Russian Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Meanings

Looking for information about Russian last names? This comprehensive guide provides an in-depth look at the origins and meanings of some of the most common and interesting Russian surnames. From traditional family names to those derived from occupations, geographical locations, and even personal characteristics, this list delves into the rich history and cultural significance behind Russian last names. Whether you are researching your own family history or simply curious about the unique world of Russian names, this guide will offer valuable insights and a deeper understanding of their diverse meanings.
1. **Afanasyev**: Derived from the Greek name Athanasios, meaning "immortal".
2. **Alexandrov**: Means "defender of mankind" or "protector of men" from the Greek name Alexandros.
3. **Anisimov**: Originates from the Hebrew name "Ananias," which means "Yahweh has been gracious" or "God has shown mercy."
4. **Antonov**: Derived from the Latin name "Antonius," meaning "priceless" or "invaluable."
5. **Arkhipov**: From the Greek word "arkhi" meaning "chief" or "leader," combined with the word "pov," signifying "son."
6. **Baranov**: Means "ram" in Old Church Slavonic, possibly referencing a physical trait or a symbol of strength.
7. **Belyayev**: Derived from the word "belyy," meaning "white," often referencing fair skin or a light complexion.
8. **Borisov**: Means "fighter" or "glory" in Old Church Slavonic, a name associated with strength and courage.
9. **Bukharin**: Originates from the ancient city of Bukhara, a center of trade and culture in Central Asia.
10. **Bykov**: Derived from the word "byk," meaning "bull," referencing strength, virility, or a bull-like physical appearance.
11. **Chernyshev**: From the word "chernyy," meaning "black," often associated with dark hair or complexion.
12. **Dmitriev**: From the Greek name "Demetrios," meaning "belonging to Demeter," the goddess of agriculture and fertility.
13. **Dorofeyev**: Originates from the Greek name "Theodoros," meaning "gift of God."
14. **Egorov**: From the Old Church Slavonic name "Yegor," a variant of "George," meaning "farmer" or "earth worker."
15. **Fedorov**: Derived from the Greek name "Theodoros," meaning "gift of God."
16. **Fokin**: Possibly from the Old Church Slavonic word "fok," meaning "fire," or from a nickname for someone with fiery hair.
17. **Gavrilov**: From the Hebrew name "Gabriel," meaning "God is my strength" or "God is my might."
18. **Golubev**: Means "dove" in Russian, likely given to someone with a gentle nature or associated with peace.
19. **Gorbunov**: Originates from the word "gorb," meaning "hump," possibly referring to a physical characteristic or a metaphorical meaning.
20. **Grigoriev**: From the Greek name "Georgios," meaning "farmer" or "earth worker."
21. **Ivanov**: Means "God is merciful" or "Yahweh is gracious" in Hebrew, derived from the biblical name "John."
22. **Kalinin**: Derived from the word "kalina," meaning "viburnum," a type of flowering shrub.
23. **Kiselev**: Possibly from the Old Church Slavonic word "kis," meaning "sour," or from a nickname for someone with a sour disposition.
24. **Klimov**: From the word "klim," meaning "vine," referencing a place where vines grew or a person associated with agriculture.
25. **Kozlov**: Means "goat" in Russian, referencing a physical trait or a nickname for someone with a goat-like appearance.
26. **Kravtsov**: Derived from the word "kravets," meaning "tailor," referencing an occupation.
27. **Kuznetsov**: From the word "kuznets," meaning "blacksmith," referencing an occupation.
28. **Leonov**: From the Greek name "Leon," meaning "lion," referencing courage, strength, or a physical attribute.
29. **Makarov**: Means "small" or "minor" in Russian, possibly referencing a physical stature or a place.
30. **Malyshev**: Means "small" or "minor" in Russian, similar in origin to Makarov.
31. **Markov**: Derived from the Old Church Slavonic name "Mark," meaning "warlike" or "brave."
32. **Matveev**: From the Hebrew name "Mattityahu," meaning "gift of Yahweh" or "Yahweh has given."
33. **Mikhailov**: From the Hebrew name "Michael," meaning "who is like God?"
34. **Mironov**: Means "peace" or "calm" in Russian, possibly referencing a peaceful personality or a desire for peace.
35. **Moiseev**: From the Hebrew name "Moses," meaning "drawn out of the water."
36. **Nikitin**: From the Greek name "Nike," meaning "victory."
37. **Nikolaev**: From the Greek name "Nikolaos," meaning "victory of the people."
38. **Novgorodtsev**: Originates from the city of Novgorod, a historic center of trade and culture in Russia.
39. **Pavlov**: Derived from the Latin name "Paulus," meaning "small" or "humble."
40. **Petrov**: From the Greek name "Petros," meaning "stone" or "rock."
41. **Popov**: From the Old Church Slavonic word "pop," meaning "priest," referencing an occupation.
42. **Prokhorov**: Derived from the Greek name "Prochoros," meaning "one who advances" or "one who goes ahead."
43. **Romanov**: Originates from the name of the historic Romanov dynasty that ruled Russia for centuries.
44. **Semyonov**: From the Hebrew name "Simon," meaning "listener" or "hearing."
45. **Sergeev**: From the Latin name "Servus," meaning "servant," likely referencing a servant of God.
46. **Smirnov**: Means "humble" or "simple" in Russian, possibly referencing a personality trait or a social status.
47. **Sokolov**: Means "falcon" in Russian, referencing a bird of prey or a nickname for someone with a falcon-like appearance.
48. **Stepanov**: From the Greek name "Stephanos," meaning "crown" or "wreath."
49. **Sidorov**: Derived from the Greek name "Theodoros," meaning "gift of God."
50. **Smirnov**: Means "humble" or "simple" in Russian, possibly referencing a personality trait or a social status.
51. **Sokolov**: Means "falcon" in Russian, referencing a bird of prey or a nickname for someone with a falcon-like appearance.
52. **Stepanov**: From the Greek name "Stephanos," meaning "crown" or "wreath."
53. **Sidorov**: Derived from the Greek name "Theodoros," meaning "gift of God."
54. **Tikhonov**: From the Greek name "Tychon," meaning "fortunate" or "lucky."
55. **Timofeev**: From the Greek name "Timotheos," meaning "honoring God."
56. **Trofimov**: Derived from the Greek name "Trophilos," meaning "nourished by God."
57. **Vasiliev**: From the Greek name "Basil," meaning "king."
58. **Viktorov**: From the Latin name "Victor," meaning "conqueror."
59. **Vladimir**: Means "ruler of the world" in Russian, combining the words "vlad" meaning "rule" and "mir" meaning "world."
60. **Volkov**: Means "wolf" in Russian, referencing a creature of strength or a nickname for someone with wolf-like qualities.
61. **Yakovlev**: From the Hebrew name "Jacob," meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel."
62. **Yegorov**: From the Old Church Slavonic name "Yegor," a variant of "George," meaning "farmer" or "earth worker."
63. **Yuryev**: From the Greek name "Georgios," meaning "farmer" or "earth worker."
64. **Zakharov**: From the Hebrew name "Zechariah," meaning "Yahweh remembers."
65. **Zaitsev**: Means "hare" in Russian, referencing a creature or a nickname for someone with hare-like qualities.
66. **Zhilin**: Originates from the word "zhilo," meaning "vein," referencing a physical trait or a metaphorical meaning.
67. **Zotov**: From the word "zolot," meaning "gold," referencing something valuable or a nickname for someone with golden hair.
68. **Zubarev**: Means "tooth" in Russian, referencing a physical trait or a nickname for someone with strong teeth.
69. **Zykov**: From the Old Church Slavonic word "zy," meaning "fish," referencing an occupation or a place by a body of water.
70. **Zhukov**: Means "beetle" in Russian, referencing a creature or a nickname for someone with beetle-like qualities.