Are these authentic Russian names?

Yes. The list draws on names in genuine Russian use, including Orthodox saints' names of Greek origin and native Slavic names, each with its meaning and a common diminutive form.

What is a Russian diminutive?

Russian first names have affectionate short forms used by family and friends. Aleksandr becomes Sasha, Yekaterina becomes Katya. The diminutive shown is the most common everyday nickname.

How do patronymics work in Russian?

Russians use a middle name formed from the father's first name, such as Ivanovich for a son or Ivanovna for a daughter of Ivan. This tool gives the first name; you add the patronymic from the father's name.

Why are many Russian names Greek in origin?

Russia adopted Orthodox Christianity from Byzantium, so many traditional names like Yekaterina or Nikolai come from Greek saints, alongside native Slavic names such as Vladimir and Svetlana.

Is my data sent anywhere?

No. The name list is bundled with the page and all filtering happens in your browser. Nothing about your choices is uploaded or stored.

Baby Name Generator (Russian)

Russian names blend native Slavic roots — meaning peace, glory, and light — with the saints’ names carried in from Byzantine Orthodoxy. This tool draws on genuine Russian naming traditions and pairs every name with its meaning and the affectionate diminutive a family would actually use.

How it works

Each name is tagged by gender and stored with its meaning and a common diminutive. When you choose a gender and generate, the tool filters to matching names, shuffles them with an unbiased Fisher–Yates pass, and shows your requested count. Diminutives matter in Russian culture: Aleksandr is Sasha to friends, Yekaterina is Katya, and Mikhail is Misha.

Tips and notes

A full Russian name has three parts: a first name, a patronymic from the father, and a surname. To build the patronymic, add “-ovich” or “-evich” for a son and “-ovna” or “-evna” for a daughter.
Native Slavic names — Vladimir, Svetlana, Bogdan — wear their meanings openly, often celebrating glory, light, or a gift from God.
If your family lives abroad, the diminutive (e.g. Lena, Vanya) often travels more easily than the formal name.