Old Russian names for boys and their meaning. History of Old Russian female names

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 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 a secret and only his immediate family knew.

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 careful about too non-standard names. 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;
Peaceful – loving world;
Miroslav - glorifying the world;
Mstislav – vindictive, irreconcilable;
Ognedar – sacrificer;
Overexposure - very light, enlightened;
Radim – joyful;
Ruslan – light 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 Slavic origin almost forgotten and generally disappeared from use, since after the adoption of Christianity they almost completely replaced the 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 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. IN Lately interest in old names is being revived, since modern ones have become very popular and too common, and parents do not want to name their child like everyone else. But in search rare name you need to show a lot of wisdom.

Psychologists say that a person’s name is not just a set of alternating sounds, but a kind of unique personality code. Hearing a name for the first time, the brain of a newborn baby at a subconscious level begins to adapt to it, forming certain character traits.

IN Soviet times variety of names was not in honor, so residents of cities and villages were almost universally called Sergei, Maria, Valentin, Ivan, Aleksey, etc. As a result, the majority of people who had similar characteristics and lived similar lives were depersonalized.

At the end of the 20th century and the beginning of our century, there was a change in priorities and a tendency emerged to give children rare and long-standing forgotten names. They even began to publish special collections - name books that help young parents choose for their heir beautiful name. And although some mothers and fathers prefer that their son or daughter be called a “foreign” name like Angelina or Harry, the majority still turn to the roots and choose old Russian names.

Things from days gone by...

Before the introduction of Christianity in Rus', original names were used, which in essence were nicknames given for one reason or another. Often they were assigned to men and women based on external characteristics - height, physique, manner of speaking, character traits or time of birth.

To protect against evil spirits and unkind people, there was a system of double names. The first was given to the child at birth and most often did not sound very attractive - Nelyuba, Nekras, Zloba, Kriv, but this was precisely what was supposed to scare away evil forces from him.

The second name was given already in adolescence, taking into account the character traits that had already appeared in the boy or girl. These names can generally be classified into the following groups:

By order of birth in the family - Pervusha, Vtorak, Tretyak, Osmusha and others.
According to the main character qualities - Smeyan, Stoyan, Torop, Kras, Zorko, etc.
Names reflecting the world of plants or animals - Wolf, Falcon, Oak, Pike, Walnut and others.
By body type – Vyshata, Davila, Mal, etc.
Nicknames of pagan deities - Lada, Yarila, etc.

But the overwhelming majority of Old Church Slavonic names were dibasic, that is, formed from two roots. The most often used were “slav”, “wise”, “yar”, “sacred”, “regiment”, “rad” and others: Milorad, Mstislav, Luchemir, Yaropolk, Svyatoslav. To form a diminutive form, the second part of the full name was cut off and the suffixes “neg”, “tka”, “sha”, “yata”, “nya” were added, for example, Dobrynya, Yarilka, Miloneg, Putyata, Svyatosha.

Old Slavonic male names

Men's pagan names our ancestors came up with especially carefully. After all, boys have always been more desirable than girls as bearers of strength and wisdom, successors of the family, defenders of their people. At the same time, they were strictly observed following rules and prohibitions:

The child was not given the name of his father: it was believed that in this case not only advantages, but also disadvantages were doubled, which was unacceptable.
It is impossible for two people in the same family to have the same name, since one of them was soon to die.
The names of drowned people, dead children, as well as the weak-minded, crippled, robbers, and drunkards should not have been used, because negative qualities could be transmitted to the baby.

There was also such an interesting ritual. If after birth the child did not show signs of life and did not cry for a long time, they began to call out to him different names. The one to which he reacted became his own.

The list of forgotten names is very extensive. Some ancient Slavic names, especially for men, may seem pretentious and strange in our time. However, among them there are many that can be successfully used in the modern world.

Agniy – fiery, light;

Bayan is the keeper of antiquity;
Berislav - taker of glory;
God-knower - one who knows the gods;
Bogodiy - pleasing to the gods;
Bogumil - dear to God;
Boeslav – victorious in battles;
Bratislav - brother of glory;
Budimil - be nice;
Bueslav - stork;
Belogor - from the white mountains;
Beloyar – furious;

Vadimir is the leader of the world;
Vsemil - dear to everyone;
Vyacheslav - glorifying advice;
Volodar – giver of will;
Gradimir – looking at the world;
Gorisvet – high light;
Dobrynya - kind;
Deyan – active;
Dan – given from above;
Daromir – giver of peace;
Daromysl – thinking;

Zhdanimir - the awaited world;
Zhdan - long-awaited;
Zhelan – desired;
Dawn - rising light;
Zvenimir – calling for peace;
Zdanimir – creator of the world;
Idan – walking;
Ivar – tree of life;
Istislav - glorifying the truth;

Krasibor – chosen from the beautiful;
Kudeyar is a magician;
Ladislav - glorifying beauty;
Ludimir - bringing peace to people;
Lyuborad – pleasing with love;
Lyuboyar - loving Yarila;
We love - beloved;
Lubodron – expensive;
Lyubogost - hospitable;
Milan - cute;
Mlad – young;
Peace lover - loving peace;
Moguta – powerful;
Mirodar – giver of peace;

Negomir – gentle and peaceful;
Found – found;
Witty - sharp-thinking;
Otcheslav - glory to the father;
Peresvet - bright;
Radey – joyful;
Ratibor – chosen warrior;

Svyatomir - holy world;
Svyatovik - light;
Svyatoboy - warrior;
Died - peace;
Khvalimir - glorify the world;
Chestimir - honor of the world;
Jaromil - dear;
Janislav is nice.

With the introduction of Christianity, Old Church Slavonic names were supplanted by Greek, Roman, Jewish and Arabic, and some even found themselves under the strictest ban. True, subsequently individual names, for example, Yaroslav, Vladimir, Mstislav, were included in the Orthodox name book thanks to Vladimir the Holy, Yaroslav the Wise or Mstislav the Great, who glorified them.

Features of female Slavic names

Like male names, basic female Slavic names were not given at birth. They were often replaced with distracting nicknames, or they simply said “child”, “child”, “girl”, “little one”. Over the years, having discovered in their daughter a craving for some craft or seeing special character traits in her, her parents prepared her for the ceremony of receiving a new permanent name.

According to customs, the ceremony was carried out at the temple - an ancient Slavic sanctuary near the statues of pagan gods. At first, the girl was bathed in water, washing off her old baby name, and then the Magi solemnly named it new.

This usually happened when the girl turned 16 years old. However, there were exceptions. For example, for girls from princely families the ceremony was performed at the age of 12, and for children who were destined to become witches or priestesses from childhood, at 9.

Old Russian female names have a special melody and beauty. Therefore, many of them can be used in our time, naming our beloved daughters.

Agnia – fiery, enlightened;

Bela – white, clean;
Bazhena – desired;
Bayana – storyteller;
Beloslava - glorifying purity;
Snow White - pure, white;
Belyana – enlightened;
Blaginya is kind;
Bogdana – given by God;
Bogolyuba - lover of the gods;
Bogumila - dear to God;
Boguslava - glorifying God;
Borimira - fighting for peace;
Boyana – fighting, courageous;
Bratislava - taking glory;
Bronislava is a glorious protector;

Faithful - faithful;
Vedana - knowledgeable;
Velena, Velina - commanding;
Velizhana – polite;
Wenceslas - crowned with glory;
Veselina – cheerful;
Vesnyana – spring;
Vlada - okay;
Vladislava - owner of glory;
Vlasta – powerful;
Vlastelina – ruler;
Voislava – winning glory;
Vratislava - who returned glory;
Vsemila - dear to everyone;
Vsenezha - tender to everyone;
High - high;
Vyacheslava - the most glorious;

Gala – soulful;
Galina – feminine, earthly;
Blue – tender;
Gorazda – capable;

Darena – gifted;
Daryana – courageous;
Dobrovlada – possessing kindness;
Dobroslava - glorifying kindness;
Guess - quick-witted;
Dolyana – lucky;
Blast furnace – homely, economical;
Dragana – precious;
Dushana – soulful;

Zhdana – awaited;
Zhelana – desired;

Fun is a comforter;
Zadora - perky;
Zbigniew – restraining anger;
Zvezdana – born under the stars;
Zlatoyara – strong as the sun;
Zoreslava - glorious in beauty;

Izbora – chosen one;

Irina – ascended;

Karina – brown-eyed;
Krasa – beautiful;

Lada - sweetheart;
Lagoda – soulful;
Lebedyan – slender;
Luchezara – radiant;
Love - love, beloved;
Lyubodara - giving love;
Lyudmila – dear to people, humane;

Matryona – mature;
Milada - dear to the goddess Lada;
Milana - sweetheart;
Militsa – sweet in person;
Milolika – sweet face;
Milonega – sweet and gentle;
Milorada - sweet joy;
Mironega – peaceful, gentle;
Mlada – young, okay;

Hope - hope;
Beloved - beloved;
Ogneslava – glorifying Fire;
Olesya – forest;
Olelya - beloved;
Polelya – loving;
Poleva - field;
Polina – balanced;
Beautiful - beautiful;
Prelesta - lovely;
Suitable - nice;
Radmila – caring and sweet;
Radoslava - glorifying joy;
Rogneda – abundant;
Rosana – clean, fresh;
Ruzhena – pink;
Blush – ruddy;
Rusava – fair-haired;

Svetana – light;
Svetolika – enlightened;
Svetoyara – solar;
Sineoka – blue-eyed;
Siyana – shining;
Slavia – glorious;
Smeyana – laughing;
Humble - humble;
Snezhana – white-haired;
Stanislava – constantly glorious;
Stoyana – very courageous;

Delight – delightful;
Tsvetana – blooming, tender;
Charusha – generous;
Chernava – dark-skinned;
Cheslava - glorious in honor;
Shchedra - generous;
Yadviga - nurse;
Yana – courageous;
Yarolika – sun-faced;
Jaromira – bright and peaceful;
Yaroslava - glorifying Yarila the sun.

Our ancestors attached special meaning to names. Ancient people believed that the sounds from which they are composed have magical power received from the gods and mother nature itself. Old Slavonic names- this is a huge layer of our history and culture, which is increasingly being addressed modern parents, hoping to find the most beautiful name for your beloved baby.

Until the end of the 10th century, the Russian people had not yet accepted Christianity and worshiped several gods. Respectively, Old Russian names for children they were pagan. After the adoption of Christianity, a confrontation began between common and Christian names.

Naming

The most important rite in Christianity is baptism. After the birth of a child, he must be baptized and given Orthodox name some saint. Old Russian names are gradually being replaced by Christian ones.

But church names are not originally Russian in origin. They came from ancient Greek, Hebrew, Roman languages. For a long time The church in every possible way prohibited names of ancient Russian origin. After all, they were pagan, and the state was Christian.

Worldly name

Still, it is difficult to re-educate people right away, so along with the name given at baptism, children were given familiar Old Russian names. It turned out that the child had church name and the so-called worldly. This was the name of the baby in the narrow family circle. Gradually, with the strengthening of the position of the church and the faith of people, household names turned into nicknames.

There are several examples of such double names. The boyar, who received the name Fedor at baptism, was called Doroga at home, or the prince, bearing the name Mikhailo, was called Svyatopolk at home. Such examples are often found in ancient books or novels of Russian classics.

Names in pre-revolutionary Russia

IN pre-revolutionary Russia Old Russian names generally fell out of use. Within a week after birth, parents were required to baptize the child and give him a name according to the church calendar.

But for kids from a rich, influential family, the name was chosen by the parents, depending on the euphony and their preferences. The Church did not want to spoil relations with its benefactors and did not want to lose charitable contributions.

And when the baby from poor family, the clergyman could choose a name from the church book, depending on the time of birth. The parents’ opinion might not even be taken into account, and the name did not always sound beautiful and euphonious.

Exists interesting fact, associated with the name and well-being of the family. Historians have found that by name it was possible to determine belonging to the class. So, in peasant families, girls were often called Vasilisa, Fedosya, Fekla. Noble families never named their daughters that way. Rich and ruling families gave their daughters names such as Elizaveta, Olga, Alexandra, Ekaterina. It was impossible to find such names in peasant families.

Old Russian names and their meaning

As a rule, when you hear an Old Russian name, you can understand what it means without translation.

Old Russian male names

Here, for example, Svyatoslav. It is clear that the name is formed from the words “holy” and “glory”.
Vsevolod is a man who owns everything.
Bohumil - it’s immediately clear what kind of name this is. Child Bohumil - dear to God.
Or Vsemil means dear to everyone.

Very interesting were the names that children received depending on their position in the family. For example, if a third son was born into a family, he was given the name Trajan. The first son was called First, and the second was Second.

Old Russian female names

With names for girls, everything is also almost always clear.

Just like the boy Bogumil, the girl was called Bogumil.
Bliss is happy, and Bazhena is desirable. By the way, now you can sometimes come across the name Bazhen.
Darina - given by God.
Krasimira is the beauty of the world.

But not everything is so clear

For example, the name Ostromir. An association immediately arises sharp world". But this somehow does not fit into the understanding. Or the name Zhiroslav. It is clear that it glorifies something. But what?

This is where a dictionary of the Old Russian language comes to the rescue. Thus, the word "fat" meant wealth and abundance. It is now clear that the name Zhiroslav means “glory to wealth.”

The word "ostro" means "brave", therefore, Ostromir - "brave world". Although, of course, with modern understanding Sounds a little strange.

Radomir;
Vladimir;
Ratimir;
Gostimir and many similar ones.

Old Russian names are coming back

After October revolution Old Russian pagan names gradually began to return into use. This is due to the fact that young parents wanted to move away from the Saints and give the baby a beautiful name.

But at the same time, the revolution and electrification brought their own changes - Vseslav, Jaromir, Ogneslav, Zarina and Liliana were now running through the streets.

Of course, period Soviet power made some adjustments. Names associated with ideology, such as Turbina or Dazdraperma, became fashionable. But still, reason prevails - the Russian people want to return to their roots.

Children began to be born, who were given beautiful ancient Russian names. It sounds beautiful when the girl’s name is not Revolution, but Lyubava or Militsa. Names such as Muse, Nellie, Rosalia, Svyatoslav and Jaromir became fashionable.

Of course, not all names have returned; many are unlikely to take root. Not every parent now wants to name their child, for example, Stoppolsvet or Octo-Eyes. But still, for the most part, Old Russian names are very beautiful, and most importantly, it is clear to a Russian person what they mean. Without translation, it becomes clear that Vladlena is the ruler, and Lyubomira is the darling of the world.

Name as a characteristic of a person

In ancient Rus' the name was given great importance. Parents tried to name the child in such a way as to highlight his belonging to the clan and family. Names could be given that defined any qualities desired for the child. Also, a person’s name determined his position in society.

In ancient times, a name could stick to a person even in adulthood. So, if a person had certain physical features, the name could personify them. You can easily guess what people with the names Kudryash, Mal, Chernysh were like.

Or names like these, pointing to certain character traits: Clever, Kind, Silent, Brave.

As already written above, depending on the number of children in the family, he was given a name: Pervyak or Tretyak, Elder, Menshak.

In the literature you can often find names indicating a profession. Especially popular names Kozhemyaka, Warrior and Villager. After reading this, you might think that these are nicknames or nicknames. But people were actually called that way, and this is confirmed by documents available to historians. Although at that time in Rus' there was not much difference between a name as such and a nickname.

What about the girls?

Studying ancient Russian names, you can find a lot of nicknames for men. But with girls everything is a little different. Why?

It's all about the position of women in society. No matter how often girls do not fight for their rights, their influence on the life of the state is always belittled. And accordingly, there are not many historically recorded facts of famous female names.

Old Russian female names as independently formed names were very rare. As a rule, they came from men.

Gorislav - Gorislava;
Vladimir - Vladimir;
Vladlen - Vladlena;
Svyatoslav - Svyatoslav.

This is partly the fact that women were to some extent deprived; girls gradually began to be given more christian names. If in the case of men there were often double names, for example, Svyatoslav-Nikola, then the girls had only one thing - Olga, Elizaveta, Anna.

In addition, over time, patronymics are gradually being used on behalf of the father. At first, in order to determine family affiliation, the child could be called Pantelei, Miroslav's son. Then the suffix “-ich” was added to the name. At first, such freedom was allowed only to noble people. But soon this tradition took root everywhere.

IN modern society It is no longer possible to do without a patronymic. Especially at special and official events, this is even a necessity. But at first such a privilege was given only to the upper class. Only after the abolition of serfdom was the ordinary peasant allowed to give and bear a patronymic.

People have always been careful when choosing a name, because this is an energy-informational program that is set from birth and accompanies a person throughout everything. life path. The character and fate of not only its bearer, but also the entire country, depend on the name. After all, what more people have strong and “good” names, the stronger the country.

Rus' was famous for its people; nowhere else were there so many heroes, and today we propose to remember and consider forgotten male names. They almost all disappeared into oblivion. When the baptism of Holy Rus' took place, they were replaced by Greek, Jewish, Roman and other names of foreign origin.

Why are old names forgotten?

At the baptism of Rus', faith also changed, replaced pagan gods the one God for all people has come. Until the moment of baptism, many people were named in honor of pagan rulers, this is how, for example, the name Jaromir came about, and it consists of two parts - the name of the god Yarilo plus the world. Changing their faith, people wanted to completely eradicate the old deities, erase them from memory, so they even changed their names. Bogatyrs and wise men were forcibly baptized and called them as prescribed by the new Christian faith.

Male Slavic names and their meanings have already been almost completely forgotten. Many parents mistakenly believe that they call their children old, forgotten, but still real. Slavic names. For example, the same Ivan is a name known from many fairy tales, which is considered Russian. Yes, it is Russian, but not Slavic, and came from John, Jewish name, and appeared after baptism.

Many more such “erroneous” names can be included, for example, Matvey, Zakhar, Luke, Daniel. An overview of male Slavic names and their meanings is in the further contents of the article. We will look at the “strongest” and most beautiful ones, and future parents will be able to choose a real ancient Slavic name from the list.

How to recognize?

Male Slavic names were especially carefully selected, and their meanings carried a sacred meaning. It is possible to recognize such a name, and very simply. For example, the name Casimir is Slavic. It consists of “seems” or “to show” and “world”, that is, “showing the world”. But Parnassus, a name considered Slavic, is not such, since no meaning is captured by the ear.

It is also worth noting that the sound "a" was very rarely used in Ancient Rus' when scolding a baby. More often they chose the softer ones - “i”, “e”, “ya”.

Most often, male Slavic names consisted of two stems, and their meanings were immediately clear. The first part was the main one and was given at birth. The second part was added when the child grew to a certain age, and it symbolized merit, a sphere of influence or some object. Smerds, that is, people who are insolvent, powerless, were left without the second part of their name.

What were children named in Rus'?

Male and chosen by parents and reflecting type of employment. For example, peasants who were engaged in farming, fishing and hunting named their children without any special tricks, and their sons were called Hare, Catfish, Pike. It was from peasant names that many surnames originated.

Often, from birth, a baby was named so as not to be jinxed - the name was the complete opposite of appearance, character and mental abilities. Thus, the boys were called Fools, Negligents, Malices, Nekrasami and other ugly names. P

Later, when the guy was handed over to be raised by men, he was already named so that the name reflected the essence of the person. Future governors became Yaropolks, Dobrognevs and Ratibors. Hunters were given the names Brave, Stoyan, Eagle, Wolf and others like that. The particle “holy” was added to future clergy, hence the name Svyatoslav - real, ancient Slavic.

Often in families, children were called by the name and number with which they were born. There were usually a lot of children, so parents didn’t bother with the choice. This is how Pervushi, Vtoraki, Tretyak, Osmin and others appeared. Over time, the name changed to a two-part name, but family members continued to call the person as they were named at birth.

Terrible Slavs

It was male Slavic names that played a big role, and their meanings fully revealed the essence of character. If a boy was strong, tall and strong by the age of seven, he was handed over to be raised in a squad. And there they already named the boy based on his qualities. For example, Dubynya is strong and powerful, like an oak. Gorislav is as resilient as a mountain, but at the same time a nice guy! Dobrognev is angry, but in the name of good, that is, he will defeat all enemies for the sake of his homeland. Winter is calculating, persistent and cold. Mstislav is famous for his revenge.

Boys with flaws

If a child with physical disabilities was born into a family, then he was called the same as ordinary children, that is, a name that would not be jinxed, but it already reflected the essence. For example, Nevzor is blind, unseeing, Koschey is skinny, Nekras is ugly, ugly. As the child grew older, his name also changed. Usually, boys with flaws grew into kind guys filled with love for everything. This is how the Bogomils appeared - dear to the gods, the Peacelubs - loving everyone, peace-loving, the Blagoslavs - famous for their kindness, the Sestromils and Bratomirs - beloved by brothers and sisters (that is, all people).

Names that have come down to us

There are still popular male Slavic names today, and their meanings are of interest to many. The list is small, but everyone has at least one friend with a name such as Vladimir, Vsevolod, Vladislav. They have come down to us because rulers, representatives of rich and noble families, and governors bore such names. Less popular today are Wenceslaus, Borislav and Borimir.

Examples from fairy tales

Some male and female names and their meanings existed even after the baptism of Rus'. These are deception names that were given to babies in order to ward off trouble, evil forces and the evil eye from them. You can remember from fairy tales such heroes as Ivan the Fool, Koschey, and the Princess of the Unsmeyana. Even in literary work the ancient Slavic decoy name has been preserved - Mazai, that is, smeared.

Beautiful male Slavic names and their meanings: list

Today, Slavic names are gaining more and more popularity. In cultural self-determination big role plays a return to its roots. Of course, we are not talking about a complete rejection of the names we are used to; it’s just that among the ancient and forgotten there are many beautiful ones:

Borislav - struggle, glory;
Bogdan - given (donated) by the gods;
Burislav - storm-like, indestructible;
Veleslav - great, glorious;
Vsevolod - owner of everything;
Dobrynya - kind;
Zlatan, Zlatodan - precious;
Mstislav - irreconcilable, glory, revenge;
Ratmir - protecting the world;
Svetoslav, Svetozar - bright, illuminating the world;
Svyatopolk (Svetopolk) - commander;
Svyatogor - holy, mighty, powerful;
Tihomir - calm;
Yaroslav - nice, bright;
Yaropolk is a formidable commander and warrior.

A name determines a person's destiny. This is the key to his inner self. After all, it is 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 protection from unkind spirits and unkind people.
Often the first Slavic name was deliberately unattractive (Kriv, Nekras, Zloba), for even greater protection from evil ones. After all, without the key to the essence of a person, it is much more difficult to cause evil. The rite of the second naming was performed in adolescence when the main character traits have been formed. The name was given based on these traits. Slavic names were replete with their diversity; there were groups of names:
1) Names from the animal and flora(Pike, Ruff, Hare, Wolf, Eagle, Nut, Borscht)
2) Names by birth order (Pervusha, Vtorak, Tretyak)
3) Names of gods and goddesses (Lada, Yarilo)
4) Names based on human qualities (Brave, Stoyan)
5) And the main group of names is two-basic (Svyatoslav, Dobrozhir, Tihomir, Ratibor, Yaropolk, Gostomysl, Velimudr, Vsevolod, Bogdan, Dobrogneva, Lyubomila, Mirolyub, 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: Svyato + sha = Svyatosha.
Of course, the names of people carry a significant part of the culture and traditions of the entire people. In Russia, with the advent of Christianity, Slavic names almost completely fell into oblivion. There were lists of Slavic names prohibited by the church. Why this happened is not difficult to guess. One part of the names (Lada, Yarilo) were names Slavic gods, the owners of the second part were people who, even after the Christianization of Rus', tried to restore the cult and traditions (magi, heroes). Today in Russia only 5% of children are given Slavic names, which certainly impoverishes the already meager Slavic culture.

LIST OF SLAVIC NAMES

Bazhen is a desired child, desired. The names also have meaning: Bazhai, Bazhan. From these names arose the surnames: Bazhanov, Bazhenov, Bazhutin.
Bazhena - female uniform named after Bazhen.
Beloslav - From BEL - white, turn white and SLAV - to glorify. Abbreviated names: Belyay, Belyan. From these names arose the surnames: Belov, Belyshev, Belyaev.
Beloslava is a female form named after Beloslav. Short name: Beliana
Berimir - caring for the world.
Berislav is the one who takes glory, who cares about glory.
Berislava is the female form of the name Berislav.
Blagoslav - glorifying kindness.
Blagoslava is the female form of the name Blagoslav. Abbreviated names: Blaga, Blagana, Blagina.
Fornication - dissolute, unlucky. One of the "negative" names. From this name arose the surname: Bludov. Historical figure: Blud - governor of Yaropolk Svyatoslavich.
Bogdan is a child given by God. The name also has meaning: Bozhko. From these names arose the surnames: Bogdanin, Bogdanov, Bogdashkin, Bozhkov.
Bogdana is the feminine form of the name Bogdan. Short name: Bozena.
Bogolyub - one who loves God. From this name arose the surname: Bogolyubov.
Bogomil - dear to God. The name also has meaning: Bogumil.
Bozhidar - gifted by God.
Bozhidara is the female form of the name Bozhidar.
Boleslav - illustrious. Historical figure: Boleslaw I - Polish king.
Boleslava is the female form of the name Boleslav.
Borimir is a peace fighter, a peacemaker.
Borislav is a fighter for glory. Abbreviated names: Boris, Borya. From these names arose the surnames: Borin, Boriskin, Borisov, Borisikhin, Borichev, Borischev. Historical figure: Boris Vseslavich of Polotsk - Prince of Polotsk, ancestor of the Drutsk princes.
Borislava is the female form of the name Borislav.
Borsch is one of the personified names of the plant world. Literally translated: Borscht is plant tops. The surname Borshchev came from this name.
Boyan is a storyteller. The name was formed from the verb: bayat - to speak, tell, sing. The names also have meaning: Baian, Bayan. From these names came the surname: Bayanov. Legendary personality: songwriter - Boyan.
Boyana is the feminine form of the name Boyan.
Bratislav - From BROTHER - to fight and SLAV - to glorify.
Bratislava is the female form of the name Bratislava.
Bronislav is a defender of glory, protecting glory. The name also has meaning: Branislav. Short name: Armor.
Bronislava is the female form of the name Bronislav.
Bryachislav - from BRYACHA - to rattle and SLAV - to glorify Historical figure: Bryachislav Izyaslavich - Prince of Polotsk.
Budimir is a peacemaker. From this name came the surnames: Budilov, Budishchev.
Velimir is a big world.
Velimira is the female form of the name Velimir.
Velimudr - knowledgeable.
Velislav - great glory, most glorious.
Velislava is the female form of the name Velislav. Abbreviated names: Vela, Velika, Wieliczka.
Wenceslaus - dedicator to glory, crowned with glory.
Wenceslaus is the female form of the name Wenceslaus.
Faith is faith, true.
Veselin - cheerful, cheerful.
Veselin is the female form of the name Veselin. The name also has a meaning: Vesela.
Vladimir is the ruler of the world. The name also has meaning: Volodymer. From this name came the surnames: Vladimirov, Vladimirsky, Volodimerov, Volodin, Volodichev. Historical figure: Vladimir I Svyatoslavich Red Sun - Prince of Novgorod, Grand Duke Kyiv.
Vladimir is the female form of the name Vladimir.
Vladislav is the owner of glory.
The name also has meaning: Volodislav. Short name: Vlad. Historical figure: Volodislav is the son of Igor Rurikovich.
Vladislava is the female form of the name Vladislav. Short name: Vlada.
Vojislav is a glorious warrior. Abbreviated names: Voilo, Warrior. From these names came the surnames: Voeikov, Voinikov, Voinov. Historical figure: Voin Vasilievich - from the family of Yaroslavl princes.
Voislava is the female form of the name Voislav.
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 figure: Vsevolod I Yaroslavich - Prince of Pereyaslavl, Chernigov, Grand Duke of Kiev.
Vsemil - beloved by everyone.
Vsemil is the feminine form of the name Vsemil.
Vseslav - all-glorifying, famous. The name also has meaning: Seslav. From this name came the surname: Seslavin.
Historical figure: Vseslav Bryachislavich of Polotsk - Prince of Polotsk, Grand Duke of Kiev.
Vseslav is the female form of the name Vseslav.
Vtorak is the second son in the family. The names also have meaning: Second, Second. From these names came the surnames: Vtorov, Vtorushin.
Vyacheslav is the most famous, the most glorious. The name also has meaning: Vatslav, Vysheslav. From these names came the surnames: Vysheslavtsev, Vyacheslavlev, Vyacheslavov. Historical figure: Vyacheslav Vladimirovich - Prince of Smolensk, Turov, Pereyaslavl, Vyshgorod, Grand Duke of Kiev.
Vyachko is a legendary personality: Vyachko is the progenitor of the Vyatichi.
Godoslav - The name also has a meaning: Godlav. Historical figure: Godoslav is the prince of the Bodriči-Rarrogs.
Goluba is meek. From this name came the surnames: Golubin, Golubushkin
Gorazd - skillful, capable. The surname Gorazdov came from this name.
Gorislav is fiery, burning in glory.
Gorislava is the female form of the name 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 figure: Gostomysl - Prince of Novgorod.
Gradimir - guardian of peace.
Gradislav - guardian of glory.
Gradislava is the female form of the name Gradislav.
Granislav - improver of glory.
Granislava is the female form of the name Granislav.
Gremislav - famous.
Gudislav is a renowned musician, trumpeting glory. Short name: Gudim. From these names came the surname: Gudimov.

Daren - gifted.
Darena is the feminine form of the name Daren. The names also have meaning: Darina, Dara.
Nine is the ninth son in the family. From this name came the surnames: Devyatkin, Devyatkov, Devyatov. Dobrogneva
Dobrolyub - kind and loving. From this name came the surname: Dobrolyubov.
Dobromil is kind and sweet.
Dobromila is the feminine form of the name Dobromil.
Dobromir is kind and peaceful. Abbreviated names: Dobrynya, Dobrysha. From these names came the surnames: Dobrynin, Dobryshin. Legendary personality: hero - Dobrynya.
Dobromira is the female form of the name Dobromir. Dobromysl is kind and reasonable. From this name came the surname: Dobromyslov.
Dobroslav - glorifying kindness.
Dobroslava is the female form of the name Dobroslav.
Domaslav - glorifying relatives. Short name: Domash - our own, dear. From this name came the surname: Domashov.
Dragomir is more valuable than the world.
Dragomir is the female form of the name Dragomir.
Dubynya - like an oak, indestructible. Legendary personality: hero - Dubynya.
Druzhina is a comrade.
It also matters common noun: Friend. From these names came the surnames: Druzhinin, Drugov, Drunin.
Ruff is one of the personified names of the animal world. From this name came the surname: Ershov.
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 comes the surname: Zhdanov.
Zhdana is the female form of the name Zhdan.
Zhiznomir - living in the world.
Hare is one of the personified names of the animal world. From this name came the surname: Zaitsev.
Zvenislava - announcer of glory.
Winter is harsh, merciless. From this name came the surname: Zimin. Legendary personality: Ataman Winter from Razin’s army.
Zlatomir is a golden world.
Zlatotsveta - golden-flowered. Short name: Zlata.
Anger is one of the “negative” names. From this name came the surnames: Zlobin, Zlovidov, Zlydnev.
Izyaslav - the one who took glory. Historical figure: Izyaslav Vladimirovich - Prince of Polotsk, ancestor of the Polotsk princes.
Sincere - sincere. The name also has meaning: Iskra.
Iskra is the feminine form of the name Iskren.
Istislav - glorifying the truth.
Exhaustion - languid (possibly associated with difficult childbirth). From this name came the surnames: Istomin, Istomov.
Casimir - showing the world.
Kazimir - the female form of the name Kazimir.
Koschey is thin and bony. From this name came the surnames: Koshcheev, Kashchenko.
Krasimir - beautiful and peaceful
Krasimira is the female form of the name Krasimir. Short name: Krasa.
Kriv is one of the “negative” names. From this name came the surname: Krivov.
Lada - beloved, dear. The name of the Slavic Goddess of love, beauty and marriage.
Ladimir - one who gets along with the world.
Ladislav - praising Lada (love).
Swan is a personified name for the animal world. The name also has 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 ray of light.
We love - beloved. From this name came the surname: Lyubimov.
Love is beloved. The name also has meaning: Lyubava. From these names came the surnames: Lyubavin, Lyubimtsev, Lyubavin, Lyubin, Lyubushin, Lyubimin.
Lyubomila - beloved, dear.
Lubomir - loving world.
Lyubomir is the feminine form of the name Lyubomir.
Inquisitive - someone who loves to think.
Luboslav - lover of glory.
Lyudmil is nice to people.
Lyudmila is the female form of the name Lyudmil. Historical figure: Lyudmila - Czech princess.
Mal - small, junior. The name also has a meaning: Small, Mladen. From these names came the surnames: Maleev, Malenkov, Maltsov, Malyshev. Historical figure: Mal - the Drevlyan prince.
Malusha is the female form of the name Mal. The name also has meaning: Mlada. From these names came the surname: Malushin. Historical figure: Malusha is the wife of Syatoslav Igorevich, the mother of Vladimir Svyatoslavich.
Mieczysław - glorifying sword.
Milan is cute. The name also has meaning: Milen. From these names came the surnames: Milanov, Milenov.
Milana is the female form of the name Milan. The names also have meaning: Milava, Milada, Milena, Militsa, Umila. From these names came the surname: Milavin. Historical figure: Umila - daughter of Gostomysl.
- affectionate, caring.
Milorad is sweet and joyful. From this name came the surname: Miloradovich.
Miloslav - sweetly glorifying. Short name: Miloneg.
Miloslava is the female form of the name Miloslav.
Peaceful - peace-loving. From this name came the surname: Mirolyubov.
Miroslav - glorifying the world.
Miroslava is the female form of the name Miroslav.
Molchan - taciturn, silent. From this name came the surname: Molchanov.
Mstislav - glorifying revenge. Historical figure: Mstislav Vladimirovich - Prince of Tmutorakan, Grand Duke of Kiev.
Mstislava is the female form of the name Mstislav.
Hope is hope. The name also has meaning: Nadezhda.
Nevzor is one of the “negative” names. The surname Nevzorov comes from this name.
Nekras is one of the “negative” names. From this name came the surname: Nekrasov.
Nekrasa is the female form of the name Nekras.
Eagle is one of the personified names of the animal world. From this name came the surname: Orlov.
Osmoy is the eighth child in the family. The name also has meaning: Osmusha. From these names came the surnames: Osmanov, Osmerkin, Osmov.
Peredslava - The name Predslava also has meaning. Historical figure: Predslava - wife of Svyatoslav Igorevich, mother of Yaropolk Svyatoslavich.
Overexposure - very light. Historical figure: Peresvet - warrior of the Battle of Kulikovo.
Putimir - reasonable and peaceful
Putislav - glorifying intelligently. The name also has meaning: Putyata. From these names came the surnames: Putilov, Putilin, Putin, Putyatin. Historical figure: Putyata - Kyiv governor.
Radiohost - caring about another (guest).
Radimir is someone who cares about the world. The name also has meaning: Radomir. Short name: Radim. From these names came the surnames: Radilov, Radimov, Radishchev. Legendary personality: Radim - the progenitor of the Radimichi.
Radimir is the female form of the name Radimir. The name also has meaning: Radomira.
Radislav - one who cares about fame. The name also has meaning: Radoslav.
Radislava is the female form of the name Radislav.
Radmila is caring and sweet.
Radosveta - sanctifying joy. Joy - joy, happiness. The name also has meaning: Rada.
Reasonable - reasonable, reasonable. From this name came the surname: Razin. Historical figure: Razumnik - student of Cyril and Methodius.
Ratibor is a defender.
Ratmir is the defender of peace.
Rodislav - glorifying family.
Rostislav - growing glory. Historical figure: Rostislav Vladimirovich - Prince of Rostov, Vladimir-Volynsky; Tmutarakansky; The ancestor of the princes of Galicia and Volyn.
Rostislava is the female form of the name Rostislav.
Svetislav - glorifying light. The name also has meaning: Svetoslav.
Svetislava is the female form of the name Svetislav.
Svetlana is bright, pure in soul.
Svetlana is the female form of the name Svetlana.
Svetovid - seeing the light, perspicacious. The name also has meaning: Sventovid. The name of the Western Slavic God.
Svetozar - illuminating with light.
Svetozar is the female form of the name Svetozar. The name also has meaning: Svetlozara.
Svyatogor - indestructible holiness. Legendary personality: Svyatogor is an epic hero.
Svyatopolk is the leader of the sacred army. Historical figure: Svyatopolk I Yaropolkovich - Grand Duke of Kiev.
Svyatoslav - sacred glory. Short name: Saint. Historical figure: Svyatoslav I Igorevich - Prince of Novgorod and Grand Duke of Kiev.
Svyatoslav is the female form of the name Svyatoslav.
Slavomir is a peace-glorifying person.
Nightingale is a personified name for the animal world. From this name came the surnames: Solovey, Soloviev. Legendary personality: Nightingale Budimirovich - a hero from epics.
Catfish is the personified name of the animal world.
Snezhana is white-haired and cold.
Stanimir - establisher of peace.
Stanimira is the female form of the name Stanimir.
Stanislav - establisher of glory. From this name came the surname: Stanishchev. Historical figure: Stanislav Vladimirovich - Prince of Smolensk.
Stanislava is the female form of the name Stanislav.
Stoyan - strong, unbending.
Tverdimir - from TVERD - solid and MIR - peaceful, peace.
Tverdislav - from TVERD - solid and SLAV - to glorify. From this name came the surnames: Tverdilov, Tverdislavov, Tverdislavlev.
Tvorimir - the creator of the world.
Tihomir is quiet and peaceful. From this name came the surname: Tikhomirov.
Tikhomira is the female form of the name Tihomir.
Tur is the personified name of the animal world. Legendary personality: Tur - founder of the city of Turov.
Brave - brave.
Caslav - aspiring to glory.
Chaslava is the female form of the name Chaslav. The name also has meaning: Cheslava.
Chernava is dark-haired and dark-skinned. The name also has meaning: Chernavka. From these names came the surnames: Chernavin, Chernavkin.
Pike is the personified name of the animal world.
Yarilo is 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 - leader of the solar army. Historical figure: Yaropolk I Svyatoslavich - Grand Duke of Kiev.
Yaroslav - glorifying Yarila. From this name came the surname: Yaroslavov. Historical figure: Yaroslav I Vladimirovich - Prince of Rostov, Prince of Novgorod, Grand Duke of Kiev.
Yaroslava is the female form of the name Yaroslav.