If you have a little one on the way and are thinking about what to name your child. Why not consider one of the Russian boy names?
Russian names are beautiful and unique and can be used by boys or girls. If you’re in the market for Russian baby names, don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.
These eight wonderful and creative Russian boy names will make your child stand out.
These names are perfect and offer distinct meanings that will forever remind your child of their origins.
Semyon
This is one of the Russian boy names meaning the hearing. Several saints with that name are listed in Orthodox churches.
However, in Ancient Greek, Semyon meant heard of God, a common name for male babies. The Latin form is Simon, used by Peter as his own given name (Mark 3:16). The Italian version is Simone; Nicknames include Sem and Sy.
Vladislav
Vladislav originates from Old Slavic languages and means rule of glory. It’s a variant of Vladímir, derived from Slavic elements vladu meaning might rule combined with miru meaning peace.
However, Vladímir is also linked to the German name Theodoric. In Italy, Vladímir is used as an ending for a baby name. Although not well-known internationally, Vladislav is popular in Russia as a Russian boy name and in other Slavic nations.
Ignat
Though Ignat isn’t as popular a Russian boy name as something like Max or Nick, it still sees plenty of use. It comes from an old Slavic word for fire (ignati).
In modern Russia, however, it holds minimal clout on its own. There are currently over 40 other Russian boys named Ignat. It sounds like Iggy.
Dmitrity
Dmitriy has its origins in Slavic. It is used as both a boy name and a girl name. It consists of 6 letters and three syllables, with the consonants D, M, I, T, and two vowels (aa).
However, in Russian, this one of the Russian boy names means loves peace. The name’s popularity has been most pronounced in Russia since 1980. Other forms include Dimitry, Mitry, and Mitryi, and the English variant is also used occasionally.
Foma
Foma is a traditional Russian name that means peaceful. This original one of the Russian boy names were first used during ancient times.
It fell out of favor when Russia adopted Christianity, but it has gained popularity as a unique contemporary choice. Foma is also leavened bread made with wheat or rye flour, salt, water, and yeast.
Fedor
Fedor may have started as a nickname for Feodor, but it has quickly become a popular masculine name. Like many Russian names, Fedor means lover of and is one of Russia’s most common Russian boy names. It’s just an awesome name that even non-Russian speakers can find lovely.
Boris
Boris is a perfect choice if you’re looking for something a little different but also traditional. It’s one of the most well-known Russian boy names and has been around since medieval times.
Furthermore, the name translates to warrior. This means it will be equally as impressive if your son grows up to be an artist or a soldier. It might also inspire some creative nicknames; how about Boro? Or Borya?
Stefan
Stefan is another excellent part of the Russian boy name choice for parents looking for an accessible name to spell. It was popularized by Angela Lansbury’s character in Murder, She Wrote.
Meanwhile, it can also be a girl’s name (think Stephanie). Stefan is one of those rare boy names that has escaped being used as a moniker for both genders. It means crown or wreath and has Slavic origins.
Ivan
Also known as John, a classic, Ivan is a variant of Johannes. This one of the Russian boy names means God’s gracious gift. If you’re looking for unique names, Ivan is a good choice because it isn’t overly familiar.
However, it has risen in popularity due to its use by famous people like Ivan Lendl (tennis player). Because of these two celebrities, many parents want to use Ivan but may not understand how to pronounce it.
Egor
Egor is another part of modern Russian boy names, with classic roots but an unusual twist. Originating as a nickname, meaning doer or creator, Egor has been a popular masculine given name for decades.
Furthermore, the pronunciation notes: The iota is pronounced like ee in English. Short forms include Gora, Yegor, and Yegoshka (diminutive). Other variations you might like are Igor, Igorr, and Igoryok.
Maxim
Maxim is a popular given name of Latin origin meaning greatest. It has been commonly used in Russian boy names and Ukraine since ancient times. In Slavic languages, it can also be interpreted as meaning power or might.
Andrei
Andrei, which means manly, has been a popular boy name in Eastern Europe for decades. It was among some of the top 10 most-used Russian boy names born to parents from Russia.
Furthermore, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania, and Croatia from 1989 to 2012. While it has religious ties (as does Mikhail), Andrei is a widespread first name for everyday use.
Novel
A Novel is an excellent choice if you’re looking for something unusual like Russian boy names. Novel means new but also works to honor novelist Leo Tolstoy.
Moreover, for science fiction and fantasy fans, there’s also Novakat from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. This unusual boy’s name is derived from novelty.
Gleb
Gleb means to be quiet or peaceful. In Russian history, Gleb, this particular one of the Russian boy name, was a son of Prince Vladimir Monomakh.
It also refers to Saint Gleb, a 10th-century bishop from Rostov who vassals of his political rival murdered. Later, another man claimed he had taken up Gleb’s place after escaping death.
Fedor
Fedor is a popular name for Russian boy names. Its origin is Germanic and Slavic, and its meaning is prayer. However, the name Fedor is often used as a boy or male name.
Arseny
This boy’s name is composed of two elements: Arsen, which comes from Latin arsenic, meaning spider. And -y, an adjectival suffix that can turn a noun into an adjective.
So, if your son was named Arseny, he’d better be a robust spider. The Russian boy names have been used as far back as 18th century Russia. It’s not common today, but it’s still out; you could give it a try if you’re looking for something unusual.
Denis
Denis is another classic Russian solid boy name that goes well with many types of middle names. It’s an abbreviation of Dionysius, which means God of wine.
Thinking about it, a name like that can have either positive or negative connotations depending on who you talk to. However, as we said, it’s a classic choice with plenty of modern flairs.
Albert
Albert is a Germanic name that means noble and bright. Pronounced al-bair, it’s most popular in English-speaking countries. Albert was ranked among the top 50 U.S. names for over 150 years before dropping out of favor. Furthermore, the name has continued to fall over time. In 2011, it ranked no—835 overall for boys’ names.
Boris
It may not be among the traditional Russian boy names, but Boris is unique. It’s also more popular than you might think.
Boris recently cracked into Twitter’s list of top boy names for 2016. The kids won’t make fun of him when he hits kindergarten because no one else has it either.
Eduard
Eduard (pronounced ed-o-right) is part of the typical Russian boy names that started appearing more frequently after Dostoyevsky’s The Idiot. It seemed even more in print after Dostoyevsky’s death from a stroke at age 49.
Luka
The name Luka is another Russian boy’s name and is pronounced LOO-Kah. In Russian, The meaning of Luka is: Of light, brightness; dawn; shining one; God’s grace; light-giving spirit. However, a short form of Luke and several other names beginning with Lu.
Oleg
The male name Oleg is a variation of Vladimir. It means by glory; glory to the world in Slavic. The character first appeared with a modification to one of Vladimir’s monikers, Bogoliub (meaning God’s glory).
Moreso, this gave birth to a new boy name meant to suggest brightness and splendor rather than spirituality. It was among several Russian boy names stemming from Vladimir.
Osip
Osip is an intriguing name with a soothing sound that would make any parent proud. This moniker originated as a diminutive of Joseph but has long outgrown its Biblical roots. Osip belongs to a category of male names that are short, distinctive, and quite different from other options available today.
Furthermore, It’s also worth noting that Osip is often used as a middle name rather than a first one, especially if you’re looking for low-key Russian boy names with not too much meaning.
Semyon
Also spelled Semen, Semyon means man of peace or peace. It is derived from a name for Saint Simeon Stylites.
A renowned monk who lived for several decades atop a 50-foot tall pillar. In Russia, it can be used as either a first or middle name.
Taras
Taras is another famous Russian boy name that means dear or close. This name originated from Ancient Greek, where it was a short form of Demetrius (meaning earth-shaker).
Taras can also be a variant spelling of Tyre, which comes from a place in Lebanon. However, Taras is uncommon as a surname but not too far behind other boy names like Jackson.
Valery
Valery is one of the typical Russian boy names. It (Russian: Вале́рий) is a masculine given name derived from courage and bravery.
Moreover, It is commonly romanized as Valeriy or Valeri. In Ukraine/ Belarus, it’s popular among new parents and adult men who change their names to sound more Russian.
Yury
Yury is a common name that has been seen across generations as a Russian boy name. Though short, it’s rich with meaning, able to touch on history, and offers a modern spin on culture. Who doesn’t love a little flavor like that? If you’re interested in choosing.
Zakhar
Zakhar, or Захар, is another unique and exciting Russian boy name. It is a derivative of Zachary, which has Hebrew origins (meaning God remembers).
And also has Greek, Latin, Polish, Czechoslovakian, Germanic, and Slavic variants. The name refers to Saint Zacchaeus, mentioned in both The Bible and Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.
Yefim
Yefim is a version of Efim. The baby name Yefim sounds like Fyodor, Yevgeni, Yevgeniy, Efym, Evgeny, Ignatius, Ifan, and Igor. Around 1900 Yefim was famous as part of Russian boy names.
So, out of 59280 baby boys were given that name during 1899-1900. Eight percent of those babies were named Yefim in 1900, after 7 percent a year earlier in 1899.
Artur
Artur may be a good fit if you’re looking for Russian boy names that sound distinctly Russian. It is also one of several names taken from Arthurian legend that are increasingly popular as baby names among Americans.
Furthermore, the name was first given to 13 babies in 2011. Artur has never been ranked among the top 1,000 given to American boys. However, it doesn’t seem far off either (the name was given to seven American boys in 2012).
Mark
Mark is another one of the Russian solid boy names with a special meaning. It’s a mighty, masculine name that means fighter or warrior. Mark has always held its own, and it’s been used since ancient times as both a male and feminine name.
Vasily
There’s so much to love about Vasily, which means healthy. It’s got a nice ring, like Vanya, but with an elegant masculine twist. The Russian boy names associated with Tchaikovsky, who was given that moniker because of his supposed love for his motherland.
It’s short and snappy like many other boy names ending in -ly. And it certainly isn’t generic like some of those super popular boy names you hear daily at school. So why not give it a try?
Sergei
Sergei is one of our favorite unique Russian boy names, with a dash of romance. Pronounced with a hard e as SEHR-zhuh, it means serious.
However, the Russian variation of Cyrus also has Slavic origins meaning a family of power. Few American celebs go by Sergei, but it’s beloved among Russians. There are reportedly about three million men named Sergei worldwide.
Conclusion
What makes a great Russian boy’s name? For some people, it’s more about popularity than anything else. The more familiar a character is, the better.
However, It’s an approach that has its pros and cons. On the one hand, your child’s name might be all over her college locker; on the other hand.
Furthermore, she could grow up never feeling like she fit in with her classmates. For some people, it matters that their child’s name stands out (or does not sound too much like everyone else’s). For others, it doesn’t matter at all.
