Follow
Please see the projects Geni naming conventions and Geni naming conventions - data entry for general guidance.
Discussion forum on the topic of Naming Conventions: Russian Empire and Tsardom of Rus
- Use ordinary case. Name Preference Settings can be used to change how names are displayed to your personal preference.
- Name as close to original name as possible, language, geography, and time period to be taken into consideration.
- Patronymics in the Middle Name field.
- Adjust First Name field to avoid misunderstandings or mistaken identity where necessary, by adding order/number or byname.
- All names a person is known by in any source listed in Nicknames: bynames (especially in English), additional titles, variations.
- Document name sources.
NOTE: It would be wonderful if we had a field for "Royal House" or "Dynasty", people keep trying to insert this information into the name fields.
Russian naming conventions, from a historical point of view, are complex. There is quite a blur as to what the rules are and when they were applied. Plus there are always exceptions.
In general:
- The first name is the given name, Christian or Russian. If the first name is Russian, a person will be given a Christian name when baptized, which may replace the Russian-Slavic given name or be added as an additional first name. Also, new first names are adopted when joining a monastery, changing religion, emigrating to another country.
- The middle name would be a patronymic, the male version meaning son of (adding -in, -ov, -ev, -ovitch, -evich at the end), and the female versions meaning daughter of (adding -ina, -ova, -ovna, -eva, -evna at the end). The ending -vich was common among the upper classes with restrictions, and varies by location.
- The middle names could also be a metronymic, based on the mother's name. Versions also exist for grandparents. Also, middle names could be formed from an occupation as opposed to a parent's name.
Historically, the given and the patronymic were the only names used up until modern times. As time went by, the patronymic evolved into a last name. The uses of this vary greatly, not becoming the standard until more recently. Titles were mainly a foreign concept, and when used, were usually derived from foreign words. Tsar meaning Caesar, etc.
The most important rule is that there are exceptions to all the rules. For the most part, people we remember from history, we remember by a certain name, although, in reality, they may have been known by any of a number of a mixture of names.
Here is a link to an excellent, more detailed explanation.
Establishment of Russian naming tradition
Source: (Public domain)
Icon of Chetyi-Minei (calendar of saints).In the very center is the Resurrection of Christ surrounded by scenes from Holy Week and the feasts of the Paschal cycle. Around them are twelve groupings of saints: one for each month of the calendar year. In the border are icons of the Theotokos (Mother of God), each having a feast day during the liturgical year.
Icon "Minei na god" (Russian: Минеи на год - year names calendar) picturing all saints organized by their respective days. This kind of icon was exhibited in a church, so that even the illiterate could consult them at any moment.
Adopting Christianity led to the introduction of entirely new, foreign names that are tightly connected to the baptism ceremony: according to Christian tradition, baptism presumes giving a Christian name. Names were given according to special books – minei (Месячные минеи), which described religious services, ceremonies for each day, including which saint to praise. Religious tradition dictated that children should be named in honor of a saint, praised on the day of baptism. Sometimes on a birthday, sometimes any day between birth and baptism. Minei were extremely expensive so that some churches couldn't afford them. One possible solution was to use menologia (Месяцеслов, святцы) – calendars with a brief listing of religious celebrations and Saints days.
Minei were among the first books to be translated into Russian from Greek. With a rare exception, names were not translated, preserving their original pronunciation. Their meaning was completely obscure for most people and they were perceived as alien. This state of things led to the long coexistence of Christian and Pagan names and active assimilation and transformation of Christian names.
Coexistence of old and new names
Christian and Pagan names coexisted up to the 17th century. One of the reasons is that parents could not choose a name for a child freely – a newborn was baptized according to the menologium. Sometimes several children in one family would bear one name. Furthermore, the total number of names in the menologium at the time didn't exceed 400. Pagan nicknames being more diverse and less restrictive provided a convenient way to distinguish people bearing one name.
A practice established in the 14th to 16th centuries, supposed giving two names: a baptismal name (usually modified) and a nickname. For example: Trofimko Czar (Torpes the Czar), Fedka Knyazets, Karp Guba, Prokopiy Gorbun (Procopius the Humpback), Amvrosiy Kovyazin, Sidorko Litvin. This practice was widespread in all stratas. Boyar Andrei Kobyla (lit. Andrew the Mare) a progenitor of Romanov dynasty and some other boyar families man serve as an example as well his sons' names: Semyon Zherebets (Semyon the Stallion), Aleksandr Yolka (Alexandre the Spruce), Fyodor Koshka (Fyodor the Cat). Craftsmen did name their children in the same manner. For example, Ivan Fyodorov, the first man to print a book, often signed as Ivan Fyodorov, son of Moskvit (Иван Фёдоров сын Москвитин may also be translated as Ivan son of Fyodor, the moscovite.
Influence of Russian Orthodox church steadily grew in 11th–14th centuries, its influence as a consolidating religious force after Mongol invasion of Rus and during period of feudal fragmentation in Kiev Rus became especially important. Unification of Russian feudal states also contributed to raise of church's influence on policy and society. Under influence of the church many knyazes, descendants of Rurik, began to abandon their pagan names in favor of Christian names.
Separation of Baptismal, Popular and Literary forms
In the XVII century, names were divided into three distinct forms: popular (spoken), literary, and baptismal (church form). This process was boosted by Patriarch Nikon's reform. One of the ventures he undertook was to correct religious books, which had accumulated a lot of errors and misreading as they used to be copied by sometimes illiterate scribes. As a result, religious services differed in different parts of the country. Patriarch Nikon set a goal to unify service in Russia and to correct errors in religious books (including menologia). New translations from Greek were made to achieve this goal. Corrected versions were printed in 1654.
Early Soviet Union
Since 1924 Gosizdat started issuing calendars similar to those that had existed prior to the Revolution. This new kind of calendar included traditional but rare names given without reference to saints as well as new names. New names comprised non-baptismal names, both Russian and Slavic, borrowed names and newly formed names. Calendars of 1920-30 being a good reference wasn't the only source of names. As mentioned above, parents were free to pick any name they wished, and this freedom led to active name formation, which later was dubbed "anthroponymic bang".
Source: Public domain
Russian First Name - Имя
The first name, or Имя, is chosen by the parents, just like pretty much everywhere in the world. Many are derived from the Orthodox Christian calendar, commemorating saints on specific days. This tradition means many Russian names have Greek, Latin, or Hebrew origins, having been adapted into the Slavic linguistic and cultural context for centuries.
Popular First Names
Male Names: Among the most common are Александр (Alexander, timeless favorite), Алексей (Alexey), Дмитрий (Dmitry), Максим (Maxim), and Иван (Ivan, Russian John).
Female Names: Popular names include Анастасия (Anastasia), Мария (Maria), Анна (Anna), Ольга (Olga), Екатерина (Ekaterina), and Наталья (Natalia).
Short and Long Forms
An interesting aspect of Russian names is their adaptability into various diminutive forms expressing affection, familiarity, or informality. These short forms are often radically different from the original name and can have multiple variations, not all of them are indeed shorter than the original form:
- Александр can become Саша (Sasha - a basic short version), Саня (Sanya - "a man's man" short version), or Шура (Shura - a little outdated short version).
- Екатерина might be called Катя (Katya - a basic short version), Катенька (Katen'ka - a gentle short version), or Катюша (Katusha - another gentle short version, yet a little less gentle than Katen'ka).
- Дмитрий has diminutives like Дима (Dima - a basic short version), Митя (Mitya - a much less popular short version), or Димочка (Dimochka - a gentle short version).
These diminutive forms are a unique feature of the Russian language, allowing for various expressions of intimacy, affection, or endearment. They're not typically used in formal contexts but rather among friends, family, or in situations where a casual tone is acceptable.
Patronymic - Отчество
The patronymic, or Отчество, is derived from the father's first name with a suffix that indicates "son of" or "daughter of." This tradition underscores the respect for family connections, ancestry, and a great dose of patriarchy within Russian culture.
Structure of Patronymics
For a son, the suffix "-ович" (ovich) or "-евич" (evich) is added to the father's first name. This indicates "son of."
For a daughter, the suffix "-овна" (ovna) or "-евна" (evna) is appended, meaning "daughter of."
The choice between "-ович" and "-евич" (or "-овна" and "-евна") often depends on the phonetic compatibility of the suffix with the father's name, ensuring a natural and harmonious sound.
Examples
If a man named Дмитрий (Dmitry) has a son and a daughter, their patronymics would be Дмитриевич (Dmitrievich) for the son and Дмитриевна (Dmitrievna) for the daughter, respectively.
For a father named Александр (Alexander), the children's patronymics would be Александрович (Alexandrovich) and Александровна (Alexandrovna).
Usage and Significance
In formal and official contexts, Russians often use the combination of the first name and patronymic as a sign of respect or formality. For instance, a student needs to address a teacher as Иван Алексеевич (Ivan Alexeevich), and colleagues in professional settings might use this form as well.
The patronymic can reveal not just a person's gender and familial link but also, in some instances, ethnic or regional backgrounds. It's an integral part of one's identity, used in documents, official forms, and formal speech. This system provides respect and politeness in social interactions, distinguishing Russian cultural etiquette from many other societies.
Surname - Фамилия
The surname, or Фамилия, is the family name and reflects the individual’s ancestral lineage. Surnames are used formally and informally and are essential for legal identity.
Origins and Meanings
Russian surnames can be derived from a variety of sources, reflecting traits, professions, geography, or patrilineal lineage:
Patronymic and Matronymic Origins: Many surnames are based on the names of ancestors, with suffixes like "-ов" (-ov), "-ев" (-ev), or "-ин" (-in) indicating "belonging to" or "descendant of." For example, "Иванов" (Ivanov) means "belonging to Ivan."
Occupational Origins: Some surnames derive from the occupations of ancestors. For instance, "Кузнецов" (Kuznetsov) comes from "кузнец" (kuznets), meaning "blacksmith."
Geographic Origins: These surnames are linked to geographical features or locations. "Горский" (Gorsky) means "mountainous," indicating that the family originated from a mountainous area.
Characteristic Origins: Some surnames might originate from characteristics or nicknames, such as "Белоусов" (Belousov) from "белый ус" (bely oos), meaning "white mustache," possibly referring to light hair or fair skin.
Gender Specificity
Russian surnames vary by gender. Male surnames typically end in "-ов" (-ov), "-ев" (-ev), or "-ин" (-in), while female surnames add an "а" (-a) or "я" (-ya) at the end, changing the suffixes to "-ова" (-ova), "-ева" (-eva), or "-инa" (-ina). This modification reflects the gender of the person, an attribute that's prevalent in the Russian language.
Common Surnames
Some of the most common Russian surnames include:
- Иванов/Ivanova (Ivanov/Ivanova) - "Of Ivan"
- Смирнов/Смирнова (Smirnov/Smirnova) - From "смирный" (smirny), meaning "quiet" or "gentle"
- Кузнецов/Кузнецова (Kuznetsov/Kuznetsova) - "Blacksmith's"
- Попов/Попова (Popov/Popova) - "Priest's"
- Васильев/Васильева (Vasilyev/Vasilyeva) - "Of Vasily"
Cultural Significance
Understanding the structure and nuances of Russian names provides insights into the cultural emphasis on family, history, and personal relationships. The use of diminutives and the detailed patronymic system reflect a society that values close personal ties and respect for lineage.
More examples
Maxim Gorky:
Aleksei Maximovich Peshkov Gorky is actually a pseudonym meaning "bitter".
First Name: Aleksei / Алексей
Middle Name: Maximovich / Максимович
Last Name: Peshkov / Пешков
Maiden Name: Blank
Display Name: Maxim Gorky
Suffix: Blank
Nickname: Aleksei Maximovich Peshkov, Алексей Максимович Пешков, Maxim Gorky, Bitter
Birth name: Алексей Максимович Пешков
Title: Blank
Prefix: Blank
Ivan "The Terrible":
First Name: Ivan IV / Иван IV
Middle Name: Blank
Last Name: Vasilyevich / Васи́льевич
Maiden Name: Blank
Display Name: Ivan IV of Russia
Suffix: Blank
Nickname: Ivan the Terrible, Ива́н Четвёртый, Ivan Groznyi, Ива́н Грозный
Birth name: Ива́н Васи́льевич
Title: Ivan IV Vasilyevich Grand Prince of Moscow
Prefix: Blank
Empress Catherine ll:
First Name: Catherine II / Екатерина II
Middle Name: Blank
Last Name Blank
Maiden Name: Blank
Display Name: Empress Catherine II of Russia
Suffix: Empress of Russia
Nickname: Catherine the Great, Екатерина Великая, Katharina die Große, Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg, Figchen, Little Frederica
Birth name: Princess Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg
Title: Her Serene Highness Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst, Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Catherine Alekseievna of Russia, Her Imperial Majesty The Empress of all the Russias, Her Imperial Majesty The Empress and Autocrat of all the Russias
Prefix: Blank