Top 100 Russian Girl Names For Your Baby

Georgia Stone
Feb 16, 2024 By Georgia Stone
Originally Published on Nov 02, 2020
Cute little girl in red bikini and headband sitting on white lifeguard chair
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Age: 0-99
Read time: 39.8 Min

Being a parent means wanting the best for your baby girl, and this includes giving your baby the best name.

Russian baby girl names are classic and different from other traditional names. The beautiful thing about names is the fact that you don't need to be from Russia to give your baby girl a Russian name.

Russian baby names have a special ring to them. They roll off the tongue with ease and are popular in many parts of the world, not just in Russia. A Russian name sounds feminine and is sophisticated for your baby girl.

Some popular Russian names for girls include Anastasia, Katerina, and so on. Some of these Russian names also have similarities to names in other parts of the world.

The short version of a Russian name makes a great nickname as well, and guess what? It does not lose its deep meaning. Now, you might be lost on what Russian baby name to give your child.

Not to worry, this list has 100 Russian baby girl names to inspire your name choice. There are also non-binary names, just in case you have a boy and wouldn't want to change your name choice.

Popular Russian Girl Names

Cute little girl wearing raincoat and standing against yellow background.

It will be quite a task to compile a list of Russian names, especially when you are not from the country of origin. You might want something more than the average name, something more popular both in your home country and in Russia.

Well, you're in luck because this list contains some of the most popular Russian baby girl names that will blow your mind. The list also gives you the meaning of these names and a little fun fact as well.

  • Aleandra (АлександраАлеандра)(Russian origin) also spelled Alexandra, Aleksandra, or shortened as Sandra, Sasha or Shura. This name is the feminine variant of Alexander or Aleksander, and it means "defender of man." It is also an epithet for the Greek goddess, Hera.
  • Anastasia (Анастасия) (Greek origin). The name is gotten from the Greek word anástasis (ἀνάστασις) which means "resurrection." This name can also be spelled as Anastasiya, Anastasya or Anastase. It can also be shortened to form such names as Anna (Анна), Sia, and Tasia, which arebeautiful nicknames for your baby girl.
  • Angelina (Ангелина) (Greek origin) means "messenger". It can be shortened to Angel or Angie. The name is famous due to the award-winning American actress , movies director and philanthropist Angelina Jolie.
  • Anoushka (Анушка) (Russian origin). Although this name means "favor" or "grace", it is related to Anastasia which means resurrection as they are both linked to the name Anna. Variants of this name include Anuschka (Анушка), Annushka (Аннушка) and Anushka (Анушка).
  • Anichka (Аничка)(Ukrainian origin) means "grace". The name can be shortened to Anya or simply as Ann.
  • Anya (Аня)(Hebrew origin) Means"graceful" or "Inexhaustible" this name is the Russian diminutive of Anna and can also be spelled as Ania or Anja.
  • Belka (Белка)(Slavic origin). Most likely a nickname or a pet name derived from a Slavic word which means "squirrel". It might also be written as Bielka.
  • Bella (Белла)(Italian origin) means "beautiful". It is usually a shortened form or a nickname of many names, mostly those that end with -bella, such as Isabella (Изабелла), Annabella (Аннабелла) or Arabella (Арабелла).
  • Calina (Калина)(Greek origin). This name which can also be spelled as Kalina, means "the moon".
  • Christina (Кристина)(Greek origin) means "follower of Christ". Variations include Khristina, Khristya, Krysta, Kristina and Χριστίνα. It is often shortened as Chris, Christa, Krista, Kristine or Tina.
  • Diana (Диана)(Latin origin) means "divine," "shine," and "heavenly". It famously belongs to the Roman goddess version of the Greek Artemis. It is also spelt as Kiana.
  • Dinara (Динара)(Russian origin) means "treasure" or "expensive".
  • Elena (Елена)(Greek origin) means "shining light". This Russian name can also be spelled as Alena, Alenka, Alyona, Yelena or Jelena. Pet forms of this name include Lena, Lennie, Ella, Ellie, Nellie and Nena.
  • Evva (Евва)(Hebrew origin) means "giver of life." It is the Russian version of Eve, the first woman created in the Bible.
  • Galina (Галина)(Slavic origin) means "calm one". It can also be spelled as Halyna or Halina but is also diminutized as Galya, Galka, Gala, Galochka, and Galechka, Halya or Halka.
  • Lilia (лилия)(Russian origin) means "beauty, innocence, purity". The name is often used as a diminutive of such names as Liliane or Elizabeth. Spelling variations include Liliya and Lilya.
  • Lizabeta (Лизабета)(Greek origin) means "God is my vow, consecrated to God". This feminine variation of Elisheva is the Russian version of Elizabeth.
  • Margosha (маргоша)(Russian origin) means "pearl". It is derived as a Russian transliteration of Margaret.
  • Matryona (матрена)(Russian origin) means "lady". The name is the Russian form of Latin Matrona. One spelling variation of this name is Motya.
  • Mila (Мила)(Slavic origin) means "gracious, favored, dear one". The name is derived from Emilia, Milena, Ludmila, and Camila and is a shortened form of such popular feminine names as Camila, Emilia, Ludmila and Milena. American actress Mila Kunis is one notable person bearing this name.
  • Sonechka (Сонечка)(Greek origin) means "wisdom". Popular variations of this name include Sonya and Sofia. It is the Russian version of Sophia.
  • Stefaniya (Стефания)(Polish origin) means "crown, winner". Variations include Stepania, Stefania, Stefanida and Stephanie, but it can be shortened as Stef, Steph, Stepha, Stefka, Stesha, and Stephi. Russians also have familiar forms of this name, such as Faina and Panya.
  • Taisiya (Таисия)(Russian origin) means "Egyptian goddess". It is gotten as a Russian variation of Thais. The name is said to famously belong to one of the companions of Alexander the Great, the famous Emperor of Greece.
  • Tamara (тамара)(Hebrew origin) means "date" the fruit. People with this name are often nicknamed Tammy, Tamy, Tami, Tammie, and Tam.
  • Vladlena (Владлена)(Russian origin) means "to rule". The name likely has two meanings: from Vladimir, which means "of great power;" or as a combination of Vlad (meaning "to possess") and Lena or Yelena (meaning "sunny").

Names Of Famous Russian Women

Sweet sleeping newborn baby girl.

Important female figures have emerged from Russia and changed the dynamics of things in the country. They have made history and have sealed their names in stone with their great achievements. If you are looking for the best baby names for girls, then this list is for you. These girl names in Russian will be perfect for your baby.

  • Alla (Алла)(Russian origin) means "'to ascend, to go up." The name is often associated with Saint Alla, the martyred wife of a Gothic chieftain during King Athanaric's reign.
  • Alexandra (Александра)(Greek origin) means "defender of mankind". Quite a few notable persons have had this name over the years, including Saint Alexandra of Rome, the Christian martyr known either as the wife of Roman Prefect Dacian or the spouse of Emperor Diocletian. A lot of famous princesses have been called Alexandra as well.
  • Anna (Анна)(Hebrew origin) means 'favour". It is widely used and favoured among Christians because it is customarily the name of the Virgin Mary's mother. Numerous saints and queens also went by this name.
  • Catherine (Екатерина)(Greek origin) means "pure." This name is commonly associated with the Babylonian Goddess of fertility, love, and war. In Christianity, the name is tied with the ascetic Saint Catherine of Sienna. Spelling variations include Katheryn, Katharyn, Kathryne, Katheryne, Katherin, Kathrine, Catharine and Cathryn.
  • Chulpan (Чулпан)(Turkish origin) means "morning star." The name is most commonly associated with Chulpan Nailevna Khamatova PAR, a Russian film, theater and TV veteran actress and philanthropist.
  • Elvira (Эльвира)(Spanish origin) means "foreign," "stranger", and "true," Perhaps the most famous use of it is as the stage name for renowned horror film host Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Another is Elvira Nabiullina, one of the most powerful women in Russia and the country's central bank governor.
  • Irina (Ирина)(Greek origin) means "peace". The name is a derivative of Eirene, which is the personification of peace. Popular persons with this name include Irina Shayk, the famous Russian model who featured in the movie "Hercules" and Irina Bokova, a former Director-General of UNESCO.
  • Margarita (Маргарита)(Latin origin) means "pearl". One notable person bearing this name is former Russian rhythmic gymnast Margarita Mamun who won the 2016 Olympic All-around title and two silver medals in the World All-around competition.
  • Maria (Мария)(Latin origin) means "of the sea, "The name is commonly associated with the name Maria Theresa, one of whom was a Queen of France and wife to the Sun King, Louis XIV, while the other was one of the most renowned Habsburgs and the most significant leader of the age of Enlightened Absolutism. After her father, Charles VI's death, she assumed control of the government and put into place a number of long-lasting changes that advanced what is now known as public health.
  • Nadezhda (Надежда)(Slavic origin) means "hope," One notable person associated with this name is Nadezhda Sergeyevna Alliluyeva, the second wife of Joseph Stalin, the former premier of the Soviet Union.
  • Nataliya (Наталия)(Latin origin) means "Christmas day." One notable person associated with this name is Natalia Romanovna Makarova, a Russian prima ballerina and choreographer whose achievements have seen her being described as the finest ballerina of her generation in the West.
  • Nyuta (Нюта)(African origin) means "panther" or "jaguar." A famous Russian bearing this name is Nyuta Federmesser, a Russian humanitarian worker and the founder of the Vera hospice foundation for the terminally ill.
  • Olga (Ольга)(Russian origin) means "Blessed." Olga Konstantinovna of Russia is one of the most famous people bearing this name. She was the wife of King George I and the grandmother of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and the husband of Queen Elizabeth II.
  • Svetlana (Светлана)(Russian origin) means "light," One notable person bearing this name is Svetlana Aleksandrovna Kuznetsova, a retired Russian professional tennis player who has won two Grand Slam singles finals.
  • Tatyana (Татьяна)(Latin origin) means " "arranger." A famous person bearing this name is Tatyana Yakovlevna Elizarenkova, a distinguished Soviet Russian Indologist who has been described by Wendy Doniger as "the greatest living scholar of the RigVeda, and certainly the greatest linguist of the RigVeda".

Unique Russian Girl Names

If you have come this far in the article, then you know there is something different about Russian names. There are Russian names with a twist to them, making them more unique for your baby. Let's dive into the list of some of the unique Russian baby names for girls.

  • Abihail (Абихаил)(Hebrew origin) means "the father of strength". The name probably finds its origin in such Biblical characters as the daughter of David's brother Eliab.
  • Akilina (Акилина)(Russian origin) means "eaglelike" or "someone who is very powerful".
  • Alena (Алена)(Slavic origin) means "light". A public figure associated with this name is Alena Sergeyevna Kostornaia, the Russian figure skater who was crowned the 2020 European champion, the 2019–20 Grand Prix Final champion and the 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy champion.
  • Alina (Алина)(Slavic origin) means "beautiful" or "bright". Alina Maratovna Kabaeva, or Kabayeva, is one famous person bearing this name. She is a Russian politician and retired individual rhythmic gymnast who was recently appointed the Honoured Master of Sports by the Russian government.
  • Alisa (Алиса)(Russian origin) means "rational" and "coherent". One notable person bearing this name is Alisa Brunovna Freindlich, a Soviet and Russian actress famous for her roles in such movies as Thawed Carp and Bolshoi.
  • Anatoli (Анатолий)(Russian origin) means "a beautiful and warm sunrise". It is derived from the feminine version of Anatol, which is linked to the first Patriarch of Constantinople.
  • Bojana (Бояна)(Slavic origin) means "she who is a fighter in battle". Bojana is the feminine variant of the name Bojan, which comes from the Slavic term boj, which means "war."
  • Bronya (Броня)(Russian origin) means "a woman who gives protection". It is often used as the short form of the name Bronisława.
  • Darya (Дарья)(Persian origin) means "one who is good".The name, which can also be spelled as Daria, belongs to such notable personalities as Darya Vladimirovna Poverennova, the Russian theatre and film actress who also happens to be a granddaughter of the great Soviet actor Sergei Lukyanov.
  • Dema (Дема)(Russian origin) means "rain-bearing".
  • Emiliya (Эмилия)(Bulgarian origin) means "to work hard." Also spelled as Emilija, the name is popularly associated with Emiliya Spivak, famous for her roles in such movies as Angel's Aisle, The State Counsellor, Junk, and 1814.
  • Feodora (Феодора)(Russian origin) means "she who is a gift from heaven". The name is closely associated with the first great-grandchild of Emperor William I of Germany and Queen Victoria of Great Britain, popularly called Princess Feodora of Saxe-Meiningen.
  • Ganya (Ганя)(Hebrew origin) means "garden of the Lord". The name can also be spelled as Gania and is probably the Russian version of Tanya.
  • Ivanna (Иванна)(Russian origin) mean "God is gracious". Perhaps, one of the most popular persons bearing this name is Ivana Trump, the late ex-wife of former US president Donald Trump.
  • Milana (Милана)(Russian origin) means "people's love". A notable person associated with this name is Milana Vayntrub, an American actress, comedian, and activist popularly known as Lily Adams in AT&T commercials.
  • Nadenka (Наденька)(Russian origin) means "hope". The name is likely related to Nadezhda.
  • Nasta (Наста)(Italian origin), the meaning of the name is not quite known. It is a derivative of the name Anastasia and is a variant form of Nastja.
  • Nelli (Нелли)(Latin origin) means "honour". Possibly derived from Cornelia, the name is popularly associated with the Australian operatic soprano Nellie Melba who put in a lot of effort and staged a lot of benefit concerts for the war effort.
  • Nikita (Никита)(Russian origin) means "the winner". The name is likely taken from Nike, the mythical Greek goddess of victory.
  • Nina (Нина)(Russian origin) means "little girl". A variant form of Anne, both an Incan deity of fire and an ocean goddess from Babylon, shared the name Nina.
  • Panya (Паня)(Slavic origin) means "crown". It is possibly a diminutive form of Stephania.
  • Rada (Рада)(Bulgarian origin) means "Joy, willing". One notable person bearing this name is the Soviet journalist Rada Adzhubei, daughter of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.
  • Roza (Роза)(Polish origin) means "rose". One of the most notable persons to bear this name is Roza Isakovna Otunbayeva, the Kyrgyz diplomat and politician who became the first female Central Asian head of state when she served as the President of Kyrgyzstan.
  • Sabina (Сабина)(Latin origin) means "woman". A notable bearer of this name is Sabina Spielrein, a Russian physician and one of the first female psychoanalysts to have introduced the concept of the death instinct.
  • Vanka (Ванька)(Slavic origin) means "grace". This is a variant of the name Johanna. It can sometimes be used as a gender-neutral name.

Names Of Russian Women From History

Women have always played a significant part in the history of any nation. Wherever you are in the world, women will always be seen and heard, making the biggest difference, and Russia is no exception.

The country has produced some of the biggest girl names in its history, and it's time to have a look at who these women from history were and what names they bore.

  • Amelia (Амелия)(German origin) which means "industrious". The name is most commonly associated with Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean alone.
  • Aleksandra (Александра)(Greek origin) means "defender of mankind".
  • Inessa (Инесса)(Greek origin), which means "pure" or "holy". The name is associated with Inessa Armand, a prominent figure in the early communist era and pre-Revolutionary Russian communist movement and who was, at some point in the 19th century, described as the most powerful woman in Moscow.
  • Julia (Юлия)(Latin origin), which means "youthful." Also spelled as Yulia in Russia, this name belongs to Julia Eileen Gillard AC, an Australian former politician who served as the first and only female prime minister in Australian history and to Julia Lipnitskaya, who happens to be the youngest Russian athlete to ever win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics amongst many others.
  • Ksenia (Ксения)(Russian origin) means "wanderer" or "hospitable". One notable woman with this name in Russia is the tennis player Ksenia Yuryevna Pervak who is currently retired. On the ITF Circuit, Pervak won nine singles matches, and three doubles matches in addition to one singles match on the WTA Tour.
  • Lydia (Лидия)(Greek origin) means "from Lydia," a place in Greece. One famous Lydia in Russian history is Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak, also known as Lilya, who, during World War II, served as a fighter pilot in the Soviet Air Force. Her 66 combat sorties are estimated to have resulted in five to twelve solo victories and two to four shared kills.
  • Marina (Марина)(Latin origin) which means "of the sea". Marina Ivanovna Tsvetaeva is one notable personality bearing this name. She is regarded as having produced some of the best Russian literature of the 20th century because of her enthusiasm and risk-taking linguistic exploration as a lyrical poet.
  • Maya (майя) means "good mother." While many would easily associate this name with popular American actress and author Maya Angelou; for Russians, one popular Maya is the Soviet Russian still-life painter Maya Kuzminichna Kopitseva, an Honored Artist of the RSFSR who was recognized as one of the leading representatives of the Leningrad school of painting and a member of the Saint Petersburg Union of Artists.
  • Natalia (Наталья)(French origin), means "Christmas day". One notable person with this name is Russian model, actress, and Goodwill Ambassador Natalia Mikhailovna Vodianova, who established The Naked Heart Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting families of special-needs children.
  • Sophia (София)(Greek origin), means "wisdom." Also spelled Sophie, Sofija, Sofiya, Sofya and Sofie, the name is strikingly associated with Sofya Vasilyevna Kovalevskaya. a female pioneer in mathematics and the first Russian woman to acquire a doctorate in mathematics.
  • Valentina (Валентина)(Latin origin), means "healthy" and "strong." all over the world, one Valentina that's widely respected is Valentina Tereshkova, the Russian engineer and cosmonaut who was the first civilian and woman to go to space and who still remains the only woman to have been on a solo space mission.
  • Valeriya (Валерия)(Latin origin) and means "to be strong". One famous Valeriya is Alla Yurievna Perfilova, the Russian singer and model who is one of Russia's most successful musicians and who has won several awards, including the MTV Russia Music Awards and the People's Artist of Russia award, amongst others.
  • Yevdokiya (Евдокия)(Greek origin), means "to seem well". A notable Russian with this name is Yevdokiya Yakovlevna Rachkevich, who served as commissar and deputy regimental commander during the Second World War. Rachkevich is fondly remembered for tracking her regiment's movements in order to find the bodies of the women who were reported as missing in action so that they might be properly buried.
  • Yekaterina (Екатерина)(Russian origin) means "pure" or "virginal," A notable figure with this name is Yekaterina Romanovna Vorontsova, a significant figure in the Russian Enlightenment, a close companion of Empress Catherine the Great, and a powerful noblewoman. She participated in the coup that put Catherine on the throne, became the first woman to lead a national academy of sciences in the world, the first woman to hold a government position in Europe, and the president of the Russian Academy, which she also assisted in founding.
  • Yevgenia (Евгения)(Russian origin) means "noble." A famous woman from history bearing this name is Yevgenia Bosch, who served as the interior minister and acting head of the Ukrainian Soviet Republic's temporary government in 1917 and is occasionally regarded as the first modern woman to head a national government. She is sometimes regarded as Ukraine's first prime minister after independence as a result.

Russian Non-Binary Names

Unique Russian Girl Names

If you have come this far in the article, then you know there is something different about Russian names. There are Russian names with a twist to them, making them more unique for your baby. Let's dive into the list of some of the unique Russian baby names for girls.

  • Abihail (Абихаил)(Hebrew origin) means "the father of strength". The name probably finds its origin in such Biblical characters as the daughter of David's brother Eliab.
  • Akilina (Акилина)(Russian origin) means "eaglelike" or "someone who is very powerful".
  • Alena (Алена)(Slavic origin) means "light". A public figure associated with this name is Alena Sergeyevna Kostornaia, the Russian figure skater who was crowned the 2020 European champion, the 2019–20 Grand Prix Final champion and the 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy champion.
  • Alina (Алина)(Slavic origin) means "beautiful" or "bright". Alina Maratovna Kabaeva, or Kabayeva, is one famous person bearing this name. She is a Russian politician and retired individual rhythmic gymnast who was recently appointed the Honoured Master of Sports by the Russian government.
  • Alisa (Алиса)(Russian origin) means "rational" and "coherent". One notable person bearing this name is Alisa Brunovna Freindlich, a Soviet and Russian actress famous for her roles in such movies as Thawed Carp and Bolshoi.
  • Anatoli (Анатолий)(Russian origin) means "a beautiful and warm sunrise". It is derived from the feminine version of Anatol, which is linked to the first Patriarch of Constantinople.
  • Bojana (Бояна)(Slavic origin) means "she who is a fighter in battle". Bojana is the feminine variant of the name Bojan, which comes from the Slavic term boj, which means "war."
  • Bronya (Броня)(Russian origin) means "a woman who gives protection". It is often used as the short form of the name Bronisława.
  • Darya (Дарья)(Persian origin) means "one who is good".The name, which can also be spelled as Daria, belongs to such notable personalities as Darya Vladimirovna Poverennova, the Russian theatre and film actress who also happens to be a granddaughter of the great Soviet actor Sergei Lukyanov.
  • Dema (Дема)(Russian origin) means "rain-bearing".
  • Emiliya (Эмилия)(Bulgarian origin) means "to work hard." Also spelled as Emilija, the name is popularly associated with Emiliya Spivak, famous for her roles in such movies as Angel's Aisle, The State Counsellor, Junk, and 1814.
  • Feodora (Феодора)(Russian origin) means "she who is a gift from heaven". The name is closely associated with the first great-grandchild of Emperor William I of Germany and Queen Victoria of Great Britain, popularly called Princess Feodora of Saxe-Meiningen.
  • Ganya (Ганя)(Hebrew origin) means "garden of the Lord". The name can also be spelled as Gania and is probably the Russian version of Tanya.
  • Ivanna (Иванна)(Russian origin) mean "God is gracious". Perhaps, one of the most popular persons bearing this name is Ivana Trump, the late ex-wife of former US president Donald Trump.
  • Milana (Милана)(Russian origin) means "people's love". A notable person associated with this name is Milana Vayntrub, an American actress, comedian, and activist popularly known as Lily Adams in AT&T commercials.
  • Nadenka (Наденька)(Russian origin) means "hope". The name is likely related to Nadezhda.
  • Nasta (Наста)(Italian origin), the meaning of the name is not quite known. It is a derivative of the name Anastasia and is a variant form of Nastja.
  • Nelli (Нелли)(Latin origin) means "honour". Possibly derived from Cornelia, the name is popularly associated with the Australian operatic soprano Nellie Melba who put in a lot of effort and staged a lot of benefit concerts for the war effort.
  • Nikita (Никита)(Russian origin) means "the winner". The name is likely taken from Nike, the mythical Greek goddess of victory.
  • Nina (Нина)(Russian origin) means "little girl". A variant form of Anne, both an Incan deity of fire and an ocean goddess from Babylon, shared the name Nina.
  • Panya (Паня)(Slavic origin) means "crown". It is possibly a diminutive form of Stephania.
  • Rada (Рада)(Bulgarian origin) means "Joy, willing". One notable person bearing this name is the Soviet journalist Rada Adzhubei, daughter of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.
  • Roza (Роза)(Polish origin) means "rose". One of the most notable persons to bear this name is Roza Isakovna Otunbayeva, the Kyrgyz diplomat and politician who became the first female Central Asian head of state when she served as the President of Kyrgyzstan.
  • Sabina (Сабина)(Latin origin) means "woman". A notable bearer of this name is Sabina Spielrein, a Russian physician and one of the first female psychoanalysts to have introduced the concept of the death instinct.
  • Vanka (Ванька)(Slavic origin) means "grace". This is a variant of the name Johanna. It can sometimes be used as a gender-neutral name.

Names Of Russian Women From History

Women have always played a significant part in the history of any nation. Wherever you are in the world, women will always be seen and heard, making the biggest difference, and Russia is no exception.

The country has produced some of the biggest girl names in its history, and it's time to have a look at who these women from history were and what names they bore.

  • Amelia (Амелия)(German origin) which means "industrious". The name is most commonly associated with Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean alone.
  • Aleksandra (Александра)(Greek origin) means "defender of mankind".
  • Inessa (Инесса)(Greek origin), which means "pure" or "holy". The name is associated with Inessa Armand, a prominent figure in the early communist era and pre-Revolutionary Russian communist movement and who was, at some point in the 19th century, described as the most powerful woman in Moscow.
  • Julia (Юлия)(Latin origin), which means "youthful." Also spelled as Yulia in Russia, this name belongs to Julia Eileen Gillard AC, an Australian former politician who served as the first and only female prime minister in Australian history and to Julia Lipnitskaya, who happens to be the youngest Russian athlete to ever win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics amongst many others.
  • Ksenia (Ксения)(Russian origin) means "wanderer" or "hospitable". One notable woman with this name in Russia is the tennis player Ksenia Yuryevna Pervak who is currently retired. On the ITF Circuit, Pervak won nine singles matches, and three doubles matches in addition to one singles match on the WTA Tour.
  • Lydia (Лидия)(Greek origin) means "from Lydia," a place in Greece. One famous Lydia in Russian history is Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak, also known as Lilya, who, during World War II, served as a fighter pilot in the Soviet Air Force. Her 66 combat sorties are estimated to have resulted in five to twelve solo victories and two to four shared kills.
  • Marina (Марина)(Latin origin) which means "of the sea". Marina Ivanovna Tsvetaeva is one notable personality bearing this name. She is regarded as having produced some of the best Russian literature of the 20th century because of her enthusiasm and risk-taking linguistic exploration as a lyrical poet.
  • Maya (майя) means "good mother." While many would easily associate this name with popular American actress and author Maya Angelou; for Russians, one popular Maya is the Soviet Russian still-life painter Maya Kuzminichna Kopitseva, an Honored Artist of the RSFSR who was recognized as one of the leading representatives of the Leningrad school of painting and a member of the Saint Petersburg Union of Artists.
  • Natalia (Наталья)(French origin), means "Christmas day". One notable person with this name is Russian model, actress, and Goodwill Ambassador Natalia Mikhailovna Vodianova, who established The Naked Heart Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting families of special-needs children.
  • Sophia (София)(Greek origin), means "wisdom." Also spelled Sophie, Sofija, Sofiya, Sofya and Sofie, the name is strikingly associated with Sofya Vasilyevna Kovalevskaya. a female pioneer in mathematics and the first Russian woman to acquire a doctorate in mathematics.
  • Valentina (Валентина)(Latin origin), means "healthy" and "strong." all over the world, one Valentina that's widely respected is Valentina Tereshkova, the Russian engineer and cosmonaut who was the first civilian and woman to go to space and who still remains the only woman to have been on a solo space mission.
  • Valeriya (Валерия)(Latin origin) and means "to be strong". One famous Valeriya is Alla Yurievna Perfilova, the Russian singer and model who is one of Russia's most successful musicians and who has won several awards, including the MTV Russia Music Awards and the People's Artist of Russia award, amongst others.
  • Yevdokiya (Евдокия)(Greek origin), means "to seem well". A notable Russian with this name is Yevdokiya Yakovlevna Rachkevich, who served as commissar and deputy regimental commander during the Second World War. Rachkevich is fondly remembered for tracking her regiment's movements in order to find the bodies of the women who were reported as missing in action so that they might be properly buried.
  • Yekaterina (Екатерина)(Russian origin) means "pure" or "virginal," A notable figure with this name is Yekaterina Romanovna Vorontsova, a significant figure in the Russian Enlightenment, a close companion of Empress Catherine the Great, and a powerful noblewoman. She participated in the coup that put Catherine on the throne, became the first woman to lead a national academy of sciences in the world, the first woman to hold a government position in Europe, and the president of the Russian Academy, which she also assisted in founding.
  • Yevgenia (Евгения)(Russian origin) means "noble." A famous woman from history bearing this name is Yevgenia Bosch, who served as the interior minister and acting head of the Ukrainian Soviet Republic's temporary government in 1917 and is occasionally regarded as the first modern woman to head a national government. She is sometimes regarded as Ukraine's first prime minister after independence as a result.

Russian Non-Binary Names

The world is changing, and more people are looking beyond gender specifications. It has led to a demand for non-binary names.

More people are identifying as non-binary, and a gender-neutral name will be preferred in the long run. This list contains gender-neutral names and can be used for your baby girl (or boy).

Whether these names are used for a baby girl or boy, they still retain their deep meaning and value, so you don't need to worry about the change in meaning. Now, let's get into this list of Russian non-binary names.

  • Aleks (Алекс)(Russian origin) means "to defend". One male celebrity bearing this name is Alexey Vladimirovich Vorobyov, who is fondly nicknamed Alex Sparrow. He has produced music in both English and Russian.
  • Bubley (Бубли)(Russian origin), which means "from Babylon". American photographer Esther Bubley is one person bearing this name. She was known for her evocative images of regular people going about their daily lives, which earned her many awards.
  • Ira (Ира)(Russian origin) means "watchful". This name which is often found in the Torah and the Bible, is used in Russia as a diminutive form of Irina (from Eirene, the Greek goddess of peace).
  • Jeramy (Джерами)(Hebrew origin) means "God will uplift". The alternative spelling of this name is Jeremy, both of which are derived from the name Jeremiah.
  • Micha (Миха)(Russian origin) means "who is like the Lord?". Spelling variations of this name include Micha, Micah, Mica, Michal, and of course, Michael.
  • Misha (Миша)(Russian origin) means "who resembles God". This is often used as a pet name for Mikhail and Michael.
  • Motya (Мотя)(Russian origin) Derived from a combination of the words, 'Mattath', which means 'Gift or reward' and 'Yahweh', which means 'God', this is a diminutive form of Matvey which is the Russian variant of the name Mathew.
  • Nika (Ника)(Russian origin) means "very good". The name is a derivative of the Persian word "Nik", which means "Good", "True", and "Chosen".
  • Petia (Петя)(Bulgarian origin) means "stone". It is also used as a diminutive Russian derivative of the name Pyotr.
  • Sanya (Санья)(Arabic origin) means "brilliant". It is either used as the feminine form of Sani or as part of the diminutive forms of Aleksandra.
  • Sasha (Саша)(Greek origin) means "to defend". The name is gender-neutral because it is a diminutive form of another gender-neutral name, Alexander or Alexandra.
  • Shura (Шура)(Russian origin), which means "defending men". Another diminutive form of Alexander or Alexandra.
  • Slava (Слава)(Slavic origin) means "Glory". This name is used as a diminutive form of such names as Vyacheslav, Stanislav, Rostislav, Miroslava, and Yaroslava.
  • Tanis (Танис)(Greek origin), which means "serpent". One spelling variation of this name is Tanys.
  • Tasha (Таша)(Russian origin) means "born on Christmas day". This name is used as a shortened form of Natasha, the Russian variant of the English Natalie.
  • Tonya (Тоня)(Russian origin), which means "praiseworthy". Often used as an abbreviated form of the names Antonia and Antonina and as the feminine form of Antony.
  • Valentin (Валентин)(Russian origin) means "strong". The name is also used as a surname in Spanish and German regions.
  • Vaska (Васька)(Slavic origin) means "desire". It is often used as the Russian diminutive of Vasiliy
  • Yaroslava (Ярослава)(Russian origin), which means "fierce and glorious". It is the female version of Yaroslav, a name that several Grand Princes of Kiev and Novgorod went by.
  • Zhenya (Женя)(Russian origin), which means "well-born". This name is a Russian variation of the first name Yevgeniya, which can also be spelled Evgeniy, Evgeni, or Yevgeni.
  • Important female figures have emerged from Russia and changed the dynamics of things in the country. They have made history and have sealed their names in stone with their great achievements. If you are looking for the best baby names for girls, then this list is for you. These girl names in Russian will be perfect for your baby.
  • Alla (Алла)(Russian origin) means "'to ascend, to go up." The name is often associated with Saint Alla, the martyred wife of a Gothic chieftain during King Athanaric's reign.
  • Alexandra (Александра)(Greek origin) means "defender of mankind". Quite a few notable persons have had this name over the years, including Saint Alexandra of Rome, the Christian martyr known either as the wife of Roman Prefect Dacian or the spouse of Emperor Diocletian. A lot of famous princesses have been called Alexandra as well.
  • Anna (Анна)(Hebrew origin) means 'favour". It is widely used and favoured among Christians because it is customarily the name of the Virgin Mary's mother. Numerous saints and queens also went by this name.
  • Catherine (Екатерина)(Greek origin) means "pure." This name is commonly associated with the Babylonian Goddess of fertility, love, and war. In Christianity, the name is tied with the ascetic Saint Catherine of Sienna. Spelling variations include Katheryn, Katharyn, Kathryne, Katheryne, Katherin, Kathrine, Catharine and Cathryn.
  • Chulpan (Чулпан)(Turkish origin) means "morning star." The name is most commonly associated with Chulpan Nailevna Khamatova PAR, a Russian film, theater and TV veteran actress and philanthropist.
  • Elvira (Эльвира)(Spanish origin) means "foreign," "stranger", and "true," Perhaps the most famous use of it is as the stage name for renowned horror film host Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Another is Elvira Nabiullina, one of the most powerful women in Russia and the country's central bank governor.
  • Irina (Ирина)(Greek origin) means "peace". The name is a derivative of Eirene, which is the personification of peace. Popular persons with this name include Irina Shayk, the famous Russian model who featured in the movie "Hercules" and Irina Bokova, a former Director-General of UNESCO.
  • Margarita (Маргарита)(Latin origin) means "pearl". One notable person bearing this name is former Russian rhythmic gymnast Margarita Mamun who won the 2016 Olympic All-around title and two silver medals in the World All-around competition.
  • Maria (Мария)(Latin origin) means "of the sea, "The name is commonly associated with the name Maria Theresa, one of whom was a Queen of France and wife to the Sun King, Louis XIV, while the other was one of the most renowned Habsburgs and the most significant leader of the age of Enlightened Absolutism. After her father, Charles VI's death, she assumed control of the government and put into place a number of long-lasting changes that advanced what is now known as public health.
  • Nadezhda (Надежда)(Slavic origin) means "hope," One notable person associated with this name is Nadezhda Sergeyevna Alliluyeva, the second wife of Joseph Stalin, the former premier of the Soviet Union.
  • Nataliya (Наталия)(Latin origin) means "Christmas day." One notable person associated with this name is Natalia Romanovna Makarova, a Russian prima ballerina and choreographer whose achievements have seen her being described as the finest ballerina of her generation in the West.
  • Nyuta (Нюта)(African origin) means "panther" or "jaguar." A famous Russian bearing this name is Nyuta Federmesser, a Russian humanitarian worker and the founder of the Vera hospice foundation for the terminally ill.
  • Olga (Ольга)(Russian origin) means "Blessed." Olga Konstantinovna of Russia is one of the most famous people bearing this name. She was the wife of King George I and the grandmother of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and the husband of Queen Elizabeth II.
  • Svetlana (Светлана)(Russian origin) means "light," One notable person bearing this name is Svetlana Aleksandrovna Kuznetsova, a retired Russian professional tennis player who has won two Grand Slam singles finals.
  • Tatyana (Татьяна)(Latin origin) means " "arranger." A famous person bearing this name is Tatyana Yakovlevna Elizarenkova, a distinguished Soviet Russian Indologist who has been described by Wendy Doniger as "the greatest living scholar of the RigVeda, and certainly the greatest linguist of the RigVeda".

Unique Russian Girl Names

If you have come this far in the article, then you know there is something different about Russian names. There are Russian names with a twist to them, making them more unique for your baby. Let's dive into the list of some of the unique Russian baby names for girls.

  • Abihail (Абихаил)(Hebrew origin) means "the father of strength". The name probably finds its origin in such Biblical characters as the daughter of David's brother Eliab.
  • Akilina (Акилина)(Russian origin) means "eaglelike" or "someone who is very powerful".
  • Alena (Алена)(Slavic origin) means "light". A public figure associated with this name is Alena Sergeyevna Kostornaia, the Russian figure skater who was crowned the 2020 European champion, the 2019–20 Grand Prix Final champion and the 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy champion.
  • Alina (Алина)(Slavic origin) means "beautiful" or "bright". Alina Maratovna Kabaeva, or Kabayeva, is one famous person bearing this name. She is a Russian politician and retired individual rhythmic gymnast who was recently appointed the Honoured Master of Sports by the Russian government.
  • Alisa (Алиса)(Russian origin) means "rational" and "coherent". One notable person bearing this name is Alisa Brunovna Freindlich, a Soviet and Russian actress famous for her roles in such movies as Thawed Carp and Bolshoi.
  • Anatoli (Анатолий)(Russian origin) means "a beautiful and warm sunrise". It is derived from the feminine version of Anatol, which is linked to the first Patriarch of Constantinople.
  • Bojana (Бояна)(Slavic origin) means "she who is a fighter in battle". Bojana is the feminine variant of the name Bojan, which comes from the Slavic term boj, which means "war."
  • Bronya (Броня)(Russian origin) means "a woman who gives protection". It is often used as the short form of the name Bronisława.
  • Darya (Дарья)(Persian origin) means "one who is good".The name, which can also be spelled as Daria, belongs to such notable personalities as Darya Vladimirovna Poverennova, the Russian theatre and film actress who also happens to be a granddaughter of the great Soviet actor Sergei Lukyanov.
  • Dema (Дема)(Russian origin) means "rain-bearing".
  • Emiliya (Эмилия)(Bulgarian origin) means "to work hard." Also spelled as Emilija, the name is popularly associated with Emiliya Spivak, famous for her roles in such movies as Angel's Aisle, The State Counsellor, Junk, and 1814.
  • Feodora (Феодора)(Russian origin) means "she who is a gift from heaven". The name is closely associated with the first great-grandchild of Emperor William I of Germany and Queen Victoria of Great Britain, popularly called Princess Feodora of Saxe-Meiningen.
  • Ganya (Ганя)(Hebrew origin) means "garden of the Lord". The name can also be spelled as Gania and is probably the Russian version of Tanya.
  • Ivanna (Иванна)(Russian origin) mean "God is gracious". Perhaps, one of the most popular persons bearing this name is Ivana Trump, the late ex-wife of former US president Donald Trump.
  • Milana (Милана)(Russian origin) means "people's love". A notable person associated with this name is Milana Vayntrub, an American actress, comedian, and activist popularly known as Lily Adams in AT&T commercials.
  • Nadenka (Наденька)(Russian origin) means "hope". The name is likely related to Nadezhda.
  • Nasta (Наста)(Italian origin), the meaning of the name is not quite known. It is a derivative of the name Anastasia and is a variant form of Nastja.
  • Nelli (Нелли)(Latin origin) means "honour". Possibly derived from Cornelia, the name is popularly associated with the Australian operatic soprano Nellie Melba who put in a lot of effort and staged a lot of benefit concerts for the war effort.
  • Nikita (Никита)(Russian origin) means "the winner". The name is likely taken from Nike, the mythical Greek goddess of victory.
  • Nina (Нина)(Russian origin) means "little girl". A variant form of Anne, both an Incan deity of fire and an ocean goddess from Babylon, shared the name Nina.
  • Panya (Паня)(Slavic origin) means "crown". It is possibly a diminutive form of Stephania.
  • Rada (Рада)(Bulgarian origin) means "Joy, willing". One notable person bearing this name is the Soviet journalist Rada Adzhubei, daughter of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.
  • Roza (Роза)(Polish origin) means "rose". One of the most notable persons to bear this name is Roza Isakovna Otunbayeva, the Kyrgyz diplomat and politician who became the first female Central Asian head of state when she served as the President of Kyrgyzstan.
  • Sabina (Сабина)(Latin origin) means "woman". A notable bearer of this name is Sabina Spielrein, a Russian physician and one of the first female psychoanalysts to have introduced the concept of the death instinct.
  • Vanka (Ванька)(Slavic origin) means "grace". This is a variant of the name Johanna. It can sometimes be used as a gender-neutral name.

Names Of Russian Women From History

Women have always played a significant part in the history of any nation. Wherever you are in the world, women will always be seen and heard, making the biggest difference, and Russia is no exception.

The country has produced some of the biggest girl names in its history, and it's time to have a look at who these women from history were and what names they bore.

  • Amelia (Амелия)(German origin) which means "industrious". The name is most commonly associated with Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean alone.
  • Aleksandra (Александра)(Greek origin) means "defender of mankind".
  • Inessa (Инесса)(Greek origin), which means "pure" or "holy". The name is associated with Inessa Armand, a prominent figure in the early communist era and pre-Revolutionary Russian communist movement and who was, at some point in the 19th century, described as the most powerful woman in Moscow.
  • Julia (Юлия)(Latin origin), which means "youthful." Also spelled as Yulia in Russia, this name belongs to Julia Eileen Gillard AC, an Australian former politician who served as the first and only female prime minister in Australian history and to Julia Lipnitskaya, who happens to be the youngest Russian athlete to ever win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics amongst many others.
  • Ksenia (Ксения)(Russian origin) means "wanderer" or "hospitable". One notable woman with this name in Russia is the tennis player Ksenia Yuryevna Pervak who is currently retired. On the ITF Circuit, Pervak won nine singles matches, and three doubles matches in addition to one singles match on the WTA Tour.
  • Lydia (Лидия)(Greek origin) means "from Lydia," a place in Greece. One famous Lydia in Russian history is Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak, also known as Lilya, who, during World War II, served as a fighter pilot in the Soviet Air Force. Her 66 combat sorties are estimated to have resulted in five to twelve solo victories and two to four shared kills.
  • Marina (Марина)(Latin origin) which means "of the sea". Marina Ivanovna Tsvetaeva is one notable personality bearing this name. She is regarded as having produced some of the best Russian literature of the 20th century because of her enthusiasm and risk-taking linguistic exploration as a lyrical poet.
  • Maya (майя) means "good mother." While many would easily associate this name with popular American actress and author Maya Angelou; for Russians, one popular Maya is the Soviet Russian still-life painter Maya Kuzminichna Kopitseva, an Honored Artist of the RSFSR who was recognized as one of the leading representatives of the Leningrad school of painting and a member of the Saint Petersburg Union of Artists.
  • Natalia (Наталья)(French origin), means "Christmas day". One notable person with this name is Russian model, actress, and Goodwill Ambassador Natalia Mikhailovna Vodianova, who established The Naked Heart Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting families of special-needs children.
  • Sophia (София)(Greek origin), means "wisdom." Also spelled Sophie, Sofija, Sofiya, Sofya and Sofie, the name is strikingly associated with Sofya Vasilyevna Kovalevskaya. a female pioneer in mathematics and the first Russian woman to acquire a doctorate in mathematics.
  • Valentina (Валентина)(Latin origin), means "healthy" and "strong." all over the world, one Valentina that's widely respected is Valentina Tereshkova, the Russian engineer and cosmonaut who was the first civilian and woman to go to space and who still remains the only woman to have been on a solo space mission.
  • Valeriya (Валерия)(Latin origin) and means "to be strong". One famous Valeriya is Alla Yurievna Perfilova, the Russian singer and model who is one of Russia's most successful musicians and who has won several awards, including the MTV Russia Music Awards and the People's Artist of Russia award, amongst others.
  • Yevdokiya (Евдокия)(Greek origin), means "to seem well". A notable Russian with this name is Yevdokiya Yakovlevna Rachkevich, who served as commissar and deputy regimental commander during the Second World War. Rachkevich is fondly remembered for tracking her regiment's movements in order to find the bodies of the women who were reported as missing in action so that they might be properly buried.
  • Yekaterina (Екатерина)(Russian origin) means "pure" or "virginal," A notable figure with this name is Yekaterina Romanovna Vorontsova, a significant figure in the Russian Enlightenment, a close companion of Empress Catherine the Great, and a powerful noblewoman. She participated in the coup that put Catherine on the throne, became the first woman to lead a national academy of sciences in the world, the first woman to hold a government position in Europe, and the president of the Russian Academy, which she also assisted in founding.
  • Yevgenia (Евгения)(Russian origin) means "noble." A famous woman from history bearing this name is Yevgenia Bosch, who served as the interior minister and acting head of the Ukrainian Soviet Republic's temporary government in 1917 and is occasionally regarded as the first modern woman to head a national government. She is sometimes regarded as Ukraine's first prime minister after independence as a result.

Russian Non-Binary Names

The world is changing, and more people are looking beyond gender specifications. It has led to a demand for non-binary names.

More people are identifying as non-binary, and a gender-neutral name will be preferred in the long run. This list contains gender-neutral names and can be used for your baby girl (or boy).

Whether these names are used for a baby girl or boy, they still retain their deep meaning and value, so you don't need to worry about the change in meaning. Now, let's get into this list of Russian non-binary names.

  • Aleks (Алекс)(Russian origin) means "to defend". One male celebrity bearing this name is Alexey Vladimirovich Vorobyov, who is fondly nicknamed Alex Sparrow. He has produced music in both English and Russian.
  • Bubley (Бубли)(Russian origin), which means "from Babylon". American photographer Esther Bubley is one person bearing this name. She was known for her evocative images of regular people going about their daily lives, which earned her many awards.
  • Ira (Ира)(Russian origin) means "watchful". This name which is often found in the Torah and the Bible, is used in Russia as a diminutive form of Irina (from Eirene, the Greek goddess of peace).
  • Jeramy (Джерами)(Hebrew origin) means "God will uplift". The alternative spelling of this name is Jeremy, both of which are derived from the name Jeremiah.
  • Micha (Миха)(Russian origin) means "who is like the Lord?". Spelling variations of this name include Micha, Micah, Mica, Michal, and of course, Michael.
  • Misha (Миша)(Russian origin) means "who resembles God". This is often used as a pet name for Mikhail and Michael.
  • Motya (Мотя)(Russian origin) Derived from a combination of the words, 'Mattath', which means 'Gift or reward' and 'Yahweh', which means 'God', this is a diminutive form of Matvey which is the Russian variant of the name Mathew.
  • Nika (Ника)(Russian origin) means "very good". The name is a derivative of the Persian word "Nik", which means "Good", "True", and "Chosen".
  • Petia (Петя)(Bulgarian origin) means "stone". It is also used as a diminutive Russian derivative of the name Pyotr.
  • Sanya (Санья)(Arabic origin) means "brilliant". It is either used as the feminine form of Sani or as part of the diminutive forms of Aleksandra.
  • Sasha (Саша)(Greek origin) means "to defend". The name is gender-neutral because it is a diminutive form of another gender-neutral name, Alexander or Alexandra.
  • Shura (Шура)(Russian origin), which means "defending men". Another diminutive form of Alexander or Alexandra.
  • Slava (Слава)(Slavic origin) means "Glory". This name is used as a diminutive form of such names as Vyacheslav, Stanislav, Rostislav, Miroslava, and Yaroslava.
  • Tanis (Танис)(Greek origin), which means "serpent". One spelling variation of this name is Tanys.
  • Tasha (Таша)(Russian origin) means "born on Christmas day". This name is used as a shortened form of Natasha, the Russian variant of the English Natalie.
  • Tonya (Тоня)(Russian origin), which means "praiseworthy". Often used as an abbreviated form of the names Antonia and Antonina and as the feminine form of Antony.
  • Valentin (Валентин)(Russian origin) means "strong". The name is also used as a surname in Spanish and German regions.
  • Vaska (Васька)(Slavic origin) means "desire". It is often used as the Russian diminutive of Vasiliy
  • Yaroslava (Ярослава)(Russian origin), which means "fierce and glorious". It is the female version of Yaroslav, a name that several Grand Princes of Kiev and Novgorod went by.
  • Zhenya (Женя)(Russian origin), which means "well-born". This name is a Russian variation of the first name Yevgeniya, which can also be spelled Evgeniy, Evgeni, or Yevgeni.

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Written by Georgia Stone

Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

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Georgia StoneBachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia is an experienced Content Manager with a degree in French and Film Studies from King's College London and Bachelors degree from Université Paris-Sorbonne. Her passion for exploring the world and experiencing different cultures was sparked during her childhood in Switzerland and her year abroad in Paris. In her spare time, Georgia enjoys using London's excellent travel connections to explore further afield.

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