Alionushka
Alionushka Origin and Meaning
Also appearing as Alyonushka and Alinoshka, Alionushka is a Russian diminutive of Alyona, itself a diminutive (though used as a given name). Ultimately, the name comes from the classic Helen and shares its bright meaning.
It appears in the Russian version of the fairy tale Brother and Sister, where it is known as Sister Alionushka, Brother Ivanushka. It tells the story of a brother and sister who run away from their wicked stepmother, who then curses every water source they come to. The brother drinks despite his sister's pleas and is transformed into a deer. The sister looks after the brother from then on, despite her own change of fortune when she marries a king, making it a story of family loyalty.
Its source names, Alyona and Yelena remain familiar in Russia.