Top 150 Russian Last Names or Surnames with Meanings

Russian surnames originate from various roots. Some surnames come from occupational affiliation, while others are ancestral. There are several other inspirations that influence Russian surnames, such as birds, animals, professions, and more. Numerous Russian last names exhibit distinct features, including the presence of the letter combinations olo or oro, as well as endings like –ov or -ev and -in, among others. While many of these surnames are derived from a patronymic tradition (linked to a father’s or ancestor’s first name), some are associated with professions, natural characteristics, and other factors. If you are interested in getting an insight into Russia’s naming system, the history behind it, and different surnames or family names, then stay tuned as we have compiled a handpicked list of 150 unique and common Russian last names along with their meanings.

Popular Russian Family Names

Read on to find out some of the best popular russian surnames or last names with their meanings.

1. Artyomov

This Russian metronymic last name means ‘Son of Artyom’. The word is derived from the Greek goddess Artemis.

2. Aistov

This short and sweet surname means ‘stork’.

3. Baryshev

Your child will surely prosper with this name as it means ‘profit’.

4. Balabanov

It is a Russian occupational last name that means ‘Son of Balaban’. In Greek, the name means ‘tame bear’, whereas in Russian, it means ‘hawk’ or ‘falconer’.

5. Borisyuk

This is another Russian surname derived from animals. The name means ‘wolf’ or ‘snow leopard’.

6. Borovkov

This is also a Russian family name that is derived from an animal. In Russia, it means ‘a little boar’.

7. Chernoff

It is a patronymic surname of Jewish origin. The word means ‘black’ and is given to black-haired or dark-skinned people.

8. Dobrow

This is a habitational surname of Ukrainian origin that means ‘good’ and denotes people who belong to the village of Dobroe in Ukraine.

9. Gusev

This is another surname in Russia that has its roots in animals. The name means ‘goose’.

10. Gorky

Gorky is a popular name in Russia and is made popular by the Russian writer, thinker, Maxim Gorky. The name means ‘extremely bitter’.

11. Garin

The name Garin has an interesting meaning. It means the ‘guardian’.

12. Genrich

This name is derived from the German personal name Heinrich. It means ‘house ruler’.

13. Karamazov

This surname was created by an author for a book, but soon gained popularity among the masses. The meaning of the name is ‘black stain’.

14. Lipovsky

This name may signify a connection to a village. On its own, it means ‘lime tree’.

15. Ibragimov

This is another patronymic name derived from Abraham; it means ‘Father of many’.

16. Medvedev

There are many Russian surnames derived from animal names, and this is one of them. This last name means ‘bear’.

17. Molotov

It is also an occupational surname. The name means ‘hammer’, referring to someone who works with a hammer.

18. Plotnikov

This is another occupational surname that means ‘people who work with wood’ or ‘carpenters’.

19. Rasputin

This Russian surname means ‘crossroads’.

20. Sharapova

This beautiful name is of Turkish origin and means ‘honour’ or ‘wisdom’.

21. Smirnov

This is an interesting surname that means ‘still’ or ‘tranquil’.

22. Sobakin

The name is a patronymic form of Sobaka, which means ‘dog’. 

23. Solovyov

The name is derived from the first name Solovei and means ‘nightingale’ in Russian.

24. Tarasov

It is a popular Russian surname that is derived from the given name Taras. It denotes people from Taras. 

25. Yurtaev

The meaning of this beautiful name is ‘The seeker of great opportunities in life’.

26. Yusupov

The name comes from the Arabic name Yusuf. It is the Arabic equivalent of Joseph.

27. Zakharov

This surname is formed from the baptismal name Zachary. It means ‘memory of God’.

28. Zhuravlev

The surname is derived from the Russian word for ‘cranes’. 

29. Zabelin

This Russian surname is derived from the word zabela, meaning ‘beyond the white,’ which refers to someone living past a white landmark, such as a hill or fence.

30. Zvonarev

An occupational surname, Zvonarev comes from zvonar, meaning ‘bell ringer’—typically someone who worked in a church or with bells.

Common Russian Last Names or Surnames

Here are some of the most common Russian last names or surnames. These are such surnames that you’ll find on every third person in Russia.

1. Agapov

It is a Russian surname that means ‘love’.

2. Barinov

It is a Russian patronymic last name that means ‘Son of the boyar’.

3. Evanoff

This is a common patronymic surname in Russia, and it means ‘Son of Ivan’ or ‘Son of Evan’.

4. Gurin

This habitational surname in Russia means someone who belongs to the village of Gury in Belarus.

5. Kozlov

This is another Russian name that is connected to the animals. The name means ‘goat’.

6. Kravtsov

This is a Russian occupational name with a Ukrainian origin. The name refers to tailors, those who stitch clothes.

7. Lenkov

This name means the ‘son of Alexander’. In literal terms, the name implies ‘defender of mankind’.

8. Nikitin

This is another patronymic surname in Russia; it means ‘Son of Nikita’.

9. Novikov

This is a Russian secular nickname that means ‘a newcomer’. The surname comes from the word ‘Novik’.

10. Orlov

It is a surname that is borne by the noble families in Russia. The name means ‘eagle’.

11. Pasternak

This surname has multiple origins in Ukraine, Russia, Romania and Poland. The name indicates a root vegetable, ‘Parsnip’.

12. Pavlov

This is another patronymic Russian last name which means ‘son of Pavlo’ or ‘small’.

13. Petrov

Petrov means ‘stone’.

14. Popov

The word is derived from the word ‘Pope’, and refers to ‘a Priest’.

15. Putin

The surname borne by the President of Russia is a famous surname, and it means ‘One who travels along the road’. The surname is mostly found in Russia and Transnistria.

16. Rybakov

This is another occupational surname that refers to ‘fishermen’.

17. Smirnoff

This popular name is a variant of the name Smirnov. It means ‘peaceful’ or ‘gentle’. 

18. Sokolov

This Russian surname is related to ‘falcon’ or ‘hawk’. Most of the people who used to supply falcons to the King’s mansion used to bear this name.

19. Stepanov

This is also a patronymic surname, which means ‘son of Stepan’.

20. Vinogradov

This is a common Russian surname that means ‘grape’. 

21. Vorobyev

Vorobyev is a common Russian surname and is an ode to precious sparrows. 

22. Yegorov

It is a common Russian last name that is derived from the male given name Yegor and means ‘Yegor’s’.

23. Zaitsev

This is a popular Russian last name and means ‘hare’.

Unique Russian Last Names or Family Names

Fascinated by Russian culture and want to explore the unique Russian family names? Here’s your cue to get started and build the knowledge, and become a true expert in Russian last names in no time!

1. Abdulov

It is a Russian patronymic last name that means ‘Son of Abdul’. Abdul, in Arabic, means ‘servant of God’.

2. Arkhangelsky

This is another habitational Russian name that denotes someone from Arkhangelsk, a region in Russia.

3. Andreyev

It is a Russian patronymic last name that means ‘Son of Andrey’. The name is derived from the Greek name Andrew, and it means ‘manly’.

4. Angeloff

This unique Russian surname means ‘orthodox priest’, who is the representative of the angel.

5. Balakin

This unique Russian name refers to someone who is ‘very talkative’ or can chatter constantly.

6. Bortnik

This is a habitational last name as well as an occupational name. The name defines someone who’s from a place called Bortniki. It also means ‘beekeeper’.

7. Bugrov

This is a habitational surname. The word means ‘hill’ and is used to denote someone who stays close to the hills.

8. Bychkov

This is another family name which has a connection with animals. The word means ‘bull’, and denotes a family that is strongly built and powerful.

9. Deriabin

This unique name means ‘restless’ and is the perfect name for a high-energy baby.

10. Devin

Originating from the French, this occupational surname denotes the clan of ‘sorcerers’ or ‘fortune-tellers’.

11. Federov

This is slightly similar to the last one, and the meaning too is ‘God’s gift’.

12. Glazastov

This unique surname means ‘sharp-eyed’.

13. Kalashnik

This name has its origin in Ukraine. This occupational name means ‘breadmaker’.

14. Krupin

This interesting family name in Russia means ‘grains’.

15. Lagunov

This name has an interesting meaning. The words trace back to ‘water barrel’, directing towards an occupational surname.

16. Meknikov

This is another occupational surname, and it refers to ‘miller’.

17. Molchalin

This is a very interesting Russian surname; it means ‘silent’.

18. Pushkin 

The meaning of this unique name is ‘a good artilleryman’. 

19. Rabinovich

This name is derived from the word ‘Rabbi’, which means ‘mentor’ or ‘teacher’. The name means ‘son of a Rabbi’.

20. Raskolnikov

The name is derived from the Russian Raskolnik, which means “schismatic“.

21. Rogov

This is a Russian name of Jewish origin. This family name has been derived from the word ‘Rog’, which means ‘horn’.

22. Sidorov

This is another patronymic surname, which means ‘Son of Sidor’.

23. Turgenev

This, too, is a popular surname that is derived from a Mongolian word. It means ‘fast’. 

24. Ustrashkin

It is derived from the Russian verb ‘Ustrasht’ and means ‘to intimidate’ or ‘to frighten’. 

25. Utkin

It is a Russian masculine surname which means ‘duck’.

26. Varkov

This unique name has a very strong meaning to it. It represents ambition and independence. 

27. Voronin

The name is a Balto-Slavic last name that means a ‘raven or a crow’. 

28. Yevstigneyev

This surname is derived from the male given name Yevstigney and means ‘Yevstigney’s‘.

29. Zadachin

This beautiful name means ‘optimistic’.

30. Zima

This is a beautiful name for a baby girl. The meaning of the name is ‘winter’.

31. Zolotov

Zolotov is a Slavic surname that is based on the word ‘gold’. The name comes from the Arabic name Yusuf. It is the Arabic equivalent of Joseph.

Cool Russian Last Names or Surnames

Of course, how can we forget about the coolness and regality of Russian family names? Here are some list of surnames in russia.

1. Alatyrtsev

You need to be absolutely certain about this name, as the name itself means ‘uncertainty’.

2. Alexeyev

It is one of the Russian family names derived from Greek. It means ‘defender’.

3. Aslanov

It is a Russian patronymic last name that means ‘Son of Aslan’. In Turkish, the word means ‘lion’.

4. Balakirev

Originated from the East Slavic era, the occupational surname refers to the Ceramic workers.

5. Balandin

This is an interesting Russian surname; it refers to ‘a small crater located on the Moon’.

6. Belsky

This habitational Russian name is used for someone who hails from the city of Bielsk.

7. Babin

This is a metronymic or patronymic Russian name which means ‘son of an old woman’. It is also used as a nickname to describe a fussy man.

8. Basov

This is a popular surname, and the meaning of it is ‘beautiful’.

9. Belov

This is another variant of the previous name, and also means ‘white’ in its secular origin.

10. Bortsov

This is an occupational surname in Russia, and it means ‘wrestler’.

11. Chaban

This surname from Ukrainian origin is an occupational one, and it refers to ‘Shepherds’.

12. Charming

This name is quite self-explanatory. Name your sweet child something ‘charming’.

13. Dominik

The name means ‘the Lord’s day’ or ‘belonging to the Lord’.

14. Donskoy

This short name is location-based and talks about proximity to cities or districts near the Don river in Russia.

15. Drozdov

This is a cool Russian last names, which means ‘blackbird’.

16. Druzhinin

This Russian name comes from a term that represents a group of close friends. 

17. Eagle

This is a popular Russian surname. You can name your child after the mighty eagle!

18. Elin

This Russian last name has its roots in English and means ‘Light’. It is a variation of the biblical character Helen.

19. Gurkin

The name is a patriotic form of the name Gury.

20. Individual 

Many Russian surnames mean individual. This is more to the point!

21. Ilyin

This is also a patronymic surname, which means ‘son of Ilya’.

22. Kiselyov

This name has its origin in a traditional Russian fruit drink.

23. Kotov

This is another last name in Russia, which has been derived from the name of an animal. It means ‘cat’.

24. Kovalyov

This is also another occupational surname, and it means ‘blacksmith’.

25. Kuzmin

This is also a patronymic surname, which means ‘son of Kuzma’.

26. Khorkina

This surname comes with a lot of responsibility. We mean it literally as the name means ‘responsible’.

27. Laskin

This is a popular Russian name that comes from Russian and Belarusian laska, which means ‘favour’.

28. Levin

This sweet name is of German and Hebrew origin and means ‘dear friend’. 

29. Medvedeva

This is the female version of Medvedev, and it means ‘bear’.

30. Petukhov

This is another name that is used to define people who belong to several habitations.

31. Poletov

This is a Russian surname with an interesting meaning. It refers to ‘quick’ or ‘fast’.

32. Portnov

This is another occupational surname used for tailors.

33. Semyonov

This surname means ‘Son of Semyon’.

34. Sorokin

This is a popular surname and is of Russian origin. It means ‘magpie’.

35. Yablokov

The name is derived from ‘Yabloko’, which means ‘apple’ in Russian.

Traditional Russian Surnames or Last Names

Traditional Russian surnames and meanings often reflect the rich cultural history of Russia, deriving from occupations, personal traits, patronymics, or places of origin.

1. Abakumov

It is a Russian patronymic last name that means ‘Son of Abakum’. The name Abakum is derived from a Hebrew word, Habakkuk, which means ‘embrace’.

2. Abramov

It is a Russian patronymic last name that means ‘Son of Abram’. Abram in Hebrew means ‘High Father’.

3. Agafonov

It is a Russian surname that means ‘kindness’ or ‘goodness’.

4. Alekseev

This Russian patronymic last name means ‘Son of Alexei’.

5. Andreev

It is another Russian patronymic last name that means ‘Son of Andrei’.

6. Antonov

It is a Russian patronymic last name that means ‘Son of Anton’. The word, derived from the Roman, means ‘Priceless’.

7. Arsenyev

This habitational surname in Russia means someone who belongs to the town of Arsenyev in Russia.

8. Babanin

It is a noble family name in Russia, which has its origin in the Tsardom of Russia. The name means the ‘yin woman’.

9. Baranov

This Russian surname refers to the ‘lamb’, and finds its roots in the occupation of lamb breeding.

10. Belyaev

This interesting Russian surname originates from the secular nickname which means ‘white’.

11. Bocharov

This is an occupational surname in Russia. The meaning of the name is ‘someone who works with copper’.

12. Borodin

This surname is mostly given to people who sport a ‘bushy bears’ as the surname means that.

13. Chugunov

This is another Russian occupational surname that denotes people who are iron-workers or those who produce cast-iron goods.

14. Davydov

This last name is a patronymic surname of Hebrew origin. It means ‘Son of David’ or ‘someone beloved’.

15. Dmitriev

This is a habitational surname which is given to people who belong to a town called Dmitriyev in Russia.

16. Egorov

This is an occupational surname, and it means ‘farmer’.

17. Fedorov

This is another interesting name that means ‘god-given’ or ‘gift of god’.

18. Fyodorov 

This is a popular surname and literally means Fyodor’s. 

19. Galkin

This is a patronymic Russian name and also a common nickname that means ‘jackdaw’. This name mostly denotes a talkative person.

20. Golubev

This is another name that has its roots in wildlife. It means ‘dove’ or ‘pigeon’.

21. Gorbachev

Another famous name from Russia after the last head of USSR, Gorbachev means ‘hunchback’.

22. Ivanov

This is also a patronymic surname, which is derived from the name Ivan. The name means ‘God’s grace’.

23. Kamenev

This is one of the rare Russian last names; it means ‘stone’.

24. Komarov

This name has its roots in the insects. The name means ‘mosquito’ in Russian.

25. Kuznetsov

This is a famous Russian name made popular by Tennis player Svetlana Kuznetsova. The name means ‘blacksmith’.

26. Lebedev

This is another last name in Russia which is connected to the name of a bird. The name means ‘swan’.

27. Makarov 

This name is derived from Greek culture, and it means ‘happy’.

28. Mikhailov

This is a patronymic surname in Russia; it means ‘Son of Mikhail’, or ‘someone god-like’.

29. Morozov

This name is an interesting one; it means ‘bitter cold’ in Russian.

30. Nikolaev

This is another occupational surname that means ‘those who trade flowers’.

Origin of Russian Last Names or Surnames

Slavic languages that are part of the Indo-European family do not adhere to the same conventions for the historical formation of surnames as found in English and other Romance languages. In the case of Russian, a significant portion of surnames is derived from patronymic roots, meaning they originate from the father’s first name in some way.

In addition, last names are generally specific to gender. For instance, surnames that end with “ov” are predominantly masculine, whereas those that conclude with “ova” are feminine. Despite these names being nearly identical in their meanings and spellings, native Russian speakers can easily distinguish between the different suffixes, while English speakers may find it challenging, as this type of naming convention does not exist in English.

FAQs

1. Do Russian people have two last names?

As per Russia’s traditional naming system, people have had three names since the middle of the 19th century, which comprised a first name, a patronymic, and a surname. When used in official documents, the surname comes before the first name and the patronymic. In the rest of the cases, the first name precedes the patronymic and surname (1).

2. How important are patronymics in Russian naming conventions?

Patronymics play a vital role in Russian naming customs. They signify the nature of the connection between individuals.

There are the 150 most known female and male Russian surnames with their meanings. These names have an interesting history attached to them that will make anyone feel fascinated.

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British (English) Last Names or Surnames

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Sources References

1. University of Michigan – Russia Pronunciation Guide