Russian names are steeped in history, religion, folklore, and cultural pride. They often carry deep meanings tied to Orthodox Christianity, nature, nobility, and ancient Slavic roots. Traditionally, Russian names consist of a first name, a patronymic (based on the father’s first name), and a surname. The first names themselves are meaningful—reflecting virtues, nature, strength, and spirituality.
Whether you’re looking to name a child, write a Russian character, or explore Slavic culture, this curated list of 150 Russian names offers a rich tapestry of identity and meaning.
Male Russian Names
- Aleksei – “Defender”; a variant of Alexis, symbolizing protection
- Anatoly – “Sunrise” or “East”; tied to the direction of the rising sun
- Andrei – “Manly, brave”; the Russian form of Andrew
- Arkadiy – “Of Arcadia”; evokes peace and pastoral beauty
- Arseniy – “Virile, strong”; rooted in Greek origin
- Boris – “Battle, warrior”; a powerful Slavic name
- Bogdan – “Gift from God”; a theophoric name reflecting gratitude
- Danila – “God is my judge”; a variant of Daniel
- Dmitri – “Devoted to Demeter”; a popular name with Greek roots
- Eduard – “Wealthy guardian”; noble and strong
- Efim – “Pious, good speaker”; derived from Euthymius
- Evgeny – “Noble-born”; related to Eugene
- Fedor – “Gift of God”; a traditional and noble name
- Filipp – “Lover of horses”; tied to nobility and strength
- Gavriil – “God is my strength”; Russian form of Gabriel
- Georgiy – “Farmer, earth-worker”; classic and humble
- Gleb – “Heir of God”; Norse-Russian origin
- Grigory – “Watchful, alert”; Russian form of Gregory
- Igor – “Warrior of peace”; Norse roots from Ingvar
- Ilya – “The Lord is my God”; Russian form of Elijah
- Ivan – “God is gracious”; one of the most iconic Russian names
- Kirill – “Lordly, masterful”; from Greek Kyrillos
- Konstantin – “Constant, steadfast”; name of several saints
- Lev – “Lion”; short and powerful
- Leonid – “Like a lion”; brave and commanding
- Makar – “Blessed, happy”; Slavic variant of Makarios
- Matvei – “Gift of God”; Russian version of Matthew
- Maxim – “The greatest”; widely used and powerful
- Mikhail – “Who is like God?”; Russian form of Michael
- Nikita – “Unconquered”; a heroic name in Russian tradition
- Nikolai – “Victory of the people”; regal and strong
- Oleg – “Holy, blessed”; Norse origin, adapted by Slavs
- Pavel – “Small, humble”; Russian form of Paul
- Petya – “Rock”; affectionate form of Pyotr
- Pyotr – “Stone, rock”; classic Russian version of Peter
- Roman – “Of Rome”; a strong and worldly name
- Rostislav – “Grow in glory”; patriotic and ancient
- Ruslan – “Lion man”; popularized by literature
- Savva – “Old man”; monastic and biblical associations
- Sergei – “Servant”; widespread in Russia
- Semyon – “Heard by God”; Russian form of Simeon
- Slava – “Glory”; often short for Vyacheslav or Stanislav
- Stanislav – “Become glorious”; traditional and strong
- Stepan – “Crowned”; Russian form of Stephen
- Taras – “Of Tarentum”; associated with freedom fighters
- Timofey – “Honoring God”; rooted in faith
- Valentin – “Strong, healthy”; associated with love
- Valery – “Strong, brave”; shared with Western cultures
- Vasiliy – “Royal, kingly”; related to Basil
- Viktor – “Victor, conqueror”; heroic and empowering
- Vitaliy – “Full of life”; energetic and optimistic
- Vladimir – “Ruler of the world”; regal and influential
- Vladislav – “Glorious ruler”; common among nobles
- Vyacheslav – “Greater glory”; steeped in heritage
- Yakov – “Supplanter”; Russian form of Jacob
- Yegor – “Farmer”; variation of Georgiy
- Yevgeniy – “Noble”; elegant and enduring
- Yuriy – “Farmer, tiller”; also linked to St. George
- Zahar – “The Lord remembers”; spiritual and ancient
- Zakhar – “God has remembered”; strong biblical meaning
- Albert – “Noble and bright”; shared with German tradition
- Artur – “Bear man”; noble and chivalrous
- Bronislav – “Glorious protector”; rare and heroic
- Damir – “Peaceful world”; modern and hopeful
- German – “Brother”; not to be confused with nationality
- Isai – “God exists”; linked to the prophet Isaiah
- Klim – “Merciful”; short for Kliment
- Larion – “Cheerful”; gentle in tone
- Miroslav – “Peace and glory”; poetic and traditional
- Radomir – “Joy and peace”; uplifting in nature
- Rodion – “Hero’s song”; literary connections
- Saveliy – “Asked for from God”; gentle and faithful
- Tikhon – “Fortunate, quiet”; monastic and serene
- Yulian – “Youthful”; elegant and refined
- Zinoviy – “Life of Zeus”; rare and ancient
Female Russian Names
- Adelina – “Noble”; elegant and sweet
- Aksinya – “Guest, stranger”; unique and folkloric
- Alena – “Bright, shining”; derived from Helen
- Anastasia – “Resurrection”; deeply spiritual and royal
- Angelina – “Messenger”; angelic in essence
- Anna – “Grace”; timeless and universal
- Arina – “Peace”; serene and beautiful
- Daria – “Wealthy, possessing good”; classic and regal
- Dina – “Judged”; biblical and short
- Ekaterina – “Pure”; elegant and queenly
- Elena – “Shining light”; popular and poetic
- Elizaveta – “God is my oath”; formal and royal
- Evgenia – “Noble-born”; feminine form of Evgeny
- Faina – “Shining, brilliant”; rare and graceful
- Galina – “Calm, peaceful”; smooth and gentle
- Irina – “Peace”; graceful and common
- Inna – “Strong water”; short and elemental
- Isidora – “Gift of Isis”; ancient and mysterious
- Katerina – “Pure”; modern form of Ekaterina
- Kira – “Ruler”; short and powerful
- Kristina – “Follower of Christ”; modern and elegant
- Lada – “Goddess of beauty”; mythological and romantic
- Larisa – “Seagull”; breezy and unique
- Lidiya – “From Lydia”; biblical and graceful
- Lilia – “Lily flower”; symbolic of purity
- Lubov – “Love”; virtue name with deep meaning
- Lyubov – “Love”; often poetic and romantic
- Margarita – “Pearl”; elegant and timeless
- Maria – “Bitter or beloved”; widely used and sacred
- Marina – “From the sea”; graceful and fluid
- Marta – “Lady, mistress”; strong and biblical
- Mila – “Dear, gracious”; simple and loved
- Milena – “Gracious, kind”; sweet and Slavic
- Nadezhda – “Hope”; a virtue name with strong resonance
- Natalia – “Birthday (of Christ)”; traditional and warm
- Nika – “Victory”; short and energetic
- Nina – “Dreamer”; delicate and universal
- Oksana – “Hospitality”; unique to Eastern Slavs
- Olga – “Holy”; regal and widespread
- Polina – “Little stone”; elegant and lyrical
- Raisa – “Easy-going”; rare and smooth
- Renata – “Reborn”; spiritually vibrant
- Rimma – “From Rome”; classy and soft
- Sasha – “Defender of mankind”; short for Alexandra
- Sofiya – “Wisdom”; enduring and graceful
- Svetlana – “Light”; poetic and radiant
- Taisiya – “Wise”; classic with an exotic twist
- Tamara – “Palm tree”; biblical and strong
- Tatiana – “Fairy queen”; literary and majestic
- Ulyana – “Youthful”; refined and old-world
- Valentina – “Strong, healthy”; bold and romantic
- Valeriya – “To be strong”; modern and elegant
- Varvara – “Stranger”; biblical and unique
- Vasilisa – “Queenly”; folklore and royalty
- Vera – “Faith”; a popular virtue name
- Veronika – “True image”; graceful and global
- Viktoria – “Victory”; a powerful name
- Violetta – “Little violet”; floral and musical
- Yana – “God is gracious”; short and modern
- Yelena – “Bright, shining one”; poetic and soft
- Yesenia – “Flora”; exotic and flowing
- Yulia – “Youthful”; lively and warm
- Zarina – “Golden”; rare and luminous
- Zemfira – “Rebellious”; romantic and unique
- Zinaida – “Of Zeus”; regal and old-world
- Zlata – “Gold”; rich and sweet
- Zhanna – “God is gracious”; Russian form of Jeanne
- Alla – “Other, different”; mystical and soft
- Alyona – “Torch of light”; rustic and melodic
- Belka – “Little squirrel”; nature-based and endearing
- Dusya – “Good spirit”; nickname of Evdokia
- Feodora – “Gift of God”; ancient and majestic
- Kapitolina – “Of the Capitol”; Roman heritage
- Lelita – “Loved one”; melodic and sweet
- Zoya – “Life”; vibrant and spiritual
Whether you’re naming a child, crafting a character, or exploring your heritage, we hope this list helps you find a name that speaks to strength, grace, and meaning.