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Ancient names: choose a beautiful name for the child. The meaning and origin of old Russian names

The name determines the fate of a person. This is the key to his inner self. After all, it was not without reason that in Rus' a person had two names, one - false, for everyone, and the other - secret, only for the person himself and his very close people. This tradition existed as a protection against unkind spirits and unkind people.
Often the first Slavic name was deliberately unattractive (Kriv, Nekras, Malice), for even greater protection from the evil. After all, without a key to the essence of man, it is much more difficult to cause evil. The ceremony of the second naming was carried out in adolescence, when the main character traits were formed. The name was given based on these traits. Slavic names abounded in their diversity, there were groups of names:
1) Names from the animal and plant world (Pike, Ruff, Hare, Wolf, Eagle, Nut, Borsch)
2) Names in order of birth (Pervusha, Vtorak, Tretyak)
3) Names of gods and goddesses (Lada, Yarilo)
4) Names by human qualities(Brave, Stoyan)
5) And the main group of names - two-basic (Svyatoslav, Dobrozhir, Tikhomir, Ratibor, Yaropolk, Gostomysl, Velimudr, Vsevolod, Bogdan, Dobrogneva, Lyubomila, Miroljub, Svetozar) and their derivatives (Svyatosha, Dobrynya, Tishilo, Ratisha, Putyata, Yarilka , Miloneg).
From the listed names, it is easy to trace the process of creating a derivative name: the second part is cut off from the two-base one and a suffix or ending is added (-neg, -lo, -ta, -tka, -sha, -yata, -nya, -ka).
Example: Svyatoslav: Holy + sha = Holy.
Of course, the names of people carry a significant part of the culture and traditions of the whole people. In Russia with the advent of Christianity Slavic names almost completely vanished into oblivion. There were lists of Slavic names forbidden by the church. Why this happened is not difficult to guess. One part of the names (Lada, Yarilo) were the names of the Slavic gods, the owners of the second part were people who, even after the Christianization of Rus', tried to restore the cult and traditions (magicians, heroes). To date, only 5% of children in Russia are called Slavic names, which certainly impoverishes the already meager Slavic culture.

LIST OF SLAVIC NAMES

Darren - donated.
Darena is the female form of Daren. The names have the same meaning: Darina, Dara.
Devyatko is the ninth son in the family. From this name came the surnames: Devyatkin, Devyatkov, Devyatov. Dobrognev
Dobrolyub - kind and loving. From this name came the surname: Dobrolyubov.
Dobromil - kind and sweet.
Dobromila is a female form named after Dobromil.
Dobromir is kind and peaceful. Abbreviated names: Dobrynya, Dobrysha. From these names came the surnames: Dobrynin, Dobryshin. Legendary personality: hero - Dobrynya.
Dobromir is the female form named after Dobromir. Goodwill - kind and reasonable. From this name came the surname: Dobromyslov.
Dobroslav - glorifying kindness.
Dobroslav - female form named after Dobroslav.
Domaslav - glorifying relatives. Abbreviated name: Domash - one's own, dear. From this name came the surname: Domashov.
Dragomir is more precious than the world.
Dragomir is a female form named after Dragomir.
Dubynya - similar to oak, indestructible. Legendary personality: hero - Dubynya.
Druzhina - comrade.
It also matters common name: Friend. Surnames came from these names: Druzhinin, Drugov, Drunin.
Ruff is one of the personified names of the animal world. From this name came the surname: Ershov.
The lark is one of the personified names of the animal world. From this name came the surname: Zhavoronkov.
Zhdan is a long-awaited child. The surname came from this name: Zhdanov.
Zhdana is a female form named after Zhdan.
Zhiznomir - living in the world.
The hare is one of the personified names of the animal world. From this name came the surname: Zaitsev.
Zvenislava - announcer of glory.
Winter - harsh, merciless. From this name came the surname: Zimin. Legendary personality: Ataman Zima from Razin's army.
Zlatomir - the golden world.
Zlatotsveta - golden-colored. Short name: Zlata.
Malice is one of the "negative" names. From this name came the surnames: Zlobin, Zlovidov, Zlydnev.
Izyaslav - who took glory. Historical personality: Izyaslav Vladimirovich - Prince of Polotsk, founder of the Polotsk princes.
Sincere - sincere. The name has the same meaning: Iskra.
Iskra is the female form named after Iskren.
Istislav - glorifying the truth.
Istoma - languishing (possibly associated with difficult childbirth). From this name came the surnames: Istomin, Istomov.
Casimir - showing the world.
Casimir is the female form named after Casimir.
Koschey - thin, bony. From this name came the surnames: Koshcheev, Kashchenko.
Krasimir - beautiful and peaceful
Krasimira is a female form named after Krasimir. Short name: Beauty.
Curve is one of the "negative" names. From these names came the surname: Krivov.
Lada - beloved, dear. The name of the Slavic Goddess of love, beauty and marriage.
Ladimir - getting along with the world.
Ladislav - glorifying Lada (love).
Swan is a personified name of the animal world. The name has the same meaning: Lybid. From this name came the surname - Lebedev. Legendary personality: Lybid is the sister of the founders of the city of Kyiv.
Luchezar - a luminous beam.
We love - beloved. From this name came the surname: Lyubimov.
Love is beloved. The name has the same meaning: Lyubava. Surnames originated from these names: Lyubavin, Lyubimtsev, Lyubavin, Lyubin, Lyubushin, Lyubimin.
Lyubomila - beloved, dear.
Lubomir - loving world.
Lubomir is a female form named after Lubomir.
Curiosity - loving to think.
Lyuboslav - loving glory.
Lyudmil is dear to people.
Ludmila is the female form named after Ludmila. Historical personality: Ludmila - Czech princess.
Mal - small, younger. The name has the same meaning: Malay, Mladen. Surnames came from these names: Maleev, Malenkov, Maltsov, Malyshev. Historical personality: Mal - Drevlyansky prince.
Malusha is a female form named after Mal. The name has the same meaning: Mlada. From these names came the surname: Malushin. Historical personality: Malusha is the wife of Syatoslav Igorevich, the mother of Vladimir Svyatoslavich.
Mechislav - glorifying sword.
Milan is cute. The name has the same meaning: Milen. Surnames originated from these names: Milanov, Milenov.
Milana is the feminine form of Milan. The names have the same meaning: Milava, Milada, Milena, Milica, Umila. From these names came the surname: Milavin. Historical personality: Umila is the daughter of Gostomysl.
- caressing, caring.
Milorad - sweet and joyful. From this name came the surname: Miloradovich.
Miloslav - nicely glorifying. Short name: Miloneg.
Miloslava is the female form named after Miloslav.
Peaceful - peace-loving. From this name came the surname: Mirolyubov.
Miroslav - glorifying the world.
Miroslava is a female form named after Miroslav.
Molchan - taciturn, silent. From this name came the surname: Molchanov.
Mstislav - glorifying revenge. Historical personality: Mstislav Vladimirovich - Prince Tmutorakansky, Grand Duke of Kiev.
Mstislava is a female form named after Mstislav.
Hope is hope. The name has the same meaning: Hope.
Nevzor is one of the "negative" names. From this name came the surname Nevzorov.
Nekras is one of the "negative" names. From this name came the surname: Nekrasov.
Nekras is the female form of Nekras.
The eagle is one of the personified names of the animal world. From this name came the surname: Orlov.
The eighth is the eighth child in the family. The name has the same meaning: Osmusha. Surnames originated from these names: Osmanov, Osmerkin, Osmov.
Peredslava - The name Predslava also matters. Historical personality: Predslava - wife of Svyatoslav Igorevich, mother of Yaropolk Svyatoslavich.
Peresvet - very light. Historical personality: Peresvet - warrior of the Battle of Kulikovo.
Putimir - reasonable and peaceful
Putislav - praising reasonably. The name has the same meaning: Putyata. Surnames came from these names: Putilov, Putilin, Putin, Putyatin. Historical personality: Putyata - Kyiv governor.
Radigost - caring for another (guest).
Radimir - caring about the world. The name has the same meaning: Radomir. Short name: Radim. Surnames came from these names: Radilov, Radimov, Radishchev. Legendary personality: Radim is the progenitor of the Radimichi.
Radimira is a female form named after Radimir. The name has the same meaning: Radomira.
Radislav - caring about glory. The name has the same meaning: Radoslav.
Radislava is the female form of Imney Radislav.
Radmila is caring and sweet.
Radosveta - sanctifying with joy. Joy is joy, happiness. The name has the same meaning: Rada.
Razumnik - reasonable, reasonable. From this name came the surname: Razin. Historical personality: Razumnik is a student of Cyril and Methodius.
Ratibor is a defender.
Ratmir is the defender of the world.
Rodislav is a glorifying family.
Rostislav - growing glory. Historical personality: Rostislav Vladimirovich - Prince of Rostov, Vladimir-Volynsky; Tmutarakansky; The ancestor of the princes of Galicia and Volyn.
Rostislava is a female form named after Rostislav.
Svetislav - glorifying light. The name has the same meaning: Svetoslav.
Svetislava is a female form named after Svetislav.
Svetlan - bright, pure soul.
Svetlana is the female form named after Svetlana.
Svetovid - seeing light, perspicacious. The name has the same meaning: Sventovid. The name of the West Slavic God.
Svetozar - illuminating with light.
Svetozara is a female form named after Svetozar. The name has the same meaning: Svetlozara.
Svyatogor - indestructible holiness. Legendary personality: Svyatogor is an epic hero.
Svyatopolk is the leader of the sacred army. Historical personality: Svyatopolk I Yaropolkovich - Grand Duke of Kiev.
Svyatoslav - sacred glory. Short name: Saint. Historical personality: Svyatoslav I Igorevich - Prince of Novgorod and Grand Duke of Kiev.
Svyatoslav - female form named after Svyatoslav.
Slavomir - peace glorifier.
Nightingale is a personified name of the animal world. From this name came the surnames: Nightingale, Solovyov. Legendary personality: Nightingale Budimirovich - a hero from epics.
Som is the personified name of the animal world.
Snezhana - white-haired, cold.
Stanimir - establishing the world.
Stanimira is a female form named after Stanimir.
Stanislav - establishing glory. From this name came the surname: Stanishchev. Historical personality: Stanislav Vladimirovich - Prince of Smolensk.
Stanislav is the female form named after Stanislav.
Stoyan is strong, unbending.
Tverdimir - from TVERD - solid and WORLD - peaceful, peace.
Tverdislav - from TVERD - solid and GLORY - to praise. From this name came the surnames: Tverdilov, Tverdislavov, Tverdislavlev.
Tvorimir - creating the world.
Tikhomir is quiet and peaceful. From this name came the surname: Tikhomirov.
Tikhomir is a female form named after Tikhomir.
Tur is a personified name of the animal world. Legendary personality: Tur - the founder of the city of Turov.
Brave - brave.
Chaslav - looking forward to glory.
Chaslava is a female form named after Chaslav. The name has the same meaning: Cheslava.
Chernava is dark-haired, swarthy. The name has the same meaning: Chernavka. Surnames came from these names: Chernavin, Chernavkin.
Pike is a personified name of the animal world.
Yarilo - the sun.
Yarilo - God of fruits in the form of the sun. From this name came the surname: Yarilin.
Jaromir is a sunny world.
Yaropolk is the leader of the solar army. Historical personality: Yaropolk I Svyatoslavich - Grand Duke of Kiev.
Yaroslav - praising Yarila. From this name came the surname: Yaroslavov. Historical personality: Yaroslav I Vladimirovich - Prince of Rostov, Prince of Novgorod, Grand Duke of Kiev.
Yaroslav is a female form named after Yaroslav.

Every name once invented by people carries a meaning. Old Russian female names differ in beauty and uniqueness, because they appeared in different periods of long-suffering history Ancient Rus'. The wealth of female names was to the taste of modern parents, and many girls already have beautiful old names. Melody and deep meaning attract not only Russians, but also other peoples.

It is impossible to find out the origin of absolutely all ancient names, but research does not stop. Names are a source of history and traditions, with their help you can learn about the life of your ancestors, their views, look at the world through their eyes. Names help contemporaries find out how their ancestors treated people.

It is even more difficult to study old Russian female names, because usually they had several meanings and interpretations. In different regions, one name could mean different phenomena and things. Therefore, today there are several versions for one name.

Names and traditions

In the old days, children were called names that characterized habits or appearance. It was an ancient tradition, because people have long believed that the name contains a fateful code. And so the names of the girls Krasava, Razumnitsa appeared.

It is worth noting that such a tradition was not only among the Slavs. The Indians and Chinese also named their children according to tradition. In India they gave characteristic names, like Ayashi (small), Evoti (great). The Chinese tried to give the child a terrible name, because they believed that bad spirits could covet a beloved child, and if you call him almost insulting, the spirits will think that this child is not loved. This was more about boys, although girls were given strange names.

Slavs attached great importance family and occupation, some names are even related to the sequence of birth of children. So Lydia would mean "first". The name Pervusha was popular.

The Slavs believed that the name is the key to inner world and gave the girls two names. So there was a tradition to choose a name for people and for the family. The first was told to everyone, and the second was known only to the closest, and it kept a secret good sense. The first was usually ugly and repulsive, but it allowed the truth to be protected from bad tongues.

The second name was given only at a certain age, when the teenager showed character. However, the tradition did not take root - usually the girl was the way her first name characterized her. The second name, due to not being used, lost its meaning.

Church calendars

After the adoption of Christianity, the names were entered into church calendars, and, as it were, they gave the child to the protection of the guardian angel. As you know, not all Slavs willingly accepted the customs of Christianity, therefore for a long time children, in parallel with Christian names, were given old pagan nicknames. Later, many of them became modern surnames.

However, the pressure of Christianity was great. Closer to the 17th century, many old Russian female names went out of use. They were replaced by the names of states that spread Christianity or were influential at that time - Byzantium, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Syria. Many names were transformed into the Russian manner, and, for example, instead of Avdotya, Evdokia turned out. Today, many would be surprised how their names sounded in the original.

Only the names of the saints remained unchanged. The ancient tradition of giving a child two names also took root in Rus', but the second name given at baptism was usually not used. The second name was often Greek.

The church list provides a large number of female names to choose from. Both believing Christians and atheists can choose names. Moreover, the calendar allows you to select a name by month and even birthday. To name a child according to the Saints means to give him protection from a saint revered on this day. There is another tradition, to choose a saint on the eighth day after birth. If there are no Saints on the birthday, then they choose the name of the saint honored on the fortieth day. It used to be on this day that a child was baptized.

It is also allowed to use male name if according to the Saints there is no female. Therefore, there are so many asexual names (Eugene, Alexandra, Yaroslav, Vyacheslav).

Types of Russian names

The Slavs definitely loved beautiful two-base names. For example, Svetozar, Miroslav, Lubomir, Dobrognev,. Often girls were called names that emphasized certain traits of their character. So the names Arina (calm), Dobrava (kind), Barbara (wild), Svetlana (bright), Arsenia (courageous) appeared. Since the Slavs revered the cult of animals and plants, many girls' names are taken from the world of flora and fauna. These are Azalea, Akulina, Pike.

There were names borrowed from the gods. The famous was considered the goddess of the morning dawn, Apollinaria - the goddess of the sun (about the ancient Greek god of the sun Apollo), the goddess of beauty and love Lada. Some native Russian names were modified participles (Bazhen). A separate group included names for princely children (Vyacheslav).

Today you can find Old Slavonic names that actually had only Slavic root. There were names that translated Greek and Roman.

It is impossible to compile a complete list of beautiful names of antiquity, but here are some of the most popular:

- summer.

- donating.

Agnes is chaste.

Vesta is the guardian of the hearth.

- the chosen one.

Bela is beautiful.

Ada is decorating.

- serene.

Bogdana - given by God.

Agnia is immaculate.

Dobrava is good.

- reigning.

Beatrice - blessing.

Eupraxia is a virtue.

Casimira - showing the world.

Ariadne is sleeping.

- protector.

Joy is joy.

Svetlana is bright.

Milana is cute.

Reward - Reward.

Dove is meek.

Mstislav - revenge and glory.

Lyubomila - love and peace.

- cold.

Ladoslava is fine.

Loving wisdom is loving wisdom.

The fire control is bright.

Arrow is an arrow.

Young is young.

Snow White - Snow White.

Milonega is sweet and gentle.

Diva is divine.

Domoslava - glorifying the house.

Chaslava - looking forward to glory.

Radmila is a sweet joy.

Slavunya - glorifying.

Lyubogneva - loving to be angry.

Rusana - blond.

Delight is sweet.

Beauty is beautiful.

Goodness - doing good.

Vesnyan - spring.

Zhdana - desired.

Jaromila is dear to Yarlu.

In the 19th century, many old Russian names were forgotten. Russian versions of foreign names came into use:

- someone else's.

- comforting.

Ursula is curious.

Irma is meticulous.

- black eyed.

Nellie is careless.

- honest.

- skillful.

Before the advent of Christianity, among the people of the ancient Slavs, there were mainly two-part names, most of which have survived to this day. And from time to time, the fashion for Old Slavic names for boys returns. On this moment names of Old Slavonic origin are again in demand, since Western names have lost their relevance among the people. Old Slavic names for boys and girls consist of Bulgarian, Czech, Russian, Serbian and Polish names.

It should be noted that the Old Slavonic names were very diverse, and were formed from the names:

Animal and plant world;

By order of birth;

Gods and goddesses;

According to human qualities

But, the main group of names was created from two words (two-basic names). For example, the name Svyatoslav, Tikhomir, Yaropolk, Ratibor, Gostomysl, Vsevolod, Bogdan, etc.

After the advent of Christianity in Russia, many Old Slavonic names were forgotten, while there were lists of Old Slavonic names banned by the church, in particular the names of gods, such a name as: Lada, Yarilo. But after some time, people began to give their children the names of their ancestors, and thus the Old Slavonic names returned to use. The following list will help you choose a name for your son.

Old Slavic names for boys:

Borislav - stormy glory

Daren is a gift to the world

Lubomil - beloved

Belogor - from the white mountains

Danko - luminous, day

Lubodron - beloved, dear

Bogolep - divine

Dobrolyub - loving good

Lucheslav - in a ray of glory

Budislav - be glorious!

Divislav - in the radiance of the word

love - favorite

Budimil - be nice!

Dragovit - appreciating life

Lyubodar - giving love

Bogumir - bring peace to God!

Given - given by God

Milava - sweet, kind

Beloyar - furious

Damir - who gave the world

Myslemir - thinking about the world

Belimir - white, clean

Daroslav - giving the word

Moguta - powerful, mighty

Boleslav - glorifying

Daniyar - given to shine

Miloslav - dear glory

Bazhen - divine

Dragoljub - kind, beloved

Peaceful - loving world

Bueslav - stork

Drogoslav - dear glory

Milan - sweet, kind

Velibor is a great gift

Drogorad - dear joy

Found - found

Vadim - called, invited

Yeseny - clear sky

Neroslav - fastening glory

Vlastislav - who owns the world

Zhelislav - desired glory

Negomir - gentle and peaceful

Venislav - crowned with glory

desired - desired

Hope - hope expectation

World - worldwide

Zhiteslav - glorifying life

Oleg - light, fast

Vadislav - called

Zdanimir - creator of the world

Ocheslav - desperate glory

Vlastimir - rule the world

Zelislav - very nice

Witty - sharp-minded

Vsemil - dear to everyone

Zalazar - because of the azure

Premislav - take glory!

Vitoslav - the glory of life

Zvenislav - ringing with glory

Wonderful - wonderful

Vsevolod - who owns everything

Zlatoslav - golden glory

Putislav - the path of glory

Vladislav - owner of glory

Dawn - rising light

Peresvet - bright

Verislav - faithful

Ivan - to be born, to be born

Radey - joy, joyful

Vyacheslav - glorifying advice

Igor - militant

Ratislav - military glory

Gradibor - creating force

Ivar - Tree of Life

Ratibor - the chosen warrior

Gleb - sweet, affectionate

Izheslav - be with glory!

Radimil - sweet joy

Gorisvet - high light

Idan - walking, overcoming the path

Radislav - rejoicing in glory

Gradimir - creator of the world

Krasibor - chosen from the beautiful

Radosvet - the light of joy

Act - acting, active

Krasislav - the beauty of glory

Ruslav - fair-haired

Dobrava - dobreeding, carrying

Ladislav - glorifying beauty

Radovlad - own joy

Daromysl - thinking, thinking

Ludimir - bring peace to people

Ratmir - advocating for the world

Dobrynya is a kind person

Luborad - pleasing with love

Rusimir - Russian world

Gift - gift to the world

Lubomir - loving peace and peace

Svyatomir - holy world

Drogomir - dear world

Ladislav - glorifying people

Svetovid - light, holy

Dobroslav - glorifying goodness

Ladimir - peaceful

Holy fighter, warrior

The name determines the fate of a person. This is the key to his inner self. After all, it was not without reason that in Rus' a person had two names, one - false, for everyone, and the other - secret, only for the person himself and his very close people. This tradition existed as a protection against unkind spirits and unkind people. Often the first Slavic name was deliberately unattractive (Kriv, Nekras, Malice), for even greater protection from the evil. After all, without a key to the essence of man, it is much more difficult to cause evil. The ceremony of the second naming was carried out in adolescence, when the main character traits were formed. The name was given based on these traits. Slavic names abounded in their diversity, there were groups of names:
1) Names from the animal and plant world (Pike, Ruff, Hare, Wolf, Eagle, Nut, Borsch)
2) Names in order of birth (Pervusha, Vtorak, Tretyak)
3) Names of gods and goddesses (Lada, Yarilo)
4) Names according to human qualities (Brave, Stoyan)
5) And the main group of names - two-basic (Svyatoslav, Dobrozhir, Tikhomir, Ratibor, Yaropolk, Gostomysl, Velimudr, Vsevolod, Bogdan, Dobrogneva, Lyubomila, Miroljub, Svetozar) and their derivatives (Svyatosha, Dobrynya, Tishilo, Ratisha, Putyata, Yarilka , Miloneg).
From the listed names, it is easy to trace the process of creating a derivative name: the second part is cut off from the two-base one and a suffix or ending is added (-neg, -lo, -ta, -tka, -sha, -yata, -nya, -ka).
Example: Svyatoslav: Holy + sha = Holy.
Of course, the names of people carry a significant part of the culture and traditions of the whole people. In Russia, with the advent of Christianity, Slavic names almost completely fell into oblivion. There were lists of Slavic names forbidden by the church. Why this happened is not difficult to guess. One part of the names (Lada, Yarilo) were the names of the Slavic gods, the owners of the second part were people who, even after the Christianization of Rus', tried to restore the cult and traditions (magicians, heroes). To date, only 5% of children in Russia are called Slavic names, which certainly impoverishes the already meager Slavic culture.
The purpose of this section is not only the introduction of the concept of truly Russian names into the people. The following not rare situation can serve as an example: The girl was named Gorislava. Neighbors wondering unusual name they say: “They couldn’t call me Ira or Katya in Russian” - without comment. The main purpose of this section is to create a global list of Slavic names (by the way, by far the largest in Runet today) with an attempt to determine the meanings of the names and comparisons with historical and legendary figures.

LIST OF SLAVIC NAMES

Bazhen is a desired child, desired.
The names have the same meaning: Bazhai, Bazhan. Surnames arose from these names: Bazhanov, Bazhenov, Bazhutin.
Bazhen is a female form named after Bazhen.
Beloslav - From BEL - white, turn white and GLORY - praise.
Abbreviated names: Belyay, Belyan. Surnames arose from these names: Belov, Belyshev, Belyaev.
Beloslava is the female form named after Beloslav.
Short name: Belyan
Berimir - caring about the world.
Berislav - taking glory, taking care of glory.
Berislav is a female form named after Berislav.
Blessing - glorifying kindness.
Blagoslav is a female form named after Blagoslav.
Abbreviated names: Blaga, Blagana, Blagina.
Fornication - dissolute, unprofitable.
One of the "negative" names. From this name arose the surname: Bludov. Historical personality: Fornication - governor Yaropolk Svyatoslavich.
Bogdan is a child given by God.
The name has the same meaning: Bozhko. Surnames arose from these names: Bogdanin, Bogdanov, Bogdashkin, Bozhkov.
Bogdana is the female form of the name Bogdan.
Short name: Goddess.
Bogolyub - loving God.
From this name arose the surname: Bogolyubov.
Bogomil - dear to God.
The name has the same meaning: Bogumil.
Bozidar - gifted by God.
Bozhidara is a female form named after Bozhidar.
Boleslav - famous.
Historical figure: Boleslav I - Polish king.
Boleslav is the female form named after Boleslav.
Borimir is a fighter for peace, a peacemaker.
Borislav is a fighter for glory.
Abbreviated names: Boris, Borya. Surnames arose from these names: Borin, Boriskin, Borisov, Borisikhin, Borichev, Borischev. Historical personality: Boris Vseslavich Polotsky - Prince of Polotsk, founder of the Drutsk princes.
Borislav is a female form named after Borislav.
Borsch is one of the personalized names of the plant world.
In the literal translation: Borscht is the tops of plants. From this name came the surname Borshchev.
Boyan is a storyteller.
The name was formed from the verb: bayat - speak, tell, sing. The names have the same meaning: Bayan, Bayan. From these names came the surname: Bayanov. Legendary personality: songwriter - Boyan.
Boyana is the female form named after Boyan.
Bratislav - From BROTHER - to fight and GLORY - to praise.
Bratislava is the female form named after Bratislava.
Bronislav is a defender of glory, protecting glory.
The name has the same meaning: Branislav. Short name: Armor.
Bronislava is the female form named after Bronislav.
Bryachislav - from BRYACHI - rattling and SLAV - praise
Historical personality: Bryachislav Izyaslavich - Prince of Polotsk.
Budimir is a peacemaker.
From this name came the surnames: Budilov, Budischev.
Velimir is a big world.
Velimira is a female form named after Velimir.
Velimudr - knowledgeable.
Velislav - great glory, the most glorious.
Velislav is a female form named after Velislav.
Abbreviated names: Vela, Velika, Velichka.
Wenceslas - dedicated to glory, crowned with glory.
Wenceslas is the female form named after Wenceslas.
Faith is faith, true.
Veselin - cheerful, cheerful.
Vesselina is a female form named after Veselin.
The name has the same meaning: Vesela.
Vladimir is the owner of the world.
The name has the same meaning: Volodimer. From this name came the surnames: Vladimirov, Vladimirsky, Volodimerov, Volodin, Volodichev. Historical personality: Vladimir I Svyatoslavich the Red Sun - Prince of Novgorod, Grand Duke of Kiev.
Vladimir is the female form named after Vladimir.
Vladislav - owning glory.
The name has the same meaning: Volodislav. Short name: Vlad. Historical personality: Volodislav is the son of Igor Rurikovich.
Vladislava is the female form named after Vladislav.
Short name: Vlad.
Vojislav is a glorious warrior.
Abbreviated names: Voilo, Warrior. Surnames originated from these names: Voeikov, Voinikov, Voinov. Historical personality: Warrior Vasilyevich - from the family of Yaroslavl princes.
Vojislava is a female form named after Vojislav.
The wolf is one of the personified names of the animal world.
From this name came the surname: Volkov.
Raven is one of the personified names of the animal world.
From this name came the surnames: Voronikhin, Voronov.
Vorotislav - returning glory.
Vsevolod is the ruler of the people, who owns everything.
From this name came the surnames: Vsevolodov, Vsevolozhsky. Historical personality: Vsevolod I Yaroslavich - Prince of Pereyaslavsky, Chernigov, Grand Duke of Kiev.
Vsemil - beloved by all.
Vsemila is the female form named Vsemila.
Vseslav - all-glorifying, famous.
The name has the same meaning: Seslav. From this name came the surname: Seslavin.
Historical personality: Vseslav Bryachislavich Polotsky - Prince of Polotsk, Grand Duke of Kiev.
Vseslav - the female form named after Vseslav.
Vtorak is the second son in the family.
The names have the same meaning: Second, Vtorusha. Surnames came from these names: Vtorov, Vtorushin.
Vyacheslav - the most glorious, the most glorious.
The name has the same meaning: Vatslav, Vysheslav. Surnames came from these names: Vysheslavtsev, Vyacheslavlev, Vyacheslavov. Historical personality: Vyacheslav Vladimirovich - Prince of Smolensk, Turov, Pereyaslavsky, Vyshgorodsky, Grand Duke of Kiev.
Vyachko is a legendary person: Vyachko is the progenitor of the Vyatichi people.
Godoslav - The name also matters: Godlav. Historical personality: Godoslav - the prince of the Bodrichi-rarogs.
Dove - meek.
From this name came the surnames: Golubin, Golubushkin
Much - skillful, capable.
From this name came the surname Gorazdov.
Gorislav - fiery, burning in glory.
Gorislava is a female form named after Gorislav.
Gorynya - like a mountain, huge, indestructible.
Legendary personality: hero - Gorynya.
Gostemil - dear to another (guest).
From this name came the surname: Gostemilov.
Gostomysl - thinking about another (guest).
Historical personality: Gostomysl - Prince of Novgorod.
Gradimir - keeping the world.
Gradislav - guarding glory.
Gradislava is the female form named after Gradislav.
Granislav - improving glory.
Granislav is a female form named after Granislav.
Gremislav - famous.
Gudislav is a renowned musician trumpeting glory.
Short name: Gudim. From these names came the surname: Gudimov.
Darren - donated.
Darena is the female form of Daren.
The names have the same meaning: Darina, Dara.
Devyatko is the ninth son in the family.
From this name came the surnames: Devyatkin, Devyatkov, Devyatov.
Dobrognev
Dobrolyub - kind and loving.
From this name came the surname: Dobrolyubov.
Dobromil - kind and sweet.
Dobromila is a female form named after Dobromil.
Dobromir is kind and peaceful.
Abbreviated names: Dobrynya, Dobrysha. From these names came the surnames: Dobrynin, Dobryshin. Legendary personality: hero - Dobrynya.
Dobromir is the female form named after Dobromir.
Goodwill - kind and reasonable.
From this name came the surname: Dobromyslov.
Dobroslav - glorifying kindness.
Dobroslav - female form named after Dobroslav.
Dobrozhir
Domazhir -
Domaslav - glorifying relatives.
Abbreviated name: Domash - one's own, dear. From this name came the surname: Domashov.
Dragomir is more precious than the world.
Dragomir is a female form named after Dragomir.
Dubynya - similar to oak, indestructible.
Legendary personality: hero - Dubynya.
Druzhina - comrade.
The common name has the same meaning: Friend. Surnames came from these names: Druzhinin, Drugov, Drunin.
Ruff -
one of the personified names of the animal world.
From this name came the surname: Ershov.
The lark is one of the personified names of the animal world.
From this name came the surname: Zhavoronkov.
Zhdan is a long-awaited child.
From this name came the surname: Zhdanov.
Zhdana is a female form named after Zhdan.
Zhiznomir - living in the world.
Zhirovit
Zhiroslav
The hare is one of the personified names of the animal world.
From this name came the surname: Zaitsev.
Zvenislava - announcer of glory.
Winter - harsh, merciless.
From this name came the surname: Zimin. Legendary personality: Ataman Zima from Razin's army.
Zlatomir - the golden world.
Zlatotsveta - golden-colored.
Short name: Zlata.
Malice is one of the "negative" names.
From this name came the surnames: Zlobin, Zlovidov, Zlydnev.
Izbygnev
Izyaslav - who took glory.
Historical personality: Izyaslav Vladimirovich - Prince of Polotsk, founder of the Polotsk princes.
Sincere - sincere.
The name has the same meaning: Iskra.
Iskra is the female form named after Iskren.
Istislav - glorifying the truth.
Istoma - languishing (possibly associated with difficult childbirth).
From this name came the surnames: Istomin, Istomov.
Casimir - showing the world.
Casimir is the female form named after Casimir.
Koschey - thin, bony.
From this name came the surnames: Koshcheev, Kashchenko.
Krasimir - beautiful and peaceful
Krasimira is a female form named after Krasimir.
Short name: Beauty.
Curve is one of the "negative" names.
From these names came the surname: Krivov.
Lada - beloved, dear.
The name of the Slavic Goddess of love, beauty and marriage.
Ladimir - getting along with the world.
Ladislav - glorifying Lada (love).
Swan is a personified name of the animal world.
The name has the same meaning: Lybid. From this name came the surname - Lebedev. Legendary personality: Lybid is the sister of the founders of the city of Kyiv.
Ludislav
Luchezar - a luminous beam.
We love - beloved.
From this name came the surname: Lyubimov.
Love is beloved.
The name has the same meaning: Lyubava. Surnames originated from these names: Lyubavin, Lyubimtsev, Lyubavin, Lyubin, Lyubushin, Lyubimin.
Lyubomila - beloved, dear.
Lubomir is a loving world.
Lubomir is a female form named after Lubomir.
Curiosity - loving to think.
Lyuboslav - loving glory.
Lyudmil is dear to people.
Ludmila is the female form named after Ludmila.
Historical personality: Ludmila - Czech princess.
Mal - small, younger.
The name has the same meaning: Malay, Mladen. Surnames came from these names: Maleev, Malenkov, Maltsov, Malyshev. Historical personality: Mal - Drevlyansky prince.
Malusha is a female form named after Mal.
The name has the same meaning: Mlada. From these names came the surname: Malushin. Historical personality: Malusha is the wife of Syatoslav Igorevich, the mother of Vladimir Svyatoslavich.
Mechislav - glorifying sword.
Milan is cute.
The name has the same meaning: Milen. Surnames originated from these names: Milanov, Milenov.
Milana is the feminine form of Milan.
The names have the same meaning: Milava, Milada, Milena, Milica, Umila. From these names came the surname: Milavin. Historical personality: Umila is the daughter of Gostomysl.
Milovan - caressing, caring.
Milorad - sweet and joyful.
From this name came the surname: Miloradovich.
Miloslav - nicely glorifying.
Short name: Miloneg.
Miloslava is the female form named after Miloslav.
Peaceful - peace-loving.
From this name came the surname: Mirolyubov.
Miroslav - glorifying the world.
Miroslava is a female form named after Miroslav.
Molchan - taciturn, silent.
From this name came the surname: Molchanov.
Mstislav - glorifying revenge.
Historical personality: Mstislav Vladimirovich - Prince Tmutorakansky, Grand Duke of Kiev.
Mstislava is a female form named after Mstislav.
Hope is hope.
The name has the same meaning: Hope.
Nevzor is one of the "negative" names.
From this name came the surname Nevzorov.
Nekras is one of the "negative" names.
From this name came the surname: Nekrasov.
Nekras is the female form of Nekras.
The eagle is one of the personified names of the animal world.
From this name came the surname: Orlov.
The eighth is the eighth child in the family.
The name has the same meaning: Osmusha. Surnames originated from these names: Osmanov, Osmerkin, Osmov.
Ostromir
Peredslava - The name Predslava also matters. Historical personality: Predslava - wife of Svyatoslav Igorevich, mother of Yaropolk Svyatoslavich.
Peresvet - very light.
Historical personality: Peresvet - warrior of the Battle of Kulikovo.
Putimir - reasonable and peaceful
Putislav - praising reasonably.
The name has the same meaning: Putyata. Surnames came from these names: Putilov, Putilin, Putin, Putyatin. Historical personality: Putyata - Kyiv governor.
Radigost - caring for another (guest).
Radimir - caring about the world.
The name has the same meaning: Radomir. Short name: Radim. Surnames came from these names: Radilov, Radimov, Radishchev. Legendary personality: Radim is the progenitor of the Radimichi.
Radimira is a female form named after Radimir.
The name has the same meaning: Radomira.
Radislav - caring about glory.
The name has the same meaning: Radoslav.
Radislava is the female form of Imney Radislav.
Radmila is caring and sweet.
Radosveta - sanctifying with joy.
Joy is joy, happiness.
The name has the same meaning: Rada.
Razumnik - reasonable, reasonable.
From this name came the surname: Razin. Historical personality: Razumnik is a student of Cyril and Methodius.
Ratibor is a defender.
Ratmir is the defender of the world.
Rodislav is a glorifying family.
Rostislav - growing glory
Historical personality: Rostislav Vladimirovich - Prince of Rostov, Vladimir-Volynsky; Tmutarakansky; The ancestor of the princes of Galicia and Volyn.
Rostislava is a female form named after Rostislav.
Sbyslava
Svetislav - glorifying light.
The name has the same meaning: Svetoslav.
Svetislava is a female form named after Svetislav.
Svetlan - bright, pure soul.
Svetlana is the female form named after Svetlana.
Svetovid - seeing light, perspicacious.
The name has the same meaning: Sventovid. The name of the West Slavic God.
Svetozar - illuminating with light.
Svetozara is a female form named after Svetozar.
The name has the same meaning: Svetlozara.
Svyatogor - indestructible holiness.
Legendary personality: Svyatogor is an epic hero.
Svyatopolk is the leader of the sacred army.
Historical personality: Svyatopolk I Yaropolkovich - Grand Duke of Kiev.
Svyatoslav - sacred glory.
Short name: Saint. Historical personality: Svyatoslav I Igorevich - Prince of Novgorod and Grand Duke of Kiev.
Svyatoslav - female form named after Svyatoslav.
Slavomir - peace glorifier.
Nightingale is a personified name of the animal world.
From this name came the surnames: Nightingale, Solovyov. Legendary personality: Nightingale Budimirovich - a hero from epics.
Som is the personified name of the animal world.
Snezhana - white-haired, cold.
Stanimir - establishing the world.
Stanimira is a female form named after Stanimir.
Stanislav - establishing glory.
From this name came the surname: Stanishchev. Historical personality: Stanislav Vladimirovich - Prince of Smolensk.
Stanislav is the female form named after Stanislav.
Stoyan is strong, unbending.
Sudimir
Sudislav
Tverdimir - from TVERD - solid and WORLD - peaceful, peace.
Tverdislav - from TVERD - solid and GLORY - to praise.
From this name came the surnames: Tverdilov, Tverdislavov, Tverdislavlev.
Tvorimir - creating the world.
Tikhomir is quiet and peaceful.
From this name came the surname: Tikhomirov.
Tikhomir is a female form named after Tikhomir.
Tur is a personified name of the animal world.
Legendary personality: Tur - the founder of the city of Turov.
Brave - brave.
Chaslav - looking forward to glory.
Chaslava is a female form named after Chaslav.
The name has the same meaning: Cheslava.
Chernava - dark-haired, swarthy
The name has the same meaning: Chernavka. Surnames came from these names: Chernavin, Chernavkin.
Pike is a personified name of the animal world.
Yarilo - the sun.
Yarilo - God of fruits in the form of the sun. From this name came the surname: Yarilin.
Jaromir is a sunny world.
Yaropolk is the leader of the solar army.
Historical personality: Yaropolk I Svyatoslavich - Grand Duke of Kiev.
Yaroslav - praising Yarila.
From this name came the surname: Yaroslavov. Historical personality: Yaroslav I Vladimirovich - Prince of Rostov, Prince of Novgorod, Grand Duke of Kiev.
Yaroslav is a female form named after Yaroslav.

Old Russian two-part names (composite names) are well known to us from the annals - not least because they were originally the names of the Old Russian elite. Apparently, they were the basis of many ancient Russian one-component names known to us: Vadim - Vadimir, love - Lubimir, Ratsha - Ratislav (Ratslav), Saint - Svyatoslav.

Actually, such two-part names are typical not only for Old Russian language, but also for Slavic languages in general. Moreover, in the Czech, Serbian, Croatian, Bulgarian and Polish languages, much more of these names have been preserved, and they are still actively used: for example, Vojislav Kostunica (Prime Minister of Serbia) Cheslav Sabinsky (Polish director) Jaromir Jagr (Czech ice hockey player) Radoslav Bachev (Bulgarian football player), etc. In part, this happened because in the holy calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church very few Old Russian names were found. After the adoption of Christianity in Rus', the custom give the child two names - "native" Slavic and baptismal, taken from church calendar. Therefore, in ancient Russian sources, a double name is often found: " Prince Theodore and Mirsky Mstislav", "Joseph, and the worldly Ostromir", "having called him Vasily in holy baptism, the worldly name grew to him". Yaroslav the Wise wore Christian name George , his sons Vyacheslav, Izyaslav, Svyatoslav And Vsevolod- respectively Mercury, Dimitri, Nikola (Nicholas) And Andrey , and the son of Izyaslav Svyatopolk, founder of the Mikhailovsky Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv - Michael . And only a few princes who fell into the Orthodox calendar managed to "drag" their original names behind them - Vladimir(Vladimir the Great, in baptism - Basil), Boris And Gleb(sons of Vladimir, in baptism - Novel And David ). But the half-brother of Boris and Gleb, Yaroslav the Wise, officially got into the holy calendar only in 2005, with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II.

(By the way, the custom of double naming existed among the Eastern Slavs until the 17th century: for example, Hetman Bogdan Khmelnitsky had the Christian name Zinovy, so he sometimes appears in the sources as Bogdan-Zinovy Khmelnitsky).

Many two-component Slavic names got into the Russian calendar from other Slavic sources: martyr Ludmila Czech, saint Vladislav Serbian(although in the Old Russian language there was a similar name Volodislav). By the way, some names that we today consider traditionally Polish, Czech or Serbian were also common in Ancient Rus': Stanislav(one of the sons of Volodymyr the Great), Boleslav(daughter of Grand Duke Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich), Miroslav(Miroslav Gyuryatinich, Novgorod mayor), etc. However, these names were not included in the calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church, although some of them are present in the Catholic calendars.

Peaceful or glorious?

Usually the meaning of ancient Russian names is clear without translation: Svyatoslav - "holy" + "glory", Vsevolod - "owning everything." But here we come across the name Ostromir - what kind of "sharp world" is this? And by the way, who should a man named Zhiroslav praise? Why is Gostibor fighting with guests and what does the first component of the name Izyaslav mean?

To get answers to most of these questions, it is usually enough to look into the dictionary of the Old Russian language and find out that "izyati" means "to take", "guest" is not only a guest in the usual sense, but also a foreigner, and the word "fat" meant wealth, abundance.

The issue with Ostromir is not so easy. From the dictionary we learn that "sharp" means "brave, resolute". Accordingly, Ostromir is a "brave world"? Quite a paradoxical name. Although, on the other hand, there are a lot of names starting with "-mir" in the Old Russian name-book: Vladimir, Gostimir, Ratimir, Radomir ... True, sometimes for some reason they were written through "yat": Volodymyr, Gostimir, Ratimer, Radomer and pronounced accordingly. Volodimer , Hostimer , Ratimer , Radomer . Even if you make allowances for the pronunciation of an unstressed vowel, you must admit that "peace" and "mer" are two big differences.

There is a version that the component peace/mer was borrowed from the Germano-Scandinavian marr/mer meaning "glorious, famous". Moreover, in parallel with the Slavic name Vladimir, there was a Scandinavian Valdemar/Valdimarr- "glorious ruler." Vladimir is a princely name, the first bearer of this name known to us is Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich (Vladimir the Great), a descendant of the notorious Varangian Rurik. Perhaps Prince Svyatoslav gave his youngest son Scandinavian name Valdemar, adapted to the Slavic pronunciation: Volodimer. Moreover, in Russian it sounded like an ordinary two-part name - "owning the world." Therefore, the Slavic peace/mer easily took its place among other name-forming components: -glory, -boron, -love. At the same time, it is possible that some names were not formed from a borrowed world/mer, but directly from the Old Russian "peace"(world).

New life of ancient Russian names

The fashion for pagan Old Russian names, like any fashion, goes away and returns with the constancy of the pendulum. The first swallow can be considered famous poet Velimir Khlebnikov, who at one time was fond of the ideas of pan-Slavism (like many representatives of the Russian intelligentsia) and took the pseudonym Velimir instead of his passport name Victor. IN Once again"resurrected" pagan names after October revolution when young parents, eager to “break with the old world” by all means, began to look for any names for their children that were not associated with traditional calendars. True, the Jaromirs and Vseslavs were significantly inferior in popularity to the Vladlens, Revolutions and Electrifications, but nevertheless the tradition was laid down seriously and for a long time.

Today, Russian-speaking countries are experiencing new wave fashion for Old Russian and Slavic names. Partly - because of the mass attempt to "return to the roots", partly - because Western names like Jeanne, Edward or Angela have already become boring. Now children are given not only Old Russian, but also Bulgarian, Czech, Serbian, Polish names: Snezhana,Milan,Krasimir,Boleslav,Bratislava.

Slavic names are not only borrowed, but also invented. They are successfully invented by the authors of the now fashionable "Slavic fantasy", contribute to the common cause and numerous groups of neo-pagan Rodnovers who are trying to revive Slavic paganism as a modern religious cult. Rodnovers, passing the rite of passage, change their passport names to "native" ones: Mlad, Ogneslav,Veleslav. Many Rodnover names are either borrowed from the Veles Book, which most Slavic experts recognize as a fake, or are modeled after real-life composite names using Slavic and pseudo-Slavic roots: Goemysl - "comprehending the life force ("goe" - the power of life and fertility)" (hereinafter, interpretations are given according to " Slavic name book" A. V. Trekhlebova - ed. ), Vladduh- "twice-born - in body and spirit, i.e., possessing a devaconic (spiritual) body)",octopus- "eight-eyed, all-seeing",Rostichar- "increasing the gifts of sacrifices ("chara" - a sacrificial bowl: "cha" - a bowl, life force, "Ra" - the sun)",Pillarlight- "beacon, i.e. a person who has a powerful energy channel of communication with a generic and spiritual egregore",Bozhed- "home of God".(By the way, in Dahl's dictionary the word "bozhedom" is interpreted in a slightly different way: "bozhedom, bozhedomka - poor, despised in an almshouse").

Of course, most of the Rodnover names are unlikely to take root in wide use: few parents have the courage to call the child Stolposvet or Vladdukh, whatever these names mean. However, real-life Slavic names are becoming more and more popular with us, and for good reason - for the most part they are very beautiful and, unlike names of foreign origin, are understandable without translation.

About the list of names posted on this site

Why two-part names?

In fact, there are quite a lot of Old Russian names recorded in medieval sources - only one "Dictionary of Old Russian Personal Names" by N.M. Tupikova gives them several hundred. The problem is that it is very difficult to distinguish between personal names given at birth and nicknames. Moreover, in official sources both could be used as a name with equal success: cf. Kornilko Fool, peasant of the Yazholobitsky churchyard And Fool Mishurin, clerk of Moscow . At that time, a child could indeed be called the name Fool - there was a custom to give children names with a negative meaning on purpose in the hope that evil forces they will not be tempted by such a "poor-quality" child and will not take him away from his parents, sending illness or some kind of misfortune. The only question is whether the peasant Kornilko the Fool was given this name at birth along with the Christian Korniliy (Kornilko) or this nickname, earned by him already at a conscious age for unprecedented intellectual ability?

There is no single answer to this question. But the Fool is still flowers in comparison with some names found in ancient Russian sources. There quite officially appear such personalities as the Novgorod icon painter Ivan Dermo Yartsev son, native Petrusha Bzdyachiy , peasant Kirilko Byakin son-in-law (a man who had a father-in-law named Byaka), a Moscow clerk Gryaznusha Kolodnich , resident of Novgorod Wanking Nezdylov son , pop Ghoul Dashing - the first copyist of books known in Rus' and his colleague, someone “Vasian, a sinner in a foreign shop, according to the(by nickname or worldly name) Dracula ” (!). Unlike these marvelous names, the two-part names known to us from the ancient Russian chronicles do not raise doubts - these are names, and not nicknames or analogues. modern surnames. For readers interested in the full range of Old Russian names, I recommend the Dictionary of Old Russian Personal Names by N.M. Tupikov, which you can download.

Why are there so few names on the list?

Indeed, in Slavic languages there are many more two-part names. But this list does not represent common Slavic, but Old Russian names - that is, names recorded in Old Russian sources or left their mark on surnames and geographical names(e.g. Radonezh- possessive from Radoneg). It is logical to assume that in Ancient Rus' there were many more two-part names than we know. Our ancestors could well be called Krasimirs, Lyuboslavs and Radosvets - the laws of the language fully allow the existence of such names. However, until sources are found in which they would be mentioned, it is better to refrain from including them in the list.

Why are there so few female names?

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