Russian names consist of three parts:
first name, middle (father’s) name and surname.
For example,
- Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin
(Russian: Александр Сергеевич Пушкин)
- Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky
(Russian: Федор Михайлович Достоевский)
- Anna Andreevna Akhmatova
(Russian: Анна Андреевна Ахматова)
The middle name is called patronymic (Russian: отчество). It is formed from the father’s first name. Male middle names are formed by adding suffixes –ovich or –evich (Russian: -ович, евич). Female middle names are formed by adding suffixes –ovna or –evna (Russian: -овна, -евна)
Example: A man called Vladimir has a son Aleksey and a daughter Svetlana. The son would be called Aleksey Vladimirovich, and the daughter Svetlana Vladimirovna.
Proper use of Russian names:
- In Russia it is necessary using both first and middle name when addressing people in formal. This is the most polite form of addressing people. Use both names when talking to business partners, bosses, colleagues, elderly people or people you don’t know well. It is unusual to address the Russians using Mr./Ms. plus their family name (Russian: господин/ госпожа).
- Family, friends or people who know each other well (also colleagues) usually use the short ‘intimate’ form of the first name.
Volodya oder Vova (short forms of Vladimir)
Natasha (instead of Natalia)
Nastya (short form of Anastasia). - Pet names (affectionate diminutives) are usually used by close friends and family.
Vovochka (from Vladimir)
Natashenka (from Natalia)
Nastyenka (from Anastasia). - Russian names have another form that can express affection or disrespect depending on the situation. Such names are formed by adding the suffix -k-.
Natashka (Natalia)
Volodka (Vladimir)
It is better to avoid using this form if you are not familiar with it and don’t want to offend someone accidentally.
Most popular Russian first names are:
Girls’ names: Anastasia, Maria, Daria, Anna, Yekaterina (Katya), Yelisaveta (Lisa)
Russian girls' names
Boys’ names: Alexander, Nikita, Ivan, Maxim, Dmitri, Daniil
Russian boys' names
Some old Russian names come back into fashion again:
Girls names: Vasilisa, Vera, Ulyana, Yana
Boys names: Gleb, Vasili, Grigori, Yaroslav, Arseni
Some specialists expect the girls’ name Olympiada to become trendy during the next couple of years. The name was quite popular in Russia during the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980. It might come back into fashion due to the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014.
Learn more about the Winter Olympics in Sochi
In the past, the Russians used to celebrate their Name Day (Russian: именины) in addition to their birthday. Today many Russians know when their Name Day is. Some throw a glamorous Name-Day party instead of (or in addition to) their birthday party. The Name Day is also called the "Angel Day" (Russian: день Ангела). And naturally most people in Russia would be happy to receive at least a little present for their Name Day, such as chocolate or a bunch of flowers.
Send flowers to Russia
