Russian Names that Start With V

  1. Vera
    • Origin:

      Russian
    • Meaning:

      "faith"
    • Description:

      Vera was the height of fashion in 1910, then was for a long time difficult to picture embroidered on a baby blanket. Now, though, it has come back into style along with other old-fashioned simple names such as Ada and Iris.
  2. Valentin
    • Origin:

      French, German, Russian, Czech, Scandinavian variation of Valentine
    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"
    • Description:

      Romantic name used throughout Europe, though sure to lead to pronunciation problems here. Though it's never been too widely used in the US, it's quite popular in Switzerland, France, Austria, and Romania.
  3. Vladimir
    • Origin:

      Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "great ruler, peaceful ruler, ruler of the world"
    • Description:

      Vladimir is a cultured and deep-rooted Slavic name associated in this country with cultural figures including piano virtuoso Vladimir Horowitz and the author of Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov.
  4. Viktor
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, Russian, and Eastern European variation of Victor
    • Description:

      The Viktor form of this classic name is widely used throughout Europe and is rising in the US as well.
  5. Vasili
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "royal, kingly"
    • Description:

      Alternative form of Basil that might suit the adventurous.
  6. Vanya
    • Origin:

      Russian, diminutive of John
    • Description:

      This short form of Ivan just could join the other Russian nickname names coming into fashion, and it does have the Chekhov connection.
  7. Vasilisa
    • Origin:

      Feminization of Vasili, Russian from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "royal, kingly"
    • Description:

      Vasilisa is the feminine form of Vasili, the Russian translation of Basil.
  8. Viera
    • Origin:

      Slovak; Russian variation of Vera
    • Meaning:

      "truth"
    • Description:

      With the rise of both international names and those that start with the letter V, this sharp alternative to Vera may become more familiar in the English-speaking world.
  9. Verina
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "true"
    • Description:

      More often spelled VERENA, this name is attached to a third century Swiss saint. But the "virtue" name VERITY, is more appealing and comes more directly to the point.
  10. Vlad
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Vladimir, Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "great ruler, peaceful ruler, ruler of the world"
    • Description:

      The most famous Vlad was nicknamed "the Impaler." Enough said.
  11. Venya
    • Origin:

      Russian, diminutive of Venedikt, variation of Benedict
    • Description:

      Vanya is much more familiar.
  12. Valya
    • Vitya
      • Vadim
        • Origin:

          Russian
        • Meaning:

          "attractive"
        • Description:

          Shorter, more palatable form of Vladimir, best known as the surname of French director Roger.
      • Varvara
        • Origin:

          Russian, Greek, and Czech variation of Barbara
        • Description:

          An interesting and appealingly international spin on Barbara, with a lot of charm and energy.
      • Venera
        • Vyacheslav
          • Vasily
            • Origin:

              Russian form of Basil, Greek
            • Meaning:

              "royal"
            • Description:

              Vasily is one of many forms of the Greek Basil, all rare in the US.
          • Varya
            • Origin:

              Russian
            • Meaning:

              "foreign"
            • Description:

              Short form of the Russian Varvara, a feistier version of Barbara.
          • Valka