Russian Names for Boys

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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:

- 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.