The study of names is far from an idle occupation. In some cases, it helps historians to shed light on events of the distant past and even make important discoveries. What can the names say?
The names of Russian princes minted on coins present a curious riddle to scientists. The chronicle claims that after the death of Prince Vladimir in 1015, the Kyiv throne briefly went to his son Svyatopolk the Accursed, and then Yaroslav the Wise became the Grand Duke. The reign of each of these princes is certified, among other things, by the issuance of coins bearing their names. However, archaeologists have also found coins dating back to the same time, with the name "Peter". Moreover, none of the named princes bore such a baptismal name. It turns out that the chroniclers intentionally or unwittingly missed one of the great princes of the early 11th century.
Vladimir Monomakh was an inveterate hunter. Here is how he himself described his adventures: “Two tours threw me with their horns along with the horse, a deer gored me, trampled on my feet, a boar tore off my sword on my hip, a bear bit my sweatshirt at my knee, a fierce beast jumped on my hips and a horse with me overturned."
Now we know that during one of these hunting martial arts, Vladimir Monomakh lost a golden neck amulet found in 1821 in the forests near Chernigov. The Slavic inscription on it reads: "God, help your servant Vasily." This thing is very valuable, and could only belong to the prince. Meanwhile, it is known that Vasily was the baptismal name of Vladimir Monomakh.
As you can see, the name of a person can tell a lot to an inquisitive researcher. It is no coincidence that there is even a science of names - anthroponymy.
2. The origins of Slavic names
Like everything in the world, names have their own history.
In ancient times, the name was given to a person as a sign by which he could be distinguished from the family and clan. Here is what one ancient Russian manuscript says about this: “People of the first generations and times gave their children names, as the father or mother of the child deigns, either according to the appearance of the offspring, or from a thing, or from a parable.” Thus, behind each name there was a meaning understandable to everyone, the meaning of the name was completely transparent.
Names could be given depending on the order and time of birth (Pervusha, Vtoryshka, Tretiak, Devyatko, Subbotka, Veshnyak); they could characterize the circumstances of the birth of a child (Zhdan, Nechaiko, Istoma, Tomilko); names could also determine the physical appearance of the child (Belyak, Ushak, Khudyak, Rusinko, Chernysh), or traits of his character, behavior (Gloom, Buyan, Smeyan, Molchanka, Zlobko). A special layer of names were the names that were given to the child by a tender mother: Bogdan, Lyubava, Lyubim, etc.
There was also a group of security names, names-amulets (Koshchei, Failure, Neustroy, Gryazka). This was done in order to ward off evil spirits from the child. In addition, giving the child the name Failure, it was believed that, on the contrary, he would be lucky, everything would be fine with Neustroy, etc.
The group of the most ancient also included the so-called zoophoric names, dating back to the names of animals, fish, birds and reflecting the remnants of totemism (Bear, Wolf, Horse, Eagle, Drake and others).
An intra-family personal name was given to the child immediately after birth. Having matured, a person received another, so-called street name. Street names that were widespread in Russia included, for example, the following: Gulyayko, Pyanko, Likhachko, Kislyak, Chudinko, Kisel, Yaryga, Negodyayko, Goremyka.
Scientists also call street personal names nicknames. As can be seen from the foregoing, nicknames, as a rule, did not give a very flattering assessment of the person named, however, like most modern nicknames. It just so happened that people usually stand out by no means the best of their qualities.
After the adoption of Christianity, ancient Russian names (they are also called pagan) began to be replaced by new names - church ones. Hundreds of ancient Slavic male and female names are completely out of use.
3. Christian names
Christian names in Russia were known long before the official baptism. Suffice it to recall that Princess Olga (baptized Elena) was a Christian. But those were still isolated cases.
The Russian name book underwent fundamental changes in 989, when the Grand Duke Vladimir baptized the people of Kiev.
The chronicle tells that on this day a lot of people of both sexes and all ages gathered on the banks of the Dnieper. They were divided into groups and ordered in turn to go into the river, which replaced the font. The priests read the prescribed prayers, and then gave each group of those who were baptized Christian names: one male - common to all men, the other female - common to all women. There was no everyday inconvenience from this, since in everyday life the former worldly names were still used. Church names were used in rare cases: in the preparation of a spiritual testament, in commemoration, etc.
With the approval of Christianity, a church onomasticon was formed - a set of names given at baptism. At the beginning of his reign, Vladimir, while still a pagan, sacrificed two Varangian Christians, Ivan and Fedor, to the ancient Russian gods. With the adoption of Christianity, the names Ivan and Fedor became extremely popular. The names of the apostles also became widespread. They are loved to this day - Peter, Pavel, Andrei, Philip, Mark. Along with the Greek names, a lot of Hebrew names, as well as the names of ancient Roman, Syrian, Egyptian saints, got into the Christian name book.
As for the actual Russian, worldly names, they were used for a long time together with church ones in the meaning of personal ones. In the annals and documents of the XI-XIV centuries, one can meet the Novgorod priest "German, called Voyat", "Boyar Fedor, called Road". The scribe of the most ancient Russian book - the so-called Ostromir Gospel, signed: "Joseph is baptized, and the worldly Ostromir."
But already starting from the 15th century, worldly names are increasingly used in the meaning of nicknames: "Prince of Lithuania Ivan, and his nickname is Baba" "Cossack Bogdan, and his name is God knows."
In the XVII-XVIII centuries, church names almost completely replaced the Old Russian ones. But the latter did not disappear without a trace. On their basis, thousands of Russian surnames were created: Belyaevs, Glazkovs, Tretyakovs, Orlovs, Ragozins, Medvedevs, Putins and many, many others.
4. Saints
Saints, or the calendar, is a church calendar indicating the holidays and days of memory of the saints. According to church rules, only these names, consecrated by tradition, should be given to newborns.
The calendar of calendars translated from Greek significantly limited the vocabulary of names: in the oldest of the saints there are only 330 male and 64 female names. In addition, the new names were alien to the Old Russian language: after all, they were not translated, but phonetically accurately conveyed in Slavic sounds. For example, the name Eustolia, given to one Christian martyr, means “well-dressed” in translation. The Greek Didim and the Hebrew Thomas (Thomas in Latin transmission) meant “twin”, etc. Many of the Christian names even find quite exact parallels among the names of Old Russian: Agathon (“kind”) in Slavic would be Dobrynya, Latin Pavel ( "small") corresponds to the Russian Small, or Malyuta, the Hebrew David - Lyubim.
But all these correspondences were unknown to our ancestors. In 1596 (600 years after the introduction of Christian names!) The author of one alphabet book complained: “We Slovenes are inconvenient to know our current names, what is interpreted (i.e. what does it mean) Andrei, that Vasily or Danila.”
It is worth saying that the saints themselves were not without blunders. For example, 3 Scythians are mentioned there, who were executed for their adherence to Christianity in the 1st century AD. Their names were Inna, Pinna and Rimma. But in Russia, these masculine names began to be given to girls. Apparently, the illiterate village priests mistook them for women - according to the characteristic ending in A. The mistake took root, and then it was “legalized”.
Saints are popular among believers today. When choosing a name according to the calendar, they usually look at the child's birthday. If the names of the saints whose memory is celebrated on this day are not too harmonious, it is permissible to choose a name among those saints whose memory is celebrated on the eighth day from birth. If it was not possible to choose a name on the first and eighth day, then they look at the 40th day from birth, because. it is on this day that a child is brought to the temple to perform the sacrament of Holy Baptism.
5. Princely names
During the 700 years of its existence, the grand princely Rurik dynasty developed its own special name-book, which is very popular today.
Unlike ordinary people, Russian princes were called complex, two-part names with the roots "holy", "glory", "volod", "yar". Their sacred nature is obvious, since at least some of them coincide with the names of pagan gods: Yarila, Svyatovid.
The cult of ancestors led to the fact that the newborn prince usually received a name in honor of his grandfather. In some genera, only two or three names were kept for centuries, passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, in the annals, Oleg Svyatoslavichs endlessly alternate with Svyatoslav Olegovichs, Izyaslavs Mstislavichs with Mstislavs Izyaslavichs.
With the adoption of Christianity, the tradition of giving the prince a "significant" name was also transferred to baptismal names. Vladimir Monomakh writes about himself that he was "named in baptism Vasily, and the Russian name is Volodimer."
However, the princes were called by both names - worldly and baptismal - almost exclusively when mentioning church events: their birth, baptism or burial. For example, in the Chronicler of Pereslavl of Suzdal, under the year 1211, we read: "Born to Kostyantin Vsevolodich, a son, and called his name in holy baptism, John, and by prince Vsevolod." In the vast majority of cases, the princes in the annals are called only by Russian names, which are given the name of the main, "princely" names. It was they who were minted on coins: "Prince Volodymyr, and behold his silver."
This continued until the end of the thirteenth century. But then, in connection with the strengthening of the positions of the Christian church, the princes begin to be called by only one, church name - Ivan, Fedor, Andrey, Konstantin, Mikhail, Dmitry ...
However, several Old Russian names still remained in the princely nomenclature. First of all, these are Vladimir, Boris (short for Borislav) and Vsevolod - the names of the princes canonized by the Russian Church. Later, the church recognized six more Slavic names - Yaroslav, Mstislav, Rostislav, Svyatoslav, Oleg, and Vyacheslav - the Russian equivalent of the name of the Czech saint of the tenth century, Prince Vaclav.
Thanks to their inclusion in church calendars, these names have survived to this day. Now "princely" names make up the vast majority of the rather narrow circle of old Russian names that parents call their children.
6. Women's names
The history of the female half of the human race is the history of the gradual acquisition of equal rights with men. The stages of this long process, which took more than one hundred years, are especially clearly visible in the example of the naming of women.
In the monuments of ancient Russian literature of the XI-XIV centuries, women appear as faceless, almost nameless creatures. Of course, they had personal names, but their mention is a rarity: few, for example, Princess Olga, were awarded this honor. In most cases, the naming of a woman was of an indirect nature - through the name of her husband or father. As we know, Yaroslavna in "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" is the patronymic of the daughter of Prince Yaroslav Praskovya. In the annals there is also "Princess Vsevolozhaya" - the wife of the Grand Duke Vsevolod. But by patronymic they called only to know, and for women from the common people, one derivative from the name of her husband was enough - Ivanikha, Pavlikha. Even in the documents such entries were common: "Jacob's daughter, Ivanov's wife of a shoemaker." As you can see, this woman is designated by the name of her father and husband, and even by her husband’s occupation, but her personal name is not indicated, no one used it.
Only in the 15th-17th centuries did the formula of female names begin to approach the male one, since its first component is already the woman's personal name. Moreover, in most cases we are talking about widows who, after the death of their husband, inherited land and other property: the widow Polashka, or the widow Kaptelinka Yakovlevskaya wife of Kupreyanov. The naming of unmarried women at that time was content with an indication of the father: Annitsa Ignatieva's daughter.
At the beginning of the 18th century, the formula for naming a woman underwent further changes: now, in addition to her personal name, a semi-patronymic appears in her composition. Let us confine ourselves to one example: the townsman's widow Paraskovya Pankratov's daughter Prokofiev's wife Nikiforov's son Loktev. In our opinion, this is Praskovya Pankratovna, the wife of Prokofy Nikiforovich Loktev. The forms of naming an unmarried woman during this period were as follows: township girl Ulita Guseva daughter, or: girl Marya Alekseeva daughter.
Finally, in the 19th century, the formula for naming a woman made the last transformation, completely coinciding with the male: for example, Maria Ivanovna Postnikova. The long process of turning a woman into a man has been successfully completed. There was only a little left: to have a short haircut, put on pants, go in for sports and master men's professions.
7. "Revolutionary" names
A new era in the life of Russian personal names began with the decree of the Council of People's Commissars of January 23, 1918, which proclaimed the complete and final separation of the church from the state and school. The saints were rejected with "religious prejudices", instead of baptism, civil registration was accepted, and it was allowed to give any names.
Since 1924, “Soviet calendars” began to appear in millions of copies - desktop and tear-off calendars, in which lists of new names were recommended and ways of creative search were suggested. For example, it was advised to choose any beautiful word for the name: “poem”, “abstraction” or something like that. Do you remember how Bulgakov's Sharikov took his name according to the new calendar - Polygraph Poligrafovich? Do you think the writer was joking or exaggerating reality? Not at all. For example, the tear-off calendar of the North-West Industrial Bureau for 1925 recommended the following names: February 7. Utopian writer Thomas More is born. Suggested names are Thomas and Mora (depending on the sex of the child). On September 23, in memory of the Conference of the 1st International of girls that took place on this day in 1865, it was recommended to call them Interns. There were girls of Eden and Iskra, Volga and Eurasia, Proletkults, and even Artillery Academies in this calendar. The boys were named Tribunes, Tractors, Oyushminalds (Otto Yulievich Schmidt on an ice floe), and some of them were called Glavspirts! And if the name Vilen (Vladimir Ilyich Lenin) still sounds quite acceptable, then Pyatvchet (five-year plan in four years) seems simply nightmarish.
Of course, there have always been more than enough fools in Russia. But there are more sane people, thank God. Despite revolutionary innovations, Russia remained true to the names of its saints, martyrs and heroes. Sergey, Alexandra, Ilya, Ekaterina, Olga and many other proud, tender, romantic names remain our favorites. Children were and will be named after grandparents, and no revolution can prevent this. Even today, according to statistics, 95 percent of Russians have traditional Russian calendar names.
8. Western European names
What do Agafya Lykova and Agatha Christie have in common? Or Ivan the Terrible with Johann Sebastian Bach, John Lennon, Gianni Versace and Jean Marais? Yes, actually, nothing, except that these people are namesakes. But why do the names we are used to sound in a European way so alien to our ears?
All of Europe (and behind it America) also named children according to church calendars. But the Orthodox world borrowed the names of Christian saints through the Greek language, and Catholics and Protestants - through the Latin. Therefore, the same name in Russian sounds completely different than in English or French. It is enough to compare the names of Gavrila and Gabriel, Benjamin and Benjamin, Martha and Martha, Barbara and Barbara.
The fascination of Russians with Western European names began in the 19th century, in connection with the general Franco- and then Anglo-mania. From school literature lessons, we remember Helen Kuragina and Pierre Bezukhov, as well as an excerpt from "Eugene Onegin" about how Tatyana's mother "called Polina Praskovya and spoke in a singsong voice." Of course, when baptizing a newborn, the Russian nobles, as expected, chose a name for the child according to the holy calendar. But from early childhood, the baby was not called by this name, but by a similar French or English one - full (like Helen and Pierre) or diminutive (like Steve Oblonsky or Kitty Shcherbatskaya in Anna Karenina).
We experienced a new rise in the popularity of foreign names and Western variants of common Russian names in the late 60s and early 70s of the last century. It was due to the expansion of ties with Western countries: the growing popularity of Western European and American literature and cinema, and the increasing frequency of marriages with foreigners. Then numerous Artur Semyonovichi and John Tikhonovichi, Angelica, Jeanne, Eduard and even Romuald appeared.
Now times have changed: over the past 10-15 years, we have revised our attitude towards ourselves and towards Western countries. Only the name Kristina reminds of the former outbreak of love for everything foreign, replacing the name Khristina, more familiar to a native Russian speaker, in the list of modern names.
9. Name and destiny
The ancients were sure that the fate of a person, a city and even a state is destined in his name. Today we are far from such ideas, considering them prejudices. However, there is probably a grain of truth in this.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Russian researcher Mintslov wrote about the striking homogeneity of the characters and properties of bearers of the same name. Based on the analysis of the names of prominent personalities of the past, he came to the conclusion that among Alekseevs most often there are prudent people, Alexanders, as a rule, are merry fellows, and Peters are mostly quiet, quiet people, but with a firm and stubborn character. Sergeys, according to Mintslov's observations, are very often the fathers of prominent people: Pushkin, Griboyedov, Turgenev, Dargomyzhsky were Sergeyevichs.
The outstanding Russian scientist and philosopher Pavel Florensky believed that the name Alexander corresponds basically to the sanguine character. The name Elena marks female nature, Nikolai is very kind in character, Vasily usually hides tender feelings in himself, Konstantin is notable for inconstancy.
Speaking of the mysticism of names, one cannot but recall the story of Jack London, in which one woman calls her sons the name of her beloved brother Samuel, who died, and all four of them, one by one, are taken to death.
In 1986, American psychiatrists conducted a study and found that people with strange names are four times more likely than others to have various kinds of mental complexes. Researchers from the Universities of San Diego and Georgia have found that teachers in schools consistently give low grades to students with some names and high grades to others. Girls with attractive names do not advance well in the business world, but they can achieve noticeable success in show business. English therapist Trevor Weston has determined that people whose names begin with letters in the last third of the alphabet are three times more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease.
So, apparently, there is still a certain connection between the name of a person and his mental characteristics. Of course, it cannot be absolutized, but it would also be unreasonable not to take this connection into account at all.
10. Choosing a name
A name is the first gift parents give to a newborn baby, and this gift is for life. What should be guided by when choosing a name for your child?
Of course, there are no instructions in this regard today. Christian saints facilitated and simplified the task, but they have outlived their time. What can now be the criteria common to all names?
There are many beautiful names in the world, as well as beautiful clothes. But the name, unlike the dress, cannot be random. First of all, it should correspond to the national culture and at the same time not be too long and difficult. The name must sound beautiful, be elegant in form, in order to please its bearer. “They gave me the name Anna at baptism, the sweetest for human lips and hearing ...” - this is how Anna Akhmatova spoke about her name, not without pride.
A person, in fact, bears three names at once: his own name, patronymic and surname. And when choosing a name, one must not forget that he will have to sound in the circle of these neighbors and eventually turn into a middle name himself. It is unacceptable that a name, no matter how beautiful it may be, sounds like a complete dissonance with a person's surname. The writer Lev Uspensky recalled the following incident: “In a pre-revolutionary gymnasium, I had a friend who bore the beautiful, proud Spanish name Rodrigo: his mother was Spanish. But his father was Russian. The combination of Rodrigo Stepanov did not seem to us at all majestic or beautiful, we considered it simply ridiculous.
It is desirable that the name does not impede the formation of pet forms (Svetochka, Sanechka, Cornflower, etc.). This makes it possible to convey various nuances of attitude towards a person.
And finally, the last piece of advice: don't be original. Remember that it will not be you who will bear the name, but your child, and not only you, but also those around you will judge him.
Marina Tsvetaeva once wrote:
Your name is a bird in your hand
Your name is ice on the tongue.
Ball caught on the fly
Silver bell in the mouth
This is how our children's names should sound.
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ___
Book "The Last War of the Russian Empire" will be released this autumn.
You can order a copy with an autograph and a gift from the author right now.
The name determines the fate of a person. This is the key to his inner self. After all, it was not without reason that in Russia a person had two names, one - false, for everyone, and the other - secret, only for the person himself and his very close people. This tradition existed as a protection against unkind spirits and unkind people.
Often the first Slavic name was deliberately unattractive (Kriv, Nekras, Malice), for even greater protection from the evil. After all, without a key to the essence of man, it is much more difficult to cause evil. The ceremony of the second naming was carried out in adolescence, when the main character traits were formed. The name was given based on these traits. Slavic names abounded in their diversity, there were groups of names:
1) Names from the animal and plant world (Pike, Ruff, Hare, Wolf, Eagle, Nut, Borsch)
2) Names in order of birth (Pervusha, Vtorak, Tretyak)
3) Names of gods and goddesses (Lada, Yarilo)
4) Names according to human qualities (Brave, Stoyan)
5) And the main group of names are two-basic (Svyatoslav, Dobrozhir, Tikhomir, Ratibor, Yaropolk, Gostomysl, Velimudr, Vsevolod, Bogdan, Dobrogneva, Lyubomila, Miroljub, Svetozar) and their derivatives (Svyatosha, Dobrynya, Tishilo, Ratisha, Putyata, Yarilka , Miloneg).
From the listed names, it is easy to trace the process of creating a derivative name: the second part is cut off from the two-base one and a suffix or ending is added (-neg, -lo, -ta, -tka, -sha, -yata, -nya, -ka).
Example: Svyatoslav: Holy + sha = Holy.
Of course, the names of people carry a significant part of the culture and traditions of the whole people. In Russia, with the advent of Christianity, Slavic names almost completely fell into oblivion. There were lists of Slavic names forbidden by the church. Why this happened is not difficult to guess. One part of the names (Lada, Yarilo) were the names of the Slavic gods, the owners of the second part were people who, even after the Christianization of Russia, tried to restore the cult and traditions (magicians, heroes). To date, only 5% of children in Russia are called Slavic names, which certainly impoverishes the already meager Slavic culture.
LIST OF SLAVIC NAMES
Bazhen is a desired child, desired. The names have the same meaning: Bazhai, Bazhan. Surnames arose from these names: Bazhanov, Bazhenov, Bazhutin.
Bazhen is a female form named after Bazhen.
Beloslav - From BEL - white, turn white and GLORY - praise. Abbreviated names: Belyay, Belyan. Surnames arose from these names: Belov, Belyshev, Belyaev.
Beloslava is the female form named after Beloslav. Short name: Belyan
Berimir - caring about the world.
Berislav - taking glory, taking care of glory.
Berislav is a female form named after Berislav.
Blessing - glorifying kindness.
Blagoslav is a female form named after Blagoslav. Abbreviated names: Blaga, Blagana, Blagina.
Fornication - dissolute, unprofitable. One of the "negative" names. From this name arose the surname: Bludov. Historical personality: Fornication - governor Yaropolk Svyatoslavich.
Bogdan is a child given by God. The name has the same meaning: Bozhko. Surnames arose from these names: Bogdanin, Bogdanov, Bogdashkin, Bozhkov.
Bogdana is the female form of the name Bogdan. Short name: Goddess.
Bogolyub - loving God. From this name arose the surname: Bogolyubov.
Bogomil - dear to God. The name has the same meaning: Bogumil.
Bozidar - gifted by God.
Bozhidara is a female form named after Bozhidar.
Boleslav - famous. Historical figure: Boleslav I - Polish king.
Boleslav is the female form named after Boleslav.
Borimir is a fighter for peace, a peacemaker.
Borislav is a fighter for glory. Abbreviated names: Boris, Borya. Surnames arose from these names: Borin, Boriskin, Borisov, Borisikhin, Borichev, Borischev. Historical personality: Boris Vseslavich Polotsky - Prince of Polotsk, founder of the Drutsk princes.
Borislav is a female form named after Borislav.
Borsch is one of the personalized names of the plant world. In the literal translation: Borscht is the tops of plants. From this name came the surname Borshchev.
Boyan is a storyteller. The name was formed from the verb: bayat - speak, tell, sing. The names have the same meaning: Bayan, Bayan. From these names came the surname: Bayanov. Legendary personality: songwriter - Boyan.
Boyana is the female form named after Boyan.
Bratislav - From BROTHER - to fight and GLORY - to praise.
Bratislava is the female form named after Bratislava.
Bronislav is a defender of glory, protecting glory. The name has the same meaning: Branislav. Short name: Armor.
Bronislava is the female form named after Bronislav.
Bryachislav - from BRYACHI - rattling and SLAV - glorify Historical personality: Bryachislav Izyaslavich - Prince of Polotsk.
Budimir is a peacemaker. From this name came the surnames: Budilov, Budischev.
Velimir is a big world.
Velimira is a female form named after Velimir.
Velimudr - knowledgeable.
Velislav - great glory, the most glorious.
Velislav is a female form named after Velislav. Abbreviated names: Vela, Velika, Velichka.
Wenceslas - dedicated to glory, crowned with glory.
Wenceslas is the female form named after Wenceslas.
Faith is faith, true.
Veselin - cheerful, cheerful.
Vesselina is a female form named after Veselin. The name has the same meaning: Vesela.
Vladimir is the owner of the world. The name has the same meaning: Volodimer. From this name came the surnames: Vladimirov, Vladimirsky, Volodimerov, Volodin, Volodichev. Historical personality: Vladimir I Svyatoslavich the Red Sun - Prince of Novgorod, Grand Duke of Kyiv.
Vladimir is the female form named after Vladimir.
Vladislav - owning fame.
The name has the same meaning: Volodislav. Short name: Vlad. Historical personality: Volodislav is the son of Igor Rurikovich.
Vladislava is the female form named after Vladislav. Short name: Vlad.
Vojislav is a glorious warrior. Abbreviated names: Voilo, Warrior. Surnames originated from these names: Voeikov, Voinikov, Voinov. Historical personality: Warrior Vasilyevich - from the family of Yaroslavl princes.
Vojislava is a female form named after Vojislav.
The wolf is one of the personified names of the animal world. From this name came the surname: Volkov.
Raven is one of the personified names of the animal world. From this name came the surnames: Voronikhin, Voronov.
Vorotislav - returning glory.
Vsevolod is the ruler of the people, who owns everything. From this name came the surnames: Vsevolodov, Vsevolozhsky. Historical personality: Vsevolod I Yaroslavich - Prince of Pereyaslavsky, Chernigov, Grand Duke of Kyiv.
Vsemil - beloved by all.
Vsemila is the female form named Vsemila.
Vseslav - all-glorifying, famous. The name has the same meaning: Seslav. From this name came the surname: Seslavin.
Historical personality: Vseslav Bryachislavich Polotsky - Prince of Polotsk, Grand Duke of Kyiv.
Vseslav - the female form named after Vseslav.
Vtorak is the second son in the family. The names have the same meaning: Second, Vtorusha. Surnames came from these names: Vtorov, Vtorushin.
Vyacheslav - the most glorious, the most glorious. The name has the same meaning: Vatslav, Vysheslav. Surnames came from these names: Vysheslavtsev, Vyacheslavlev, Vyacheslavov. Historical personality: Vyacheslav Vladimirovich - Prince of Smolensk, Turov, Pereyaslavsky, Vyshgorodsky, Grand Duke of Kyiv.
Vyachko is a legendary person: Vyachko is the progenitor of the Vyatichi people.
Godoslav - The name also matters: Godlav. Historical personality: Godoslav - the prince of the Bodrichi-rarogs.
Dove - meek. From this name came the surnames: Golubin, Golubushkin
Much - skillful, capable. From this name came the surname Gorazdov.
Gorislav - fiery, burning in glory.
Gorislava is a female form named after Gorislav.
Gorynya - like a mountain, huge, indestructible. Legendary personality: hero - Gorynya.
Gostemil - dear to another (guest). From this name came the surname: Gostemilov.
Gostomysl - thinking about another (guest). Historical personality: Gostomysl - Prince of Novgorod.
Gradimir - keeping the world.
Gradislav - guarding glory.
Gradislava is the female form named after Gradislav.
Granislav - improving glory.
Granislav is a female form named after Granislav.
Gremislav - famous.
Gudislav is a renowned musician trumpeting fame. Short name: Gudim. From these names came the surname: Gudimov.
Darren - donated.
Darena is the female form of Daren. The names have the same meaning: Darina, Dara.
Devyatko is the ninth son in the family. From this name came the surnames: Devyatkin, Devyatkov, Devyatov. Dobrognev
Dobrolyub - kind and loving. From this name came the surname: Dobrolyubov.
Dobromil - kind and sweet.
Dobromila is a female form named after Dobromil.
Dobromir is kind and peaceful. Abbreviated names: Dobrynya, Dobrysha. From these names came the surnames: Dobrynin, Dobryshin. Legendary personality: hero - Dobrynya.
Dobromir is the female form named after Dobromir. Goodwill - kind and reasonable. From this name came the surname: Dobromyslov.
Dobroslav - glorifying kindness.
Dobroslav - female form named after Dobroslav.
Domaslav - glorifying relatives. Abbreviated name: Domash - one's own, dear. From this name came the surname: Domashov.
Dragomir is more precious than the world.
Dragomir is a female form named after Dragomir.
Dubynya - similar to oak, indestructible. Legendary personality: hero - Dubynya.
Druzhina - comrade.
The common name has the same meaning: Friend. Surnames came from these names: Druzhinin, Drugov, Drunin.
Ruff is one of the personified names of the animal world. From this name came the surname: Ershov.
The lark is one of the personified names of the animal world. From this name came the surname: Zhavoronkov.
Zhdan is a long-awaited child. The surname came from this name: Zhdanov.
Zhdana is a female form named after Zhdan.
Zhiznomir - living in the world.
The hare is one of the personified names of the animal world. From this name came the surname: Zaitsev.
Zvenislava - announcer of glory.
Winter - harsh, merciless. From this name came the surname: Zimin. Legendary personality: Ataman Zima from Razin's army.
Zlatomir - the golden world.
Zlatotsveta - golden-colored. Short name: Zlata.
Malice is one of the "negative" names. From this name came the surnames: Zlobin, Zlovidov, Zlydnev.
Izyaslav - who took glory. Historical personality: Izyaslav Vladimirovich - Prince of Polotsk, founder of the Polotsk princes.
Sincere - sincere. The name has the same meaning: Iskra.
Iskra is the female form named after Iskren.
Istislav - glorifying the truth.
Istoma - languishing (possibly associated with difficult childbirth). From this name came the surnames: Istomin, Istomov.
Casimir - showing the world.
Casimir is the female form named after Casimir.
Koschey - thin, bony. From this name came the surnames: Koshcheev, Kashchenko.
Krasimir - beautiful and peaceful
Krasimira is a female form named after Krasimir. Short name: Beauty.
Curve is one of the "negative" names. From these names came the surname: Krivov.
Lada - beloved, dear. The name of the Slavic Goddess of love, beauty and marriage.
Ladimir - getting along with the world.
Ladislav - glorifying Lada (love).
Swan is a personified name of the animal world. The name has the same meaning: Lybid. From this name came the surname - Lebedev. Legendary personality: Lybid is the sister of the founders of the city of Kyiv.
Luchezar - a luminous beam.
We love - beloved. From this name came the surname: Lyubimov.
Love is beloved. The name has the same meaning: Lyubava. Surnames originated from these names: Lyubavin, Lyubimtsev, Lyubavin, Lyubin, Lyubushin, Lyubimin.
Lyubomila - beloved, dear.
Lubomir is a loving world.
Lubomir is a female form named after Lubomir.
Curiosity - loving to think.
Lyuboslav - loving glory.
Lyudmil is dear to people.
Ludmila is the female form named after Ludmila. Historical personality: Ludmila - Czech princess.
Mal - small, younger. The name has the same meaning: Malay, Mladen. Surnames came from these names: Maleev, Malenkov, Maltsov, Malyshev. Historical personality: Mal - Drevlyansky prince.
Malusha is a female form named after Mal. The name has the same meaning: Mlada. From these names came the surname: Malushin. Historical personality: Malusha is the wife of Syatoslav Igorevich, the mother of Vladimir Svyatoslavich.
Mechislav - glorifying sword.
Milan is cute. The name has the same meaning: Milen. Surnames originated from these names: Milanov, Milenov.
Milana is the feminine form of Milan. The names have the same meaning: Milava, Milada, Milena, Milica, Umila. From these names came the surname: Milavin. Historical personality: Umila is the daughter of Gostomysl.
OLD AND RARE RUSSIAN NAMES.
AVDEUS - (Heb.) - servant
AURELIUS - (lat) - golden)
AGAP - (Greek) - beloved
AKAKIY - (Greek) - gentle
AKILA - (lat) - eagle
ALEXEY - (Greek) - defender
ALIM - (Greek) - anointed
ALONY - unknown
AMFIL - (Greek) - from Amphilia
ANIKA - (Greek) - invincible
ANISIM - (Greek) - useful
ANTIP - (Greek) - stubborn
ARDALLION - (lat) - idle
ARIEL - (Heb) - God's lion
ARTAMON - (Greek) - sail
ASTION - (Greek) - urban
ASTERIUS - (Greek) - starry
BABYLA - (Heb) - from Babylon
VALENT - (lat) - healthy
VALENTIN - (lat) - healthy
BARBAR - (Greek) - foreigner
BASILIDS - (Greek) - son of the king
BASILY - (Greek) - king
BASILISK - (Greek) - king
BELISARY - (Greek) - shooter
VIANOR - (Greek) - strong
VICTOR - (lat) - winner
VISSARION - (Greek) - forest
VITALY - (lat) - vital
GALAKTION - (Greek) - milky
GALASIA - (Greek) - laughing
GERASIM - (Greek) - venerable
HERON - (Greek) - old
GILAR - (Greek) - cheerful
DAVID - (Heb) - beloved
DAN - (Heb) - judge
DAY - (Greek) - divine
DIODOR - (Greek) - God's gift
DONAT - (lat) - bestowed
EPHREM - (Heb) - prolific
ZAHAR - (Heb) - the memory of God
ZOT - (Greek) - life
IZOT - (Greek) - life
ELIY - (Greek) - solar
ILIODOR - (Greek) - gift of Helium
JOB - (Heb) - persecuted
IONA - (Heb) - dove
IPAT - (Greek) - high
IPPOLIT - (Greek) - driver
IRINEUS - (Greek) - peaceful
ISAK (ISAAK) - (Heb) - laughter
ISIDOR - (Greek) - gift of Isis
KALIDIUM - (lat) - ardent
KALIST - (Greek) - beautiful
KARION - (Greek) - Karyan
CARP - (Greek) - fruit
KIRYAN - (Greek) - lord
KIRILL - (Greek) - Lord's
CLAUDIUS - (lat) - lame
KONON - (Greek) - worker
KRONID - (Greek) - son of Kron
LAVR - (Greek) - laurel
LEON - (Greek) - lion
LEONID - (Greek) - son of a lion
LEONTIUS - (Greek) - lion
LOT - (Heb) - bedspread
LUKA - (lat) - luminous
MAVR - (Greek) - dark-skinned
MAXIM - (lat) - big
MARES - (lat) - lord
MARIUS - (lat) - lord
MARKIAN - (lat) - son of Mark
MARON - (sir) - our Lord
MATVEY - (Heb) - gift of God
MILY - (Greek) - apple
MODEST - (lat) - modest
NAUM - (Heb) - consolation
NIKITA - (Greek) - winner
NIKON - (Greek) - victorious
NIT - (Greek) - shine
NOY - (Heb) - unknown
ODYSSEY - (Greek) - angry
ONISIM - (Greek) - useful
ORENTIUS - (Greek) - mountainous
OREST - (Greek) - Highlander
PAUL - (lat) - small
PAISIY - (Greek) - child
PARD - (Greek) - leopard
POTAP - (Egypt) - supreme
PATRIKEY - (lat) - noble
PELEUS - (Greek) - clay
PEREGRIN - (lat) - wanderer
PETER - (Greek) - stone
PETRONIUS - (Greek) - stone
PERFIL - (Greek) - purple
PIMEN - (Greek) - shepherd
PLATON - (Greek) - wide
PONTIUS - (Greek) - marine
PROV - (lat) - honest
PROKL - (lat) - distant
PROTAS - (Greek) - advanced
RIKS - (lat) - king
RUFIN - (lat) - red
SAVIN - (lat) - Sabine
SAMSON - (Heb) - sunny
NORTH - (lat) - strict
SIDOR - (Greek) - gift of Isis
POWER - (lat) - peace
SOLOMON - (Heb) - peaceful
SOPHON - (Heb) - God covered
STRATON - (Greek) - belligerent
TIT - (lat) - caring
TIKHON - (Greek) - lucky
TRIFON - (Greek) - pampered
TURVON - (lat) - whirlwind
UVAR - (lat) - bow-legged
URVAN - (lat) - polite
URIEL - (Heb) - fire
PHEDR - (Greek) - shining
FEDUL - (Greek) - God's servant
FELIX - (lat) - happy
FERAPONT - (Greek) - servant
FILARET - (Greek) - dobrolyub
PHILII - (Greek) - love
PHILIMON - (Greek) - beloved
PHILOTHEUS - (Greek) - Bogolyub
FIRM - (Greek) - strong
FOCA - (Greek) - from Phokis
FOMA - (Greek) - twin
PHOTIUS - (Greek) - light
JULIUS - (lat) - curly
FEMALE NAMES.
ADA - (Heb) - decoration
ANGELINA - (Greek) - messenger
ANISYA - (Greek) - successful
ANFISA - (Greek) - blooming
VARVARA - (Greek) - foreigner
VASSA - (Greek) - desert
VICTORIA - (lat) - victory
GALATEA - (Greek) - dairy
GALINA - (Greek) - quiet
DAMARA - (Greek) - wife
DARIA - (Persian) - owning
DIGNA - (lat) - slender
DOMNA - (lat) - mistress
EVE - (Heb) - life
Euphemia - (Greek) - sacred
ELENA - (Greek) - light
ESENIA - (Arabic) - beautiful
ZOYA - (Greek) - life
ILARIA - (Greek) - cheerful
INNA - (lat) - floating
IRAID - (Greek) - daughter of Hera
IRINA - (Greek) - peaceful
ISIDOR - (Greek) - gift of Isis
IA - (Greek) - violet
KALERIA - (Greek) - beautiful
KALIDA - (Greek) - beautiful
KALISA - (Greek) - beautiful
CASINIA - (lat) - maid
KIRA - (Greek) - Lord's
KIRYANA - (Greek) - mistress
CLAUDIA - (lat) - lame
CLARA - (lat) - clear
CONCORDIA - (lat) - consent
LARINA - (lat) - seagull
LEONIL - (Greek) - lioness
LEIA - (Heb) - antelope
LUKI - (Greek) - luminous
MAVRA - (Greek) - dark-skinned
MANETHA - (Heb) - given
MARINA - (lat) - marine
MARFA - (lat) - mistress
NIKA - (Greek) - victory
PAVLA - (Greek) - small
PAVLINA - (Greek) - small
PINNA - (lat) - pearl
RAISA - (Greek) - careless
RIMMA - (Heb) - apple
RUFINA - (lat) - red
SALOME - (Heb) - calm
SARRA - (Heb) - mistress
SOLOMONIA - (Heb) - peaceful
SOPHIA - (Greek) - wise
TAIFA - (Heb) - gazelle
TAMARA - (Heb) - fig tree
TRIPHENA - (Greek) - tender
FAINA - (Greek) - shining
FYOKLA - (Greek) - the glory of God
FAIRY - (Greek) - goddess
FOTA - (Greek) - light
HARISA - (Arabic) - guard
CHRIS - (Greek) - golden
Registration number 0294525 issued for the work:
Once upon a time, the tribes of the Slavs, our ancestors, lived on the southeastern tip of Europe. They had their own, Slavic language, their own culture and, of course, their own names. These names were very different, but their meaning was quite clear to those around them, since they were compiled on the basis of their own verbal meanings. For example, men called each other like this: Bazhen, Baluy, Flea, Vlad, Second, Walk, Duda, Tomilo, Strength, Nekras, Devil, Shish, Yavul, Yaroy ... Among the ruling class, two-part names prevailed: Gostomysl, Vladimir, Mstislav, Izyaslav , Svyatopolk, Borivoy, Dobrognev and others. And the woman had the following names: Baya, Belika, Birch, Vera, Veselina, Cherry, Goditsa, Grida, Dana, Darena, Envy, Willow, Kveta, Lepa, Lyubisha, Milolika, Nezha, Pervunya, Rakita, Tsvetana, Charusha, Yara , Yasen and many, many like them, taken from the surrounding life and understandable to everyone without any translation.
But then the time came for the Eastern Slavs to unite into a large and strong state. As is often the case, one of the powerful unifying factors in this process was religion. And again, as is often the case, the main religion was not its own primordial faith, but another religion, from the outside, which turned out to be stronger at that time and more suitable for uniting heterogeneous tribes and languages into one nationwide state system.
For Europeans, Christianity turned out to be such a powerful locomotive religion, based on ancient Jewish mythology. Later, this mythology was creatively developed by the Greeks, the most advanced and progressive people of antiquity. The Greeks developed the cult of worship in detail, giving its actions and objects Greek names and - gave rise to the tradition of calling all those converted to the Christian faith by Greek names, for the most part. Later, the Romans came to the state leaders of southwestern Europe, western Asia and northern Africa, who contributed to the naming of Christians. And, of course, many Jewish names remained in Christianity, only a few modified in their spelling and pronunciation in a new language environment for them.
Our ancestors, the Eastern Slavs, began to be called Russian by the name of the leading state-forming people, the Rus, and their state was nicknamed Rus from those Rus. They adopted Christianity later than the Latins and most of the Germans - at the very end of the 10th century AD, and adopted it from the eastern part of the Roman world, which had split into two parts, from the state of Byzantium or Romea. The state language, as they would now say, of Byzantium was the Greek language, and the orthodox version of the Christian faith was confessed there. In Russia, this faith was later called Orthodoxy, and at first they called the right faith, and themselves - orthodox.
In addition to Russia, other neighboring peoples also became Orthodox, many of them even earlier than the Russians. For example, Bulgarians, Serbs, Romanians, Ossetians, and before all Georgians. It so happened that in the first centuries in the Russian state, the entire top of the priesthood-priesthood was made up of newcomer Greeks. This is probably why the Russians found their Slavic names over time far on the periphery of naming, and the number of new Christian names turned out to be disproportionately large compared to other Orthodox peoples (except for the Greeks, where these names were native). Although in the first centuries of the existence of Kievan Rus there was a so-called double naming. That is, along with the Slavic familiar name, the baby at baptism received in addition, moreover, as the official main one, also a Christian name. One of the prominent Russian princes of that time, Vladimir Monomakh (late 11th - early 12th century AD), who, according to Christian custom, was called Vasily, directly wrote about this.
Later, the original Slavic names were almost completely ousted from the life of our ancestors, except for a small part of them associated with the name of the ancient Slavic saints recognized by the church. And the Greek names in their meaning and origin began to occupy the Russians - and now they occupy - the first place in the number of name-bearers. And the first by a wide margin from the rest. The second and third places were Jewish and Roman names, only the fourth place was Slavic, and there are also a few names taken from other peoples, such as Arameans, Persians, Syrians, Egyptians, and so on.
Once in a new cultural and linguistic Slavic environment for them, the Greco-Roman-Jewish names changed somewhat, as if adjusted to the Slavic pronunciation. The Slavs abandoned the whistling Greek endings OS and EC, and the new names in their mouths became more solid and solid than before. Of the large number of Christian-Greek names proposed by the new spiritual authorities to their flock, only a part of them remained over time, the most suitable for the Russian ear, and the most unpronounceable names, although they were included in the lists for obligatory naming (the so-called saints), in wide use and circulation were not accepted because of their complexity and incomprehensibility. Many of these names that did not come into use were very funny and strange for the Slavic consciousness, such as, for example, these among men: Varipsav, Genoflius, Honorat, Desiderius, Exuperantius, Yehudiel, Iperichiy, Kalyumnioz, Lupp, Puplius, Primitiv, Satyr, Tychik, Fafuil, Fuchsik, Hudion and others. And from among the dissonant female Greek names I will name the following: Gaafa, Golinduha, Denegatia, Dragon, Nunechia, Perpetua, Plakilla, Prepedigna, Sinferusa, Yazdundokta ...
Yes, such names were, as they say, God forbid!
In addition, Russian people tend to call each other by diminutive names, which greatly simplifies communication. And further. Many male Christian names sounded and sound very powerful and strong. In principle, the majority of such names. For example, the names Andron, Gerasim, Dormidont, Yegor, Evgraf, Kronid, Lavr, Martemyan, Nazar, Nikandr, Pankrat, Prokhor, Firs, Frol and others are very strong and powerful in terms of their energy - that is, the sound wave. And female names, such as these: Aksinya, Anastasia, Evlalia, Elena, Iya, Kalisa, Xenia, Natalya, Taisiya or Yulia, are gentle and soft.
This is fine. This is how it should be: strong and hard names should prevail among male names, and beautiful and soft ones among female ones. Because the main male natural essence is strength and will, and the main female natural essence is tenderness and love. Therefore, our ancestors completely tuned in to Christian names that were foreign to them and over the centuries literally got used to them. These names are now inextricably linked with our history and our former culture. True, times are inevitably changing, and now we have a lot of completely different names in everyday life, but still the basis of the current Russian name-book is now Christian names that are familiar to everyone.
The author managed to collect a large number of old Russian names of Christian origin. Most of this collection was widely used both among the people and among the ruling class, as well as among the monastics and priests. The list below contains just such names, and the author tried not to include unpronounceable and rarely used names there, although a certain number of such names are also presented in the list.
So - here is this list of old Orthodox Russian names:
ABEL - (Heb) - light breath
ARON (AARON) - (Heb) - mountainous, high
ABBAKUM (ABAKUM) - (Heb) - the embrace of God
AUGUSTINE - (lat) - sacred, majestic
AVDEUS - (Heb.) - servant
AVENIR - (Heb) - Father-light (in the sense of God-light)
AVERKY - (lat) - holding
AVERYAN - (lat) - driving away (enemies)
ABIL - from Babylon (Heb) - Babylonian
AVSEUS - from Eusebius (Greek) - pious
AKSYON - from Auxentius (Greek) - growing
ABRAAM (ABRAM) - (Heb) - father of many (nations)
AURELIUS - (lat) - golden)
AUTONOMY - (Greek) - independent
AGAP - (Greek) - beloved
AGAPIT - (Greek) - beloved
AGAFANGEL - (Greek) - messenger of love
AGAFON (GAPON) - (Greek) - good
AGEY (AGGEY) - (Heb) - solemn
Agnius - (Greek) - pure, immaculate
ADAM - (Heb) - man of clay
ASIA - from Aza (Heb) - powerful, strong
AZAR - from Azariah (Heb) - God's help
AKAKIY - (Greek) - gentle
AKILA - (lat) - eagle
Akim - from Joachim (Heb) - God affirms
AKSYON - (Greek) - multiplication
ANDRIYAN (ADRIAN) - (lat) - from Adria
ANKUDIN - from Akindin (Greek) - safe
ALIFAN - from Alvian (lat) - white
ALEXANDER - (Greek) - protector of husbands
ALEXEY - (Greek) - defender
ALIM - (Greek) - anointed
ALIPIY - (Greek) - carefree
ALONY - unknown
ALFEY - (Greek) - in honor of the god of the river of the same name
ALFYOR - (Greek) - worthy to be free
ALFIM - from Evfimy (Greek) - benevolent
AMBROSIUS (ABROSIM) - (Greek) - immortal
AMOS - (Heb) - bearing weight
AMFIL - (Greek) - from Amphilia
ANANIUS - (Heb) - the grace of God
ANASTASIO (ANASTAS) - (Greek) - resurrected
ANATOLY - (Greek) - eastern, ascending, or from Anatolia
ANGEL (ANGEL) - (Greek) - God's messenger
ANDREY (ANDRON) - (Greek) - courageous
ANDRONIK - (Greek) - winner of husbands
ANIKA - (Greek) - invincible
ANISIM - (Greek) - useful
ANTIP - (Greek) - stubborn
ANTIPATHER - (Greek) - father's deputy
ANTON (ANTONY) - (lat) - large
ANTROP (ANDROP) - from Eutrop (Greek) - well-behaved
ANFIM (ANFIR) - (Greek) - blooming
ANUFRIUS - (Greek) - sacred bull
ANTSIFER - (Greek) - beneficial
APELLES - (Greek) - collector
APOLLO (APOLLONIUS) - (Greek) - in honor of the god Apollo
APOLLINARIUS - (Greek) - dedicated to Apollo
ARDALLION - (lat) - idle
ARETHIUS - (Greek) - glorious in deeds
ARIA - (Greek) - dedicated to Ares
ARIS (ARIAN) - (Greek) - dedicated to Ares
ARISTARCH - (Greek) - the best ruler
ARISTON (ARISTION) - (Greek) - dedicated to the god Aristaeus.
ARIEL - (Heb) - God's lion
ARKADY - (Greek) - a shepherd, or from Arcadia
ARMODY - (Greek) - suitable
ARSENY (ARSENTIY, ARSEN) - (Greek) - courageous
ARTEMIUS (ARTEM) - (Greek) - dedicated to Artemis
ARTAMON - (Greek) - sail
ARCHIP - (Greek) - senior rider
ASTAPHY - from Eustathius (Greek) - well-appointed
ASTION - (Greek) - urban
ASTERIUS - (Greek) - starry
ATHANASIUS - (Greek) - immortal
ATHINOGENS - (Greek) - born of Athena
ATHINODOR - (Greek) - Athena's gift
AFRANIUS - (lat) - African
AFRICAN - (lat) - African
ATHO (ATHONY) - (Greek) - independent
ACHILLIUS (ACHILLUS) - (Greek) - in honor of the hero Achilles
BABYLA - (Heb) - from Babylon
VALENT - (lat) - healthy
VALENTIN - (lat) - healthy
VALERIAN (VALERIAN) - (lat) - son of Valery
VALERY - (lat) - healthy, strong
BARBAR - (Greek) - foreigner
VARLAM (VARLAAM) - (aramean) - the son of God
BARNABA - (Aramaean) - the son of the prophet
BARFOLOMEY (VACHROMEUS) - (aramey) - son of arable land
BASILIDS - (Greek) - son of the king
BASILY - (Greek) - king
BASILISK - (Greek) - king
VASSIAN - (Greek) - son of Vass, Vassia
VEDENEY - from Benedict (lat) - blessed
BELISARY - (Greek) - shooter
VENEDIM - (lat) - from the Wends origin
VENEDIKT - (lat) - blessed
VENIAMIN - (Heb) - son of the right hand
VIANOR - (Greek) - strong
VIKENTIY - (lat) - victorious
VICTOR - (lat) - winner
VISSARION - (Greek) - forest
VITALY - (lat) - vital
VLAS (VLASIY) - (Greek) - rough, simple
VIKUL (VUKOL) - (Greek) - shepherd
GABRIEL (GABRIL) - (Heb) - the fortress of God
GAI - (Greek) - earthly, dedicated to Gaia
GALAKTION - (Greek) - milky
GEDEON - (Heb) - who knows how to handle weapons
GALASIA - (Greek) - laughing
HELIUM - (Greek) - solar, dedicated to Helios
HECTOR - (Greek) - Almighty
GENNADY - (Greek) - well-born
GEORGE - (Greek) - farmer
GERASIM - (Greek) - venerable
GERMAN - (lat) - consanguineous, native
HERMOGENES - (Greek) - from the genus Hermes
HERON - (Greek) - old
GILAR - (Greek) - cheerful
GORGIA - (Greek) - formidable, terrible
GORDIAN - (Greek) - son of Gordias
GORDEY (GORDIUS) - (Phrygian-Greek) - unknown
GRIGORY - (Greek) - vigilant, awake
GURIY (GURYAN) - (Heb) - lion cub
DAVID - (Heb) - beloved
DALMAT - (Greek) - from Dalmatia
DAN - (Heb) - judge
DANIEL (DANILA) - (Heb) - my destiny
DAY - (Greek) - divine
DEMENTIUM - (lat) - tamer
DEMYAN (DAMIAN) - (Heb) - tamed
DENIS (DIONISIUS) - (Greek) - dedicated to Dionysus
DIODOR - (Greek) - God's gift
DIOMIDE (DEMID) - (Greek) - God's advice
DION - (Greek) - from the name of the city
DMITRY (DEMITRY) - (Greek) - dedicated to Demeter
DONAT - (lat) - bestowed
DORMIDONT - (Greek) - head of the spearmen
DOROTHEY - (Greek) - given by God
DOSITHEY - (Greek) - given by God
EUGENE - (Greek) - noble
Evgraf - (Greek) - hand-written handsome man
Evdokim - (Greek) - full of kindness
EVLALIY - (Greek) - genteel
Evlampy - (Greek) - blessed
Eulogius - (Greek) - blessed, eloquent
EUMEN - (Greek) - supportive
ENIKEY - (Greek) - victorious
EVSEUS (EVSEVIUS) - (Greek) - pious
EVSTIGNEY - (Greek) - a good relative
EUSTAFIUS (OSTAP) - (Greek) - well-appointed
EUSTRAT (ELISTRAT) - (Greek) - good warrior
Eutychius - (Greek) - happy
EGOR - from George (Greek) - farmer
ELIZAR (ELEAZAR) - (Greek) - God's help
ELISHA - (Heb) - God saved
EMELYAN (EMILY) - (lat) - affectionate
EPIFAN - (Greek) - revealed by God
EREMEY - (Heb) - exalted by God
YERMIL (ERMILA) - (Greek) - guardian of the Hermes Grove
YERMOLAI - (Greek) - the people of Hermes
EROFEI - (Greek) - dedicated to God
EFIM (EVFIMII) - (Greek) - benevolent
Euphrasius - (Greek) - speaking well
EPHREM - (Heb) - prolific
ZABULON - (Heb) - honor and praise
ZAHAR - (Heb) - the memory of God
ZYNOVIUS - (Greek) - living pleasing to God
ZENON - (Greek) - divine
ZOIL - (Greek) - kind to animals
ZOSIMA - (Greek) - girdling on the way
ZOT - (Greek) - life
IGNAT (IGNATIY) - (lat) - fiery
IZOT - (Greek) - life
ILLARION (ILARY) - (Greek) - cheerful
ELIY - (Greek) - solar
ILIODOR - (Greek) - gift of Helium
ILYA (ELILYA) - (Heb) - my God
INNOCENT - (lat) - innocent
JOHN (IVAN) - (Heb) - God's grace
JOB - (Heb) - persecuted
IONA - (Heb) - dove
JOSEPH (JOSIA, OSIP) - (Heb) - God multiplied
JORDAN - (Heb) - in honor of the Jordan River
IPAT - (Greek) - high
IPPOLIT - (Greek) - driver
HERACLES - (Greek) - dedicated to Hercules
IRINEUS - (Greek) - peaceful
ISAK (ISAAK) - (Heb) - laughter
ISAI - (Heb) - God's salvation
ISIDOR - (Greek) - gift of Isis
KALIDIUM - (lat) - ardent
KALINIK (KALENIK) - (Greek) - beautifully victorious
KALIST - (Greek) - beautiful
CALISTRAT - (Greek) - a beautiful warrior
CALISPHENE - (Greek) - beauty and strength
CANDID - (lat) - pure, sincere
KAPITON - (lat) - big-headed
CARI - (Greek) - originally from Kari, Kari
KARION - (Greek) - Karyan
CARP - (Greek) - fruit
CASTOR - (Greek) - brilliant boss
KASYAN - (lat) - a descendant of Cassius
CAESAR - (lat) - Caesar, emperor
KIPRIAN (KUPRIYAN) - (Greek) - originally from Cyprus
KIR (KIREI) - (Greek) - lord
KIRYAK - (Greek) - Lord's Day
KIRYAN - (Greek) - lord
KIRILL - (Greek) - Lord's
KIRSAN - from Chrysanth (Greek) - golden-colored
CLAUDIUS - (lat) - lame
KLIM (KLIMENT, KLIMENTY) - (lat) - gracious
KONDRAT (KONDRATIY) - from Square (lat) - square, dense
KONON - (Greek) - worker
KONSTANTIN - (lat) - persistent, constant
CORNIL (CORNELIUS) - (lat) - horned
CORONAT - (lat) - crowned, crowned
KOZMA (KUZMA) - (Greek) - space
KRONID - (Greek) - son of Kron
LAVR - (Greek) - laurel
LAVRENTY - (Greek) - laureate crowned with laurel
LAZARUS - (Heb) - God's help
LEON - (Greek) - lion
LEONID - (Greek) - son of a lion
LEONTIUS - (Greek) - lion
LIN - (Greek) - beautiful flower
LIPAT - from Ipat (Greek) - high
LOGIN (LONGIN) - (lat) - long
LOLLI - (Greek) - cockle grass
LOT - (Heb) - bedspread
LUKA - (lat) - luminous
LUKYAN - (lat) - son of Luke, bright
MAVR - (Greek) - dark-skinned
MAURITIUS - (Greek) - son of Moor
MAKAR (MAKARY) - (Greek) - blessed, happy
MACEDON (MACEDONIAN) - (Greek) - from Macedonia, Macedonian
MAXIM - (lat) - big
MAXIMILIAN - (lat) - as affectionate as possible
MALATHEY - from Malachi (Heb) - God's messenger
MALC - (Heb) - supreme ruler
MANUEL (MANUYLA) - from Emmanuel (Heb) - God is with us
MARES - (lat) - lord
MARIUS - (lat) - lord
MARIAN - (lat) - a descendant of Mary, marine
MARK - (lat) - dry, withered
MARKEL (MARKELL) - (lat) - warlike
MARKIAN - (lat) - son of Mark
MARON - (sir) - our Lord
MARTYN - (lat) - warlike
MARTYAN (MARTEMYAN) - (lat) - son of Martin
MATVEY - (Heb) - gift of God
Melentius - (Greek) - caring
MELITON - (Greek) - filled with honey
MERCURY (MERCULE) - (lat) - the messenger of the gods, an analogue of Hermes
METHODIUS - (Greek) - purposeful
MILY - (Greek) - apple
MINAI (MINEY) - (Greek) - lunar
MIRON - (Greek) - exuding myrrh
MITRODOR - (Greek) - mother's gift
MITROFAN - (Greek) - manifested by the mother
MICHAEL - (Heb) - like God
MICHAEY - from Michael (Heb) - god-like
MODEST - (lat) - modest
MOSES - (Heb) - pulled out of the water
MOKEY (MOKIY) - (Greek) - mocker
NAZAR - (Heb) - dedicated to God
NAUM - (Heb) - consolation
NATHAN (NATHANAEL) - (Heb) - given by God
NECTARY - (Greek) - nectar
NEON - (Greek) - new, young
NESTOR - (Greek) - returning home
NIKANDR - (Greek) - husband-winner
NIKANOR - (Greek) - husband-winner
NIKITA - (Greek) - winner
NIKIFOR - (Greek) - victorious
NIKODEM - (Greek) - conquering people
NICHOLAS (NIKOLA) - (Greek) - conquering people
NIKON - (Greek) - victorious
NIKOSTRAT - (Greek) - victorious warrior
NIL - (Greek) - in honor of the Nile River
NIT - (Greek) - shine
NIFONT - (Greek) - sober, reasonable
NOY - (Heb) - unknown
ODYSSEY - (Greek) - angry
OLYMPUS (OLYMPIUS) - (Greek) - Olympian, in honor of Mount Olympus
ONISIM - (Greek) - useful
ONUFRY - (Greek) - sacred bull
ORENTIUS - (Greek) - mountainous
OREST - (Greek) - Highlander
ORION - (Greek) - in honor of the mythical giant hero
OSIP (JOSEPH) - (Heb) - God multiplied
PAUL - (lat) - small
PEACOCK - (lat) - from Pavel, small
PAISIY - (Greek) - child
PALAMON - (Greek) - active
PALLADIUS - (Greek) - in honor of Pallas Athena.
PAMFIL (PANFIL) - (Greek) - everyone's favorite
PANKRAT - (Greek) - almighty
PANTELEI (PANTELEIMON) - (Greek) - all-merciful
PARAMON - (Greek) - permanent, solid
PARD - (Greek) - leopard
PARIGORIUS - (Greek) - comforter
PARMEN (PARMENIUS) - (Greek) - resistant
PARTHEN (PARTHENIUS) - (Greek) - chaste
POTAP - (Egypt) - supreme
PATRIKEY - (lat) - noble
PAFNUTIUS - (Egypt) - belonging to God
PAHOM - (Greek) - broad-shouldered
PELEUS - (Greek) - clay
PEREGRIN - (lat) - wanderer
PETER - (Greek) - stone
PETRONIUS - (Greek) - stone
PERFIL - (Greek) - purple
PIMEN - (Greek) - shepherd
PITIRIM - (Sogd) - active
PLATON - (Greek) - wide
POLUEKT - (Greek) - much-desired
POLYCARP - (Greek) - multiple
POLIT - from Hippolyte (Greek) - the owner of the stable
POLYVIUS - (Greek) - multi-life
POMPEY (POMPIUS) - (Greek Lat) - participant in the procession
PONTIUS - (Greek) - marine
PORPHYRY - (Greek) - purple
PROV - (lat) - honest
PROKL - (lat) - distant
PROCOP (PROKOFII) - (Greek) - prosperous
PROTAS - (Greek) - advanced
PROKHOR - (Greek) - leader of the choir
PSOY - (Egypt) - high, high
RADIUM - (Greek) - sunbeam
RADION (RODION) - from Herodium (Greek) - heroic
RAPHAEL - (Heb) - God's healing
RIKS - (lat) - king
ROMAN - (lat) - in honor of the founder of Rome
REUBIM - (Heb) - "look - son!"
RUFIN - (lat) - red
SAVVA (SAVATIY) - (aram-heb) - old man
SAVELY - (Heb) - asked from God
SAVIN - (lat) - Sabine
SADOK (SADKO) - (Heb) - righteous
SAMSON - (Heb) - sunny
SAMUEL (SAMOYLA) - (Heb) - heard by God
SARMAT - (Greek) - from Sarmatia
SEVASTIAN (SAVOSTIAN) - (Greek) - venerable
NORTH - (lat) - strict
SEVERYAN - (lat) - son of the North
SERAPHIM - (Heb) - fiery angel
SERGEY (SERGII) - (lat) - highly esteemed
SIDOR - (Greek) - gift of Isis
SELIFAN (SILUAN) - (lat) - forest
POWER - (lat) - peace
SILVESTR (SELIVERST) - (lat) - forest
SEMYON (SIMEON) - (Heb) - hearing God
SYSOI - from Sisoy (Heb) - white marble
SOZON (SAZON) - (Greek) - savior
SOCRATES - (Greek) - retaining power
SOLOMON - (Heb) - peaceful
SOPHON - (Heb) - God covered
SOFRON - (Greek) - prudent
SPIRIDON (SVIRID) - (Greek) - wicker basket
STEPAN (STEFAN) - (Greek) - crowned
STRATON - (Greek) - belligerent
TARAS (TARASIY) - (Greek) - rebel
TERENTIY - (Greek-lat) - threshing bread
TIGER (TIGRIUS) - (Greek) - tiger
TIMOLAY - (Greek) - honoring people
TIMON - (Greek) - respectful
TIMOTHEUS - (Greek) - worshiping God
TIT - (lat) - caring
TIKHON - (Greek) - lucky
TREFIL (TRIFIL) - (Greek) - shamrock
TRIFON - (Greek) - pampered
TROFIM - (Greek) - pupil
TROYAN - (lat) - from Troy, Trojan
TURVON - (lat) - whirlwind
UVAR - (lat) - bow-legged
ULYAN - (lat) - from the genus Yuliev
URVAN - (lat) - polite
URIEL - (Heb) - fire
USTIN - from Justin (lat) - righteous
FAUMAS - (Greek) - amazing
FADEUS (THADDEUS) - (Heb) - praise to God
FALAFE - (Greek) - flowering olive
PHEDR - (Greek) - shining
FYODOR (FEODOR) - (Greek) - divine kind
THEODORITE - (Greek) - God's gift
THEOGNIUS - (Greek) - born of God
FEDOSEY (FEODOSIY) - (Greek) - given by God
FEDOT - (Greek) - given by God
FEDUL - (Greek) - God's servant
FELIX - (lat) - happy
THEODORITE - (Greek) - given by God
FEOKTIST - (Greek) - God created
FEOFAN (FOFAN) - (Greek) - revealed by God
THEOPHIL (FEFIL) - (Greek) - God-loving
FERAPONT - (Greek) - servant
FETIS - (Greek) - God created
FILAGRIUS - (Greek) - loving the village
FILARET - (Greek) - dobrolyub
FILAT - (Greek) - God-protected
PHILII - (Greek) - love
PHILIMON - (Greek) - beloved
PHILIP - (Greek) - horse lover
PHILO - from Filimon (Greek) - favorite
PHILOTHEUS - (Greek) - Bogolyub
FIRM - (Greek) - strong
FIRS - (Greek) - thyrsus, a rod entwined with grapes
FLAVIA - lat) - yellow, golden
FLEGON - (lat) - burning, zealous
FLORENT - (lat) - blooming
FOCA - (Greek) - from Phokis
FOMA - (Greek) - twin
FORT (FORTUNAT) - (lat) - happy
PHOTIUS - (Greek) - light
FROL - from Flor (Greek) - blooming
KHARLAM (HARLAMPIY) - (Greek) - glowing with joy
KHARITON - (Greek) - fertile, beautiful
CHRISTIAN - (Greek) - Christian
CHRISTOPHER - (Greek) - Christ-bearer
SHALAM (SHALAMAN) - from Solomon (Heb) - peaceful
JULIAN - (lat) - from the genus Julius
JULIUS - (lat) - curly
YURI - from George (Greek) - winner
YAKIM - from Joachim (Heb) - God affirms
YAKOV - from Jacob (Heb) - grasping the heel
YAREMA (YAREMA) - (Greek) - messenger of the gods, from Hermes
FEMALE NAMES.
AVDOTYA - from Evdokia (Greek) - fertilized, filled with good
AUGUSTINA - (lat) - august
AURORA - (lat) - morning dawn
AGAFIA - (Greek) - good, kind
AGLAYA - (Greek) - shining, magnificent
AGNIA - from Agnes (Greek) - innocent
AGAFEN (AGRIPPINA) - (lat) - woeful
ADA - (Heb) - decoration
AZA - (Heb) - firm, confident
AKULINA - from Akilina (lat) - an eagle
AKSINIA - from Xenia (Greek) - guest, foreigner
ALEFTINA (ALEFTINA) - (Greek) - rubbed with incense
ALEXANDRA - (Greek) - courageous
ALYONA - from Elena (Greek) - light
ALLA - (Greek) - second, another
ALBINA - (lat) - white, blond
ANASTASIA - (Greek) - resurrected
ANGELINA - (Greek) - messenger
ANISYA - (Greek) - successful
ANNA - (Heb) - God's grace
ANTONINA - (lat) - entering the battle
ANFISA - (Greek) - blooming
APPOLINARIA - (Greek-lat) - dedicated to Apollo
Apraksia - from Eupraxia (Greek) - a philanthropist
ARIADNA - (Greek) - worthy of respect
ARINA - from Irina (Greek) - peaceful
VALENTINA - (lat) - healthy, strong
VALERIA - (lat) - healthy, strong
VARVARA - (Greek) - foreigner
VASILISA - (Greek) - regal
VASSA - (Greek) - desert
VIVEA - (Greek) - faithful, firm
VERA - Russian pronunciation of the Greek form "vera" (Pistis)
VERONICA - (Greek) - bringing victory
VICTORIA - (lat) - victory
VIRINEA - (lat) - green, blooming
GAYANA - from Gaia (Greek) - earthly
GALATEA - (Greek) - dairy
GALINA - (Greek) - quiet
GLAFIR - (Greek) - graceful, slender
GLYKERIA (GLIKERIA) - (Greek) - sweet
DAMARA - (Greek) - wife
DARIA - (Persian) - owning
DEINA - (Greek) - divine
DIGNA - (lat) - slender
DOMNA - (lat) - mistress
DOMINICA (DOMINICA) - (lat) - mistress
DOROTHEA - (Greek) - given by God
EVE - (Heb) - life
EUGENIA - (Greek) - noble
Evdokia - (Greek) - fertilized, filled with goodness
Evlalia - (Greek) - eloquent
EVLAMPIA - (Greek) - luminous
EUPRAXIA - (Greek) - philanthropist
EUSEVIA - (Greek) - pious
EUTYCHIA - (Greek) - happy
Euphalia - (Greek) - blooming
Euphemia - (Greek) - sacred
EPHROSINIA - (Greek) - well-intentioned
EKATERINA - (Greek) - immaculate
ELENA - (Greek) - light
ELESA - (Heb) - the one whom God will help
ELIZABETH - (Heb) - promised to God
EPISTIMIA (PISTIMEA) - (Greek) - knowing
ESENIA - (Arabic) - beautiful
ZINAIDA - (Greek) - divine
ZINOVIA - (Greek) - the life of Zeus
ZOYA - (Greek) - life
ILARIA - (Greek) - cheerful
INNA - (lat) - floating
IVANNA - (Heb) - pardoned by God
IRAID - (Greek) - daughter of Hera
IRINA - (Greek) - peaceful
ISIDOR - (Greek) - gift of Isis
IA - (Greek) - violet
KALERIA - (Greek) - beautiful
KALIDA - (Greek) - beautiful
KALISA - (Greek) - beautiful
CALLINIC - (Greek) - beautifully victorious
KAPITOLINA - (lat) - from the name of the Capitol Hill
CASINIA - (lat) - maid
CYPRIAN - (Greek) - from the island of Cyprus
KIRA - (Greek) - Lord's
KIRYANA - (Greek) - mistress
CLAUDIA - (lat) - lame
CLARA - (lat) - clear
CLEOPATRA - (Greek) - glory of the father
CONCORDIA - (lat) - consent
XENIA - (Greek) - guest, foreigner
LARINA - (lat) - seagull
LARIS (LARISSA) - (Greek) - seagull
LEONID - (Greek) - from the male Leonid (son of a lion)
LEONIL - (Greek) - lioness
LEIA - (Heb) - antelope
LIBYA - (Greek) - from Libya, Libyan
LYDIA - (Greek) - from Lydia, Lydian
LUKERIA - from Glykeria (Greek) - sweet
LUKI - (Greek) - luminous
LOVE - Russian translation from Greek "Agape" (love)
MAVRA - (Greek) - dark-skinned
MAMELFA - (Syrian) - contributing to the Lord
MANETHA - (Heb) - given
MARGARITA - (Greek) - pearl
MARIANA - (lat) - daughter Mary, marine
MARIANNA - from Mary and Anna (lat-Heb) - the desired grace of God
MARINA - (lat) - marine
MARY - (Heb) - either bitter or desired
MARTINA - (lat) - warlike
MARFA - (lat) - mistress
MATRYONA - from Matrona (lat) - noble
MALANIA (MELANIA) - (Greek) - swarthy, dark
MELITINA (MILITINA) - (Greek) - honey
MINODORA - (Greek) - a gift from the moon goddess Mina
MITRODORA - (Greek) - mother's gift
MUSE - (Greek) - in honor of the Muses, goddesses of art
HOPE - Russian translation of the Greek Elpis (hope)
NATALIA (NATALIA) - (lat) - Christmas
NEONIL (NENILA) - (Greek) - new, young
NIKA - (Greek) - victory
NINA - (Greek-Sumerian-Semitic) - mistress
NONNA - (Egyptian) - dedicated to God
OKSANA - from Xenia (Greek) - guest, foreigner
OLYMPIAD - (Greek) - from Olympus, majestic, divine
OLGA - origin unclear
PAVLA - (Greek) - small
PAVLINA - (Greek) - small
PALLADIA - (Greek) - in honor of Pallas Athena
PELAGIA (PELAGIA) - (Greek) - sea
PETRONYA - (Greek) - from "stone".
PINNA - (lat) - pearl
PLATONIS - (Greek) - daughter of Plato
POLYXENA - (Greek) - hospitable
POLINA - from Apollo (Greek) - solar
PRASKOVIA - from Paraskeva (Greek) - Friday
PULCHERIA - (lat) - beautiful
RAISA - (Greek) - careless
REBEKKA - (Heb) - captivity by beauty
RIDOR - (Greek) - origin is unclear
RIMMA - (Heb) - apple
RUFINA - (lat) - red
SAVINA (SABINA) - (lat) - Sabine
SALOME - (Heb) - calm
SARRA - (Heb) - mistress
SEVASTYANA - (Greek) - venerable
SERAPHIM - (Heb) - fiery angel
SOLOMONIA - (Heb) - peaceful
SUSANNA - (Heb) - white lily
SOPHIA - (Greek) - wise
STEPANIDA - (Greek) - daughter of Stepan, crowned
TAIFA - (Heb) - gazelle
TAISIA (TAISSA) - (Greek) - belonging to Isis
TAMARA - (Heb) - fig tree
TATYANA - (Greek) - organizer
TRIPHENA - (Greek) - tender
ULITA - from Julita (lat) - little Julia
ULYANA - from Julian (lat) - from the genus Julia
USTINA - from Justin (lat) - righteous
FAINA - (Greek) - shining
FEVRONIA - from Efrosinya (Greek) - well-thought
FYOKLA - (Greek) - the glory of God
FEDOR (THEODOR) - (Greek) - a gift of the gods, a divine kind
FEDOSIA (FEODOSIA) - (Greek) - given by God
FEDULA - (Greek) - God's slave
THEOSA - (Greek) - pious
FEOKTISTA - (Greek) - God created
PHEON - (Greek) - divine
THEOPHANIA - (Greek) - revealed by God
FEFILA (THEOFILA) - (Greek) - God-loving
FAIRY - (Greek) - goddess
FILITSATA (FELITSATA) - (lat) - happy
FOTA - (Greek) - light
HAVRONYA - from Euphrosyne (Greek) - well-thought
HARISA - (Arabic) - guard
HARITA - (Greek) - fertile
HARITINA - (Greek) - fertile
CHIONA - (Greek) - in honor of the goddess Chione, wife of Dionysus
CHRIS - (Greek) - golden
CHRISTINA - (Greek) - Christian
SHUSHANIKA - from Susanna (Heb) - white lily
Juliana - (lat) - from the genus Julia
YULITA - (lat) - little Julia
JULIA - from Julius (lat) - curly
JUNIA - from Juno (lat) - young, young
Parents who found out on an ultrasound that they were expecting a boy are wondering what name to give him. Many are interested in traditional Russian boy names that have a good meaning and sound beautiful. When choosing, it should be remembered that it determines the whole life of the child, therefore this issue should be taken seriously.
How to choose the perfect name for your son
The ideal name for a boy should sound good and evoke positive associations. It is worthwhile to study the most popular options, remember long-forgotten ones or use the calendar of saints. Among the existing names you will find many interesting, original and classic ones.
When choosing, you can use the following criteria:
- Continue family traditions by naming a child after a grandfather or great-grandfather. The name of the boy may be associated with someone in the family who you want to look up to. In ancient times, it was customary to name sons after their father.
- A very popular selection strategy is targeting great people. Parents can borrow the names of the greats from any era - generals, scientists, poets, writers and artists.
- The name must be decent, humor in this case is not welcome. There are many examples when children changed their names with age because of their dissonance.
- Parents often pay attention to the meaning and what the name symbolizes. For example, Ivan is “given by the grace of God”, Broneslav is “a glorious defender”, and Gavrila is “a warrior with divine power”.
- Birthday saints. Choosing a name according to the calendar of the holy calendar will allow you to narrow your search by the date closest to your birth. Since ancient times, people believe that the patron of the name given to the child will help him through life, protect him and protect him.
Half of the success - the birth of a child into the world, but his appearance is followed daily by hundreds of questions. And the first is the choice of a name. Beautiful Russian names for boys will allow you to cope with the first task with dignity and in the future not to doubt your decision.
Beautiful Russian names for boys
In order for fate to favor in life, you should choose a beautiful name that will match the surname and, above all, the very image of a man.
If you are expecting a son, but still do not know which name to choose for the child, take a look at the following options from the Russian collection:
- Alexander;
- Anikey;
- Basil;
- Vladimir;
- Gleb;
- Zakhar;
- Kuzma;
- Nikita;
- Nicholas;
- Maksim;
- Michael;
- Oleg;
- Paul;
- Timur;
- Tikhon;
- Yaroslav.
The male names that originally appeared in Russia have practically not survived to this day. Over the centuries, they have changed and have long been forgotten, but some of them are being revived.
As for the origin, Russian names have Slavic, Roman, Greek, Jewish roots.
The period of Soviet rule left its mark on the names. For example, in those days, the beautiful-sounding name Vladlen appeared, it means "Vladimir Lenin", Kim - the Communist International of Youth, Lenar stands for "Lenin's Army".
Modern male names
Our era is reflected in the names given by parents to children. They sound original, some are extremely rare. Modern boy names are often rooted in the past. For example, the name Max previously sounded like Maximus, Maximilian or Maxim. The change occurred due to a temporary transformation and a modern abbreviation of the name.
Parents of each time have their own preferences, so the most convenient and popular version remains in use:
- the name Alexei may sound like Alex;
- Artem, began to be called more often abbreviated Art;
- instead of Timur, the more popular version of Tim sounds;
- Denis became Dan, and Sergey became Serge.
The fashion for men's, as well as for women's names, is coming. The choice is influenced by many factors that modern parents take into account. Boys are heirs, continuers of the family, and personal success depends on their character, thanks to which the child can glorify or disgrace his family.
Caring parents have a special attitude to the choice of a name when it comes to the heir.
Old and rare names for a boy
Reviving traditions, parents often remember old Russian male names and name their sons with them. Many of them have Old Slavonic, Greek and Biblical roots. Parents also choose old names borrowed from other peoples that sound beautiful and have a good meaning. These names are connected with the fate of great people, who were captured in the annals of history.
For example, if you look into history, it turns out that the famous Soviet film actor named Gerd bore the name Zinovy. This name was given to the great Russian architect Ivanov, and in tsarist times the personality of Admiral Zinovy Rozhdestvensky was popular.
Recently, when choosing what to name their son, parents often turn to history, because now the following names have become relevant:
- Alevtin;
- Appolinarius;
- Anastasy;
- Boromir;
- Boeslav;
- Volodar;
- Evdokim;
- Zinovy;
- Casimir;
- Kirill;
- Lazarus;
- Lukyan;
- Nathan;
- Osip;
- Oktyabrin;
- Prokhor;
- Tristan;
- Philemon;
- Khariton;
- Januriy.
Today, famous people often choose for their sons not just a rare name, but completely unusual for the Slavs. For example, Sergei Shnurov named his heir Apollo.
Orthodox Russian male names by month
It became a tribute to fashion to choose the names of boys according to the Orthodox calendar. So, it is customary to take a name from those that are honored on the dates closest to the birthday.
We offer a list of popular names present in the calendar that may seem interesting to modern parents:
- Boys born in winter (in January, February and December) are often called Timofey (name day January 1), Mark (January 11), Efim (February 2), Naum (December 14).
- Spring boys who are born in March, April and May are given the following names: Arseny (March 15), Tikhon (April 7), Fedot (May 31).
- In the summer, boys celebrate name days with the following names: Leonty (June 5), Ustin (June 14), Athanasius (July 13).
Some parents are wondering how to determine the name day. If the name is given according to the calendar, they use the church calendar. If it is not there, look for the date associated with the patron. Unfortunately, during the period of communist atheism in Russia, the meaning of this tradition was undeservedly forgotten.
Recently, more often they began to name their sons according to the holy calendar, preferring not to pay tribute to foreign fashion.
Unusual male names
Parents who would like to give their children rare names should familiarize themselves with their meaning and origin. An excellent choice would be an option consonant with the patronymic, which is not common. An unusual name, not like everyone else, original, will become the special pride of the baby, and then the teenager and the adult man.
We offer a list of the most unusual names for boys with meaning:
- Ambrose - "eternally alive", "undying";
- Walter - German origin, "commander";
- Casimir - "peace and tranquility";
- Luke - "light", "bright", "sunny";
- Yevsey - "pious";
- Leonty - translated from Greek, "lion";
- Anisim - "benefactor", "useful person";
- Nazarius - "originally from Nazareth."
Almost all parents at the birth of a boy faced the problem of choosing a name. This is a very responsible and important step, because it is believed that at this moment the fate of the child is in the hands of the mother and father. In modern society, the demand for unusual names has increased, as officially announced by state registration authorities.
The most popular names for a boy 2018
In order for the boy to grow up strong, courageous and successful in life, parents prefer sonorous names that carry a positive charge, power and strength. For example, the beautiful name Andrey is ideally combined with the Russian-speaking patronymic and surname.
In 2018, the following names are found in the registration registries of born babies: Mark, Gleb, Nazariy, Damir, Alexander, Felix, Vsevolod, Arseniy, Ostap, Orest, Potap.
When choosing a name for your son, it is important to focus on the option to which the soul lies, which does not cut the ear and visually suits the baby. After all, fashion is coming, and the name will remain with a person for life.
How much good was in the old days: clean air, clean water, organic products. And most people had pure souls. People lived by their labor and knew what love is. In those old days, there were a lot of good things that people have forgotten now.
For example, there were a lot of good names. Names that gave people the qualities of kindness, diligence, wisdom, generosity. These are exactly the qualities that people lack in our time.
Maybe someone will think about it and name their child an old, long forgotten name.
Even 100-200 years ago, the following male names were actively used, were in use, and were well perceived by ear. Now they are forgotten.
Everyone knows that life develops in a spiral. People forget something, then discover the same thing for themselves, but in a new way. Maybe someday it will be like this with long forgotten, old, good names.
There are many forgotten names, but they remain in the cultural space of the country forever, even if they are outdated and out of use. Forgotten names are part of the country's cultural heritage. At any moment, some of the worthy, undeservedly forgotten names may become in demand.
Through an undeservedly forgotten name, a person can connect to the roots of his people. Who knows, maybe in one of the past incarnations a person already bore this name. And if he was again given the same name, then the programs that were developed in that incarnation will help a person realize himself already in this life.
List of forgotten and rare male names and their meaning
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter A:
August(Roman) - majestic, sacred, regal
Agap(gr.) - beloved
Agapion(gr.) - beloved
Agathon(gr.) - kind, noble
Aglay(gr.) - brilliant, magnificent, beautiful
Agnes(gr.) - pure, immaculate
Adrian(Rom.) - a resident of Adria
Azarius(dr. Heb.) - God's help
Akaki(gr.) - good-natured
Ambrose(gr.) - immortal, divine
Amos(heb.) - loaded, carrying a burden, heaviness
Amur(Roman) - love
Amphibrachius(gr.)
Ananias(dr. Heb.) - the grace of God
Anastasy(gr.) - resurrected, reborn
Anikiy(gr.) - victory
Anisius
Antigonus(gr.) - instead of someone, child
Antip(gr.) - stubborn, strong
Anfimy(gr.) - covered with flowers
Apolinarius(Roman) - dedicated to Apollo, the destroyer
Apollo(gr.) - the destroyer. The name of the sun god Apollo among the Greeks meant: the sun, scorching, burning
Apollonius(gr.) - destroyer
Arefiy(arab.) - tiller, virtue, eagle
Arius(ancient Hebrew) - brave
Aristarch(gr.) - the head of the best
Arseniy(gr.) - courageous
Athanasius(gr.) - immortal
Athos(gr.) - generous, rich, unenvious
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter B:
Benedict(Roman) - blessed
Boniface(Rom.) - good, rock
Bogolep(Russian) - pleasing, pleasing to God
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter B:
Varakhisiy(east)
Bartholomew(aram.) - the son of the plowed land, the son of the fields
Vakhtisy(Persian.)
Venedim(Rome.)
Benjamin(e.) - beloved son
Vivian(p.) - lively
Vincent(p.) - conquering, overcoming
Victoria(p.) - winner
Vissarion(gr.) - forest
Vlasiy(gr.) - simple, rude
Vukol(gr.) - shepherd, boletus
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter G:
Galaction(gr.) - milky, milky
Guidon
Hector(gr.) - almighty, keeper
Helium(gr.) - the sun
Gerasim
Hermann(p.) - native, consanguineous
Hermann(German) - warrior, combatant
Hermogenes(gr.) - born of Hermes (Mercury)
Gleb(glor.)
Glycerium(gr.) - sweet
Gordey(gr.) - Phrygian king
Granium(p.) - grain
Gury(e.) - lion cub
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter D:
Darius(gr.) - possessing, owning
Dementy(p.) - tamer
Demid(gr.) - dominating
Demyan(gr.) - conqueror
Dionysus(gr.) - dedicated to Dionysus, Bacchus, the god of wine and winemaking
Dominic(p.) - master's
dorimedont(gr.) - spear, chief
Dorotheus(gr.) - a gift of the gods, God
Dositheus(gr.) - given by God
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter E:
Evgraf(gr.) - a well-drawn, hand-written handsome man
Evdokim(gr.) - surrounded by good fame, honor
Eucarpius(gr.) - fertile, prolific, prosperous
Evlampy(gr). - beautifully luminous, luminous
Eumenius(gr.) - supportive, merciful
Eusebius(gr.) - pious
Evstafiy(gr.) - constant, stable, balanced
Eustache(gr.) - luxuriantly eared
Evstigney(gr.) - a good sign
Eustrat(gr.) - good, warrior
Eutychius(gr.) - happy
Egor(gr.) - farmer
Elefery(gr.) - free
Elizar(heb.) - God's help
Elisha(e.) – saved by God
Emelyan(gr.) - affectionate, friendly, cheerful
Epifan(gr.) - prominent, famous, glorious
Erasmus(gr.) - beloved
Erast(gr.) - beloved
Eremey(ancient Hebrew) - messenger
Ermak(gr.) - messenger of the people
Ermiy(gr.) - giving wealth
Ermil(gr.) - living in the Hermes grove
Yermolai(gr.) - messenger of the people
Erofei(gr.) - consecrated by God
Yefim(gr.) - pious
Ephraim(ancient Hebrew) - prolific
Euphrosyn(gr.) - joy, fun
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter Z:
Zakhar(heb.) - God remembered
Zeno(gr.) - divine
Zosima(gr.) - living, living
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter I:
Iakinf(gr.) - yahont, hyacinth (the name of the precious stone)
Ignatius(p.) - unknown, unknown
Hilary(gr.) - cheerful, joyful
Hilarion(gr.) - fun, cheerful
Iliodor(gr.) - a gift from the Sun
Ilya(ancient Hebrew) - the fortress of God
Innocent(p.) - innocent, harmless
Hypatius(gr.) - the highest
Hippolyte(gr.) - unharnessing horses
Heraclius(gr.) - dedicated to Hercules
Isidore(gr.) - a gift from the goddess Isis
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter K:
Casimir(glor.) - predict, tell the world
Kalinik(gr.) - a good winner, triumphant
Callist(gr.) - the most beautiful, beautiful
Kalistrat(gr.) - a beautiful warrior
Calisthenes(gr.) - beauty, strength
Kapiton(p.) - big-headed, stubborn
Carp(gr.) - fruit
Kasyan(p.) - helmet-bearer, empty, empty
Cyprian(gr.) - Cypriot, from the island of Cyprus
Cyrus(gr.) - lord, lord, power
kyriac(gr.) - born on Sunday
Claudius(p.) - lame
Klim(p.) - merciful
Clement(p.) - merciful
Kondraty(gr.) - square, broad-shouldered
concordia(p.) - consonant, unanimous
Cornelius(p.) - horned
Xenophon(gr.) - stranger, foreigner
Kuzma(gr.) - decoration
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter L:
laurel(p.) - laurel tree
Lawrence(p.) - crowning with laurels
Larion(gr.) - cheerful, joyful
Leon(p.) - lion
Leonard(p.) - lion
Leontes(gr.) - lion
Leonty(gr.) - lion
Livery(p.) - free, free
Livy(gr.)
Luke(p.) - light, luminous
Lukyan(p.) - light, light
Lukiy(p.) - light, shining
loop(p.) - wolf
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter M:
Mauritius(gr.) - black, Moor
May(glory.) - the month of May
Makar(gr.) - blessed, happy
Macedonia(gr.) - Macedonian, great
Macedonia(gr.) - Macedonian, great
Maximian(p.) - the greatest
Maximillian(p.) - a descendant of the greatest
Malachi(dr. Heb.) - the messenger of God
Mardarius(gr.)
Mardonius(gr.)
Mariy(p.) - sea
Mark(p.) - hammer, dry, wilted
Markell(p.) - warlike
Marcian(R.)
Martin(p.) - dedicated to the god of war Mars
Matvey(ancient Hebrew) - a gift of God
Meletius(gr.) - caring
Meliton(gr.) - honey
Methodius(gr.) - trace, search
Milan(glory.) - cute
Mylene(glory.) - cute
Miletius(gr.) - a city on the northern coast of Crete
Mily(gr.) - apple
Milovan(glor.) - caress, care
Menaion(gr.) – month
Myron(gr.) - exuding fragrant myrrh, fragrant
Mitrofan(gr.) - the glory of the mother, having a glorious mother
Micah(heb.) - who is like God
Modest(p.) - modest
Mokey(gr.) - a mocker, ridiculing
Mokiy(gr.) - mocker
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter N:
Nazar(ancient Hebrew) - dedicated to God. The name of the Jewish town of Nazareth
Nathan(ancient Hebrew) - God gave
Naum(ancient Hebrew) - consolation
Nestor(gr.) - returned to his homeland, home
Nikandr(gr.) - victorious warrior
Nicanor(gr.) - winner
Nikita(gr.) - winner
Nikifor(gr.) - victorious, winner
Nicodemus(gr.) - victorious people
Nikon(gr.) - winner
Nile(gr.) - black river
Niphon(gr.) - sober, reasonable
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter O:
Octavian(p.) - eighth
Olympius(gr.) - Olympic, light
Onisius(gr.) - benefit
Onesimus(gr.) - execution, completion, useful
Onname(gr.) - useful
Onufry(Egyptian) - sacred bull
Orestes(gr.) - highlander, savage
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter P:
Pavsikaky(gr.) - a fighter against evil
Palladium(gr.) - protection, stronghold
Pamphilus(gr.) - dear to everyone, a common favorite
Pankrat
Pankraty(gr.) - omnipotent, omnipotent
Panteleimon(gr.) - all-merciful
Paramon(gr.) - solid, reliable, faithful, durable
Parmyeong(gr.) - persistent, firmly standing
Partheon(gr.) - pure, virgin
Patrick(p.) - son of a noble father
Paphnutius(Egyptian) - belonging to God
Pahom(gr.) - broad-shouldered, strong
Pimen(gr.) - shepherd, leader, mentor
Plato(gr.) - broad-shouldered
Polyene(gr.) - laudatory
Polycarp(gr.) - prolific, fertile
Porfiry(gr.) - purple-red. Red porphyry stone
Potap(gr.)
Prov(p.) - honest, kind
Proclus(gr.) - born in the absence of a father
Procopius(gr.) - grabbing the sword by the hilt, success, prosperity
Proculus(p.) - distant, born in the absence of a father
Protasius(gr.) - advanced, standing in the first place
Prokhor(gr.) - sang, head of the choir
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter P:
Razumnik(glor.) - reasonable
rem(p.) - paddle
Renat(p.) - reborn, returned to life
Robert(other German) - glory, splendor, brilliance
Rodion(gr.) - pinkish, pink
Rubenty(p.) - blushing
Reuben(heb.) - see: son
Ruslan(arab.) - lion
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter C:
Savva(aram.) - old man, grandfather, captivity
Savvaty(ancient Hebrew) - Saturday
Savely(heb.) - begged from God, hard work
Samson(ancient Hebrew) - sunny, similar to the sun
Sevostyan(gr.) - respectable, worthy
Selivan, Sylvan(p.) - forest
Semyon(heb.) - heard by God in prayer
Serapion(gr.) - Egyptian God of life, death and healing
Seraphim(e.) - fiery, fiery
Sylvester(p.) - forest
Sylvius(p.) - forest
Simon(ancient Hebrew) - a noble name, glory
Spiridon(p.) - illegitimate
Solomon(ancient Hebrew) - peaceful, prosperous
Sosipater(gr.) - saving father
Sofron(gr.) - sane, prudent
Spartacus(p.) - in honor of the leader of the rebellious gladiators in Rome
Stachy(gr.) - spike
Stepan(gr.) - a ring, a wreath topped with
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter T:
Taras(gr.) - restless, rebel, troublemaker
Terenty(p.) - importunate, tiring
Timothy(gr.) - God-fearing, worshiping God
Titus(p.) - defending honor
Tikhon(gr.) - bringing happiness
Triphylius(gr.) - clover
Tryphon(gr.) - living luxuriously
Troadius gr.) - from the mountains of Troy
Trofim(gr.) - well-fed, pet
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter F:
favst(p.) - auspicious, happy
Thaddeus(e.) - praise
Falaley(gr.) - flowering olive
Falassius(gr.) - marine, experienced in navigation
Fedot
Felix(p.) - happy
Themistocles(gr.) - famous for justice
Fiogen(gr.) - God-born
Fedos(gr.) - God-given or dedicated to the gods
Feklist(gr.) - God's creation, creation
Feofan(gr.) - revealed by the gods
Theophilus(gr.) - God-loving
Filaret(gr.) - loving virtue
Filimon(gr.) - beloved
Theophylact(gr.) - guarding, God-protected
Ferapont(gr.) - servant, admirer, companion
Firs(gr.) - decorated with flowers, vine branches
Flavian(p.) - descended from the Flavian clan (or their freedman)
Phlegon(gr.) - flaming, burning
Frol(p.) - blooming
Florence(p.) - blooming
Florian(p.) - blooming
Fock(gr.) - seal
Thomas(f.) - twin
Photius(gr.) - light, bright, illuminate, enlighten
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter X:
Khariton(gr.) - generous, grateful
Kharlampy(gr.) - shining with love and joy
Chrysanth(gr.) - golden flower
Christopher(gr.) - Christ-bearer, anointed, anointed to the kingdom
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter C:
Celestine(p.) - heavenly
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter E:
Edward(other German) - property, protection
Elim(ancient Hebrew) - muteness, silence
Aemily(gr.) - affectionate, flattering
Erast(gr.) - lovely, cute; enamored
Ernest(Old German) - serious, strict
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter Yu:
Juvenaly(p.) - always young
Julian(p.) - from the genus Julius
Julius(p.) - curly, sheaf
Yust(p.) - fair
justinian(p.) - fair
Forgotten and rare male names starting with the letter I:
Jacob(heb.) - follows someone
Jan(glory) - the grace of God
Among the forgotten and rare male names, one can find really good characteristic names with good characteristics (programs).
Oleg and Valentina Svetovid
Our book "Name Energy"
Oleg and Valentina Svetovid
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