Old Russian names. Slavic names

Before the advent of Christianity in Rus', there were male names that reflected the qualities of people, their various properties, for example, speech characteristics or physical disabilities. Also, Slavic male names reflected the attitude of parents towards children or the order of their appearance in the family. All this was expressed directly by common nouns or figuratively, in comparison with animals, plants, etc. The child could be named Wolf, Cat, Sparrow, Pea, Birch, Ryaby, Buyan, First, Tretyak, Bolshoi, Malenshiy, Zhdan, Nezhdanny. Subsequently, these male names were reborn into the modern surnames Nezhdanov, Tretyakov, Volkov, etc.

After Christianity was introduced in Rus', such male names () were gradually replaced by church names that came from Byzantium. Among them there were not only Greek, but also ancient Roman names, and Hebrew, and Syrian, and Egyptian. Each of them had a specific meaning in their native language, but in Rus' they became proper names, not denoting anything else. So, once upon a time in Byzantium the best Greek names and names that were used in neighboring countries were collected. All of them were canonized, that is, officially legitimized, becoming church names.

Brought to Russian soil, church male names did not immediately replace the old ones. The fact that new names gradually entered Russian life is evidenced by the fact that until the 17th century, Russians, along with church Christian names, also gave worldly names, which were more familiar and understandable. It was they who eventually turned into nicknames. Ancient chronicles contain rather complex names of people, sometimes compound ones: “Fedot Ofonasyev’s son, nicknamed Cucumber,” “Alexey, nicknamed Budil, Semyonov’s son,” “Ostashko, nicknamed Pervushka,” “boyar Theodore, called Doroga.”

Old Russian names gradually fell into oblivion, and by the 18th-19th centuries. Only Christian male names remained. However, they too have undergone changes, succumbing to the influence of the peculiarities of Russian pronunciation, word formation and inflection. So Diomede became Demid, Jeremiah became Eremey, Ioannikios became Aniceus, etc. A number of names even began to be used in two versions - church and civil. Church male names resembled the Greek original, while civil or folk names were more adapted to Russian pronunciation. So Sergius became Sergei, Agapius - Agap, Elijah - Elijah, Zachary (Zacharia) - Zakhar.

Let's see list of the most popular male names, and also find out their meanings. We hope that from the list presented you will find the most suitable name for your boy.

The ancient Slavs knew that the name greatly influenced the fate of the child, so they took it seriously. Slavic male names most often consisted of two full words with a deep meaning, which served as a kind of amulet against all evil spirits. The pagans preferred to give their heirs two or more names to protect them from evil spirits. After the adoption of Christianity, children were also given not one name, but two. The first was used for interaction and contact with the outside world, the second was given at the baptism of the baby. It was kept secret and known only to immediate family.

How to choose a name for a boy

In ancient times, names for boys were chosen especially carefully, because sons always remained warriors, protectors, successors of the family, elders, bearers of strength, greatness, power and wisdom.

Nowadays, choosing a name also needs to be taken seriously.

• Be wary of names that are too unconventional. Children can suffer greatly because their name is too prominent. Plus, they will most likely be constantly teased about it at school.
• You should not give the boy an affectionate and soft name. He will not be taken seriously, and his peers will call him a girl.
• The first name must be combined with the surname and patronymic. This is especially true for boys, as their last name stays with them for life.
• Following the fashion for names is stupid. Fashion quickly passes, but the name remains and may sound rather inappropriate.

When choosing a name for your son, you must first try it on a stranger and analyze all the associations that arise because of this. It is also advisable to carefully study all the interpretations and meanings of names.

Common names are too banal, and the baby gets lost in the company of his peers; names that are too rare attract too much attention to him.

The name should not be too rare, but also not the most popular. For most boys, firm names are suitable, since life will be difficult for them without a strong and assertive character.

Beautiful ancient Slavic names for a boy

The ancient Slavs most often gave the child a name at birth, and then during adolescence, when the main features of his individuality were already clearly emerging in the character of the young man. The name should have emphasized these qualities. If a man performed great feats, he could be given another name glorifying his great deeds.

List of beautiful names:

• Agniy – means light (from the word “fire”);
• Bel – pure, white, white-faced;
• Beloyar – bright and furious;
• Nobility - noble;
• Bogdan – given by God;
• Boleslav - aspiring to great glory;
• Vartislav - filled with glory;
• Velimir – peaceful, calm, balanced;
• Gleb – powerful, heavy;
• Dalimil – giver or bestower of mercy;
• Dobromir – kind and peaceful;
• Zareslav - glorifying the dawn;
• Karin – brown-eyed;
• Ladoslav - glorifying Lada;
• Lyubomil - beloved;
• Peace lover - loving peace;
• Miroslav - glorifying the world;
• Mstislav – vindictive, irreconcilable;
• Ognedar – sacrificer;
• Overexposure - very light, enlightened;
• Radim – joyful;
• Ruslan is a bright soul;
• Ratmir - protecting the world;
• Svyatoslav - sacred glory;
• Svetomir – bringing light and peace;
• Stanislav – establisher of glory;
• Tihomir - quiet and peaceful;
• Jaromir is peaceful like Yarilo.

Many names of Slavic origin are almost forgotten and have completely disappeared from use, since after the adoption of Christianity they were almost completely replaced by Greek and Jewish analogues.

Forgotten and rare names of Slavic origin

The list of forgotten and rare names is very long:

• Bezson – wakeful;
• Bogorod is a relative of the gods;
• Bozheslav - glorifying the deity;
• Burislav - like a storm;
• Vedamir - all-knowing;
• Wenceslaus - wearer of the crown of glory;
• Voibor – victorious in battle;
• Vysheslav - highest in glory;
• Gradimir - creator of the world;
• Gorynya - invincible and unshakable like a mountain;
• Gremislav - illustrious, thundering with glory;
• Daniyar – given for shine;
• Zlatan – precious;
• Lyudmil - dear to people;
• Mlad – junior, young;
• Okomir – eye of the world;
• Orislav – strong;
• Radim – worried about the world;
• Taislav is modest, concealing glory.

Whether a child should be given such a rare name should be decided by the parents themselves, after weighing the pros and cons.

Orthodox Russian male names

Some ancient names gained wide popularity due to the fact that Slavs with that name were elevated to the rank of saints and canonized.

These are Russian names for boys:

• Boris – fighting for glory;
• Vsevolod - owner of everything;
• Vladimir is great in his power, ruling the world;
• Vladislav – owner of glory;
• Vyacheslav - great fame, most famous;
• Vsevolod - owner of everything;
• Gorazd – big, large;
• Rostilav - increased glory;
• Svyatoslav - holy glory;
• Yaropolk is an ardent warrior.

These names are quite popular in our time; moreover, they are very harmonious and have a good interpretation. Many of them are among the top most popular male names.

Unusual Slavic names

Unusual names can be divided into the following categories:

• derived from the participles: Zhdan, Nezhdan, Khoten, Bazhen, Bazhan, Kriv;
• in order of birth: First, Bolshoi, Second, Second, Tretiak, Chetvertak, Menshoi, Nine;
• associated with flora and fauna: Wolf, Walnut, Birch, Eagle, Borscht, Raven, Swan, Lark, Hare;
• deities: Lad, Yarilo.

Such names today are exotic and unusual. It is unlikely that anyone will dare to name their child such an extravagant name.

Over time, many of them became the basis for surnames: Menshov, Tretyakov, Volkov, Zhdanov, Bazhenov, Bazhutin, Borshchev, Voronikhin, Vtorushin, Zaitsev, Orlov.

Despite the fact that ancient Slavic male names are outdated, some parents still call their sons by them. Recently, there has been a revival of interest in old names, since modern ones have become very popular and too common, and parents do not want to name their child like everyone else. But finding a rare name requires a lot of wisdom.

Choosing a son's name is a difficult task for all parents. After all, the name will remain with the child for life, it will be his reflection. Therefore, the issue of a name for a boy must be taken seriously. At the moment, there are names of different origins in the world: Italian names, Kazakh, Greek, Old Russian names for boys and girls. If you decide to give your son an Old Russian name, then our article is just for you.

It should be noted that among the Old Russian names there are a huge number of beautiful and sonorous names, and if used correctly, you can significantly influence the fate of the child, that is, in the process of upbringing, strengthen the positive traits in the child’s character and develop good qualities in him. Princely names are in particular demand among Old Russian names. As a rule, men with names such as Vladimir, Vsevolod, Svyatoslav. The name Yaroslav gives the child a strong masculine character and charisma. There are also good old Russian names for boys, the owners of which were not princes, but were worthy husbands. For example, the name Bogdan (given by God). A boy named Bogdan will be a calm person who knows his worth; integrity and stubbornness are Bogdan’s striking traits. Boris (wrestlers) are smart, achieve great success, are scrupulous, and have a sense of humor. And there are many such old Russian bright and deep-meaning names.

Old Russian names for boys:

Bohumil - dear to God

Krasimir - the beauty of the world

Budislav - be glorious!

Krasislav - the beauty of glory

Boleslav - glorifying

We love - beloved

Belogor - from the White Mountains

Ludimir - bring peace to people

Beloyar - furious

Lyubomil - beloved

Bazhen - God's

Lyubomir - loving peace and peace

Bueslav - stork

Lyuborad - pleasing with love

Budimil - be nice!

Lyuboslav - glorifying love

Bogolep - divine

Ladislav - glorifying beauty

Bratislav - brother, friend of glory

Ladislav - glorifying people

Belimir - white, pure

Lubodron - beloved, dear

Bogumir - bring peace to God!

Luceslav - in a ray of glory

Borislav - stormy glory

Lubodar - giver of love

Volodar - giver of will

Ladimir - peace-loving

Vitoslav - glory of life

Peace lover - loving peace

Vlastislav - owner of the world

Milava - sweet, kind

Vladimir - owner of the world

Mlad - young

Vyacheslav - glorifying advice

Mirodar - giver of peace

Venislav - crowned with glory

Milan - sweet, kind

World - worldwide

Myslemir - thinking about the world

Vseslav - illustrious

Moguta - powerful, mighty

Vysheslav - famous; all the glory

Miloslav - sweet glory

Vlastimir - rule the world

Mladen - young

Vsemil - dear to everyone

Milorad - sweet, kind

Verislav - faithful

Hope - hope expectation

Vojislav - glorious warrior

Negomir - gentle and peaceful

Vadim - invited, invited

Found - found

Vladislav - owner of glory

Neroslav - sealer of glory

Vadislav - called

Witty - sharp thinker

Gleb - sweet, affectionate

Ocheslav - desperate glory

Gradibor - force creator

Oleg - light, fast

Gorislav - glorifying the high light

Wonderful - wonderful

Gorisvet - high light

Peresvet - bright

Gostislav - ready glory

Putislav - path of glory

Gradimir - creator of the world

Premislav - accept the glory!

Gift - gift to the world

Pervoslav - ahead of glory

Drogoslav - dear glory

Ratislav - military glory

Dobrava - virtuous, bearer

Radimil - sweet joy

Daroslav - giver of the word

Radey - joy, joyful

Deyan - active, active

Ratibor - chosen warrior

Daromir - giver of peace

Radibor - chosen from the joyful

Dobran - good giver

Ruslav - fair-haired

Daren - gift to the world

Radislav - caring about glory

Dan - given by God

Radim - sweet joy

Drogorad - dear joy

Ratmir - a fighter for peace

Drohomir - dear world

Radosvet - light of joy

Danko - shining, day

Rusimir - Russian World

Divislav - in the radiance of words

Radimir - caring for peace

Daniyar - given for shine

Radovlad - own joy

Dobrolyub - loving goodness

Svetovid - light, holy

Danislav - giver of glory

Svetozar - illuminated by light

Daromysl - thinker, thinker

Svyatoboy - holy fighter, warrior

Dragolub - kind, beloved

Svyatomir - holy world

Dobroslav - glorifying goodness

Svetovik - light

Dragovit - valuing life

Svyatorad - holy joy

Damir - the giver of peace

Tichoslav - quiet glory

Yeseniy - clear sky

Trajan - third son

Zhelan - desirable

Died - peace, tranquility

Zhelislav - desired glory

Touched - tenderness

Zhdanimir - the awaited world

Delight - delight

Zhiteslav - glorifying life

Hranimir - keep the peace

Zlatoslav - golden glory

Khvalimir - glorify the world

Zlatozar - with a clear gaze

Khvalislav - praise the glory

Zvenislav - ringing with glory

Hranislav - keep the glory

Zalazar - because of the azure

Tsvetimir - be the color of the world

Zelislav - very nice

Chudomil - sweet miracle

Zdanimir - creator of the world

Chestimir - honor of the world

Zvenimir - calling for peace

Chestislav - honor the glory

Dawn - rising light

Chtislav - honor the glory

Izheslav - be with glory!

Shchaslav - happy

Igor - militant

Jaromir - be furious in the world

Ivar - tree of life

Yaroslav - shining with glory

Idan - walking, overcoming the path

Jaromil is a nice man

Ivan - to be born, to be born

Yaropolk - furiously up in arms

Krasibor - chosen from the beautiful

Janislav - nice

The split of the church in Rus' occurred in the middle of the 17th century, when, on the initiative of Patriarch Nikon, church reform was carried out in order to bring Russian religious rituals into line with Greek Orthodox traditions. But not everyone accepted the innovations, which gave rise to the Old Believers. The Old Believers still live by their own laws, in particular, they give their children special names.

What names did the Old Believers give?

In the article “On proper names in Russian confessional groups”, Doctor of Philology, Chief Researcher of the Institute of Linguistics of the USSR Academy of Sciences/RAS Nikitina notes: “Intra-confessional and territorial variants of Old Believer culture use spontaneously formed names - a set of the most common names in a given local culture, but common the basis of all local names are the Old Believer calendar.”

So, names were given strictly according to the calendar: for boys within the first eight days, for girls within eight days before or after the date of birth. Therefore, many Old Believers bore names that were rare and almost forgotten in our time, for example: Macarius, Procopius, Savvatiy, Fevrusa, Ulita, Ermilus, Glyceria, Kallistratus, Cornilus, Sekletinya, Hermogenes, Fotinya. At the same time, one family could have several children with the same names - this was not forbidden.

Canonical and non-canonical forms

Ethnographer A.I. Nazarov in his work “Name Book of Old Believers-Priests of the Land of the Ural Cossack Army” draws attention to the fact that in the metric books of Old Believer settlements there are both canonical and non-canonical spellings of individual names. The latter, for example, include such as Aftanom, Anton, Gavrila, Efimy, Mikhaila, Stepan, Fokiy; Nastasya, Anisya, Daria, Arina, Ustina.

“Some names in the registry book for 1833 were found only in a non-canonical form,” the researcher reports, “for example, the male names Avinaliy, Anisim, Anufriy, Arefiy, Kirila (Kirilla), the female names Alimpiyada (Elympiyada), Uliyana (Ulyana), Uliyaniya (Ulyaniya). They correspond to the canonical forms Uvenalia, Onesimus, Onuphrius, Arefa, Cyril; Olympiad, Juliana, Juliana."

It is interesting that, according to the Old Believer canons, the name Nikolai is found only in the form Nikola, which existed before the so-called book right in the second half of the 17th century. According to sources, Archpriest Avvakum said on this matter: “Among the Germans there was Nikolai, and under the apostles the heretic was Nikolai, and among the saints there is no Nikolai anywhere.”

How have traditions changed?

According to S.E. Nikitina, although in the Old Believer environment there were often common names - Ivan, Maria, Peter, Anna, Vasily, Tatyana, Pavel, Natalya, along with them there were also less common ones in use - Savely, Evdokia, Karp, Efrosinya, Savvaty, Praskovya, Ulyana, Matryona, Pelageya, Akulina, Fedora, Mavra. Moreover, this happened already in the post-revolutionary period, as evidenced by documentation stored in the village councils of some Old Believer villages in the Urals and Siberia.

Sometimes young people changed their names without permission: for example, Fedora became Faina, Akulina - Lina, Pelageya - Polina, Fotinya - Svetlana (translation from Greek). Adherents of the old faith condemned such behavior: “The name cannot be changed without meaning: it was given according to the book (that is, according to the calendar) and has been tested for centuries.”

Only in the 60s of the twentieth century did the Old Believers begin to call their children names that are more traditional for us, although also available in the calendar - Andrei, Sergei, Anatoly, Ekaterina, Valentina, Galina.

Today, “Old Believers” names are found mainly among people from the Urals and Siberia, as well as among the descendants of Old Believers who emigrated to the West after the revolution. Moreover, S.E. Nikitina notes: “The Old Believer names among Old Believers in America are also striking in their unusualness. Here, for example, are male names: Abraham, Onufriy, Lavren, Nestor, Cyprian - diminutives are not formed from them. Such female names as Minadora and Theoktista also do not have diminutive forms. Those that have them do not always coincide with those familiar to us: Praskovya - Pana, Clement - Mitka, Evdokia - Keya (from the variant of Evdokey), Fetinya - Feta. Recently, “American” names have appeared as diminutives: Sam (from Samuel), Sally (from Salome, Russian version - Solonka), etc.”