Russian surnames are recognized worldwide, linking families to their rich heritage, whether in Eastern or Western nations. Many of these surnames are derived from occupations or personal traits, while others draw from languages like Greek and Hebrew. Recent data shows that people search for popular Russian surnames and their meanings over 27,000 times each month. To help satisfy your curiosity, we’ve gathered a list of notable Russian last names along with their Cyrillic spellings and meanings. You might find several familiar names, and now you’ll understand their significance. Enjoy!
If you’re interested in exploring surnames from different cultures, be sure to check out our collection on last names from around the world. You might recognize names from Irish, French, Korean, Spanish, and many more!
Some Common Russian Surnames
- Ivanov (Иванов) – Meaning: “Son of Ivan” (God is gracious).
- Petrov (Петров) – Meaning: “Son of Peter” (stone).
- Sidorov (Сидоров) – Meaning: “Son of Sidor.”
- Smirnoff (Смирнов) – Meaning: “Quiet, peaceful, or gentle.”
- Volkov (Волков) – Meaning: “Wolf.”
- Fedorov (Фёдоров) – Meaning: “Son of Fedor” (gift of God).
- Popov (Попов) – Meaning: “Son of the priest or pope.”
- Semenov (Семёнов) – Meaning: “Son of Simon” (God hears).
- Mikhailov (Михайлов) – Meaning: “Son of Mikhail” (gift of God).
- Egorov (Егоров) – Meaning: “Son of Egor” (farmer).
- Alexeev (Алексеев) – Meaning: “Son of Alexander” (defender of mankind).
- Vasiliev (Васильев) – Meaning: “Royal or kingly.”
- Nikolaev (Николаев) – Meaning: “Son of Nikolay” (victory of the people).
- Morozov (Морозов) – Meaning: “Frost.”
- Stepanov (Степанов) – Meaning: “Son of Stefan” (crown).
- Novikov (Новиков) – Meaning: “One from the class of noble teenagers.”
- Kozlov (Козлов) – Meaning: “Goat.”
- Pavlov (Павлов) – Meaning: “Small.”
- Sokolov (Соколов) – Meaning: “Bird of prey.”
- Kuznetsov (Кузнецов) – Meaning: “Blacksmith or metalworker.”
These names are just a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Russian surnames. The meanings often provide insight into the cultural history and occupations of those who carried them through generations.
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In summary, Russian surnames offer a unique window into the past, reflecting lineage, traits, and professions that have shaped the identities of families for centuries.