Russian Baby Names

286 Russian names with researched meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.

Russian names are dramatic in the best way — sweeping, romantic and rich with literary history. Russian baby names come with built-in nicknames too, so a grand formal name softens instantly into something cuddly for a toddler. Few traditions give you that much range in one choice.

Popular Russian Girl Names

Anastasia and Tatiana are gloriously elegant, with Anya, Sasha and Lara as their easy short forms. For something rarer, Zoya, Irina, Vera and Natasha.

Strong Russian Boy Names

Nikolai, Maxim and Anton are handsome and confident. For real gravity there is Vladimir, Mikhail and Aleksandr; and the short, sharp Lev and Yuri.

Built-In Nicknames

Russian naming loves affectionate diminutives — Anastasia becomes Anya, Aleksandr becomes Sasha. You get a stately name on the certificate and something warm and small for everyday life.

Every name below links to its own page with a sourced meaning, U.S. popularity, famous bearers, and a clear audio pronunciation — so you can hear it before you choose.

Russian Girl Names

Anastasia#163 in the U.S.Resurrection — from Greek anastasis (resurrection, rising up), from ana (up) + stasis (standing▶Vera#205 in the U.S.Faith; truth; from Latin vera (true) and Russian/Slavic vera (faith)▶Anya#375 in the U.S.Russian and Eastern European diminutive of Anna, from Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace', 'favor', ▶Tiana#598 in the U.S.Short form of Tatiana (from the Roman family Tatius, origin uncertain) or of Christiana (from L▶Sasha#684 in the U.S.Russian and Slavic diminutive of Alexander or Alexandra, from Greek Alexandros composed of alex▶Lara#693 in the U.S.Protection; from the Roman Lares (protective household gods), or as a Russian diminutive of Lar▶Natasha#933 in the U.S.Born on Christmas Day; Russian diminutive of Natalia, from Latin natalis (relating to birth, sp▶Zoya#976 in the U.S.Life; Russian form of the Greek name Zoe, from Greek zoe (life)▶Tatiana#1079 in the U.S.Of the Tatius family; Latin Tatiana, feminine of Tatianus, from the Roman family name Tatius (p▶Sonia#1359 in the U.S.Wisdom, wise one▶Yuliana#1500 in the U.S.A feminine form derived from the Roman family name Julius (Juliana), traditionally interpreted ▶Irina#1567 in the U.S.The Russian and Slavic form of Irene, from Greek 'eirene' meaning 'peace', the name of the Gree▶Nadine#1582 in the U.S.French diminutive of Nadia, ultimately from Russian Nadezhda meaning 'hope'.▶Tamara#1757 in the U.S.Date palm▶Liza#1806 in the U.S.My God is an oath▶Margarita#1808 in the U.S.Pearl▶Dasha#1849 in the U.S.Russian diminutive of Daria/Darya, ultimately from the Old Persian royal name Darayavahush ('po▶Katia#1853 in the U.S.Each of the two▶Yana#1890 in the U.S.God is gracious (Slavic form of Jana/Joanna)▶Natalya#1913 in the U.S.Relating to birth, birthday▶Sonya#1917 in the U.S.Wisdom▶

See all 196 russian girl names →

Russian Boy Names

Nikolai#605 in the U.S.Russian form of Nicholas, from Greek Nikolaos, composed of nike ('victory') and laos ('people')▶Lev#1040 in the U.S.Heart; from Hebrew lev (heart); or lion, from Russian/Slavic lev (lion)▶Yakov#1225 in the U.S.He who supplants, follower at the heel▶Maxim#1446 in the U.S.Greatest, the greatest▶Anton#1477 in the U.S.Continental European form of Anthony, from the Roman family name Antonius, of uncertain (likely▶Denis#1639 in the U.S.From the medieval name Dionysius, ultimately from Dionysos, the Greek god of wine; Saint Denis ▶German#1652 in the U.S.from Latin Germanus meaning "brother, of the same parents"▶Yuri#1803 in the U.S.Farmer, earth-worker (Slavic form of George)▶Mikhail#1908 in the U.S.Who is like God?▶Maksim#1921 in the U.S.Greatest▶Vladimir#1947 in the U.S.To rule▶Artem#2164 in the U.S.Safe▶Sasha#2355 in the U.S.Defender of men; Russian diminutive of Alexander (Greek Alexandros: alexein to defend + aner/an▶Aleksandr#2470 in the U.S.Defender of men; the Slavic form of Alexander, from Greek Alexandros (alexein: to defend + aner▶Andrey#2590 in the U.S.Manly, masculine▶Alexei#2744 in the U.S.Helper▶Kazimir#2760 in the U.S.To destroy▶Kassian#2968 in the U.S.Empty, vain▶Pavel#3308 in the U.S.Slavic form of Paul, from Latin Paulus, 'small, humble'▶Nikita#3430 in the U.S.Russian masculine name from Greek Aniketos, 'unconquered, unconquerable'▶Dmitri#3615 in the U.S.Russian form of Demetrius — Greek Demetrios, 'devoted to Demeter', the goddess of the earth and▶

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Frequently Asked

What are popular Russian girl names?

Popular Russian girl names include Anastasia, Anya, Sasha, Tatiana and Lara.

What are strong Russian boy names?

Strong Russian boy names include Nikolai, Maxim, Anton, Mikhail and Lev.

What are common Russian nicknames?

Anya and Sasha are classic short forms, and both are widely used as full names in their own right today.

How many Russian baby names are on More4Kids?

More4Kids lists 286 Russian baby names, each with a sourced meaning, U.S. popularity, and an audio pronunciation.