75 Traditional & Modern Russian Names for Boys

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Personalized Russian name ideas for your baby boy

Co-authored by Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: October 15, 2025 Fact Checked

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Popular

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Unique

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Traditional

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. Keep reading to find the perfect Russian boy name for you!

Our Favorite Russian Boy Names

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

Section 1 of 3:

Popular Russian Boy Names

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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”)
- Alexei (meaning: “defending men”)
- Armen (meaning: “Armenian, soldier”)^{[1]
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- Dema (meaning: “to tame, subdue”)
- Deniskov (meaning: “god of Nysa”)
- Dimitri (meaning: “follower of Demeter”)^{[2]
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- 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”)^{[3]
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- Luka (meaning: “bright, shining”)
- Maksim (meaning: “greatest, largest”)
- Mikhail (meaning” who is like God”)
- Misha (diminutive of Mihail, meaning “who is like God”)^{[4]
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- Nikolai (meaning: “people of victory”)
- Rostya (meaning: “growth, glory, fame”)
- Sasha (meaning: “defending men”)^{[5]
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- Sergei (meaning: “servant”)
- Viktor (meaning: “victor, conqueror”)^{[6]
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- Vitya (meaning: “victor, conqueror”)
- Volya (meaning: “freedom, will”)

Section 2 of 3:

Unique Russian Boy Names

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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”)^{[7]
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- 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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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”)^{[8]
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- Vladimir (meaning: “great ruler, peaceful ruler”)^{[9]
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- 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!