The Top 100 Cool & Cute Russian Baby Names & Their Meanings

Overview

Different countries and cultures have different ways of choosing a name for their babies.

In Russia, traditional names consist of the following:

• First name or given name
• Middle name or patronymic name (personal name based on one’s male ancestor, such as a dad, grandpa, etc.)
• Family name

So, it’s not unusual for Russians to have three names.

In making patronymic names, the ancestor’s given name is often added with a certain prefix or suffix.

For example, the son of Patrick can have the patronymic name of “Fitzpatrick,” which literally means “Patrick’s son.” The son of Peter can have the patronymic name “Petersen.”

If you’re searching for Russian names, you can find our top 100 choices for cute and cool names for boys and girls below.

Popular Russian Baby Names for Boys

Russian baby names have many influences, including Polish, Czech, ancient Slavic, Latin, Greek, Ukrainian, and English.

So, don’t be surprised if you’ll find many Russian names similar to names from these other languages.

The following are our top choices for the best Russian boy names you can pick for your little one:

Adamka

• Origin: Hebrew and Russian

• Meaning: Son of the red earth

• Variations/Synonyms: Adam and Adamska

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Adam.”

Adrik

• Origin: Russian and Latin

• Meaning: Dark

• Variations/Synonyms: Adrion, Adrien, and Adrian

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Adrian.”

Akim

• Origin: Russian and Hebrew

• Meaning: Established by God

• Variations/Synonyms: Joachim

• Description: It’s the short form of “Joachim.”

What Is A Common Russian Boy Name? Aleksandr

• Origin: Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, and Latin

• Meaning: Man’s defender

• Variations/Synonyms: Alexander, Aleks, Alex, Alyosha, Oleksander, and Oleksandr

• Description: It’s the Russian equivalent of “Alexander” (English).

Alexei

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Defender

• Variations/Synonyms: Aleksei, Alexey, Aleksey, and Alexej

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Alexis.”

Anatol

• Origin: Russian, Slavic, and Greek

• Meaning: From the east rising sun

• Variations/Synonyms: Anatoly, Anatoli, and Anatole

• Description: It’s from the Greek name “Anatolius.”

Andrik

• Origin: Russian and Slavic

• Meaning: Manly and brave

• Variations/Synonyms: Andrew

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Andrew.”

Benedikt

• Origin: Russian and Latin

• Meaning: Blessed

• Variations/Synonyms: Benedict

• Description: It comes from the Latin word “benedicere,” which means “to bless.”

Boris

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Fighter

• Variations/Synonyms: Borys and Barys

• Description: Saint Boris was a martyred Russian prince. He’s the patron saint of Moscow, Russia.

Daniil

• Origin: Russian and Hebrew

• Meaning: God is my judge

• Variations/Synonyms: Danil and Daniel

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Daniel.”

Dazhbog

• Origin: Russian and Slavic

• Meaning: Generous or giving god

• Variations/Synonyms: Dazbog

• Description: It’s the name of the Slavic god of fortune. In Russian mythology, he’s known as the god who gives out wealth and provides the sun.

Dima

• Origin: Russian, Slavic, and Arabic

• Meaning: Strong fighter

• Variations/Synonyms: Dimma

• Description: Torrential rain

Dmitri

• Origin: Russian, Latin, and Greek

• Meaning: Belonging to the Lord

• Variations/Synonyms: Dmitry, Dimitri, Dmitrii, and Dmitriy

• Description: It can also mean “earth lover.”

• The name was derived from “Demeter,” the mythological Greek goddess of the harvest.

Dominik

• Origin: Bulgarian, Russian, and Latin

• Meaning: Belonging to God

• Variations/Synonyms: Dominic

• Description: It’s the Russian version of the Latin name “Dominic.”

Fyodor

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: God’s gift

• Variations/Synonyms: Fedor, Feodor, and Theodore

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Theodore.”

• Its short form is “Fyo.”

Gavriil

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: God is my strength

• Variations/Synonyms: Gavril and Gabriel

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Gabriel.”

Grigor

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: A vigilant watchman

• Variations/Synonyms: Grigori, Grigorii, Grigory, and Gregory

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Gregory.”

Ignati

• Origin: Russian, Latin, and Etruscan (an ancient civilization in Italy)

• Meaning: Fiery

• Variations/Synonyms: Ignatius

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Ignatius” (Latin).

Igor

• Origin: Russian and Old Norse

• Meaning: Warrior of peace

• Variations/Synonyms: Yngvarr and Ihor

• Description: It’s the Russian form of the Old Norse name “Yngvarr.”

Iosif

• Origin: Russian and Hebrew

• Meaning: Jehovah increases

• Variations/Synonyms: Joseph and Osip

• Description: It’s the Russian take on “Joseph.”

What Is A Popular Russian Name? Ivan

• Origin: Russian, Slavic, Hebrew, and Cyrillic (a writing system in Eurasia)

• Meaning: God is gracious

• Variations/Synonyms: иван, Ioann, Ioan, and John

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “John.”

Ivanovich

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Son of Ivan

• Variations/Synonyms: Ivanovych and Ivanovitch

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Johnson” or “Johnsson.”

• It started as a patronymic name but became popular as a standalone given name.

Kesar

• Origin: Russian and Latin

• Meaning: Long-haired

• Variations/Synonyms: Caesar

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Caesar.”

Leonid

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Lion

• Variations/Synonyms: Leonidas

• Description: It means “lion” in Russian.

Lev

• Origin: Russian and Hebrew

• Meaning: Heart of a lion

• Variations/Synonyms: Leav

• Description: It’s often confused with “Levi,” which means “joined in harmony.”

Luka

• Origin: Russian, Latin, and Italian

• Meaning: Bringer of light

• Variations/Synonyms: Luca, Lucas, and Luke

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Luke.”

Maksimilian

• Origin: Russian and Polish

• Meaning: The greatest

• Variations/Synonyms: Maksimillian, Maksymilian, Maksim, and Maxim

• Description: Its short form is “Max.”

Matvey

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: God’s gift

• Variations/Synonyms: Matvei, Matfey, Matvey, and Matthew

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Matthew.”

Mikhail

• Origin: Russian and Hebrew

• Meaning: Who is like God?

• Variations/Synonyms: Michail, Mihail, and Michael

• Description: It’s “Michael” in Russian.

Mir

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: World or society

• Variations/Synonyms: мир

• Description: It’s the short form of “Vladimir.”

Natan

• Origin: Russian and Hebrew

• Meaning: Given

• Variations/Synonyms: Nathan

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Nathan.”

Nikolai

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: Victorious people

• Variations/Synonyms: Nikolay, Nikola, and Nicholas

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Nicholas.”

Oleg

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Holy or sacred

• Variations/Synonyms: Helge, Oleh, and Olezka

• Description: It’s the Russian male form of “Olga.”

Pavel

• Origin: Russian and Latin

• Meaning: Small

• Variations/Synonyms: Pavle, Paviel, Paval, and Paul

• Description: It’s the Russian variation of “Paul.”

Perun

• Origin: Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, and Slavic

• Meaning: Thunder

• Variations/Synonyms: Pierun

• Description: He’s the Slavic god of the sky, the thunder, and war.

Pyotr

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Rock or stone

• Variations/Synonyms: Peter, Pietro, Pedro, and Pieter

• Description: It’s the Russian variation of “Peter.”

Rodion

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: Song of the hero

• Variations/Synonyms: Herodion, Rodya, and Rodjun

• Description: It’s from the Ancient Greek name “Hērṓidēs.”

Rolan

• Origin: Russian and German

• Meaning: Famous throughout the land

• Variations/Synonyms: Roland and Rowland

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Roland.”

Ryurik

• Origin: Russian, Nordic, Gaelic, and German

• Meaning: Famous ruler

• Variations/Synonyms: Rurik, Rorik, and Rourik

• Description: It’s derived from the Gaelic given name “Ruaidhrí.”

Samvel

• Origin: Russian and Hebrew

• Meaning: Told by God

• Variations/Synonyms: Samuel

• Description: It’s the Russian variant of “Samuel.”

Semyon

• Origin: Russian and Hebrew

• Meaning: God has heard

• Variations/Synonyms: Simon, Simeon, Shimon, and Ciemon

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Simon.”

Sergi

• Origin: Russian and Latin

• Meaning: Servant or attendant

• Variations/Synonyms: Sergio

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Sergio” (Latin).

Stanislav

• Origin: Russian and Slavic

• Meaning: Glorious government or one who achieves glory and fame

• Variations/Synonyms: Slava, Stas, Stanislao, and Stanislaus

• Description: It’s from the Latin name “Stanislaus.”

Stas

• Origin: Russian, Slavic, and Latin

• Meaning: Military glory

• Variations/Synonyms: Staš and Staś

• Description: It’s the short form of the Latin name “Eustacius.”

Timka

• Origin: Russian, Hebrew, and Old Greek

• Meaning: Honoring God

• Variations/Synonyms: Timotheus and Timothy

• Description: It’s the Russian variant of the Old Greek name “Timotheus.”

Vadim

• Origin: Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Macedonian, and Slovene

• Meaning: Powerful ruler

• Variations/Synonyms: Vadimir, Vadym, Vadik, and Vadya

• Description: It’s the short form of the Slavic name “Vadimir.”

Is Viktor A Russian Name? Viktor

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: Conqueror

• Variations/Synonyms: Victor

• Description: It’s from the Latin word “vincere,” which means “to win.”

Vlad

• Origin: Russian and Slavic

• Meaning: Glorious rule

• Variations/Synonyms: Vlado, Vlade, and Valdis

• Description: It’s a strong given name but can also be used as the short form or nickname for “Vladimir.”

Vladimir

• Origin: Russian and Slavic

• Meaning: Renowned prince

• Variations/Synonyms: Vladilen

• Description: It’s from the combination of Slavic elements “vladeti” (rule) and “meru” (great or famous).

Zinov

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: Life of Zeus

• Variations/Synonyms: Zenobios and Zinob

• Description: It’s from the Greek name “Zenobios.”

Popular Russian Baby Names for Girls

Like Russian boy names, the girl names also consist of a given name, patronymic middle name, and surname.

Patronymics for women usually use “ovna” and “evna” which mean “daughter of.” For example, the daughter of Mikhail can have “Mikhailovna” as her middle name.

What Are Unique Russian Names?

You might also notice that most Russian girl names end with “a” and are variations from other well-known names. For example, common names for baby girls include Anya (Anna), Natalya (Nathalie), and Irina or Ira (Irene).

It’s also common practice to add “ye” before girl names or to change “j” to “y.” Examples are Yekaterina (Catherine), Yelizaveta (Elizabeth), and Yulia (Julia).

You’ll find more Russian baby girl names and their meanings below to help you pick one for your little princess:

Agrafena

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: Born feet first

• Variations/Synonyms: Agrippina, Agrafina, Agripina, and Fenya

• Description: It comes from the Greek name “Agrafina.”

Alexandra

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: One who comes to save warriors

• Variations/Synonyms: Alexandria

• Description: It’s the female form of “Alexander.”

Alina

• Origin: Russian and Arabic

• Meaning: Bright and beautiful

• Variations/Synonyms: Alena, Adelina, and Albina

• Description: It’s a classic Russian variation of “Helen” (Greek).

Alyona

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Bright and shining light

• Variations/Synonyms: Alyonna, Alliona, Allyona, and Allyonna

• Description: It’s a modern Russian form of “Helen.”

Anastasiya

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: Resurrection

• Variations/Synonyms: Anastasia, Nastasia, Nastasya, Stasya, and Nastya

• Description: It’s the Russian form of the Greek name “Anastasia.”

Anoushka

• Origin: Russian and Hebrew

• Meaning: Grace and favor

• Variations/Synonyms: Anuschka, Annushka, and Anushka

• Description: It’s the classic Russian variation of “Anna.”

What Is A Strong Female Name? Anya

• Origin: Russian and Kurdish

• Meaning: Strength and power

• Variations/Synonyms: Anna, Aine, and Hannah

• Description: It’s another Russian form of “Anna.”

Bodashka

• Origin: Russian, Ukrainian, and Cornish

• Meaning: God’s gift

• Variations/Synonyms: Bodazka

• Description: It’s a unisex name.

Dinarah

• Origin: Arabic, Latin, Russian, and Roman

• Meaning: Wealth

• Variations/Synonyms: Dinara

• Description: It’s derived from the Roman word “denarius” (gold coin or treasure).

Dominika

• Origin: Czech, Latin, Polish, and Russian

• Meaning: From the Lord

• Variations/Synonyms: Dominica, Domenica, Dominque, and Dominique

• Description: It’s the Russian female form of “Dominic.”

Doroteya

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: Gift of God

• Variations/Synonyms: Doroteia, Doroteja, Dorothea, and Dorothy

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Dorothy.”

Eliška

• Origin: Russian, Czech, and Hebrew

• Meaning: Pledged to God

• Variations/Synonyms: Eliska, Elishka, Elizka, and Elizabeth

• Description: It’s a Russian short form of “Elizabeth.”

Feodora

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Divine gift

• Variations/Synonyms: Feo, Fyodora, Fedora, and Theodora

• Description: It’s the Russian female form of “Theodore.”

Galina

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Calm and tranquil

• Variations/Synonyms: Gala, Galya, and Galochka

• Description: It’s the Russian female form of “Galen.”

Georgi

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Farmer or earth worker

• Variations/Synonyms: Georgie and Georgina

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “George” and can be used for boys and girls.

Inga

• Origin: Scandinavian and Russian

• Meaning: Guarded by Ing (the Norse god of prosperity and peace)

• Variations/Synonyms: Inge, Ingrid, and Inger

• Description: It can also mean “hero’s daughter.”

Inna

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Coming from strong waters or a rough stream

• Variations/Synonyms: Ina and Inne

• Description: It was originally a boy’s name but later became more popular as a girl’s name.

Innessa

• Origin: Russian, Spanish, and Greek

• Meaning: Purity

• Variations/Synonyms: Inessa, Inesa, Ines, Inaas, Agnessa, Agniya, Ines, and Agnes

• Description: It’s from the Greek word “hagnos” (sacred or pure).

Irina

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: Peaceful

• Variations/Synonyms: Irene, Irisha, Ira, Arisha, Atina, Irena, and Irin

• Description: It’s the Russian variation of “Irene.”

Katya

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Pure and perfect

• Variations/Synonyms: Katiya, Katia, Ekaterina, Katyusha, Cathy, and Catherine

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Cathy” or the short form of “Catherine.”

Ksana

• Origin: Russian and Hebrew

• Meaning: Praise be to God

• Variations/Synonyms: Ksanochka, Ksann, Ksanna, and Ksena

• Description: It comes from the Hebrew name “Ksena.”

Lada

• Origin: Russian and Slavic

• Meaning: Goddess of beauty

• Variations/Synonyms: Vladislava, Vladimira, and Leda

• Description: It’s from the classical Greek word “eladion.”

Larisa

• Origin: Russian, Greek, and Latin

• Meaning: Fortress or citadel

• Variations/Synonyms: Larissa, Lara, and Larysa

• Description: It can also mean “cheerful.”

• It’s also believed to originate from Larissa, a nymph in Greek mythology.

Lena

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: A ray of light

• Variations/Synonyms: Leena, ‎Lenna‎, ‎Leana, and Linna

• Description: It’s a standalone Russian given name but can also be a short form for “Helena” or “Elena.”

Mila

• Origin: Russian, Slavic, and Spanish

• Meaning: Loved by the people

• Variations/Synonyms: Ludmila, Milla, Mela, Milena, and Milica

• Description: It can also mean “industrious” in Slavic and a short form of “Milagros” (miracles) in Spanish.

Mischa

• Origin: Russian and Hebrew

• Meaning: One who resembles God

• Variations/Synonyms: Misha and Mishka

• Description: It’s considered a Russian female form of “Michael.”

Mokosh

• Origin: Russian and Slavic

• Meaning: Water or moist

• Variations/Synonyms: Mockosh, Mocosh, Moksha, and Mokoš

• Description: Mokosh is the protector of women in childbirth. She’s also the goddess of fate.

Nadenka

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Hope

• Variations/Synonyms: Nadezhda, Nada, Nadia, Nadja, Nadya, and Nadina

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Nadia.”

Natalya

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: The birthday of Christ

• Variations/Synonyms: Natalia, Nataliya, Natalie, Nathalie, and Natasha

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Natasha.”

Nikita

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Winner and victor

• Variations/Synonyms: Nikki, Nikitha, Nakita, Nickita, and Nicole

• Description: It’s the Russian variation of “Nicole.”

Ninoska

• Origin: Russian, Spanish, and Hebrew

• Meaning: Little girl

• Variations/Synonyms: Ninoshka and Nina

• Description: It’s the Russian version of the Spanish name “Nina.”

Oksana

• Origin: Russian, Ukrainian, and Hebrew

• Meaning: Praise to God

• Variations/Synonyms: Oxana, Ksenia, and Kseniya

• Description: It can also mean “hospitality” from the Greek word “xenos” (foreigner or guest).

Polina

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: Small and humble

• Variations/Synonyms: Paulina, Apollinariya, Palina, and Pauline

• Description: It’s the Russian feminine variation of “Paul.”

Raisa

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: Easygoing and adaptable

• Variations/Synonyms: Raissa, Risa, Raiza, and Raizza

• Description: It comes from the Greek word “rhadios” (adaptable).

Sasha

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Leader or defender of mankind

• Variations/Synonyms: Sacha, Sascha, and Sashenka

• Description: It started as a short form of “Alexandra” but is now regarded as a standalone given name.

Sonechka

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Wise

• Variations/Synonyms: Sofia, Sophie, Sofie, and Sophia

• Description: It’s the Russian variant of “Sophia.”

Sonya

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: Wisdom

• Variations/Synonyms: Soniyah, Sonjah, Sonyah, Sonin, and Sonia

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Sonia.”

Svetlana

• Origin: Russian and Slavic

• Meaning: Star or blessed shining light

• Variations/Synonyms: Lana, Sveta, and Svitlana

• Description: It’s from the East and South Slavic word “svet” (holy light).

Taisiya

• Origin: Russian and Egyptian

• Meaning: Divine and beautiful

• Variations/Synonyms: Taisia and Thea

• Description: It comes from the Ancient Greek word “theá” (beautiful and divine goddess).

Tatyana

• Origin: Russian, Slavic, and Roman

• Meaning: Fairy princess or fairy queen

• Variations/Synonyms: Tatiana, Tatjana, Tatijana, and Tytiana

• Description: It’s the Russian female variation of “Titus” or “Tatius.”

Tsetsiliya

• Origin: Russian, Bulgarian, Latin, and Ukrainian

• Meaning: Blind or bitter

• Variations/Synonyms: Cecilia

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Cecilia” and comes from the Latin word “caecus” (blind).

• Despite its meaning, this name remains popularly used for baby girls.

Ulyana

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Youthful

• Variations/Synonyms: Uliana, Yuliana, Yulianna, and Julianna

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Julianna.”

Vanka

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Favored by God

• Variations/Synonyms: Ivanka, Vanya, Johanna, Joannes, and Joan

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Joan.”

Yana

• Origin: Russian and Hebrew

• Meaning: God is gracious

• Variations/Synonyms: Yannah, Yanna, Jana, and Jannah

• Description: It can also mean “God answers” in Hebrew.

Yekaterina

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Pure and innocent

• Variations/Synonyms: Ekaterina, Katenka, Katya, Katerina, and Katyusha

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Katherine.”

Yelena

• Origin: Russian and Greek

• Meaning: Shining light

• Variations/Synonyms: Elena, Helena, and Helen

• Description: It’s from the ancient Greek word “helénē” (bright light).

Yelizaveta

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: Pledged to God

• Variations/Synonyms: Elizaveta and Elizabeth

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Elizabeth.”

Yulia

• Origin: Russian and Latin

• Meaning: Young or youthful

• Variations/Synonyms: Yuliya, Julia, and Juliya

• Description: It’s the Russian version of “Julia.”

Zhanna

• Origin: Russian

• Meaning: God is gracious

• Variations/Synonyms: Jane, Jana, Zana, and Jannah

• Description: It’s the Russian variation of “Jane.”

Zinoviya

• Origin: Russian and Old Greek

• Meaning: Life of Zeus (the Greek god of the sky)

• Variations/Synonyms: Zinovia, Zenovia, Zinoviev, and Zenobia

• Description: It’s the Russian form of “Zenobia.”