75 Traditional & Modern Russian Names for Boys

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Plus, naming expert Natalie Mulholland shares her favorite Russian names for boys

Co-authored by Natalie Mulholland and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: November 29, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Unique
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• Traditional
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Russian boy names are popular because many of them share a strong, masculine energy. Whether you have Russian heritage or just like the way the names sound, we’ve gathered all the best popular, unique, and traditional names to consider for your baby boy, with suggestions from naming expert Natalie Mulholland. Keep reading to find the perfect Russian boy name for you!

Our Favorite Russian Boy Names

Naming expert Natalie Mulholland says that two popular Russian names for boys are Alexi and Ivan. Other options include:

• Popular: Dimitri, Kazimir, Lev, Nikolai
• Unique: Anatoly, Bogdan, Grisha, Leonid, Miroslav
• Traditional: Boris, Fyodor, Igor, Konstantin, Vladimir

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Popular Russian Boy Names

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1. 
   Choose a strong, masculine name for a common option. Many popular Russian boys’ names sound strong and masculine. These names are popular in Russia and fairly well-known in other countries, as well. If you’re looking for a name that’s popular but isn’t too trendy, try one of the following:

   • Abram (meaning: “high father”)
   • Aleksandr (meaning: “defending men”)
   • Alexi (meaning: “defending men”)
   • Armen (meaning: “Armenian, soldier”)
   • Dema (meaning: “to tame, subdue”)
   • Deniskov (meaning: “god of Nysa”)
   • Dimitri (meaning: “follower of Demeter”)
   • Emil (meaning: “striving to excel, rival”)
   • Filipp (meaning: “friend of horses”)
   • Garold (meaning: “spear, rule, power”)
   • Ilya (meaning: “the Lord is my God”)
   • Ivan (meaning: “God is gracious”)
   • Kazimir (meaning: “destroyer of peace”)
   • Lev (meaning: “heart, lion”)
   • Luka (meaning: “bright, shining”)
   • Maksim (meaning: “greatest, largest”)
   • Mikhail (meaning” who is like God”)
   • Misha (diminutive of Mihail, meaning “who is like God”)
   • Nikolai (meaning: “people of victory”)
   • Rostya (meaning: “growth, glory, fame”)
   • Sasha (meaning: “defending men”)
   • Sergei (meaning: “servant”)
   • Viktor (meaning: “victor, conqueror”)
   • Vitya (meaning: “victor, conqueror”)
   • Volya (meaning: “freedom, will”)

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Natalie Mulholland is a naming expert and content creator based in Athens, Georgia. She brings a linguistically focused approach to her content, sharing a name’s origin, meaning, category, notable people, and more.
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Section 2 of 3:

Unique Russian Boy Names

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1. 
   Pick a unique name you don’t hear often. Some Russian names, like Dimitri and Nikolai, are popular outside of Russia. If you want something a bit more unique, however, try to dig a little deeper. Here are some names you may not be as familiar with if you aren’t from Russia:

   • Anatoly (meaning: “from the east, rising sun”)
   • Arseni (meaning: “virile, strong”)
   • Artyom (meaning: “safe, healthy, strong”)
   • Bogdan (meaning: “gift from God”)
   • Evgeni (meaning: “well-born, noble”)
   • Gavriil (meaning: “man of God”)
   • Gleb (meaning: “God, inheritance, legacy”)
   • Grisha (meaning: “watchful, vigilant”)
   • Ignat (meaning: “fiery”)
   • Ilariy (meaning: “cheerful”)
   • Iosif (meaning: “God increases”)
   • Kesha (meaning: “innocent”)
   • Leonid (meaning: “lion”)
   • Melor (meaning: “iron man”)
   • Miroslav (meaning: “peace, glory”)
   • Nikandr (meaning: “victory of man”)
   • Nikita (meaning: “unconquered”)
   • Orel (meaning: “light of God”)
   • Pavel (meaning: “small”)
   • Rodion (meaning: “song of the hero”)
   • Todor (meaning: “gift of God”)
   • Vadim (meaning: “attractive”)
   • Yasha (meaning: “supplanter”)
   • Yevgeniy (meaning: “well-born”)
   • Zhivago (meaning: “life”)
   • Not sure if you’re having a boy or a girl? Check out our “Russian Girl Names” article for some feminine options!

Section 3 of 3:

Traditional Russian Boy Names

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1. 
   Choose a name with a long history. Many traditional Russian names are still popular today. If you want to pay tribute to your heritage, consider choosing a name inspired by a relative. Or, choose the name of your favorite Russian author or historical figure. Here are some examples:

   • Artem (meaning: “dedicated to Artemis, work of art”)
   • Boris (meaning: “warrior, short, wolf”)
   • Demyan (meaning: “to tame, subdue”)
   • Fyodor (meaning: “God’s gift”)
   • Grigory (meaning: “watchful, alert, curious, swift”)
   • Igor (meaning: “warrior”)
   • Konstantin (meaning: “steadfast”)
   • Makari (meaning: “blessed, happy; I wish”)
   • Olexei (meaning: “defender of humankind”)
   • Pasha (meaning: “small, humble”)
   • Pushkin (meaning: “gun, cannon”)
   • Pyotr (meaning: “rock, stone”)
   • Radimir (meaning: “happy, famous joy”)
   • Rostislav (meaning: “growth, glory, fame”)
   • Rurik (meaning: “famous ruler”)
   • Samuil (meaning: “told by God”)
   • Timofey (meaning: “honoring God”)
   • Valentin (meaning: “strength, health”)
   • Vanya (meaning: “God is gracious”)
   • Vasili (meaning: “royal, kingly”)
   • Vitaliy (meaning: “life”)
   • Vladimir (meaning: “great ruler, peaceful ruler”)
   • Yakov (meaning: “supplanter”)
   • Yuri (meaning: “farmer”)
   • Yuroslav (meaning: “fierce glory, bright fame”)
   • Looking for a traditional Russian last name, too? Check out our “Russian Last Names” article for inspiration!
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