30 Unique Russian Boy Names and Meanings

Russian is an East Slavic language, and it has more than 210 million total speakers worldwide. The 6th of June is the celebration of Russian Language Day. So, I have selected 30 unique Russian boy names with meanings included.

Makariy

Makariy is the Russian form of Makarios and means ”blessed” or ”happy.” This secular Greek term Makarios was used when talking about God.

Afinogen

Afinogen has its origins in the Greek name Aphigenes (born of the goddess).

Dobromir

From the Slavic elements “dobro” (good) and “mir” (peace). Dobromira is the feminine variant.

Agafon

Agafon comes from the Greek word “agathon” (goodness). It has many diminutives, including Gafka and Aga.

Epifan

As you can see, many Russian names have Greek origins including Epifan. Epifan is rooted in the Greek word epiphaneia and is symbolizing ”revelation” or ”manifestation.”

Akinfiy

Akinfiy also has Greek origins and means “invincible” or “unconquered.“ Akinfiy Nikitich Demidov was a Russian industrialist and the founder of the Demidovs’ “empire”.

Feoktist

Feoktist has a meaning that I like, “God has given” or “noble spirit.”

Akim

Akim is a Russian variant of Joachim which is from the Hebrew Jehoiachin and is meaning Jehovah will uphold. Jeconiah was the penultimate king of Judah and was taken into captivity by the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar II.

Innokentiy

This name is the Russian form of Innocentius, a Latin name with origins in the “innocens” (innocent). Pope Innocent I was the bishop of Rome for about 16 years.

Alferey

Alferey is the English form of the name Alfrey, that translate to Elf power or Elf counsel.

Ippolit

Meaning freer of horses or horse stampede, Ippolit comes from the Greek name Hippólutos.

Facts about the Russian language

Russian has over 250 million total speakers worldwide. There are close to 1 million Americans who speak Russian regularly.

There are only about 200,000 words in the Russian language.

Russian is the official language of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Russian is also one of the official languages of the United Nations.

Anfim

Anfim is derived from the Polish word for flower. This name can also come from the Greek word Anfimios (undying or immortal).

Gavriil

Gavriil derives from the Slavic language, and it translates as ”God is my strength.” It is a Greek and Russian form of the name Gabriel, which is from the Hebrew name Gaḇrī. Archangel Gabriel is considered the messenger of God in Abrahamic religions. Gabriel told Mary that her baby would be the Son of God.

Anisim

Anisim means profit in Russian.

Lavrentiy

This name is from the Latin name Laurentius. Saint Lawrence was a deacon of the city of Rome.

Arkadiy

Arkady is a Russian boy name, meaning “from Arcadia.” Russian pianist Arcadi Volodos won the Edison Award for his discography.

Kalistrat

Kalistrat is popular in Belarus and comes from the Greek elements ‘kallos’ (beauty) and ‘stratos’ (soldier).

Artamon

Artamon also has Greek roots and means ”from Artemis.” Artamon Putilov was a Russian general and bore this name.

READ MORE: Rare One Syllable Boy Names

Grigory

Alert or watchful.

Averyan

Averky means ”to attract.” It comes from the Latin word averto. Diminutives are Yana, Averyanka, Vera, Averya, and Avera.

How to pick a good Russian name for your baby boy

Russian names consist of a family name, a first name, and a patronymic name. Also, in Old Russia people celebrated their so-called name day.

Make sure the name can’t be shortened into a mean nickname.

Avoid using trendy names for your boy. That’s why I included in this list only rare Russian boy names.

Make a list of names that you like. It’s important to pick a name that you genuinely love.

Bogdan

From the Slavic words bog (god) and dan (given), the name Bogdan is also popualr in Romania. The feminine forms are Bogdanka and Bogdana.

Lazar

It is a shortened form of the Hebrew name Eleazar (God has helped). In Albanian, Lazar is Llazar and as Lázár in Hungarian. In the Bible, Lazarus of Bethany was resurected by Jesus after being dead for 4 days.

Borislav

Borislav comes from the Slavic elements ”borti” (meaning battle) and ”slava” (meaning glory). Borislava is the equivalent for girls.

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Leonid

Leonid means ”descendant of a lion” or ”son of the lion.”

Bratimir

The name Bratimir is from the Slavic brati, meaning gather.

Gordey

Proud-spirited.

Cheslav

It has the elements cest (honor) and slav (fame).

Filimon

Meaning affectionate loving, the name Filimon is derived from the Greek Philēmon. This name is also popular in Romania.

Korniliy

Korniliy is the Russian version of Cornelius (horned). Cornelius was a Roman centurion who is believed to be the first Gentile converted to Christianity.

Dorofey

Dorofey has its origins in the Greek Dorotheus (which means ”gift of God”).