Russian names explained

Here's an explanation of how Russian names are structured and some common examples of Russian male and female names, along with their informal forms.

Russian name structure

Every Russian name has three components: first name, patronymic, and surname. Two famous examples are Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (the politician) and Maria Yuryevna Sharapova (the tennis champion).

Russian first names also have various informal shortened and affectionate forms.

Russian name endings will be different depending on the person's gender.

First name (имя)

The first name in Russian is the same as in English. Each Russian first name has a standard short form as well as a potentially vast number of diminutive affectionate forms.

For example, the name, Алексей, has the standard short form, Алёша, as well as diminutive forms, like Алюня and Лёша. Meanwhile, the name, Наталия, has the standard short form, Наташа, as well as diminutive forms, like Натуся and Таша.

Patronymic (отчество)

Russian second / middle names are called patronymics and are based off of the father's name. You form the patronymic by adding -ович/-евич to male names and -овна/-евна to female names. The pronunciation stress of patronymics generally falls on the same syllable of the original father's name: Иван's children become Иванович and Ивановна.

When speaking to someone formally, it is polite to refer to them using both their first name and patronymic. For example, you would address your professor by saying Галина Михайловна and you would ask a question of the Russian president starting with Владимир Владимирович.

Surname (фамилия)

Russian surnames are fairly simple. Female surnames are the same as male surnames except with a feminine -а ending added. For example, Иванов becomes Иванова.

Common Russian Names

Common Russian Male Names

Common Russian Female Names