The Russian language belongs to the group of Slavic languages. However, many Russian names are not originally Russian by their origin. They are borrowed from the Greek language along with the Christian religion. Before that, Russians had names that reflected the various characteristics and qualities of people, their physical disabilities, names that reflected the birth order of children in the family. There were common names such as Wolf, Cat, Sparrow, Birch, First, Tretyak, Big, Small, Zhdan. The reflection of these names is observed in modern Russian surnames Tretyakov, Nezhdanov, Menshov, etc.

With the introduction of Christianity in Russia, all the old Russian names were gradually supplanted by church names that came to Russia from Byzantium. Among them, in addition to proper Greek names, were ancient Roman, Hebrew, Syrian, Egyptian names, each of which reflected a certain meaning in its native language, but when borrowed it was used only as a proper name, and not as a word denoting something.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, Old Russian names were already completely forgotten, and Christian names largely changed their appearance, adapting to the peculiarities of Russian pronunciation. So, the name Diomede was transformed into the name Demid, Jeremiah - Yeremey, etc.

After the October Socialist Revolution, names associated with the new ideology became widespread: Revmira (peace revolution), Diamara (dialectical materialism); names reflecting the first stages of industrialization: Electrina, Elevator, Diesel, Ram, (revolution, electrification, mechanization); names read in foreign novels: Alfred, Rudolf, Arnold; names by flower names: Lily, Rose, Astra.

Since the 1930s, such familiar to us Russian names like Masha, Vladimir, Seryozha, i.e. the names closest to the Russian people are used. But this return to the old names does not at all mean a return to all the names of the church calendar, most of which remained unaccepted by the Russian nation.

On this page, not only the old ones (Russian calendar, Old Russian and Common Slavic), but also new ones male names.

Russian male names starting with the letter A:

August (old) - summer

Augustine (old) - summer

Avenir (old) - from the French. avenir - coming, future

Auxentius (old) - alien "xenos"

Auror / Avrory (new) - son of the morning dawn

Adam (old) - "from red clay"

Adonis (old) - lord

Alevtin (new) - alien to evil

Alexander (old) - protector of people

Alexey (old) - defender

Albert (new) - wise

Albin (new) - "white"

Alfred (new) - good adviser

Anastasy (old) - resurrected

Anatoly (old) - eastern

Andrey (old) - a man and a defender

Anis / Anisius (old) - sweet-smelling

Anton / Anthony (old) - entering the battle

Antonin (old) - kind

Antoine (new) - a foreign reading of Anton

Apollinaris (old) - son of the sun

Apollo (old) - god of the sun

Argent (new) - from the French. argent - silver

Aristarkh (old) - head of the best

Arkady (old) - shepherd or "Inhabitant of Arcadia"

Arsen (new) - courageous

Arseny (old) - courageous

Artyom / Artemy (old) - unharmed

Arthur (new) - big as a bear

Atheist (new) - non-believer

Athanasius (old) - immortal

Russian male names starting with the letter B:

Bazhen (other Russian) - saint

Benedict (old) - blessed

Bogdan (glory) - given by God

Boeslav (glor.) - famous in battle

Boleslav (glory) - more glorious

Borimir (glor.) - fighting for peace

Boris (old) - "wrestler"

Borislav (glor.) - fighting for glory

Bronislav (glor.) - a glorious defender

Budimir (other Russian) - peace-loving

Bulat (new) - "strong"

Russian male names starting with the letter B:

Vadim (old) - sowing confusion

Valentine (old) - healthy

Valery (old) - strong

Walter (new) - manager of people

Vasily (old) - royal

Vasilko (nar. from Vasily) - prince

Velimir (glory) - the ruler of the world

Velislav (glory.) - famous

Velor / Velorius (new) - wealthy

Benedict (old) - a different reading of Benedict

Benjamin (old) - Hebrew. "younger"

Victor (old) - winner

Vilen (new) - short for V.I. LENIN

Vissarion (old) - forest man

Vitaly (old) - vital

Witold (glor.) - forest ruler

Vlad (glory) - owning

Vladilen (new) - similar to VLADIMIR LENIN

Vladimir (old, famous) - owning the world

Vladislav (old, slav.) - owning glory

Vladlen (new) - similar to VLADIMIR LENIN

Warrior (other Russian) - "warrior"

Vojislav (glor.) - "glorified in the war"

Volodar (Staroslav) - "Lord"

Voldemar / Valdemar (new) - famous ruler

Volmir / Volemir (glory) - the ruler of the world

Vsevolod (old, other Russian) - the ruler of the whole people

Vsemil (Slavv.) - dear to everyone

Vyacheslav (old, slav.) - famous more than once

Russian male names starting with the letter G:

Gabriel / Gavrila / Gavrilo / Gavril (old) - divine warrior

Galaction (old) - stellar

Harry / Harry (new) - tolerant

Helian / Helium (new) - solar

Genius (new) - "genius"

Gennady (old) - well-born

George (old) - farmer

German (old) - native

Gertrud (new) - HERO OF LABOR

Gleb (old, other Russian) - big, tall

Gordey / Gordy (glor.) - proud

Gorimir (glor.) - "bright world"

Gorislav (glor.) - "bright glory"

Granite (new) - "hard"

Gregory (old) - not sleeping

Russian male names starting with the letter D:

Davyd / David (old) - beloved

Damir (new) - peaceful

Dan (old) - god of the moon

Daniel / Danila / Danilo / Danil (old) - "God's judgment"

Gift (new) - "gift"

December (new) - winter

Denis (nar. from old. Dionysius) - the god of the vital forces of nature

Gerald (new) - a different reading of Harald

Joseph (new) - a different reading of Joseph, Joseph, Osip

John (new) - a different reading of Ivan

Dionysius / Dionysus (old) - god of vegetation

Dmitry / Dimitri (old) - the god of fertility

Dobrynya (other Russian) - good fellow

Donalt (old) - the ruler of the world

Donat (old) - strong

Russian male names starting with the letter E:

Eugene (old) - noble

Evdokim (old) - well-known

Egor (nar. from George, Egoriy) - farmer

Eruslan (other Russian) - "lion"

Efim (old) - pious

Russian male names starting with the letter Zh:

Zhdan (other Russian) - waiting

Russian male names starting with the letter Z:

Zakhar (old) - "God's memory"

Zinovy ​​(old) - "Zeus's power"

Zoriy (new) - morning

Russian male names starting with the letter I:

Ibrahim (new) - a different reading of Abram, Abraham, Avrom

Ivan (nar. from John) - "God's gift"

Ignatius / Ignatius (old) - unknown

Igor (old, other Russian) - protector of God

Isidore / Sidor (old) - patron of fertility

July (new) - summer

Russian male names starting with the letter K:

Casimir (glor.) - announcing peace

Carl (new) - bold

Kasyan (nar. from old Cassian) - empty

Kim (new) - Communist International of the World.

Cyprian (old) - a native of Cyprus or copper

Cyrus (old) - lord

Cyril (old) - Bishop

Claudius (old) - lame or from the clan of Claudius

Clement (old) - gracious

Clement / Klim (old) - condescending

Clement / Clement (n. from Clement) - meek

Columbia (new) - "dove"

Kuzma / Kozma (nar. from old Cosmas) - decorated

Kupriyan (nar. from Cyprian) - a native of Cyprus or copper

Russian male names starting with the letter L:

Laurel (old) - famous

Lawrence (old) - crowned with laurels

Lazar (old) - "God's help"

Larion (nar. from Hilarion) - joyful

Leo (old) - "lion"

Leonard (new) - strong

Leonid (old) - the son of a lion

Leonty (old) - lion

Luke (old) - "happiness"

Lukyan / Lukyan (old) - happy

Love (other Russian) - handsome

Lubomir (glor.) - the favorite of the world

Luxen / Lucian (new) - light

Russian male names starting with the letter M:

Mauritius (old) - black

May (new) - warm heart

Mayslav / Maeslav (new) - famous in May

Makar / Macarius (old) - happy

Max (new) - majestic

Maxim (old) - majestic

Maximilian / Maximilian (old) - majestic

Mily (old) - cute

Miloneg (glor.) - cute

Miloslav (glor.) - glory is sweet

World (new) - "peace"

Miron (old) - kind

Miroslav (famous) - winner

Mikhail / Mikhailo (old) - equal to God

Modest (old) - modest

Moses (old) - taken out of the water

Monolith (new) - unshakable

Russian male names starting with the letter N:

Nazar / Nazarius (old) - dedicated to God

Nathan (old) - bestowed

Nahum (old) - consolation

Neon (old) - shining

Neonil (old) - principled

Nestor / Nester (old) - returned to his homeland

Nikandr (old) - winner of men

Nord (new) - north (ny)

Russian male names starting with the letter O:

Ovid (old) - savior

Odysseus (new) - angry

Octavian (old) - (Roman) - eighth

Oktyabrin (new) - autumn

October (new) - autumn

Oleg (old, other Russian) - saint

Orestes (old) - savage

Osip (nar. from Joseph) - multiplied

Oscar (old) - "God's Spear"

Russian male names starting with the letter P:

Pavel (old) - small

Palladium (old) - dedicated to Pallas Athena

Panteleimon / Panteley (old)

Panfil (old) - loving everyone

Peresvet (other Russian) - light

Peter (old) - "rock" or "stone"

Prokhor (old) - head of the choir

Russian male names starting with the letter R:

Radium (new) - "radium"

Radim (glor.) - native

Radislav (glor.) - glad to glory

Radomir (glor.) - glad to the world

Russian male names starting with the letter C:

Savva / Sava (old) - desired

Savely (old) - desired

Light (new) - "light"

Svetlan (glor.) - bright

Svetozar (glor.) - bright as the dawn

Svetoslav (glor.) - "glory is bright"

Svyatogor (ancient Russian) - "holy mountain"

Svyatopolk (other Russian) - "holy regiment"

Svyatoslav (glor.) - "glory is holy"

North (old) - "north"

Severin (old) - cold

Severian / Severian (old) - northern

Severyan (new) - northern

Semyon (nar. from old. Simeon) - heard by God in prayer

Seraphim (old) - fiery

Sergey (old) - highly esteemed

Sigismund (new) - ...

Steel / Steel (new) - hard

Stanislav (glory) - will become glorious

Stepan / Stefan (old) - "wreath"

Russian male names starting with the letter T:

Taras (old) - restless

Teimuraz (new) - an analogue of Timur

Tristan (old) - sad (tristia)

Tryphon (old) - pampered

Trofim (old) - pet

Russian male names starting with the letter F:

Fadey / Thaddeus (old) - "praise"

February (new) - winter

Fedor (old) - God's gift

Fedor (old) - God's gift

Felix (old) - prosperous

Filimon (old) - beloved

Philip (old) - loving horses

Phlegont (old) - ...

Florence (old) - blooming

Florence (new) - blooming

Florin (new) - blooming

Frol (nar. from old. Flor) - blooming

Russian male names starting with the letter X:

Khariton (old) - benefactor

Brave (other Russian) - brave

Christoph (old) - (Christopher) - carrying Christ

Russian male names starting with the letter E:

Edward (new) - taking care of property

Electron (new) - amber

Elbrus (new) - "mountain"

Energy (new) - energetic

Ernest / Ernst (new) - serious

Juvenal (old from Juvenal) - young

Eugene (new) - noble

Julian (old from Julian) - curly

Julius (old from Julius) - fluffy

Jupiter (new) - "Jupiter"

Yuri (old, people from George) - farmer

Russian male names starting with the letter I:

Jacob (old from Jacob) - imitating God

Yang (new) - "God of the sun"

Januarius (old from Iannuarii) - January

Jaromir (old, Slavic) - "sunny world"

Yaropolk (old, Slavic) - "sunny"

Yaroslav (old, slav.) - "burning glory" or glorifying Yarila, the ancient Slavic god

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 H:

Nazar(ancient Hebrew) - dedicated to God. The name of the Jewish town of Nazareth

Nathan(ancient Hebrew) - God gave

Nahum(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 R:

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.) - charming, 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, you can find really good characteristic names with good performance(programs).

Oleg and Valentina Svetovid

Our book "Name Energy"

Oleg and Valentina Svetovid

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Since ancient times, people believed that the name determines the character and fate of a person. Old Slavonic male names are associated with the history and development of the society of ancient Russia.

Beliefs, life, fantasy and creativity of the Slavic people are manifested in the names. Calling the boy an old Slavic name, it is good to understand its meaning and meaning. From this article you will learn about the origin of such names, naming traditions, find full list Old Slavonic names.

Origin

The choice of a name among the ancient Slavs was determined by many factors - from the origin and position of the family, to pagan beliefs and customs.

Naming traditions

In ancient times, people believed that there was a magical connection between a person and his name. It was believed that without knowing the main name, it is impossible to harm a person. Therefore, children were often given two names: the first - deceitful, known to everyone, and the second - secret, which only the closest knew. secret name hid to protect the child from the evil eye and evil spirits. A false name was sometimes deliberately made unattractive to deceive evil spirits.

In adolescence, a rite of re-naming took place. The young man was named in accordance with the pronounced traits and character traits that were manifested by this time.

History of occurrence

In the pre-Christian era, Slavic names reflected the meaning attached to the naming. Usually the name carried positive energy and expressed the hopes and wishes of the parents. There are several options for the origin of Slavic names:

• From weather phenomena (Frost, Vetran), time of day (Sumorok, Zoryan).
• From the natural world: fish (Ruff, Catfish), animals (Wolf, Hare), birds (Eagle, Nightingale, Raven).
• According to the qualities of a person (Clever, Dobryak, Molchan, Tishilo). By character traits: Brave (brave, brave), Veselin (cheerful, mischievous), Offended (touchy).
• According to external features (Kudryash, Mal, Chernysh). Strong old Slavic boys could be called: Dubynya (strong like an oak), Gorislav (steady like a mountain).
• Names from verbs, adverbs (Zhdan, Hoten, Found, Daren).
• In order of birth: numerals (Pervusha, Vtorak, Tretyak, Shestak, Nine), and ordinal (Senior, Menshak).
• From pagan gods (Veles, Yarilo).
• Negative names were chosen to protect against the evil eye (Likho, Malice, Nezhdan, Fool), or as a reflection of physical defects (Kriv, Nevzor, ​​Nekras).
• By occupation, profession - Kozhemyaka, Warrior, Peasant. These names look like nicknames, but in fact they are confirmed by surviving documents.
• Names derived from the names of other peoples. From the ancient Germanic names Khrodrik, Ingvarr, Helg came the ancient Russian Rurik, Igor, Oleg.
• Compound or dibasic names composed of two roots united by a connecting vowel.

Dibasic

Most of the Old Slavic names are represented by complex two-base names. One root of such a name determined the qualities (strength, power, power, love), and the second root showed the scope of their application (everyone, people, goodness, gods, army). The inherent meaning of such names can be determined intuitively by ear. For example, Bogomil - dear to God, Vsemil - dear to everyone, Kazimir - seems to show the world.

The propensity for military art was transmitted by names with military roots - regiment, howl-, rati-:

1. Yaropolk.
2. Ratibor.
3. Ratislav.
4. Vojislav.

Those inclined to the study of spiritual sciences added the root of the holy:

1. Svyatoslav.
2. Svyatomir.

Positive qualities determined the roots of kindness, cuteness, joyfulness, loveliness:

1. Lubomir.
2. Dobrogost.
3. Radolyub.

Some meanings are already difficult to determine by sound, because the meanings of words have changed. For example, the root fat meant abundance, wealth:

1. Zhiroslav.
2. Domazhir.

The root -ostr (sharp) meant brave:

1. Ostromir.
2. Wit.

The root - Slav spoke about the princely origin of the name and the upper class. Artisans and peasants had the same names with simple suffixes and endings: -l(o), -yat(a), -sh(a), -n(ya):

1. Dobroslav - Dobrynya, Dobryata.
2. Putislav - Putyata, Putyata.
3. Stanislav - Stanilo.
4. Mstislav - Mestilo, Mistyasha.

Evolution

Many names of ancient Slavic men were lost after the arrival of Christianity in Russia. The Slavic pagan gods with Christianity were replaced by a single God. With a change in faith, there was a rejection of names that included the names of the old gods (Yarilo, Veles). Some of the ancient Slavic names were banned by the Christian Church.

Old Slavonic names replaced the names from the Bible (Greek, Jewish, Roman and others). After the adoption of Christianity, children began to be named after Orthodox saints. For example, the ancient name Ivan, which formed the basis of many folk tales and seems to be originally Russian, came from the Hebrew name John, and appeared after the baptism of Russia.

Some of the ancient Slavic names remained in use, like worldly household names, they called the child in the family circle. Some of these names gradually evolved into nicknames.

Many ancient names formed the basis of surnames (Nezhdan - Nezhdanov, Volk - Volkov, Nevzor - Nevzorov, Nekras - Nekrasov, Molchan - Molchanov, Hare - Zaitsev, Tretyak - Tretyakov, Zloba - Zlobov, Putyai - Putin, Orel - Orlov, Ersh - Ershov).

Some of the Slavic names have survived to this day almost unchanged. Vladimir, Stanislav, Vyacheslav, Vladislav - remain popular and modern at the present time. These names were worn by rulers, princes, commanders and governors, so they remained relevant for many centuries. Some of the Old Slavonic names were canonized by the church, name days were added according to them, these names were included in church calendars and remained in use:

• Vladimir.
• Bogdan.
• Vsevolod.
• Vladislav.
• Yaroslav.

A complete list of Old Church Slavonic and their meanings

This is what the ancient names of Russian men meant:

• Bazhen (desired, beloved, divine).
• Bazan (screamer).
• Bashilo (spoiler, naughty).
• Belimir (white, bright world).
• Belogor (white mountain, sublime).
• Beloslav (white, bright glory).
• White (white, light).
• Berislav (taking glory).
• Bogdan (Given by the Gods).
• Bogolyub (God loving).
• Bogomir (God peace).
• Boleslav (more glorious, most glorious).
• Borimir (fighting for peace).
• Borislav (fighting for glory).
• Bratislav (brother, friend of glory).
• Bronislav (preserving glory).
• Bryachislav (glorious warrior).
• Budimir (awakening, awakening the world).
• Burislav (stormy glory).
• Vadim (arguing, proving).
• Vadimir (attracting, calling).
• Velizar (great dawn, much light).
• Velimir (great, big world).
• Velimudr (knowing).
• Vesilin (cheerful, cheerful).
• Vladimir (owning the world, striving for harmony).
• Vladislav (possessing glory).
• Vlastimir (ruling over the world).
• Vojislav (fighting for glory, glorious warrior).
• Volodar (possessing will, lord).
• Volga (wizard, hero).
• Vorotislav (returning glory).
• Vsevolod (owning everything).
• Vseslav (the most glorious, generous).
• Vysheslav (higher than others in glory, glorified).
• Vyacheslav (the most glorious, the most glorious).
• Gleb (presented to God, given under the protection of God).
• Much (large, large, skillful).
• Gorislav (flaming in glory).
• Gradomir (creator of the world).
• Gradislav (preserving glory).
• Gremislav (loudly famous).
• Danislav (let it be glorious).
• Darimir (bestower of peace).
• Dobrolyub (kind, loving).
• Dobromil (kind, dear).
• Dobromysl (good thinking).
• Dobroslav (glorified for good, glorifying good).
• Dobrynya (kind, daring).
• Dragomil (especially expensive, precious).
• Dragomir (cherishing the world, beloved by all).
• Squad (friend, comrade, or army, detachment).
• Dushan (spiritual, spiritual).
• Duhovlad (possessing the spirit).
• Yeseny (clear sky, clear).
• Zhdan (desired, expected).
• Zhiteslav (glorifying life).
• Zvyaga (loud).
• Zvenimir (ringing about peace, calling for consent).
• Zlatan (gold, precious).
• Zlatomir (golden world).
• Zlatoslav (golden glory).
• Izyaslav (who gained fame).
• Izheslav (be with glory).
• Istislav (glorifying the truth).
• Casimir (bringing peace, peace).
• Krasimir (beautiful world).
• Krasislav (beauty of glory).
• Labuta (clumsy, bumpkin).
• Ladimir (pacifying, in harmony with the world).
• Ladislav (glorifying beauty, harmonious).
• Lel (love, passionate).
• Luchezar (radiant, luminous).
• We love (favorite).
• Lubomir (loving world, any world).
• Curiosity (loving to think).
• Lyuboslav (glorifying love).
• Lyudmil (dear to people).
• Mal, Malyuta (small, baby).
• Mechislav (famous for the sword, glorious warrior, valiant).
• Milan (sweet, gentle).
• Milovan (affectionate, caring).
• Miloslav (dear glory).
• Mirko (peaceful, calm).
• Miroslav (glorious with the world, glorifying the world).
• Molchan (silent, laconic).
• Mstislav (irreconcilable, avenging glory, glorious avenger).
• Myslimir (thinking about the world).
• Hope (hope, expectation).
• Negomir (gentle world).
• Nikola (winner, warrior).
• Odinets (the only one, the first in a row).
• Oleg (sacred, dedicated).
• Ostromir (piercing, brave world).
• Witty (sharp-thinking, brave-thinking).
• Peresvet (bright, bright, clear).
• Polkan (strong, quick).
• Polyuda (giant, huge).
• Beautiful (beautiful).
• Putimir (reasonable world, the way of the world).
• Putislav (who glorified his path, blessed road).
• Radamir (rejoicing in peace, fighter for peace).
• Raday (joyful, joy).
• Radimir (who cares for the world).
• Radislav (rejoicing in glory, rejoicing in glory).
• Radmil (sweet joy).
• Radosvet (light of joy).
• Ratibor (fearless warrior, conqueror of the army).
• Rodislav (born glorious).
• Rostislav (growing glory, grown up for glory).
• Svetozar (illuminating with light, illuminated with light).
• Svyatomir (holy world).
• Svyatoslav (consecrated by glory).
• Svyatopolk (fighter for a holy cause, holy host).
• Slavomir (glorifying the world).
• Stanislav (becoming glorious or famous for the camp).
• Stoyan (persistent, strong).
• Tverdimir (solid world).
• Tvorimir (creating the world).
• Tikhomir (quiet, peaceful, peaceful).
• Tikhoslav (quiet glory).
• Khotislav (desiring glory, striving for glory).
• Brave (brave).
• Hranislav (guardian of glory).
• Cheslav (famous).
• Chudomil (wonderful, dear).
• Yanislav (glorious).
• Jaromir (bright world).
• Yaropolk (bright regiment, powerful army).
• Yaroslav (bright glorious, glorifying Yarila, the god of the Sun).

Old Slavic male names not only sound beautiful, but also have deep roots and sacred meanings. They carry the stamp of energy, culture and traditions of the Slavic people. Choosing an ancient Slavic male name, parents lay the foundations of spiritual qualities and the direction of the life path of your child, because the growing boy will be projected those features that great ancestors possessed.

1. Nomenclature as a historical source

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 rounds threw me with their horns along with the horse, the deer gored me, the elk trampled on my feet, the boar tore off the sword on my hip, the bear bit my sweatshirt at my knee, the fierce beast jumped on my hips and the 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: when compiling spiritual testament, at 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 holy calendars translated from Greek significantly limited the vocabulary of names: in the oldest of the holy calendars 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, Zhanna, 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.

Choosing a name for a newborn baby is not an easy task for moms and dads. I so want the future name of the child to have a beneficial effect on the fate of the baby, help him through life, so that the name of the child does not bring inconvenience.

Today, in the arsenal of parents there are a huge number of names for boys, from Orthodox to modern and very unusual. How to name a boy is up to you and your beloved spouse to decide, but of course it’s better to first read a little information about the meaning of the boy’s name in order to choose the right one.

Female portal Mikrusha.ru prepared for you a complete list of Russian names for a boy, as well as modern and unusual male names. We hope you choose the best name for your son!

Auror / Avrory (new) - son of the morning dawn

Adonis (old) - lord

Alevtin (new) - alien to evil

Ambrose

Anastasy (old) - resurrected

Russian names for boys starting with the letter B

Bazhen (other Russian) - saint

Benedict (old) - blessed

Vilen (new) - short for V.I. LENIN

Vissarion (old) - forest man

Eruslan (other Russian) - "lion"

Innocent

Isidore / Sidor (old) - patron of fertility

July (new) - summer

Russian names for boys starting with the letter K

Casimir (glor.) - announcing peace

Kuzma / Kozma (nar. from old Cosmas) - decorated

Kupriyan (nar. from Cyprian) - a native of Cyprus or copper

Russian names for boys starting with the letter L

Laurel (old) - famous

Lawrence (old) - crowned with laurels

Lazar (old) - "God's help"

Larion (nar. from Hilarion) - joyful

Mily (old) - cute

Miloneg (glor.) - cute

Miloslav (glor.) - glory is sweet

World (new) - "peace"

Miron (old) - kind

Miroslav (glory) - winner

Russian names for boys starting with the letter N

Nazar / Nazarius (old) - dedicated to God

Nathan (old) - bestowed

Naum (old) - consolation

Neon (old) - shining

Neonil (old) - principled

Nestor / Nester (old) - returned to his homeland

Nicander (old) - the winner of men

Nord (new) - north (ny)

Russian boy names starting with the letter O

Russian names for boys starting with the letter P

Polycarp

Porfiry

Prokop (Prokofy)

Procopius

Prokhor (old) - head of the choir

Russian names for boys starting with the letter P

Radium (new) - "radium"

Radim (glor.) - native

Radislav (glor.) - glad to glory

Radomir (glor.) - glad to the world

Russian names for boys starting with the letter C

Savva / Sava (old) - desired

Savely (old) - desired

Light (new) - "light"

Svetlan (glor.) - bright

Svetozar (glor.) - bright as the dawn

Svetoslav (glor.) - "glory is bright"

Svyatogor (ancient Russian) - "holy mountain"

Svyatopolk (other Russian) - "holy regiment"

Tristan (old) - sad (tristia)

Tryphon (old) - pampered

Trofim (old) - pet