nikolai of Denmark; Nikolai Valuev, Russian boxerPeak Popularity: Nikolai started to gain popularity in 2007, and ranked 547 in the U.S. in 2020.

Oleg

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Holy, sacredAlternative Spellings & Variations: Helge, Oleh, OlezkaFamous Namesakes: Oleg Aleynik, Russian footballer, Peak Popularity: Oleg is a very popular name in Russia, but it’s not on the list of the top 1000 most popular baby names in the United States.

Ony

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: EagleAlternative Spellings & Variations: OrielPeak Popularity: Ony isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Pavel

  • Origin: Russian, LatinMeaning: SmallAlternative Spellings & Variations: Pavle, Paviel, PavalFamous Namesakes: Pavel I of Russia, Emperor of Russia; Pavel Pavel, a Czech engineerPeak Popularity: The name Pavel is not popular in the United States.

Pyotr

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Rock, stoneAlternative Spellings & Variations: PeterFamous Namesakes: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Russian composer; Pyotr Kapitsa, scientist Peak Popularity: Pyotr isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Rodion 

  • Origin: Russian, GreekMeaning: Song of the hero Alternative Spellings & Variations: Herodion, Rodya Famous Namesakes: Rodion Luka, Ukrainian yachtsman; Rodion Malinovsky, Soviet military commanderPeak Popularity: The name Rodion is well used in Russia, but isn’t popular in the United States.

Rurik

  • Origin: Russian, Nordic, GermanMeaning: Famous ruler Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ryurik, Rorik, Famous Namesakes: Rurik Gislason, football player; Peak Popularity: The name Rurik isn’t popular in the United States.

Semyon

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Listening, God is heard Alternative Spellings & Variations: Simon, SemenFamous Namesakes: Semyon Antonov, athlete Peak Popularity: Semyon is a popular name in Russia, but not very commonly used in the United States. It’s variation Simon was the 251st most popular name in 2020.

Slavik

  • Origin: Russian, SlavicMeaning: GloryAlternative Spellings & Variations: NoneFamous Namesakes: Slavik Alkhasov, footballer Peak Popularity: Slavik is not popular in the United States.

Stanislav 

  • Origin: Russian, Slavic Meaning: The one who achieves glory, glorious government  Alternative Spellings & Variations: Slava, StasFamous Namesakes: Stanislav Aseyev, Ukrainian writer; Stanislav Govorukhin, Russian film director Peak Popularity: Stanislav is not popular in the United States.

Vadim

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Powerful rulerAlternative Spellings & Variations: Vadimir, VadymFamous Namesakes: Vadim Bakatin, former Soviet politician; Vadim Evseev, Russian football coachPeak Popularity: The name Vadim is not common in the United States.

Valentin

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Healthy, strong Alternative Spellings & Variations: Valentinus, Vali, Valent, ValFamous Namesakes: Val Kilmer, American actor; Valentin Serov, Russian painterPeak Popularity: In 2007 the name Valentin was given to 404 boys. This is the highest ever record of the name in the United States.

Vasily

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Royal, regalAlternative Spellings & Variations: Vasili, Vasily, VassilyFamous Namesakes: Vasily Smyslov, chess grandmaster; Vasily Alekseyev, Soviet weightlifterPeak Popularity: Vasily isn’t a very common name in the United States.

Veniamin

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Son of the southAlternative Spellings & Variations: VenyaminFamous Namesakes: Veniamin (Kazansky), Archbishop of Petrograd; Veniamin Smekhov, Russian actorPeak Popularity: Veniamin is not ranked in the top 1000 in the United States.

Viktor 

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Man of victory, conqueror Alternative Spellings & Variations: Vik, Victor, VityaFamous Namesakes: Viktor Yanukovych, fourth President of Ukraine; Viktor Fischer, football player Peak Popularity: The name Viktor has never ranked in the top 1000 in the United States, but its alternative spelling, Victor, ranked 200 in 2020.

Vladimir

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Renowned prince Alternative Spellings & Variations: Vlad, Vladilen, Famous Namesakes: Vladimir Putin, Russian president; Vladimir the Great, Grand Prince of KievPeak Popularity: Vladimir is not popular in the United States.

Vsevolod

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Ruler of allAlternative Spellings & Variations: Vsevolodovich, Vseva, SevanFamous Namesakes: Vsevolod Meyerhold, Russian theatre director; Peak Popularity: Vsevolod isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Vyacheslav

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Has glory, fameAlternative Spellings & Variations: Viatcheslav, Viacheslav, Slava Famous Namesakes: Vyacheslav Rybakov, Russian science fiction author; Vyacheslav Tikhonov, Russian actor; Vyacheslav Kozlov, former professional ice hockey playerPeak Popularity: Vyacheslav isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Yegor

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: Warrior, farmer Alternative Spellings & Variations: Egor, Jegor, EgoriFamous Namesakes: Yegor Baburin, Russian football player; Yegor Gaidar, Russian politician; Yegor Nikolayev, Russian athlete Peak Popularity: Yegor isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Yevgeny 

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: NobleAlternative Spellings & Variations: Yevgenii, Yevgen, Evgeny, EvgeniFamous Namesakes: Yevgeni Grishkovetz, Russian writer; Yevgeny Leonov, Russian actorPeak Popularity: The name Yevgeny is not popular in the United States.

Yury

  • Origin: Russian, GreekMeaning: The light of GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: Yuri, Yegor, Yuriy, YuryFamous Namesakes: Yuri Oganessian, Russian scientistPeak Popularity: Yury isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Zakhar

  • Origin: RussianMeaning: God has remembered Alternative Spellings & Variations: Zak Famous Namesakes: Zakhar Prilepin, Russian writer; Zakhar Arzamastsev, Russian ice hockey player Peak Popularity: Zakhar isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Fun Fact: Aleksandr is the Russian equivalent for the English name Alexander.

Fun Fact: The name Alexei has been popularized as Alexis in the United States.

Fun Fact: Alyosha the pot is the name of a short story written by Leo Tolstoy.

Fun Fact: Anatoli Knyazev is a fictional character appearing in DC comics.

Fun Fact: The name was popularized in Russia due to Saint Boris, who was a martyred Russian prince.

Fun Fact: Daniil is the Russian version of the name Daniel.

Fun Fact: Misha Collins, the American actor, was born Dmitri Tippens Krushnic.

Fun Fact: The name Dominik is given to English and Welsh boys three times more than American boys.

Fun Fact: Fedyenka is the Russian form of the name Theodore.

Fun Fact: Fedora is the feminine form of Fyodor.

Fun Fact: The female variation of the name is Gennadiya.

Fun Fact: Grigori Rasputin is a fictional supervillain in the comic book Hellboy.

Fun Fact: Igor is the Russian form of Yngvarr. It was brought by the Varangians to Russia in the 10th century and given to two grand princes of Kiev.

Fun Fact: Iosif is the Russian form of the name Joseph, which means God shall add another son. 

Fun Fact: Six Russian rulers have borne the name Ivan in history.

Fun Fact: In astronomy, Leonid is a shower of meteors that occurs around November 14th and appears to radiate from a point in the constellation Leo.

Fun Fact: Lev was the real Russian name of author Leo Tolstoy.

Fun Fact: Lyonechka is a form of the English name Leonard.

Fun Fact: Matvey is a Russian form of Matthew.

Fun Fact: Mikhail is the Russian form of Michael.

Fun Fact: Nikolai is also the name of a city in Alaska.

Fun Fact: The female equivalent of Oleg is Olga.

Fun Fact: Pavel is the Russian variation of the name Paul.

Fun Fact: Rurik is also the name of a European dynasty, and one of Europe’s oldest royal houses.

Fun Fact: The feminine form of the name is Stanislava.

Fun Fact: Valentin is also a common surname in Spanish and German speaking-countries.

Fun Fact: Vasili is the name of a character in the popular Twilight books.

Fun Fact: Veniamin is the Russian version of the name Benjamin.

Fun Fact: The earliest record of the name was Vladimir-Rasate who ruled Bulgaria from 831 to 836.

Fun Fact: Yevgeny is the Russian form of Eugene.

Fun fact: Zakhar is the Russian form of the name Zechariah.