Russian names carry a particular kind of weight. Rooted in Old Church Slavonic, Greek, Hebrew, and the ancient Varangian Norse traditions that shaped early Rus culture, they tend to sound powerful, full of consonants and history. Whether you are drawn to the grand sweep of classical saints’ names or the earthy directness of old Slavic compounds, Russian names offer serious depth.<\/p>\n
This list covers 100 real Russian given names, names used by real people across centuries of Russian culture, from medieval princes to modern athletes and artists. Each entry includes the meaning, origin, and a pronunciation guide so you know exactly what you are working with.<\/p>\n
These are the names that have anchored Russian masculine identity for a thousand years. Orthodox Christian naming culture shaped most of them, drawing from Greek and Hebrew originals and giving them distinctly Slavic sound and soul.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
From the Greek Alexandros<\/em>meaning “defender of men.” One of the most enduring names across all of Russian history, carried by tsars, poets (Alexander Pushkin), and generals alike. The Russian form trims cleanly to Sasha<\/strong> as a nickname.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Greek Alexios<\/em>meaning “defender” or “helper.” A royal staple in Romanov Russia, most famously borne by the tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich. It has a softer, more intimate feel than Alexander despite sharing the same root.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Demetrius, rooted in the Greek goddess Demeter and carrying the sense of “devoted to Demeter” or “earth-lover.” A name of Russian princes and a Dostoevsky hero, Dmitri feels both noble and grounded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of John, from the Hebrew Yochanan<\/em>meaning “God is gracious.” Ivan has been so dominant in Russian history that “Ivan” became a generic term for a Russian man abroad. Several tsars bore it, most infamously Ivan the Terrible.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Michael, from the Hebrew meaning “who is like God?” Mikhail has produced some of the most recognizable Russians in the modern world, from Gorbachev to Bulgakov. The nickname Misha<\/strong> is one of the warmest in the Russian tradition.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Greek Nikolaos<\/em>meaning “victory of the people.” The name of tsars and one of Russia’s greatest writers, Nikolai Gogol. It has a stately, literary quality that has never really gone out of fashion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Paul, from the Latin Paulus<\/em>meaning “small” or “humble.” Despite its modest Latin root, Pavel sounds strong and purposeful in Russian. It carries a quiet, serious dignity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Peter, from the Greek Petros<\/em>meaning “rock” or “stone.” The name of the tsar who built a modern Russia, Peter the Great, and of the composer Tchaikovsky. Pyotr is the original Slavic rendering and sounds more authentically Russian than the anglicized Peter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Latin family name Sergius<\/em>adopted into Russian Orthodox naming culture via Saint Sergius of Radonezh, the most revered Russian saint. The name carries enormous cultural prestige; Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev both bore it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Basil, from the Greek Basilios<\/em>meaning “kingly” or “royal.” Saint Basil the Great gave this name enormous standing in Orthodox Christianity. In Russia it has been a name of both princes and common men.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A Russian development of George, ultimately from the Greek Georgios<\/em>meaning “farmer” or “earthworker.” Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, made this name internationally recognizable. It has a clean, modern sound while remaining deeply Russian.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Andrew, from the Greek Andreas<\/em>meaning “manly” or “strong.” Andrei Bolkonsky in Tolstoy’s War and Peace<\/em> cemented this name in Russian literary culture. It is strong, classic, and widely used.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The more direct Russian rendering of George, from the Greek Georgios<\/em>. Marshal Georgy Zhukov, the Soviet commander credited with turning the tide of World War II, is its most famous modern bearer. A name with genuine historical gravitas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Latin Constantinus<\/em>meaning “steadfast” or “constant.” The Russian Orthodox tradition embraced it through the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine. It is long and formal but carries real authority.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Greek Leonidas<\/em>meaning “son of a lion” or “lion-like.” Carried by the Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and the cosmonaut Leonid Kizim. It has a slightly old-Soviet flavor now, which makes it ripe for reconsideration.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Russian female names are often lush and melodic, full of soft vowel endings and lyrical rhythm. Many are feminizations of Greek and Hebrew saint names, shaped by centuries of Orthodox tradition into something distinctly Slavic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Greek Anastasis<\/em>meaning “resurrection.” The name of the youngest Romanov grand duchess gave this already beautiful name a tragic glamour. It is long and elaborate but the nickname Nastya<\/strong> makes it perfectly wearable daily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Catherine, from the Greek Aikaterine<\/em>of uncertain origin but long associated with the Greek word for “pure.” Catherine the Great made this name synonymous with imperial power and ambition. Katya<\/strong> is the irresistible diminutive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Helen, from the Greek Helene<\/em>possibly meaning “torch” or “moon.” It is one of the most graceful names in the Russian tradition, common across all social classes and eras. Softer than the English Helen, with a flowing Slavic cadence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Greek Eirene<\/em>meaning “peace.” A name with deep roots in Russian Orthodoxy and borne by Russian royals, saints, and the supermodel Irina Shayk. Elegant and simple, it travels well internationally.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Latin Natalis<\/em>meaning “birth day” or “Christmas,” via Saint Natalia of Nicomedia, celebrated in the Orthodox calendar. Natalia is formal and lovely; Natasha<\/strong> is its warmer, more famous Russian diminutive, immortalized by Tolstoy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Old Norse Helga<\/em>meaning “holy” or “blessed,” brought into Slavic culture by the Varangian founders of Kievan Rus. Princess Olga of Kiev, the first Russian ruler to convert to Christianity, made this name legendary. It is short, strong, and entirely Russian in feel despite its Norse bones.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Greek Sophia<\/em>meaning “wisdom.” A name carried by tsarinas and the great Hagia Sophia cathedral, which influenced Russian Orthodox architecture. It is one of the most internationally beloved names of the current era while remaining deeply rooted in Russian culture.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Latin family name Tatianus<\/em>via Saint Tatiana of Rome, celebrated in the Orthodox calendar on January 25, which is also Russian Students’ Day. Tatiana Larina in Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin<\/em> is one of the most beloved characters in Russian literature. The nickname Tanya<\/strong> is warm and accessible.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Slavic word meaning “faith.” Vera is one of the few names in the Russian tradition where the meaning is purely Slavic rather than borrowed from Greek or Latin. Short, clear, and full of quiet conviction.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n An alternate transliteration of Elena, reflecting the Russian soft ye- initial sound more accurately. It is the same name rendered slightly differently in English, but worth noting as the spelling you will most often see in Russian literature translations. Chekhov used it for a central character in Uncle Vanya<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Slavic word meaning “hope.” Along with Vera (faith) and Lyubov (love), Nadezhda is one of the three great virtue names of the Russian Orthodox tradition. The poet Nadezhda Mandelstam, who preserved her husband Osip’s work through the Soviet era, gave it a heroic modern legacy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Slavic word meaning “love.” The third of the great Orthodox virtue trio. It is distinctly Russian-sounding to a Western ear, which makes it both challenging and striking as a name outside Russia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Greek Zenais<\/em>related to the name of the god Zeus and meaning “of Zeus” or “life of Zeus.” The poet Zinaida Gippius, a central figure of the Russian Symbolist movement, is its most notable bearer. It has a theatrical, fin-de-siecle grandeur.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Barbara, from the Greek barbaros<\/em>meaning “foreign” or “strange.” Saint Barbara is venerated in the Orthodox church, and Varvara has been a staple Russian name for centuries. It sounds far more interesting in its Russian form than its English equivalent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Old Slavic roots meaning “favor of the people” or “beloved by the people,” composed of lyud<\/em> (people) and mila<\/em> (grace, favor). Pushkin named the heroine of his epic poem Ruslan and Lyudmila<\/em> after it. A thoroughly Slavic name with a gentle, melodic sound.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before Christianity arrived in Kievan Rus in 988, Slavic people used compound names built from meaningful words: strength, glory, peace, rule, protection. Many of these survived the Christianization and remain in use today. They are the most distinctly Slavic names on this list.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Old Slavic vlad<\/em> (rule, power) and slav<\/em> (glory), meaning “glorious ruler.” A name of medieval princes across Slavic Europe. In Russia it is formal and slightly archaic, which gives it real distinction today.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Old Slavic vlad<\/em> (rule) and mir<\/em> (world, peace), meaning “ruler of the world” or “master of peace.” Prince Vladimir the Great baptized Kievan Rus into Christianity in 988, making this name foundational to Russian history. Volodya<\/strong> and Vova<\/strong> are its affectionate diminutives.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Old Slavic yary<\/em> (fierce, bright) and slav<\/em> (glory), meaning “fierce glory” or “bright glory.” Yaroslav the Wise, Grand Prince of Kiev in the 11th century, was one of the great medieval rulers of Eastern Europe. The name has a proud, ancient Slavic energy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Old Slavic rosti<\/em> (to grow) and slav<\/em> (glory), meaning “growing glory.” A name of medieval Rus princes that has a rare, distinguished feel in modern usage. Seldom heard outside Russia, which makes it genuinely distinctive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Old Slavic svyaty<\/em> (holy, sacred) and slav<\/em> (glory), meaning “sacred glory.” The name of the warrior prince Svyatoslav I of Kiev, one of the most fearsome military leaders in early Russian history. Bold and ancient-sounding.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Old Slavic vse<\/em> (all) and volod<\/em> (rule), meaning “ruler of all.” A name of medieval princes and of the great Russian theater director Vsevolod Meyerhold. Rare and striking in modern use.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Old Slavic mir<\/em> (peace, world) and slav<\/em> (glory), meaning “glorious peace.” Used across Slavic cultures broadly, but with a long history in Russia. The combination of peace and glory gives it a noble, aspirational quality.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Old Slavic bron<\/em> (armor, protection) and slav<\/em> (glory), meaning “glorious protection.” Less common than the other -slav names, which makes it feel fresh and strong. A name for parents who want something authentically Slavic but rarely heard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Old Slavic stan<\/em> (to become, to stand firm) and slav<\/em> (glory), meaning “one who achieves glory” or “glory achieved.” The theater director Konstantin Stanislavski (born Konstantin Alekseyev) adopted a stage surname built on this root. Widely used across Slavic Europe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Old Slavic rad<\/em> (happy, glad) and slav<\/em> (glory), meaning “joyful glory” or “happy fame.” A name with a sunnier temperament than many of the warrior-prince compounds. Rare in modern Russia but historically attested.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Old Slavic dobr<\/em> (good) and slav<\/em> (glory), meaning “good glory.” One of the more ancient Slavic compounds, carrying a straightforwardly virtuous meaning. Very rare today, which gives it an archaeological, heirloom quality.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Old Slavic msti<\/em> (vengeance) and slav<\/em> (glory), meaning “glorious in vengeance” or “avenging glory.” A name of several Kievan Rus princes. The cellist Mstislav Rostropovich is its most famous modern bearer. Challenging to pronounce outside Slavic languages, but historically significant.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Slavic root svet<\/em>meaning “light” or “luminous.” Created or popularized by the poet Vasily Zhukovsky in his 1813 ballad “Svetlana,” it became one of the most widely used Russian female names of the 20th century. It sounds both ancient and poetic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Slavic root mil<\/em>meaning “gracious,” “dear,” or “favorable.” A name used across Slavic cultures with a warm, melodic sound. It has been gaining ground internationally while retaining its Slavic character.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Greek Rhaisa<\/em> or possibly the Arabic ra’isa<\/em> (leader), used in Russian Orthodox naming tradition. Raisa Gorbacheva, wife of Mikhail Gorbachev, brought this name to international attention in the 1980s. Elegant and slightly unexpected.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Slavic word zlato<\/em>meaning “gold.” A name used in Russia and across Slavic Europe with a direct, shining meaning. Short and striking, it has a modern minimalism that suits it well for contemporary use.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Kievan Rus adopted Orthodox Christianity, it absorbed an enormous body of Hebrew and Aramaic names through the saints’ calendar. These names were transliterated into Russian and worn smooth by centuries of Slavic use until they sound entirely at home.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Elijah, from the Hebrew meaning “my God is Yahweh.” Ilya Repin, the great realist painter, and Ilya Muromets, the legendary bogatyr (warrior-hero) of Russian epic poetry, are its two most iconic bearers. A name with enormous cultural resonance in Russia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Joseph, from the Hebrew meaning “God will add” or “God increases.” Joseph Stalin’s real first name was Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, though he abandoned it for his revolutionary alias. The name itself predates its most infamous Russian bearer by millennia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Matthew, from the Hebrew Mattityahu<\/em>meaning “gift of God.” Less internationally familiar than the English Matthew, Matvei has a distinctly Russian texture. It is currently popular among younger generations in Russia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Timothy, from the Greek Timotheos<\/em>meaning “honoring God.” A name with genuine roots in Russian Orthodox tradition. It sounds fresh and usable while being authentically classical.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Theodore, from the Greek meaning “gift of God.” Fedor Dostoevsky, one of the greatest novelists in world literature, is its most famous bearer. The name has a slightly rough, Slavic texture that the English Theodore lacks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Gregory, from the Greek Gregorios<\/em>meaning “watchful” or “alert.” Grigory Rasputin is its most notorious bearer, but the name itself long predates him and belongs to saints and scholars as much as to scandal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Simon or Simeon, from the Hebrew meaning “he has heard” or “God has heard.” A solid, traditional Russian name that never quite made it to international fame, which leaves it feeling genuinely authentic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Zachary, from the Hebrew Zechariah<\/em>meaning “God has remembered.” It has a sharp, strong sound that suits it well. Currently experiencing a quiet revival in Russia among parents seeking something old and genuine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Greek Makarios<\/em>meaning “blessed” or “happy.” Saint Macarius the Great was an influential figure in Eastern monasticism. In Russian culture, Makar has earthy, folk-tale connotations alongside its saintly pedigree.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Greek Anthusa<\/em>meaning “flower” or “blooming.” A female name in the Orthodox saints’ calendar that has a distinctly old-Russian, slightly literary feel. Rare enough to feel special, established enough to feel real.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Agatha, from the Greek agathos<\/em>meaning “good.” Saint Agatha is venerated in the Orthodox church. The name has an archaic, folk-Russia quality that gives it a rugged, heirloom character.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A handful of Russian names are rooted in nature, seasons, or poetic Slavic imagery rather than in saints’ calendars. These tend to be the names that feel most lyrical and distinctly tied to the Russian landscape and folk tradition.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Slavic word for “spring.” Used in Russia and across Slavic cultures as a given name, it carries the freshness and renewal of the season directly in its meaning. A lovely, underused choice with a clean, bright sound.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Slavic word for “dawn” or “morning star.” In Slavic mythology, Zorya was a goddess of the dawn. As a given name it is rare and poetic, carrying the imagery of light breaking over the horizon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Rosa, meaning “rose.” Roza is the straightforwardly Russian version of one of the world’s most enduring floral names. Simple, warm, and classic in Russian culture.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Of uncertain origin, possibly from an early Christian martyr’s name of Scythian or North Caucasian roots. It has been used in Russia for centuries and is found throughout Russian literary and historical records. Short, clean, and distinctly Slavic in sound.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the name of the Slavic goddess of love and beauty, related to the word lad<\/em> (harmony, order). A name rooted in pre-Christian Slavic belief that carries a gentle, musical quality. Soft and rare outside Russia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some Russian names have moved comfortably into the contemporary world, used by young Russians today and increasingly familiar to international ears through culture, sport, and the arts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Artemios, connected to the Greek goddess Artemis, meaning “safe” or possibly “gift of Artemis.” Consistently one of the most popular male names in Russia over the past two decades. Strong, short, and modern-feeling despite its ancient roots.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Latin Maximus<\/em>meaning “greatest.” Maxim Gorky, the great Soviet-era writer born Alexei Peshkov, chose it as his pen name, cementing its place in Russian culture. It is a name that feels both powerful and current.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Greek Niketas<\/em>meaning “victorious.” In Russia, Nikita is historically a male name despite its -a ending, which surprises many Westerners. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev is its most famous 20th-century bearer. Currently used for boys and, increasingly, girls in Russia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Latin Romanus<\/em>meaning “of Rome” or “Roman.” A name that traveled into Russian Orthodoxy via early Christian saints and became thoroughly naturalized. Filmmaker Roman Polanski and director Roman Coppola show its broad international reach.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Anthony, from the Latin family name Antonius<\/em>. Anton Chekhov, one of the greatest short story writers and playwrights in world literature, made this name part of the Russian cultural bedrock. Clean, strong, and immediately recognizable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Dennis, from the Greek Dionysios<\/em>meaning “follower of Dionysus.” A name that arrived in Russia via the Orthodox saints’ calendar and became genuinely popular in the Soviet and post-Soviet era. Modern and easy to carry internationally.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A slightly shorter variant form of Artyom, used interchangeably in modern Russia and Ukraine. Both forms connect to the Greek Artemios root. Artem is the spelling more common in Ukrainian usage, while Artyom predominates in Russia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Darius, feminized, from the Persian Daryavaush<\/em>meaning “possessing goodness” or “kingly.” Saint Daria of Rome is venerated in the Orthodox calendar. The name has a classical elegance and travels effortlessly between Russian and international contexts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Likely a Russian and Slavic short form of Adelina or Akulina, or possibly from the Slavic root al<\/em> (bright). It has been widely used in Russia since the Soviet era and is genuinely popular among young Russian women today. Figure skater Alina Zagitova made it internationally visible.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A Ukrainian and southern Russian form of Xenia, from the Greek Xene<\/em>meaning “hospitality” or “stranger.” Figure skater Oksana Baiul brought it to international prominence. It has a warm, bright sound and feels both Eastern European and accessible.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Used in Russia as a feminine form, possibly from the Greek Kyrios<\/em> (lord) or as a feminine of Cyrus from the Persian Kourosh<\/em>. It has been a popular female name in Russia through the 20th and 21st centuries. Short, clear, and strong.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Paulina, from the Latin Paulus<\/em>meaning “small.” Despite its modest Latin root, Polina sounds graceful and feminine in Russian. It has been climbing in popularity within Russia and feels fresh to Western ears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Veronica, from the Latin or Greek, possibly meaning “true image” or from the name Berenice meaning “bearer of victory.” Saint Veronica is venerated in the Orthodox tradition. The Russian form has a full, musical sound.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Latin Valerius<\/em>meaning “to be strong” or “to be healthy.” A name with roots in early Christian martyrology and in use in Russia for centuries. Currently very popular among young Russian women and among Russian emigre families naming daughters.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Russian form of Margaret, from the Greek margarites<\/em>meaning “pearl.” Bulgakov’s novel The Master and Margarita<\/em> made this name a symbol of Russian literary culture. Rita<\/strong> is the obvious and lovely diminutive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Russian diminutives are not just nicknames used at home. Many have become independent given names in their own right, registered at birth and used throughout life. They deserve a place on any list of Russian names.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The diminutive of Alexander or Alexandra, used for both boys and girls. In Russia it is genuinely gender-neutral in a way few names achieve. Warm, friendly, and instantly recognizable worldwide.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The diminutive of Maria or Mariya, from the Hebrew Miriam<\/em>. Masha is one of the most beloved names in Russian folk and literary culture, appearing in Chekhov’s Three Sisters<\/em> and countless fairy tales. It sounds both intimate and timeless.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The diminutive of Tatiana, fully established as an independent name. Tanya has a directness and warmth that the formal Tatiana, for all its beauty, does not quite match. Used across Eastern Europe and recognizable globally.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The diminutive of Nikolai, used as a stand-alone name in Russia. It has a boyish, affectionate quality that makes it feel very different from the formal Nikolai. Tolstoy used it for beloved characters across several novels.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The diminutive of Ivan, and the name of Chekhov’s most famous dramatic hero, Uncle Vanya. It has a melancholy, literary quality in Russian culture while remaining a genuinely warm and familiar name in everyday use.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The diminutive of Evgeny (Eugene) or Evgenia, used for both sexes. From the Greek Eugenios<\/em>meaning “well-born.” Zhenya is gender-neutral in practice and has a soft, appealing sound that works well outside Russia too.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The diminutive of Natalia, but so famous in its own right that it effectively stands alone. Natasha Rostova in Tolstoy’s War and Peace<\/em> is one of the most fully realized heroines in world literature. The name carries both warmth and complexity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The diminutive of Mikhail, used as an independent name and also as the name of the beloved bear mascot of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Misha is warm, gentle-sounding, and one of the most internationally charming of all Russian diminutives.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The diminutive of Ekaterina, fully usable as a given name. It has a bright, clean energy that the elaborate Ekaterina does not, and it is one of the most recognizable Russian female names in the English-speaking world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The diminutive of Anastasia, and in Russia itself often more commonly used than the full form. Nastya has a no-nonsense, cheerful quality that balances the grand sweep of Anastasia perfectly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These are the Russian names that deserve far more attention than they get outside Russia. Some are ancient, some are literary, some are simply underused. <\/p>\nAlexei (ah-lyck-SAY)<\/h3>\n
Dmitri (DMEE-tree)<\/h3>\n
Ivan (ee-VAHN)<\/h3>\n
Mikhail (meek-hah-EEL)<\/h3>\n
Nikolai (nee-kah-LYE)<\/h3>\n
Pavel (PAH-vyel)<\/h3>\n
Pyotr (PYAW-tr)<\/h3>\n
Sergei (syir-GAY)<\/h3>\n
Vasily (vah-SEE-lee)<\/h3>\n
Yuri (YOO-ree)<\/h3>\n
Andrei (ahn-DRAY)<\/h3>\n
Georgy (gyeh-OR-gee)<\/h3>\n
Konstantin (kahn-stan-TEEN)<\/h3>\n
Leonid (lyeh-ah-NEED)<\/h3>\n
Classic Russian Female Names<\/h2>\n
Anastasia (ah-nah-STAH-see-yah)<\/h3>\n
Ekaterina (yeh-kah-tyeh-REE-nah)<\/h3>\n
Elena (yeh-LYEH-nah)<\/h3>\n
Irina (ee-REE-nah)<\/h3>\n
Natalia (nah-TAH-lee-yah)<\/h3>\n
Olga (OHL-gah)<\/h3>\n
Sofia (sah-FEE-yah)<\/h3>\n
Tatiana (tah-TYAH-nah)<\/h3>\n
Vera (VYEH-rah)<\/h3>\n
Yelena (yeh-LYEH-nah)<\/h3>\n
Nadezhda (nah-DYEHZH-dah)<\/h3>\n
Lyubov (lyoo-BAWF)<\/h3>\n
Zinaida (zee-nah-EE-dah)<\/h3>\n
Varvara (vahr-VAH-rah)<\/h3>\n
Ludmila (lood-MEE-lah)<\/h3>\n
Old Slavic Names With Deep Roots<\/h2>\n
Vladislav (vlah-dee-SLAHF)<\/h3>\n
Vladimir (vlah-DEE-meer)<\/h3>\n
Yaroslav (yah-rah-SLAHF)<\/h3>\n
Rostislav (rah-stee-SLAHF)<\/h3>\n
Svyatoslav (svyah-tah-SLAHF)<\/h3>\n
Vsevolod (FSEH-vah-lahd)<\/h3>\n
Miroslav (mee-rah-SLAHF)<\/h3>\n
Bronislav (brah-nee-SLAHF)<\/h3>\n
Stanislav (stah-nee-SLAHF)<\/h3>\n
Radoslav (rah-dah-SLAHF)<\/h3>\n
Dobroslav (dah-brah-SLAHF)<\/h3>\n
Mstislav (MSTEE-slahf)<\/h3>\n
Svetlana (svyet-LAH-nah)<\/h3>\n
Milena (mee-LYEH-nah)<\/h3>\n
Raisa (rah-EE-sah)<\/h3>\n
Zlata (ZLAH-tah)<\/h3>\n
Russian Names From Hebrew and Biblical Roots<\/h2>\n
Ilya (eel-YAH)<\/h3>\n
Iosif (ee-OH-seef)<\/h3>\n
Matvei (maht-VYAY)<\/h3>\n
Timofei (tee-mah-FYAY)<\/h3>\n
Fedor (FYOH-dor)<\/h3>\n
Grigory (gree-GOH-ree)<\/h3>\n
Semyon (syem-YAWN)<\/h3>\n
Zakhar (ZAH-khar)<\/h3>\n
Makar (mah-KAHR)<\/h3>\n
Anfisa (ahn-FEE-sah)<\/h3>\n
Agafya (ah-GAH-fyah)<\/h3>\n
Russian Names With Nature and Poetic Meanings<\/h2>\n
Vesna (VYEZ-nah)<\/h3>\n
Zorya (ZOR-yah)<\/h3>\n
Roza (ROH-zah)<\/h3>\n
Inna (EEN-nah)<\/h3>\n
Lada (LAH-dah)<\/h3>\n
Russian Names Popular in the Modern Era<\/h2>\n
Artyom (ar-TYAWM)<\/h3>\n
Maxim (mahk-SEEM)<\/h3>\n
Nikita (nee-KEE-tah)<\/h3>\n
Roman (roh-MAHN)<\/h3>\n
Anton (AHN-tahn)<\/h3>\n
Denis (dyeh-NEES)<\/h3>\n
Artem (ar-TYEM)<\/h3>\n
Daria (DAH-ree-yah)<\/h3>\n
Alina (ah-LEE-nah)<\/h3>\n
Oksana (ahk-SAH-nah)<\/h3>\n
Kira (KEE-rah)<\/h3>\n
Polina (pah-LEE-nah)<\/h3>\n
Veronika (vyeh-roh-NEE-kah)<\/h3>\n
Valeria (vah-LYEH-ree-yah)<\/h3>\n
Margarita (mahr-gah-REE-tah)<\/h3>\n
Russian Diminutives Worth Knowing as Stand-Alone Names<\/h2>\n
Sasha (SAH-shah)<\/h3>\n
Masha (MAH-shah)<\/h3>\n
Tanya (TAH-nyah)<\/h3>\n
Kolya (KOH-lyah)<\/h3>\n
Vanya (VAH-nyah)<\/h3>\n
Zhenya (ZHEH-nyah)<\/h3>\n
Natasha (nah-TAH-shah)<\/h3>\n
Misha (MEE-shah)<\/h3>\n
Katya (KAH-tyah)<\/h3>\n
Nastya (NAHS-tyah)<\/h3>\n
Rare and Distinctive Russian Names Worth Discovering<\/h2>\n