Russian Names for Boys - Russian Male Names

Russian Names for Boys

Below is a table of Russian male names, listed in the alphabetical order. All male names can be used to form patronymics (for both men and women) with the help of special suffixes that are explained in a different lesson. You can look up names starting with desired letters by clicking on a link in the menu:

names starting with А
names starting with Б - В
names starting with Г - Д
names starting with Е - И
names starting with К - Л - М
names starting with Н - О - П - Р
names starting with С - Т - У
names starting with Ф - Х - Э - Ю -Я

- А -

Russian male names starting with the letter "A"

Russian	Pronunciation	English	Diminutives	Meaning
Авраам	ah-VRAHM	Avraam or Abraham	Авраша	Means "father of many"
Адам	ah-DAHM	Adam	-	Means "man"
Адриан	ahd-ree-AHN	Adrian	Адрюшка, Адриюшка	Meaning "from Hadria"
Афанасий	ah-fah-NAH-seey	Afanasij or Athanasius	Афанька, Афанюша, Афоня	Means "immortal"
Аким	ah-KEEM	Akim	-	Russian form of "Joachim", meaning "established by God"
Альберт	ahl'-BYEHRT	Albert	-	Means "bright nobility"
Алексей	ah-lyek-SAY	Aleksey	Алёшка, Алёшенька, Алёша, Иялик, Лара, Леня, Леша, Лешенька, Лешка, Луошенька, Лёха, Лёня, Лёша, Лёшенька, Лёшик, Лёля	From the Greek name Αλεξιος (Alexios) which meant "helper" or "defender", derived from Greek αλεξω (alexo) "to defend, to help"
Александр	ah-lyek-SAHNDR	Alexander	Алексаша, Алик, Саха, Сахер, Санка, Саня, Саша, Сашулык, Сашжен, Сашка, Сашенька, Сашер, Сашок, Сашуля, Сашуня, Сашуся, Шура, Шурик, Шурка, Шурочка	Comes from the Greek name "Alexandros" which means "to defend man"
Анатолий	ah-na-TO-leey	Anatoly	Толик, Толунчик, Толуша, Толя, Толяша, Толян	From the Greek Ανατολιος (Anatolios), derived from ανατολη (anatole) meaning "sunrise"
Андрей	ahn-DRYAY	Andrey	Андрейка, Андрон, Андруха, Андрюша, Андрюшка, Андрюшенька, Друня, Дрюша, Дрюшка	Means "brave, courageous"
Анисим	ah-NEE-sim	Anisim	-	Means "beneficial, profitable"
Антон	ahn-TOHN	Anton	Антоша, Антошенька	-
Аркадий	ar-KAH-deey	Arkadiy	Аркан, Аркаша	From an ancient Greek name meaning "of Arcadia"
Архип	ar-HEEP	Arhip	-	Means "master of horses" from the Greek elements αρχος (archos) "master" and ‘ιππος (hippos) "horse"
Арсений	ahr-SYE-nee	Arseniy	-	Means "virile"
Арсентий	ahr-SYEHN-tee	Arsentiy	Арся	Brave, courageous
Артемий	ahr-TYEH-meey	Artemiy	Тёма	-
Артём	ahr-TYOM	Artyom	Тёма	-
Артур	AHR-toor	Artur or Arthur	Артурша, Артуршка	Means "bear man"

Б - В

Russian male names starting with the letters "Б" and "В"

Russian	Pronunciation	English	Diminutives	Meaning
Бенедикт	bye-nye-DEEKT	Benedikt	-	Means blessed.
Богдан	BAWG-dahn	Bogdan	-	Means given by God.
Болеслав	baw-LE-slav	Boleslav	Слава	Means great glory.
Борис	bah-REES	Boris	Боб, Боренка, Боренок, Борик, Боруся, Боря, Борюшка	Means wolf.
Борислав	bah-ree-SLAF	Borislav	Боря	Means fame in battle.
Бронислав	braw-nee-SLAF	Bronislav	Слава	Means protecting glory.
Вадим	vah-DEEM	Vadim	Вадик, Вадя	Meaning unknown, possibly related to the Slavic element volod rule, or possibly derived from an Old Norse source.
Валентин	vah-lyen-TEEN	Valentin	Валик, Валенька, Валюша	From the Roman family name Valentinus which was from Latin valens strong, vigourous, healthy.
Валерий	vah-LYE-ree	Valerij	Лерчик, Валера, Валерик, Валерочка, Валя, Воля, Волька, Вяля	Roman family name which was derived from Latin valere to be strong.
Варлаам	-	Varlaam	-	Rarely used. Meaning unknown.
Варнава	-	Varnava	-	Rarely used. Greek form of an Aramaic name which probably meant son of the prophet (though it is claimed in Acts 4:36 to mean son of encouragement).
Варфоломей	-	Varfolomej	-	Rarely used. From Βαρθολομαιος (Bartholomaios), which was the Greek form of an Aramaic name meaning son of תַלְמַי (Talmay). Talmay is a Hebrew name meaning furrowed.
Василий	vah-SEE-lee	Vasilij	Васенька, Вадилёк, Васунчик, Вася, Васька	Derived from Greek βασιλευς (basileus) meaning king.
Вениамин	vye-nee-ah-MEEN	Veniamin	-	From the Hebrew name בִנְיָמִין (Binyamin) which means son of the south or son of the right hand.
Викентий	-	Vikentij	-	Rarely used. From the Roman name Vincentius, which was from Latin vincere to conquer.
Виктор	VEEK-tahr	Viktor	Вик, Витенька, Витунчик, Витуня, Витуша, Витуся, Витя, Витёк	Roman name meaning victor in Latin.
Вилен	vee-LYEN	Vilen	Виля	Abbreviation of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, the name of the founder of the former Soviet state.
Виталий	vee-TAH-lee	Vitalij	Вит, Виля, Виталик, Виталя, Витя	Derived from Latin vitalis of life, vital.
Владилен	-	Vladilen	Влад	Contraction of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, the name of the founder of the former Soviet state.
Владимир	vlah-DEE-meer	Vladimir	Джоня, Валодя, Валодушка, Владяша, Володечка, Володя, Воля, Вовик, Вовок, Вова, Вовка, Воведза, Вовочка, Владик	Means to rule with greatness or to rule with peace, derived from the Slavic element volodrule combined with mer great, famous or mirpeace.
Владислав	vlah-dee-SLAHF	Vladislav	Влад, Владик, Слава, Славик	Means to rule with glory, derived from the Slavic elementsvolod rule andslav glory.
Власий	-	Vlasij	-	From the Roman name Blasius which meant lisping from Latin blaesus.
Всеволод	FSYE-vah-laht	Vsevolod	Сева, Севик, Севка	Means to rule all from the Slavic elements vse all and volod rule.
Вячеслав	vya-chye-SLAHF	Vyacheslav	Слава	Means more glory from the Slavic elements ventie more and slav glory.

Г - Д

Russian names for boys starting with the letters "Г" and "Д"

Russian	Pronunciation	English	Diminutives	Meaning
Гавриил	gah-vree-EEL	Gavriil	Ганя	Means strong man of God
Геннадий	gye-NAH-dee	Gennadij	Гена, Геша, Генуля, Геня, Гночка	Means noble, generous.
Георгий	gye-OR-gee	Georgij	Гаря, Гарик, Гоша, Жора, Жорик	Means farmer, earthworker.
Герасим	-	Gerasim	-	Rarely used. Means old.
Герман	GYER-mahn	German	Гера	From Latin word meaning brother.
Гермоген	-	Germogen	-	Rarely used. Means born of Hermes
Глеб	GLYEP	Gleb	Глебка, Глебушка	Means heir of God
Григорий	gree-GO-ree	Grigorij	Гриша, Гришенька, Гриня	Means watchful, alert
Гяльчара	gyal-TSCHA-rah	Gyalchara	-	-
Давид	dah-VEET	David	Гуся	From Hebrew dvd meaning beloved.
Даниил	dah-nee-EEL	Daniil	Даня, Даняшка, Ден, Дуняша, Зайка	Means God is my judge.
Демьян	dyem-YAHN	Demyan	-	Means to tame.
Денис	de-NEES	Denis	Дениска, Деничка, Денька, Деня, Диня	Means of Zeus
Дмитрий	DMEE-tree	Dmitrij	Дадик, Дима, Димка, Димон, Димуля, Димулык, Димчик, Димочка, Мимя, Митяй, Митенка, Митя	Means earth mother.
Дорофей	-	Dorofej	-	Rarely used. Means gift of God.

Е - И

Russian names for boys starting with the letters "Е" and "И"

Russian	Pronunciation	English	Diminutives	Meaning
Евгений	yev-GYE-nee	Yevgenij	Геня	Means well born.
Евгений	yev-GYE-nee	Yevgenij	Геня, Женя	From the Greek name Ευγενιος (Eugenios) which was derived from the Greek word ευγενης (eugenes) meaning well born, composed of the elements ευ good, well and γενης (genes) born.
Ермолай	YER-mo-lai	Yermolaj	-	Means the people of Hermes.
Иван	ee-VAHN	Ivan	Иванко, Ивашечка, Ванек, Ванёк, Ванечка, Ваня, Ванька, Ванюша, Ванюшка, Ванюшечка	Means Yahweh is gracious.
Игорь	EE-gahr	Igor	Игорёк, Игорёха	Means bow warrior
Израиль	ee-zrah-EEL	Izrail'	-	-
Иларий	-	Ilarij	-	Rarely used. Means cheerful.
Илларион	-	Illarion	-	Rarely used. Means cheerful
Илья	eel-YAH	Ilya	-	Means my God is Yahweh
Иннокентий	-	Innokentij	Кеня	Rarely used. Means innocent.
Иосиф	ee-O-seef	Iosif	-	Means he will add
Ипатий	-	Ipatij	Патя	Rarely used. Russian form of the Greek name ‘Υπατιος (Hypatios), which was the masculine form of the name Hypatia.
Ипполит	-	Ippolit	-	Rarely used. Russian form of Hippolytos, meaning freer of horses.
Ириней	-	Irinej	-	Rarely used. Russian form of Ireneus, meaning peaceful.
Исаак	ee-SAH-ahk	Isaak	Ися	From Hebrew name Yitzchaq, meaning he laughs.
Исай	-	Isaj	-	Rarely used. Russian form of Isaiah, meaning Yahweh is salvation.
Исидор	-	Isidor	-	Rarely used. From the Greek name Ισιδωρος (Isidoros) which meant gift of Isis, from the name of the Egyptian goddess ISIS combined with Greek δωρον (doron) gift.

К - Л - М

Russian male names starting with the letters "К", "Л" and "М"

Russian	Pronunciation	English	Diminutives	Meaning
Казимир	kah-zee-MEER	Kazimir	-	Rarely used. Means to destroy peace.
Карп	KAHRP	Karp	-	Rarely used. Means fruits, profits.
Кирилл	kee-REEL	Kirill	Кирюнчик, Кирюша	From the Greek name Κυριλλος (Kyrillos) which was derived from Greek κυριος (kyrios) lord.
Климент	klee-MYENT	Kliment	-	From the Late Latin name Clemens which meant merciful, gentle.
Константин	kahn-stahn-TEEN	Konstantin	Китя, Костенька, Костик, Костя, Котик, Котунка, Котя	From the Roman name Constantinus which was derived from the Latin word constans meaning constant, steadfast.
Кронид	KRAW-need	Кроня	Kronya
Кузьма	koos-MAH	Kuzma	-	From the Greek name Κοσμος (Kosmos), which was derived from κοσμος (kosmos) meaning order, decency.
Лавернтий	-	Laverntij	-	Rarely used. From the Roman cognomen Laurentius, which meant of Laurentum. Laurentum was a city in ancient Italy, its name probably deriving from Latin lauruslaurel.
Лазарь	LAH-zahr	Lazar	-	Means my God has helped.
Лев	LYEF	Lev	Лёня, Лёва, Лёюшка	Means lion.
Леонид	lye-ah-NEET	Leonid	Леня, Лёня Лёха, Лёнецка, Лёньчик	From Greek λεων (leon) lion.
Леонтий	-	Leontij	-	From Greek λεων (leon) lion.
Лука	LOO-kah	Luka	-	From the Greek name Λουκας (Loukas) which meant from Lucania. Lucania was a region in Italy.
Магомед	mah-GAW-myehd	Magomed	-	Praised
Макар	-	Makar	-	Rarely used. From the Roman name Macarius, derived from the Greek name Μακαριος (Makarios), which was in turn derived from Greek μακαρ (makar) meaning blessed, happy.
Макарий	-	Makarij	-	Rarely used. From the Roman name Macarius, derived from the Greek name Μακαριος (Makarios), which was in turn derived from Greek μακαρ (makar) meaning blessed, happy.
Максим	mahk-SEEM	Maksim	Макс, Максик, Максимушка	Derived from Latin maximus meaning greatest.
Максимильян	-	Maksimilyan	Макс	Derived from Latin maximus meaning greatest.
Маназай	mah-nah-ZAY	Manazaj	-	-
Марк	MAHRK	Mark	Марка, Марик, Марочка	War-like
Марлен	-	Marlen	-	Uncommon. Blend of Marx and Lenin. This name was created by Communist parents who were eager to reject traditional names.
Мартемьян	mahr-teem-YAHN	Martemyan	-	-
Мартин	mahr-TIN	Martin	-	Means male.
Матвей	maht-VYAY	Matvej	Мотя	English form of Ματθαιος (Matthaios), which was a Greek form of the Hebrew name מַתִּתְיָהוּ (Mattityahu) which meant gift of Yahweh.
Мефодий	-	Mefodij	-	Rarely used. From the Greek name Μεθοδιος (Methodios), derived from Greek μεθοδος (methodos) meaning pursuit or method, ultimately from μετα (meta) with and ‘οδος (hodos) road.
Милан	-	Milan	-	From the Slavic element mil meaning gracious, originally a short form of names that began with that element.
Милослав	mee-lah-SLAHF	Miloslav	Слава	Derived from the Slavic elements mil meaning favour and slav meaning glory.
Мирон	MEE-rawn	Miron	-	From Greek word meaning myrrh.
Мирослав	mee-rah-SLAHF	Miroslav	Слава	Means peace and glory, derived from the Slavic elements mir meaning peace and slav meaning glory.
Митрофан	mee-trah-FAHN	Mitrofan	Митя	Derived from Greek μητηρ (meter) mother (genitive μητρος (metros)) and φανης (phanes) appearing.
Михаил	mee-hah-EEL	Mihail	Микеле, Миха, Михрют, Михрютка, Минёк, Миня, Миша, Мишка, Мишаня, Мишенька, Мишуля, Мишуня, Мишя, Мишуля, Мишутка	From the Hebrew name מִיכָאֵל (Mikha'el) which meant who is like God?.
Модест	-	Modest	Модя	Means moderate, restrained.
Моисей	mah-ee-SYAY	Moisej	-	From the Hebrew name מֹשֶׁה (Mosheh) which is most likely derived from Egyptian mes meaning son, but could also possibly mean deliver in Hebrew.
Мстислав	mstee-SLAHF	Mstislav	Слава	Means vengeance and glory from the Slavic elements mshcha meaning vengeance and slav meaning glory.
Мэлор	-	Melor	-	Uncommon. Acronym of Marx Engels Lenin October Revolution. This name commemorates the creation of the former Soviet state. It was created by Communist parents who were eager to reject traditional names.

Н - О - П - Р

Russian male names starting with the letters "Н", "О", "П" and "Р"

Russian	Pronunciation	English	Diminutives	Meaning
Назар	-	Nazar	-	Means from Nazareth.
Назарий	-	Nazarij	-	Means from Nazareth.
Наум	-	Naum	-	Means comforter in Hebrew.
Нестор	-	Nestor	-	Means homecoming in Greek.
Никита	nee-KEE-tah	Nikita	Ника, Ники, Кита, Никитуша, Никитушка	Means unconquerable
Никифор	nee-KEE-fawr	Nikifor	Ника, Ники	Means carrying victory from Greek νικη (nike) victory and φορεω (phoreo) to carry, to bear.
Никодим	-	Nikodim	Ника	From the Greek name Νικοδημος (Nikodemos) which meant victory of the people from Greek νικη (nike) victory and δημος (demos) the people.
Николай	nee-kah-LIE	Nikolaj	Коленька, Колька, Коля, Коляй, Колян, Колюня, Ладо, Ника, Николаша, Николашка, Николенька, Николка, Никуся	From the Greek name Νικολαος (Nikolaos) which meant victory of the people from Greek νικη (nike) victory and λαος (laos) people.
Никон	-	Nikon	Ника	Rarely used. Derived from Greek νικη (nike) meaning victory.
Олег	ah-LYEK	Oleg	Алик, Алуша, Олежек, Олежка	Means holy, blessed.
Онисим	-	Onisim	-	From the Greek name Ονησιμος (Onesimos), which meant beneficial, profitable.
Осип	O-seep	Osip	-	Means he will add.
Павел	PAH-vyel	Pavel	Паша, Пашка, Пашуля, Пашенька, Пава, Павлик, Павлуша, Павлушка	Means small, humble.
Панкратий	-	Pankratij	-	Means all power from Greek παν (pan) all and κρατος (kratos) power.
Пётр	PYOTR	Pyotr	Пепик, Петечка, Петро, Петенька, Петруша, Петюнчик, Петуня, Петя, Пеюнт	Derived from the Greek Πετρος (Petros) meaning stone.
Платон	-	Platon	-	Rarely used. From the Greek name Πλατων (Platon) which was derived from Greek πλατυς (platys) meaning broad-shouldered.
Прокопий	prah-KO-pee	Prokopij	Проня	Rarely used. Derived from Greek προκοπη (prokope) progress, advance.
Прохор	PRO-hahr	Prohor	Проня	Rarely used. From the Greek name Προχορος (Prochoros) which meant leader of the dance.
Радимир	-	Radimir	-	Means happiness and peace from the Slavic element rad meaning happy combined with mir meaning peace.
Радомир	-	Radomir	-	Means happiness and peace from the Slavic element rad meaning happy combined with mir meaning peace.
Радослав	rah-dah-SLAHF	Radoslav	Слава	Derived from the Slavic elements rad meaning happy and slav meaning glory.
Рафаил	rah-fah-EEL	Rafail	Раф, Рафо	God has healed
Роберт	RO-byert	Robert	-	Means bright fame
Родион	rah-dee-ON	Rodion	Родя	From the Greek name ‘Ηρωδης (Herodes), which probably means song of the hero from ‘ηρως (heros) hero, warrior combined with ωιδης (oides) song, ode.
Ролан	-	Rolan	-	Means famous land from the Germanic elements hrod fame and land.
Роман	rah-MAHN	Roman	Рома, Ромка	From the Roman cognomen Romanus which meant Roman in Latin.
Ростислав	rahs-tee-SLAHF	Rostislav	Слава	Means to usurp glory from the Slavic elements rosts meaning usurp and slav meaning glory.
Руслан	roo-SLAHN	Ruslan	Руся	-
Рюрик	-	Ryurik	-	Means famous power from the Germanic elements hrod meaning fame and ric meaning power.

С - Т - У

Russian names for boys starting with the letters "С", "Т" and "У"

Russian	Pronunciation	English	Diminutives	Meaning
Савва	-	Savva	-	Rarely used. From a Greek name which was derived from Hebrew סַבָא (sava') meaning old man.
Савелий	-	Savelij	-	Rarely used. Russian form of the Roman cognomen Sabellius meaning a Sabine in Latin. The Sabines were an ancient people who lived in central Italy.
Самуил	sah-moo-EEL	Samuil	-	From the Hebrew name שְׁמוּאֵל (Shemu'el) which could mean either name of God or God has heard.
Святополк	-	Svyatopolk	-	Means blessed people from the Slavic elements svyanto blessed, holy, bright and polk people.
Святослав	svyah-tah-SLAHF	Svyatoslav	Слава	Derived from the Slavic elements svyanto blessed, holy, bright and slav glory.
Севастьян	-	Sevastyan	-	From the Roman name Sebastianus which meant from Sebaste in Latin. Sebaste was the name a town in Asia Minor, its name deriving from Greek σεβαστος (sebastos) venerable (a translation of Latin Augustus, the title of the Roman emperors).
Семён	sye-MYON	Semyon	Сеня, Сенечка, Замбик, Зяма	From the Greek form of the Hebrew name שִׁמְעוֹן (Shim'on) which meant hearkening or listening.
Серафин	-	Serafin	-	Form of the Late Latin name Seraphinus, derived from the biblical word seraphim which was Hebrew in origin and meant fiery ones.
Сергей	syer-GYAY	Sergej	Серёжа, Серёжечка, Серёженька, Сергуня, Сергунька, Серик, Серёга	Means servant.
Станимир	-	Stanimir	-	Derived from the Slavic elements stan meaning stand and mir meaning peace.
Станислав	stah-nee-SLAHF	Stanislav	Слава, Стас, Стасик	Derived from the Slavic elements stan meaning stand combined with slav meaning glory.
Степан	stye-PAHN	Stepan	Стёпа, Стёпан	From the Greek name Στεφανος (Stephanos) meaning crown.
Тарас	tah-RAHS	Taras	Булба	Ukrainian and Russian form of the Greek name Ταρασιος (Tarasios), which possibly means of Tarentum.
Терентий	-	Terentij	-	Rarely used. From the Roman family name Terentius which is of unknown meaning.
Тимофей	tee-mah-FEY	Timofej	-	From the Greek name Τιμοθεος (Timotheos) meaning honouring God, derived from τιμαω (timao) to honour and θεος (theos) god.
Тимур	tee-MOOR	Timur	Тимочка, Тимоша	From the Turkic name Temor meaning iron.
Тит	TEET	Tit	-	Rarely used. Roman praenomen, or given name, which is of unknown meaning, possibly related to Latin titulus title of honour.
Тихон	TEE-han	Tihon	-	From the Greek name Τυχων (Tychon) meaning hitting the mark.

Ф - Х - Э - Ю - Я

Russian male names starting with the letters "Ф", "Х", "Э", "Ю" and "Я"

Russian	Pronunciation	English	Diminutives	Meaning
Фаддей	fa-DAY	Faddej	-	From Aramaic word meaning heart.
Фёдор	FYO-dahr	Fyodor	Фея, Феденька, Федя, Вадик	Means gift of God.
Федот	fye-DOT	Fedot	Федя	Means given to God.
Феликс	fye-LEEKS	Feliks	Феля, Лутик	Means lucky, successful
Феодосий	FYE-ah-dohsee	Feodosij	Федя	Means giving to God.
Феофан	FYE-ah-fahn	Feofan	-	Means friend of God.
Феофилакт	-	Feofilakt	Филат	Rarely used. Means guarded by God
Ферапонт	-	Ferapont	-	Rarely used. Means servant, worshipper.
Филипп	fee-LEEP	Filipp	Филя	Means friend of horses.
Фока	-	Foka	-	Rarely used. Means a seal.
Фома	fah-MAH	Foma	-	Means twin.
Харитон	-	Hariton	-	Rarely used. Means grace, kindness.
Эдуард	ed-OO-ard	Eduard	-	Means rich guard.
Эммануил	ehm-mah-noo-EEL	Emmanuil	Моня	God is with us
Эрик	EH-reek	Erik	Эря	Ruler of all
Эрнест	ehr-NEST	Ernest	Эрнестина, Эр	Vigor
Юлиан	YOO-lee-ahn	Yulian	-	From a Roman family name which was possibly derived from Greek ιουλος (ioulos) downy-bearded.
Юлий	YOO-lee	Yulij	-	From a Roman family name which was possibly derived from Greek ιουλος (ioulos) downy-bearded.
Юрий	YOO-ree	Yurij	Юра, Юраша, Юрик, Юрка, Юро, Юрок, Юрочка	Means farmer, earthworker.
Яким	-	Yakim	-	Means established by Yahweh.
Яков	YAH-kahf	Yakov	Яша, Яшенка	Means may God protect.
Яромир	yah-rah-MEER	Yaromir	-	Derived from the Slavic elements jaro spring and mir peace.
Ярополк	-	Yaropolk	-	Derived from the Slavic elements jaro spring and pelk people.