How to find your russian name and writes about Eastern European history, culture, current events, language, and travel. Russian names can be confusing to English speakers. It makes a trip to a foreign country more enlightening and memorable if you make a few local friends while you’re there.
Did you know that Vova and Vladimir is the same person? Russian first names are often shortened to a short form or a diminutive. Sometimes these names sound nothing like the names from which they were derived. A woman named Maria might also be called Masha by acquaintances, Mashenka by her best friend, or Mashunechka by her sweetheart.
Russian middle names, or patronymics, are taken from the father’s first name. The patronymic is one of the most confusing aspects of the Russian naming system, but the explanation for how they work is really quite simple. The patronymic is formed by the father’s first name and different suffixes depending on gender. Men have patronymics that end in ovich or evich. Women’s patronymics end in ovna or evna. So if a pair of siblings of the opposite gender has a father named Mikhail, for example.
Mikhailovich, and his sister would have Mikhailova as a patronymic, or middle name. Patronymics in Russia are used as middle names are in English and are part of a person’s legal name, likely to appear on documents. But unlike common practice in the United States, colleagues and others who are not close friends or family are likely to call a person by both their first name and their patronymic. Russian last names are similar to last names in English, but there are male forms and female forms of Russian last names, with female forms generally adding an “a. Petrova, Sokolova, Mikhailova, Federova, and Morozova. Some Russians celebrate a name day that corresponds with the saint whose name they share.
Historically, name days were significant but fell out of favor and use during the Communist era of the Soviet Union. What’s the Deal with Russian Middle Names? If you were Russian, what would be your perfect name? Take our fun quiz to find out! Questions Answer these fun questions about your likes and personality to find out what the perfect Russian name would be for you!
