Slavic names for girls: beautiful and rare, ancient and modern - a list of female names. Russian names for girls and their meanings

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 by 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, people's names carry significant part culture and traditions of all 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 is the female form of the name Bazhen.
Beloslav - From BEL - white, turn white and SLAV - to glorify. Abbreviated names: Belyai, 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: Bohumil.
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. In literal translation: 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 BRYACHI - 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, Pereyaslav, 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: Beauty.
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.

Even before the birth of a child, future parents are puzzled by the issue of choosing a name for the baby. Slavic names for girls have now once again reached the peak of their popularity. The latter were practically forced out of use by the Byzantine and Greek variants of names that replaced them. What Slavic names are popular among modern newborn girls? And what to consider when choosing female name?

How to choose a name for a girl

Modern methods of choosing children's names are somewhat different from those practiced in ancient times.

A little history. In Rus', even before the sacrament of baptism, it was customary to call infants by names that characterize a person’s personal qualities or appearance. This is how the Molchans, Kudryavs, Krasavs, etc. appeared. With the adoption of Christianity, the names of newborns began to be included in the church calendar. Already in the 14th century, children began to be called Christian names. A little later, Russian surnames, formed from names (Petr - Petrov) and so on, began to join them.

IN modern world When choosing a name for a baby, parents take into account various factors: relevance, combination with surname and patronymic, meaning of the name, personal preferences. The church calendar has not lost its relevance - the tradition of choosing a name according to the calendar. The original zodiac calendar, which compares names with the zodiac circle, is also gaining increasing popularity. According to him, the name is matched to a specific zodiac sign. In this case, it is best that the name and sign are endowed with the same or similar characteristics.

Table of correspondence between female name and zodiac sign

Beautiful Old Slavonic names for girls

Old Church Slavonic names for girls are mostly beautiful and sweet-sounding. It's no surprise that some parents want to give them to their daughters.

Names of this type are divided into several varieties:

1. Originating from the natural or plant world: Akulina - eagle, Azalea - blooming, etc. Such names are recognized as symbolic, because the ancient Slavs loved and revered nature and everything connected with it.
2. Reflecting the character of the baby (Arsenia – courageous, Varvara – wild). The choice of names of this type should be approached very carefully and carefully, because many experts are sure that it is this name that determines the character and future fate person.
3. Derived from the names of deities (Lada - the deity of beauty, Mara - the goddess of the night). As in the case of the calendar, such a name, according to the beliefs of the Slavs, brought the person named by it closer to the deity of the same name.
4. Dibasic: Lyubomila, Svetozara, Svyatoslav, Yaroslav, Miroslav.

This is interesting. Since ancient times, the Slavs have formed the custom of naming newborn girls double names. Our ancestors were sure that a name is a secret key, and it should only be owned by its owner and no one else. Therefore, the first name became publicly available to people, while the second was kept strictly secret. It was believed that in this way the girl could be protected from the evil eye and words. The first name, which for people was usually not distinguished by its beauty and pleasant sound: Dobrogneva, Zloba, etc. It was believed that the bearer of such a dissonant name was reliably protected from evil people. The girl received her middle name when she reached a certain age, usually adolescence. It was much more euphonious than the first.

The tradition of double naming gradually disappeared; many of the second, beautiful names are still popular today:

• Darina – gift giver;
• Dobrava - kind;
• Eupraxia is the creator of good deeds;
• Agnes - chaste;
• Agnia – pure;
• Ariadne - sleeping;
• Beatrice - blessing;
• Bogdana – God given ohm;
• Vasilisa - regal;
• Ada is a decoration.

Modern Russian female names

At all times, there has been a certain “demand” for names given to newborns. The Moscow Civil Registry Office has established interesting statistics on names for 2016. According to her, modern popular Russian names for women are as follows: Anna, Elizaveta, Victoria, Polina, Anastasia, Maria, Daria.

Numerous Orthodox names are undeniably popular.

Forgotten and rare names

Although relevant in one era, many women's names were forgotten in subsequent years. Gradually returning to oblivion, they again took off on the crest of a wave of popularity, and this continues to this day.

Rare and beautiful names of our time include the following list:

• Bella – beautiful;
• Venus – love;
• Ida - fruit-bearing;
• Oya – violet;
• Liliana - lily;
• Olympics - Olympic;
• Stella is a star;
• Junia – in charge of marriage and love;
• Palmyra - palm tree.

Orthodox Russian female names - saints

The tradition of naming newborns after saints has come to us since ancient times, namely, after the adoption of Christianity. Choosing a name for a newborn church calendar, people believed that they were paying a kind of tribute to the saint revered in the family, after whom the child was named. In the modern world, not all parents are guided by piety when choosing a name according to the calendar - most often this choice is dictated by the desire to name the child an unusual, euphonious name.

When determining a name according to the calendar, the baby’s date of birth is usually taken into account, compared with the name of the saint commemorated on that day. An alternative option is possible: the baby is named after the saint on the 8th day after birth. If during this time suitable name was not found, in the old days they chose the name of a saint that fell on the 40th day after the birth of a child. It was believed that it was at this time that the baby should be brought to the temple where the sacrament of baptism took place. In some cases, as an exception, it was possible to name a baby in honor of any saint revered in a particular family.

It should be noted that most of the names in the calendar are male. For this reason, it is acceptable to call girls by the female equivalent of the names of male saints, if one exists. For example, if the birth of a baby occurred on the day of remembrance of Victor, Valery or Evgeniy, the girl, accordingly, can be named Victoria, Valeria or Evgeniya. The girl's patron is a saint who shares her name.

Unusual Slavic names

But not all parents are guided by considerations of the relevance of the name or its prevalence. Some, on the contrary, are ready to give the child the most intricate and rare name.

Fans of unusual names will certainly like the options Ustinya, Aurora, Leya, Malvina, Lyubava, Vesna and others.

Along with rare variants of names, parents are increasingly choosing unusual ways name your daughters. Most of the names sound unusual to the ears of a Russian person, however, you can be sure that the baby’s name will not appear among the majority of her girlfriends in the future. According to personal statistics, the most rare names over the past 5 years, Russia, Legend, Joy, Byzantium, Moon, Oceana, etc. are considered.

Advice. Rare and unusual sounding name- this is certainly original and unusual. However, in pursuit of atypical options, parents should not forget about moderation. So, the name should be harmoniously combined with the baby’s surname and patronymic. In addition, it would not be superfluous to inquire about the meaning that each specific name has.

Parents generally want only the best for their children. According to many specialists and esotericists, you can make a small (and in the future a large) person happy by choosing a suitable name for him. To do this, you can use modern Russian and foreign nominal options or refer to the list of names popular since the times of the ancient Slavs. When choosing a name, you should think about the compatibility of the latter with the surname and patronymic. You should also pay attention to the sound and ease of pronunciation of the name - too long and cumbersome, it is unlikely to properly decorate the girl’s life in her life.

Video on the topic

In ancient times, when the parents of their daughter wanted to give her a name, they always looked first at the manifestations of her character traits, abilities, and craving for something specific. Slavic names for girls must necessarily reflect not only the purpose of the future mother and wife, but also some of their personal traits. If today more people choose names of foreign origin or from the Orthodox naming book, then earlier the Slavs relied on ritualism and even religious traditions. Beautiful Slavic names for girls were given according to personality. In the naming ceremony, the key role was played by the sorcerer conducting the ceremony. Subsequently, traditions changed, Slavic Russian names for girls began to be assigned at birth. Perhaps now the time has come when we can use rare Slavic names for girls?

According to cultural experts, the Slavs had never previously given names to their children from infancy. In addition, it was their habit to always name children or an adult person by several names. It still happens with us folk custom give nicknames to a person who already has a first name, patronymic and family surname.

Beautiful Slavic names for girls were assigned in adolescence. Destination for every girl played special role. It could be both personal and tribal, having family or community significance.

The first feature includes the child’s personal qualities that will remain with him for life. And to the second - social role future mother, wife, successor of the family. There is also a third meaning - this is the identification of the girl with one or another Goddess of the Slavic pantheon of gods. Then the girl could unwittingly attract divine power to herself by just her name.

Features of Slavic names for girls

A native Slavic name for a girl is considered a rare occurrence today. People are already accustomed to naming girls with names of Greek, Germanic, Roman and even English origin. It is also popular today to name children from the church Orthodox naming book. But most of them include Jewish names, mixed with Greek variants.

Women's names among the Slavs could be complex or simple, depending on the family structure, traditions and personal characteristics, time of birth, and circumstances. In Russian fairy tales today you can find names consisting of an additional nickname: Elena the Wise, Marya the Artisan, Tiny Khavroshechka, Varvara Krasa - Long Braid, Ognevushka-Jumping and others. In addition to fairy tales, in the life of the Slavs there were names: Zarina Svetlaya, Dobronrava Solnechnaya, Yasun Krasa, Dobryan Marten, Vedana Groza and others.

In addition to double names, which spoke about the special qualities of the child, or the special time and hour when he was born, the children of the Slavs were also called secret names. Only the priest conducting the ceremony, the Native Gods who blessed the child, and the girl herself knew about this name. This name should not be told to anyone, because there is a belief that with its help evil forces can completely take possession of a person bearing a secret name. The function of such a name is to protect against various failures and attacks. evil spirits, from the evil eye and other negativity.

If they wanted to mark a girl with the power of any Goddess, then she was given a name either with the root of the name of the Goddess, or by calling the child with the whole divine name. This relationship with the Native Gods allowed future girlfriend to get married successfully, for a future mother to conceive, give birth and raise good children, for a future wife to be true friend, comrade-in-arms and caretaker to her husband.

SLAVIC NAME NAME

What Slavic name could you have if you lived in those distant times?

The following names are associated with the pantheon of Slavic goddesses: Lada, Zara (derived from Zarya Zaryanitsa), Maria (derived from Mary, Morena), Dana. Female names derived from the Gods: Yarila, Velesynya, Perunitsa.

How to choose Slavic names for girls

Rare Slavic names for girls (Vedagora, Gorislava and others) or common ones, such as Lada, for example, were chosen according to a special principle. It consisted of the following:

1. A temporary name was given. From the moment of birth until a certain age, girls were not given any specific name, but were simply called “child”, “child”, “girl”, or even by a number - “second”, “third”.
2. Naming. After observing what inclinations the girl showed and what she was striving for, the parents could help choose a name.
3. Honor your ancestors. They could name the girl after some outstanding personality in the family. For example, great-grandmothers-handicraftsmen, grandmothers-witches, and so on.
4. Honor the ancestral God. When a particular god or deities were worshiped in a Slavic family, their names could also be passed on to people at the request of parents or grown-up children.

Naming was carried out for a girl in such a way as to first “wash away” the temporary name in a lake where there is no flowing water (for boys - in a river with flowing water). Then they “attached” the new name through a special ritual. The sorcerer performed the ritual at the temple. This is all done when the girl reaches a certain age:

• if the qualities of a future sorceress, priestess, or sorceress manifested themselves, then the girl was named at the age of 9;
• when a child shows all the qualities of a warrior, or she was a princess - at 12 years old;
• children showing qualities of other classes - at 16 years old.

Slavic mythology describes a number of conditions in the traditions of the ancient Slavs, when children or adults could be renamed. This usually happened if a new name “from the language of the people” was already fixed in a girl or woman, taking into account the passage of one or another stage of life, where she showed herself in a special way. They could carry out new naming rituals when, for some reason, the previously given name was not suitable. It rarely happens that a temporary name is assigned to a child for life.

The name of a girl, girl, woman must definitely sound! Our Slavic ancestors believed that spoken words had magical power, including this also applied to names, which were repeated out loud more often than other words. The future mother and wife must receive strength from Nature, the elements, and the gods in order to successfully create virtuous offspring. Slavic culture In many ways, the Russian North has now most fully preserved these traditions, especially in the villages.

Slavic female names

AGNIYA - fiery, enlightened
ALLA - highly spiritual
BAZHENA - desired
BELA - white, clean
BELOYARA - light-colored
BORISLAVA - fighting for glory
BOYANA - fighting, courageous
BRATISLAVA - taking glory
BELOSLAVA - glorifying purity
BELYANA - enlightened, spiritualized
BOGOLYUBA - loving her gods
VLASYA - long-haired
VELENA - commanding
VESNYANA - spring
VLADA - okay, slender
VELMIRA (Velemira) - ruler of the world (people)
VEDANA (Vedeneya, Vedenya) - in charge
VELIMIRA - very peaceful, balanced
FAITH - knowing Ra (sun, primordial Light)
VSESLAV - glorifying everything
GALA - soulful
GALINA - feminine, earthy
DANA (Danuta) - given
DARYANA (Daria) - courageous
DRAGOMIRA (Darling) - dear, dear to the world (society)
ZLATA (Zlatana) - golden, golden-haired
ZVENISLAVA - calling on glory
ZLATOYARA - ardent, strong like the sun
INNA (Inga) - feminine
KARINA - brown-eyed, little race
LYUBAVA (Lyuba, Lyubima, Lyubusha) - beloved
LUDA - humane
LUCHESARA - radiant, illuminating with light
LYUBOYARA - loving Yarila
LYUDMILA - dear to people, humane
MILA (Mlava, Militsa) - sweetheart
MIRA (Mirava, Mirana, Mirona, Mireta) - peaceful, reconciling
OLESYA - forest
OLGA (Olyana) - playful
OGNESLAV - glorifying Fire
POLADA - flexible
PEREYASLAVA - which took over the glory of its ancestors
RUSSIA - fair-haired
RITA - born in accordance with the Law of the Family
SVETANA (Sveta, Svetla) - light
SNEZHANA (Snezhina) - snowy, white-faced
SVETLANA (Svetlena) - bright, pure soul
FLOWER - blooming, tender
YADVIGA - nurse
YANA - courageous
YAROSLAVA - glorifying Yarila the sun

As is believed in many cultures, the name given to a person at birth, to some extent determines his future fate. This belief was also widespread among the ancient Slavs, whose female names we will talk about below.

Naming traditions in Ancient Rus'

So reverent and serious attitude the name often led to the fact that a person was named twice. One name was known to everyone and served only for communication, while the other, genuine, was not given out to anyone except the closest people, relatives and friends. Old Russian female names were also selected in accordance with this rule. Keeping them secret helped protect girls from the influence of evil spirits and harmful witchcraft. At the same time, the first name was often, as it is now called, negative. That is, it reflected any negative traits or concepts. This type includes such Old Russian female names as Zloba, Nekrasa, Kriva, and so on. It was believed that if you call a girl this way, then the property of the name will leave her. And in life the opposite will prevail, positive value. They were given this name at birth. The second naming occurred when the child reached adulthood (by ancient standards). That is, this naming was part of the initiation of a person into adult life, into society. The name was most often chosen on the basis of the personal qualities that the girl possessed. Examples here include such Old Russian female names as Veselina and Golub.

Sources of names

The Slavs had a huge variety of names. In general, all Old Russian female names known today, as well as male names, can be divided into five groups. The first includes those that are the names of representatives of the animal world or plants. For example, according to this principle, a girl could be called Pike, Lebeda, and so on. The second group includes a list of Old Russian female names that are numerals. That is, the girl could be named by the serial number of her birth in the family - Pervusha, Osmaya, etc. The third group assumes that the name was given to the child in honor of some goddess. For example, in honor of the goddess of beauty, the baby could be named Lada. The fourth type includes names based on a person's personal qualities. We gave examples of this type above. And finally, the fifth group is the most beautiful Old Russian female names, since they consist of two bases. What makes them especially capacious, sonorous, intricate and filled with deep meaning. Vivid examples here are the names of Yaroslav, Tihomir, Radimir. From this group, through transformation and reduction, a subgroup of simpler names arose. Svyatosha, Milonega, Yarilka are typical examples of this kind. From all of these groups, Old Russian female names for the child were freely chosen, although hypothetically the Magi could have some influence on the choice.

Old Russian names after Christianization

The Church, expanding its influence in the Slavic lands, passionately fought against everything pagan. It is not surprising, therefore, that after Christianization most of the original Russian names were forgotten and replaced by Greco-Roman and Jewish variants. There were even lists of names prohibited by the church and subject to oblivion. First of all, it included, of course, the names of pagan gods (Lada, for example). In addition, those worn by the leaders of the pagan opposition were prohibited from use. This was done so that the memory of them would be erased. After all, if no one names a child after the disgraced sorcerer, then after the death of the hero, no one will remember the oppositionists. Unfortunately, today original Slavic names in Russia are very rare. Old Russian women's names, like men's names, have not yet come out of the shadows. Although traditional Christian variants have been replaced by Soviet ones, Western European forms are now actively penetrating.

Old Russian female names and their meanings

Below we provide a list of the main Slavic female names. Due to centuries of oblivion, not all Old Russian female names have reached us. Full list so it won't work. But those that remain will be quite sufficient for our article.

B

Bazhena. This name means a desired child.

Beloslava. A name consisting of two bases - “white” and “glory”. Accordingly, its meaning is “white glory.”

Berislava. Means “taking glory.”

Blagoslava. Means a woman glorifying goodness, kindness. Can be shortened to Blagan, Blagin.

Bogdana. Literally means “given by God.” The short form is Bozena.

Bozhidara. Almost the same as Bogdana, only not given, but given by God.

Boleslav. This beautiful name must be understood as “glorious.”

Borislava. This is what they call a woman fighting for fame.

Boyana. In the old days, this word was used to describe storytellers who told legends and myths.

Bratislava. The name is based on two roots: “to fight” and “to praise.”

Bronislava. Means "defender of glory."

Bryachislava. The first root in the name is closely related in meaning to the modern verb “to rattle.” Accordingly, the meaning of the name is “to jingle,” that is, “to sing praises on a musical instrument.”

IN

Velimira. The name comes from the concept of “big world”.

Velislava. Literally, “most glorious.” Shortened versions: Vela, Wieliczka.

Wenceslas. “Crowned with glory” or “wearing a wreath of glory.”

Faith. A name preserved by tradition. Doesn't need translation.

Veselina. It speaks of the cheerfulness and cheerful disposition of its bearer. Female form named after Veselin. The name Vesela has the same meaning.

G

Gorislava. Means "burning in glory."

Gradislava. Given name means a woman guarding glory.

Granislava. The literal meaning is “improving glory.”

D

Darena. Means "gifted". Darina, Dara are shortened versions of this name.

Dobromila. Obviously, he speaks of a kind and sweet woman.

Dragomira. Literally - “she who is dearer than the world.”

Dobroslava. This name can be interpreted as “glorifying kindness.” An alternative meaning is "good fame".

AND

Zhdana. The name means expected child.

Z

Zvenislava. In modern Russian it means “declaring glory.”

Golden blossom. Short form - Zlata. Obviously, it semantically correlates with the color gold.

AND

Spark. Derived from the word “sincere.”

Languor. Talks about longing. It is assumed to reflect the fact of a difficult birth of a child.

TO

Casimir. This name is common in Poland today. Means “showing the world.”

Krasimir. “A beautiful and peaceful woman” is how this name is understood today. It will be abbreviated as Krasa.

L

Lada. The name of the goddess of beauty, love, marriage and peace.

Love. The name is still popular in Russia today. The Lyubava form is also known. No comments needed.

Lyubomir. It says that the bearer of the name loves the world.

M

Malusha. Another form is Mlada. Means small or junior.

Milana. Simply means a nice woman. Such forms as Milena, Milava, Umila, Militsa, Milada are also known.

Mstislava. Denotes a woman who glorifies revenge.

Miroslava. This is the name of a woman who glorifies the world.

N

Hope. The Nadezh form is also known. The name is still quite well known today.

Nekras. A striking example"negative" name. Means an ugly woman.

P

Putislava. The meaning of the name is “glorifying wisely.”

Putimir. This name consists of two stems: “world” and “put” (meaning “mind”). Accordingly, it can be understood as “a woman who has a peaceful mind.”

R

Radislava. Translated as “concerned about glory.”

Radmila. This is the name of a sweet and caring woman.

Rodislava. This name means “glorifying the family.”

WITH

Svetislava. A name that means "glorifying the light." An alternative form is Svetoslava.

Svetlana. A common name even today. He speaks about the spiritual lordship of his bearer.

Svetozara. Literal meaning: illuminating with light.

Stanimira. A name that is translated into modern Russian as “establishing peace.”

T

Tverdimir. Obviously, the name comes from the phrase “solid world,” which can also be understood as “stronghold of the world.”

Tverdislav. Similar to the previous name, but with a shift from the concept of “world” to the concept of “glory”.

Tvorimira. This is the name of a woman who creates, creates the world.

H

Caslava. It means a woman hoping, that is, waiting for glory. Another known form of this name is Czeslava.

Chernava. This is what they call a black-haired or dark-skinned woman. Another form of the name is Chernavka.

I

Yaroslav. This name is not forgotten today, although it is found mainly in male uniform. Means a woman glorifying Yarilo - the sun god.

Jaromir. The interpretation of the name gives the concept of the solar world or the world of Yarila.

Traditions of Old Slavonic female naming

Old Slavonic names for women were divided into simple and complex. This was due to the influence of traditions, the time and circumstances of birth, as well as the peculiarities of the tribal way of life.

In Russian fairy tales you can find variants of names in which an additional nickname is used: Varvara Krasa - Long Braid, Elena the Wise, Marya the Artisan and others. IN ordinary life this was transformed into such options as:

• Dobronrava Kunitsa;
• Dobryana Solnechnaya;
• Yasun Light;
• Zarina Krasa.

In addition to double names, which spoke about the individual qualities of the child, secret names were used. The secret name was known only to the priest who performed the naming ceremony, as well as to the owner of the name herself. According to legend, the function of a secret name was to protect a person throughout his life from negativity, failure and attacks from evil spirits.

To mark a girl with the power of any Goddess, she was given a name using the root of the name of the chosen Goddess, or the entire divine name was used. It was believed that such a connection with the Gods made it possible in the future to get married successfully, easily give birth to children, and become a companion and a real caretaker for her husband. According to the pantheon of Slavic goddesses and gods, names such as Zara (derived from Zarya Zaryanitsa), Maria (derived from Mary, Morena), Dana, Yarila, Perunitsa, Velesynya were used.

Features of choice

According to Slavic mythology the name was chosen according to a special principle. Initially, the girl was given a temporary name. It was used for several years from the moment of birth. It was not specific; options such as “Child” or “Child” were used, as well as serial numbers. When the girl grew up, her parents chose a name for her according to her personality traits.

When naming prerequisite was to honor the ancestors and the ancestral God. The ritual began in the lake and ended at the temple. Usually the ceremony was performed upon reaching the age of 9, 12 or 16 years, depending on the qualities of which classes were manifested in the child.

Slavic mythology described cases when it was allowed to rename a child. New naming rituals were used when the previously chosen name was not suitable. Cases were also described when a temporary name was assigned to a girl for life.

The name definitely had to sound! The Slavic ancestors believed that names had mystical power. The name was a conductor of power from the gods, nature and elements. The Slavic culture of the Northern part of Russia still preserves these traditions, especially in the outback.

List by month

Winter

December

January

• Agnia- “from the fire”, “enlightened”. There is also such a translation as “immaculate”, “innocent”. The meaning of the name Agnia is considered related to the name ancient god Agni (progenitor of fire).
• Varvara- “foreigner”, “tough”. The name was formed from the ancient Slavic battle cry “in ar, in ar,” which warriors shouted when rushing into battle. "Ar" is translated as earth.
• Gorislava- “glory”, “blazing in fire”. Sometimes you can find such a translation as “bright glory.” The male equivalent is Gorislav.
• Golub- “modest”, “meek”.
• Zvenislava- “ringing glory.” The male version is Zvenislav.
• Casimir- "world". The male equivalent is Casimir.

February

Spring

March

• Velizhana- “pacifying feelings”, “polite”. In the male version - Velizhan.
• Daria(in the old version of Darius) - “gift”, “gift”, “owner of the good”, “rich”. It is also interpreted as “kind”, “positive”.
• Marina- “sea”. This is a derivative of Mary, the Old Slavic goddess of winter, the patroness of Rus'.
• Hope– “hoping for the best” or literally “hope”. Included in the Russian name book along with the names Vera and Lyubov.
• Polada– “steel”, “powerful”. Male equivalent – ​​Polad.

April

• Boyana- “fighter”, “warrior”. The male equivalent is Boyan.
• Dana– “given”, “given”, “God is my judge”. This modern form the names Danitsa and Denitsa, formed from the common Slavic “dennitsa”, meaning “ morning Star"(after the name of the planet Venus). According to historical data, the name Danuta was previously used instead of Dana.
• Spark– “sparkling”, “honest”. Sometimes you can find such a translation as “sincere.” There is a little known male version– Spark.
• Miroslava- “bringing glory to the world”, “glorified throughout the world.” Men's doubles version - Miroslav. Consists of a combination of 2 semantic units.
• Stanislava- “becoming glory”, “creating glory”. This is a two-root name. The root “stan” is short for “to set” or “install”, and the root “slav” is short for “to glorify”.

May

Summer

June

• Akulina- “eagle”, “eagle”. The name became widespread in Rus' with the advent of Christianity.
• Alyona– “attractive”, “shining”, “exciting”. From Old Church Slavonic it is translated as “scarlet”, “chosen”, “fiery”. According to history, it is believed that the name comes from the name of the Slavic tribes Alyonov.
• Blaginya- "good". Sometimes translated as “possessing good energy.”
• Maria- “beloved”, “desired”. Maria is a derivative name from the ancient Slavic goddess of winter Mara.

July

August

• Vladana– “possessing”, “possessing”. Sometimes used as one of the forms of the name Vladislav, however, it is an independent name.
• Gala– “spiritual”, “feminine”, “earthly”. In the modern version, it is sometimes used as a shortened form of the female name Galina.
• Karina- “friend”, “beloved”. Translated from Slavic it means “mourning.” Literally translated as - steering the ship, or the keel of the ship.
• Milena- “sweetheart”, “beloved”. The Slavic names Milada and Militsa have a similar meaning. They are used as various shapes for each other, but, nevertheless, these are independent names.
• Yarolika- “symbol of reliability”, “sun-like”, “like the sun”. Sometimes you can find the translation “with a furious face.”

Autumn

September

October

• Alla- “different”, “different”, “goddess”, highly spiritual. There are similar names in ancient Greek, German and Chaldean.
• Vedana- “knowing”, “knowing”. Can be converted into the name Vedeneya.
• Vladislav- “possessing glory”, “glorious mistress”. This name can be short form appeals in relation to such female names as Vladlena, Vladilena and the male name Vladislav.
• Dobrodeya- “doing good.” Male name- Dobrodey.
• Zlata- “golden”, “gold”, “golden”, “golden”. This name is a literal translation of the Greek "chrys". It is believed to be a shortened form of Goldenflower.
• Prekrasa (Prekrasa)- “beautiful.” History mentions that in the 10th century Princess Olga (premarital name) - the wife of Igor the Old - was called Beautiful.
• Semidola- “experienced”. The more common male version is Semidol.

November

Beautiful Slavic names for girls are incredibly popular in modern society. And this is not surprising! After all Old Slavonic names harmonious, filled deep meaning, sound original and carry pieces of the history of many generations. Periodically returning from the past, they never lose their relevance.