This section is devoted to the list of Slavic names.

A name determines a person's destiny. This is the key to his inner self. After all, it is not without reason that in Rus' a person had two names, one - false, for everyone, and the other - secret, only for the person himself and his very close people. This tradition existed as protection from unkind spirits and unkind people. Often the first name was deliberately unpretentious (Kriv, Nekras, Zloba), for even greater protection from the evil ones. After all, without the key to the essence of a person, it is much more difficult to cause evil. The rite of the second naming was performed in adolescence, when the main character traits were formed. The name was given based on these traits. Slavic names were replete with their diversity; there were groups of names:

1) Names from the animal and flora(Pike, Ruff, Hare, Wolf, Eagle, Nut, Borscht)
2) Names by birth order (Pervusha, Vtorak, Tretyak)
3) Names of gods and goddesses (Lada, Yarilo)
4) Names based on human qualities (Brave, Stoyan)
5) And the main group of names is two-basic (Svyatoslav, Dobrozhir, Tihomir, Ratibor, Yaropolk, Gostomysl, Velimudr, Vsevolod, Bogdan, Dobrogneva, Lyubomila, Mirolyub, Svetozar) and their derivatives (Svyatosha, Dobrynya, Tishilo, Ratisha, Putyata, Yarilka , Miloneg).

From the listed names, it is easy to trace the process of creating a derivative name: the second part is cut off from the two-base one and a suffix or ending is added (-neg, -lo, -ta, -tka, -sha, -yata, -nya, -ka).

Example: Svyatoslav: Svyato + sha = Svyatosha.

Of course, people's names carry significant part culture and traditions of all people. In Russia with the advent of Christianity Slavic names almost completely fell into oblivion. There were lists of Slavic names prohibited by the church. Why this happened is not difficult to guess. One part of the names (Lada, Yarilo) were names Slavic gods, the owners of the second part were people who, even after the Christianization of Rus', tried to restore the cult and traditions (magi, heroes). Today in Russia only 5% of children are given Slavic names, which certainly impoverishes the already meager Slavic culture.

The purpose of this section is not only to introduce the concept of truly Russian names to the people. An example is the following not uncommon situation: The girl was named Gorislava. The neighbors, surprised by the unusual name, say: “They couldn’t call her Ira or Katya in Russian” - without comment. The main goal of this section is to create a global list of Slavic names (by the way, the largest in Runet today) with an attempt to determine the meanings of names and comparisons with historical and legendary figures.

I advise you to read books and visit websites:
Grushko E.A. Medvedev Yu.M. "Dictionary of Surnames" Nizhny Novgorod, 1997
Moroshkin M.Ya. "Slavic name book, or Collection of Slavic personal names" St. Petersburg, 1867
Petrovsky N.A. "Dictionary of Russian personal names" M., Russian language, 1987
Polyakova E.N. "From the history of Russian names and surnames" M., Education, 1975
Directory of personal names of the peoples of the RSFSR, M., Russian language, 1987
Suslova A.V. Superanskaya A.V. "About Russian names" Lenizdat, 1991
Tupikov N.M. "Dictionary of Old Russian personal names" St. Petersburg, 1903
Ugryumov A.A. "Russian names" Vologda, 1970
http://cityhall.novosibirsk.ru/~vlad/names/ - Site "Onomasticon - names and name days". This site contains information about personal names, their meaning, origin, etymology, days of remembrance of saints (name days) and various related information as applied to personal names(for example, geographical names derived from personal names).
http://www.ru.narod.ru/imn/navbar.html - Russian folk name book on the Russian Traditional Culture node.

LIST OF SLAVIC NAMES

The names also have meaning: Bazhai, Bazhan. From these names arose the surnames: Bazhanov, Bazhenov, Bazhutin.

Bazhena is the female form of the name Bazhen.

Beloslav - From BEL - white, turn white and SLAV - to glorify.

Abbreviated names: Belyay, Belyan. From these names arose the surnames: Belov, Belyshev, Belyaev.

Beloslava is a female form named after Beloslav.

Short name: Beliana

Berimir - cares about the world.

Berislav is the one who takes glory, who cares about glory.

Berislava is a female form named after Berislav.

Blagoslav - glorifying kindness.

Blagoslava is the female form of the name Blagoslav.

Abbreviated names: Blaga, Blagana, Blagina.

Fornication - dissolute, unlucky.

One of the "negative" names. From this name arose the surname: Bludov. Historical figure: Blud - governor of Yaropolk Svyatoslavich.

Bogdan is a child given by God.

The name also has meaning: Bozhko. From these names arose the surnames: Bogdanin, Bogdanov, Bogdashkin, Bozhkov.

Bogdana is the feminine form of the name Bogdan.

Short name: Bozena.

God-lover - lover of God.

From this name arose the surname: Bogolyubov.

Bogomil - dear to God.

The name also has meaning: Bohumil.

Bozhidar - given by God.

Bozhidara is the female form of the name Bozhidar.

Boleslav is famous.

Historical figure: Boleslaw I - Polish king.

Boleslava is a female form named after Boleslav.

Borimir is a peace fighter, peacemaker.

Borislav is a fighter for glory.

Abbreviated names: Boris, Borya. From these names arose the surnames: Borin, Boriskin, Borisov, Borisikhin, Borichev, Borischev. Historical figure: Boris Vseslavich of Polotsk - Prince of Polotsk, ancestor of the Drutsk princes.

Borislava is a female form named after Borislav.

Borsch is one of the personified names of the plant world.

In literal translation: Borscht is plant tops. The surname Borshchev came from this name.

Boyan is a storyteller.

The name was formed from the verb: bayat - to speak, tell, sing. The names also have meaning: Baian, Bayan. From these names came the surname: Bayanov. Legendary personality: songwriter - Boyan.

Boyana is the female form of the name Boyan.

Bratislav - From BROTHER - to fight and SLAV - to glorify.

Bratislava is the female form of the name Bratislava.

Bronislav is a defender of glory, protecting glory.

The name also has meaning: Branislav. Short name: Armor.

Bronislava is a female form named after Bronislav.

Bryachislav - from BRYACHA - to rattle and SLAV - to glorify

Historical figure: Bryachislav Izyaslavich - Prince of Polotsk.

Budimir is a peacemaker.

From this name came the surnames: Budilov, Budishchev.

Velimir is a big world.

Velimir is the female form of the name Velimir.

Velimudr - knowledgeable.

Velislav - great glory, most glorious.

Velislava is the female form of the name Velislav.

Abbreviated names: Vela, Velika, Wieliczka.

Wenceslaus - dedicating to glory, crowned with glory.

Wenceslaus is the female form of the name Wenceslaus.

Faith - faith, true.

Veselin - cheerful, cheerful.

Veselin is the female form of the name Veselin.

The name also has a meaning: Vesela.

Vladimir is the ruler of the world.

The name also has meaning: Volodymer. From this name came the surnames: Vladimirov, Vladimirsky, Volodimerov, Volodin, Volodichev. Historical figure: Vladimir I Svyatoslavich the Red Sun - Prince of Novgorod, Grand Duke of Kiev.

Vladimir - female form named after Vladimir.

Vladislav is the owner of glory.

The name also has meaning: Volodislav. Short name: Vlad. Historical figure: Volodislav is the son of Igor Rurikovich.

Vladislava is the female form of the name Vladislav.

Short name: Vlada.

Vojislav is a glorious warrior.

Abbreviated names: Voilo, Warrior. From these names came the surnames: Voeikov, Voinikov, Voinov. Historical figure: Voin Vasilievich - from the family of Yaroslavl princes.

Voislava is a female form named after Voislav.

Wolf is one of the personified names of the animal world.

From this name came the surname: Volkov.

Raven is one of the personified names of the animal world.

From this name came the surnames: Voronikhin, Voronov.

Vorotislav - returning glory.

Vsevolod is the ruler of the people, who owns everything.

From this name came the surnames: Vsevolodov, Vsevolozhsky. Historical figure: Vsevolod I Yaroslavich - Prince of Pereyaslavl, Chernigov, Grand Duke of Kiev.

Vsemil - everyone's favorite.

Vsemil is the feminine form of Vsemil.

Vseslav - all-glorifying, famous.

The name also has meaning: Seslav. From this name came the surname: Seslavin.

Historical figure: Vseslav Bryachislavich of Polotsk - Prince of Polotsk, Grand Duke of Kiev.

Vseslava is the female form of the name Vseslav.

Vtorak is the second son in the family.

The names also have meaning: Second, Second. From these names came the surnames: Vtorov, Vtorushin.

Vyacheslav is the most glorious, the most glorious.

The name also has meaning: Vatslav, Vysheslav. From these names came the surnames: Vysheslavtsev, Vyacheslavlev, Vyacheslavov. Historical figure: Vyacheslav Vladimirovich - Prince of Smolensk, Turov, Pereyaslav, Vyshgorod, Grand Duke of Kiev.

Vyachko is a legendary personality: Vyachko is the ancestor of the Vyatichi.

Godoslav - The name also has meaning: Godlav. Historical figure: Godoslav is the prince of the Bodriči-Rarogs.

Blue is meek.

From this name came the surnames: Golubin, Golubushkin

Gorazd - skillful, capable.

The surname Gorazdov came from this name.

Gorislav is fiery, burning in glory.

Gorislava is the female form of the name Gorislav.

Gorynya - like a mountain, huge, indestructible.

Legendary personality: hero - Gorynya.

Gostemil - dear to another (guest).

From this name came the surname: Gostemilov.

Gostomysl - thinking about another (guest).

Historical figure: Gostomysl - Prince of Novgorod.

Gradimir - guardian of peace.

Gradislav - guardian of glory.

Gradislava is the female form of the name Gradislav.

Granislav - improver of fame.

Granislava is a female form named after Granislav.

Gremislav - famous.

Gudislav is a famous musician, trumpeting glory.

Short name: Gudim. From these names came the surname: Gudimov.

Daren - gifted.

Darena is the feminine form of the name Daren.

The names also have meaning: Darina, Dara.

Nine is the ninth son in the family.

From this name came the surnames: Devyatkin, Devyatkov, Devyatov.

Dobrogneva

Dobrolyub is kind and loving.

From this name came the surname: Dobrolyubov.

Dobromil is kind and sweet.

Dobromil is the female form of the name Dobromil.

Dobromir is kind and peaceful.

Abbreviated names: Dobrynya, Dobrysha. From these names came the surnames: Dobrynin, Dobryshin. Legendary personality: hero - Dobrynya.

Dobromir is the female form of the name Dobromir.

Dobromysl is kind and reasonable.

From this name came the surname: Dobromyslov.

Dobroslav - glorifying kindness.

Dobroslava is a female form named after Dobroslav.

Dobrozhir

Domazhir

Domaslav - glorifying relatives.

Short name: Domash - our own, dear. From this name came the surname: Domashov.

Dragomir is more valuable than the world.

Dragomir is the female form of the name Dragomir.

Dubynya - like an oak, indestructible.

Legendary personality: hero - Dubynya.

The squad is a comrade.

The common noun has the same meaning: Friend. From these names came the surnames: Druzhinin, Drugov, Drunin.

Ruff is one of the personified names of the animal world.

From this name came the surname: Ershov.

Lark is one of the personified names of the animal world.

From this name came the surname: Zhavoronkov.

Zhdan is a long-awaited child.

From this name came the surname: Zhdanov.

Zhdana is the female form of the name Zhdan.

Zhiznomir - living in the world.

Zhirovit

Zhiroslav

Hare is one of the personified names of the animal world.

From this name came the surname: Zaitsev.

Zvenislava - announcer of glory.

Winter is harsh, merciless.

From this name came the surname: Zimin. Legendary personality: Ataman Winter from Razin’s army.

Zlatomir is a golden world.

Golden-flowered - golden-flowered.

Short name: Zlata.

Malice is one of the “negative” names.

From this name came the surnames: Zlobin, Zlovidov, Zlydnev.

Izbygnev

Izyaslav - the one who took glory.

Historical figure: Izyaslav Vladimirovich - Prince of Polotsk, ancestor of the Polotsk princes.

Sincere - sincere.

The name also has meaning: Iskra.

Iskra is the female form of the name Iskren.

Istislav - glorifying the truth.

Exhausted (possibly due to difficult childbirth).

From this name came the surnames: Istomin, Istomov.

Casimir - showing the world.

Kazimir is a female form named after Kazimir.

Koschey is thin and bony.

From this name came the surnames: Koshcheev, Kashchenko.

Krasimir - beautiful and peaceful

Krasimir is a female form named after Krasimir.

Short name: Krasa.

Kriv is one of the “negative” names.

From this name came the surname: Krivov.

Lada - beloved, dear.

Name Slavic Goddess love, beauty and marriage.

Ladimir - one who gets along with the world.

Ladislav - glorifying Lada (love).

Swan is a personified name for the animal world.

The name also has meaning: Lybid. From this name came the surname Lebedev. Legendary personality: Lybid is the sister of the founders of the city of Kyiv.

Ludislav

Luchezar - a luminous ray.

We love - beloved.

From this name came the surname: Lyubimov.

Love is beloved.

The name also has meaning: Lyubava. From these names came the surnames: Lyubavin, Lyubimtsev, Lyubavin, Lyubin, Lyubushin, Lyubimin.

Lyubomila - beloved, dear.

Lubomir is a loving world.

Lyubomir is the female form of the name Lyubomir.

Inquisitive - someone who loves to think.

Lyuboslav - lover of glory.

Lyudmil is dear to people.

Lyudmila is the female form of the name Lyudmil.

Historical figure: Lyudmila - Czech princess.

Small - small, junior.

The name also has a meaning: Small, Mladen. From these names came the surnames: Maleev, Malenkov, Maltsov, Malyshev. Historical figure: Mal - the Drevlyan prince.

Malusha is the female form of the name Mal.

The name also has meaning: Mlada. From these names came the surname: Malushin. Historical figure: Malusha is the wife of Syatoslav Igorevich, the mother of Vladimir Svyatoslavich.

Mieczyslaw - glorifying sword.

Milan is cute.

The name also has meaning: Milen. From these names came the surnames: Milanov, Milenov.

Milana is the female form of the name Milan.

The names also have meaning: Milava, Milada, Milena, Militsa, Umila. From these names came the surname: Milavin. Historical figure: Umila - daughter of Gostomysl.

Milovan - affectionate, caring.

Milorad is sweet and joyful.

From this name came the surname: Miloradovich.

Miloslav - sweetly praising.

Short name: Miloneg.

Miloslava is the female form of the name Miloslav.

Peace lover - peace-loving.

From this name came the surname: Mirolyubov.

Miroslav - glorifying the world.

Miroslava is a female form named after Miroslav.

Molchan - taciturn, silent.

From this name came the surname: Molchanov.

Mstislav - glorifying revenge.

Historical figure: Mstislav Vladimirovich - Prince of Tmutorakan, Grand Duke of Kiev.

Mstislava is the female form of the name Mstislav.

Hope is hope.

The name also has meaning: Nadezhda.

Nevzor is one of the “negative” names.

The surname Nevzorov comes from this name.

Nekras is one of the “negative” names.

From this name came the surname: Nekrasov.

Nekrasa is the female form of the name Nekras.

Eagle is one of the personified names of the animal world.

From this name came the surname: Orlov.

Osmoy is the eighth child in the family.

The name also has meaning: Osmusha. From these names came the surnames: Osmanov, Osmerkin, Osmov.

Ostromir

Peredslava - The name Predslava also has meaning. Historical figure: Predslava - wife of Svyatoslav Igorevich, mother of Yaropolk Svyatoslavich.

Peresvet - very light.

Historical figure: Peresvet - warrior of the Battle of Kulikovo.

Putimir - reasonable and peaceful

Putislav - glorifying wisely.

The name also has meaning: Putyata. From these names came the surnames: Putilov, Putilin, Putin, Putyatin. Historical figure: Putyata - Kyiv governor.

Radiohost - caring about another (guest).

Radimir - who cares about the world.

The name also has meaning: Radomir. Short name: Radim. From these names came the surnames: Radilov, Radimov, Radishchev. Legendary personality: Radim - the progenitor of the Radimichi.

Radimir is the female form of the name Radimir.

The name also has meaning: Radomira.

Radislav - caring about glory.

The name also has meaning: Radoslav.

Radislava is the female form of the name Radislav.

Radmila is caring and sweet.

Radosveta - sanctifying joy.

Joy - joy, happiness.

The name also has meaning: Rada.

Reasonable - reasonable, reasonable.

From this name came the surname: Razin. Historical figure: Razumnik - student of Cyril and Methodius.

Ratibor is a protector.

Ratmir is the defender of peace.

Rodislav - glorifying family, Rostislav - increasing glory.

Historical figure: Rostislav Vladimirovich - Prince of Rostov, Vladimir-Volynsky; Tmutarakansky; The ancestor of the princes of Galicia and Volyn.

Rostislava is a female form named after Rostislav.

Sbyslava

Svetislav is a glorifying light. The name also has a meaning: Svetoslav.

Svetislava is the female form of the name Svetislav. Svetlana is bright, pure in soul.

Svetlana is the female form of the name Svetlana. Svetovid is the seeing light, the perspicacious.

The name also has meaning: Sventovid. The name of the Western Slavic God.

Svetozar - illuminating with light., Svetozar - female form named after Svetozar.

The name also has meaning: Svetlozara.

Svyatogor - indestructible holiness.

Legendary personality: Svyatogor is an epic hero.

Svyatopolk is the leader of the sacred army.

Historical figure: Svyatopolk I Yaropolkovich - Grand Duke Kyiv.

Svyatoslav - sacred glory.

Short name: Saint. Historical figure: Svyatoslav I Igorevich - Prince of Novgorod and Grand Duke of Kiev.

Svyatoslav is a female form named after Svyatoslav.

Slawomir is a peace-glorifying one.

Nightingale is the personified name of the animal world.

From this name came the surnames: Solovey, Soloviev. Legendary personality: Nightingale Budimirovich - a hero from epics.

Som is the personified name of the animal world.

Snezhana is white-haired and cold.

Stanimir - establisher of peace.

Stanimira is the female form of the name Stanimir.

Stanislav - establisher of glory.

From this name came the surname: Stanishchev. Historical figure: Stanislav Vladimirovich - Prince of Smolensk.

Stanislava is a female form named after Stanislav.

Stoyan - strong, unbending.

Sudimir

Sudislav

Tverdimir - from TVERD - solid and MIR - peaceful, peace.

Tverdislav - from TVERD - solid and SLAV - to glorify.

From this name came the surnames: Tverdilov, Tverdislavov, Tverdislavlev.

Tvorimir is the creator of the world.

Tihomir - quiet and peaceful.

From this name came the surname: Tikhomirov.

Tikhomira is the female form of the name Tihomir.

Tur is the personified name of the animal world.

Legendary personality: Tur - founder of the city of Turov.

Brave - brave.

Praying for glory.

Chaslava is the female form of the name Chaslav.

The name also has meaning: Cheslava.

Chernava - dark-haired, dark-skinned

This place also has a name: Chernavka. From these names came the surnames: Chernavin, Chernavkin.

Pike is the personified name of the animal world.

Yarilo is the sun.

Yarilo - God of fruits in the form of the sun. From this name came the surname: Yarilin.

Jaromir is a sunny world.

Yaropolk is the leader of the solar army.

Historical figure: Yaropolk I Svyatoslavich - Grand Duke of Kiev.

Yaroslav - glorifying Yarila.

From this name came the surname: Yaroslavov. Historical figure: Yaroslav I Vladimirovich - Prince of Rostov, Prince of Novgorod, Grand Duke of Kiev.

Yaroslava is a female form named after Yaroslav.

Boromir Borowczak (Poland)

M This article is about the disappearing two-part Old Church Slavonic names. Why Old Slavonic? Because scientists in Poland, for example Professor Malec from the Institute Polish language The Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow, and in Yugoslavia, for example, Professor Cirkovic from the University of Novi Sad, agree that it is binomial names that are the most archaic, the most typical and the most greater attitude to the ancient Slavic community and its elites.

Names consisting of two words had their own deep meaning and pronunciation. Unfortunately, today the SLAVS no longer understand the meaning of their names. The worst thing, however, is that these names are becoming fewer and fewer. (In Poland, only about 10% of all names).

Therefore, with my abstract I want to call for the salvation of “Old Slavonic binomial names.” They must be saved at any cost, because (to use a quote) “Names create a system that, standing out from the entire language by certain specific features, is at the same time part of the tradition of law and customs of each society” (Tadeusz Milewski, 1969). This magnificent tradition of law and customs is present equally in all Slavic countries due to their common origin and common ethnic origin. The Slavic name system should be proclaimed and disseminated so that it does not disappear and becomes more popular and even mandatory in all Slavic countries.

Threats

The reason for the disappearance of Slavic names is the process of acculturation. I will look at this problem from the point of view of Poland and the Pole. The most dangerous thing right now is the scourge called Americanization. I literally lose my temper when I'm on the train and hear vacationers calling their children to order. There are such names as Angelica, Linda, Larry, Mark, Denis, Rob, Marks, Andy, Valentine... This, of course, is the result of the influx of low-quality American or German pop culture, especially meaningless films and television programs. Until 1989, there were no such names in Poland at all, thanks to the clear actions of censors and the Ministry of Culture and Art. By the names in Poland you can also easily notice the influence of German culture and the eternal “Drang nach Osten”. We already have millions of Roberts, Conrads, Carols and Henriks. In fact, Christianity came to Poland from Germany, and with it the Bible and numerous Hebraic names. Despite their Polishization, a significant number of Middle Eastern names indicate the level of decline in the tradition of Slavic culture and customs. Now it turns out that “typically Polish” names are Mateusz, Lukasz, Piotr, Rafal, Jozef. Due to the fact that the Pope is of Polish origin, the popularity of the Hebraic names Jan and Pavel has crossed the border of absurdity. I urge at least in our circle - the circle of people who recognize themselves as SLAVS - to abandon these American, German or Hebraic names.

Names, initiation and Slavic culture

Before and immediately after the collapse of the Slavic Community, that is, before the Slavic tribes entered the orbit of influence of alien cultures, pagan tradition and customs did not allow members of the tribal community, and especially the ruling elite, to deviate from the canon of the binary name (600 - 1000 AD) . A child became a member of society (zadrug, opole, tribe, state) when he came under male guardianship at the age of 7 years. During the initiation rite, a new name was chosen, and the old name, given regardless of gender, under the influence of the feelings and impulse of the mother, was subject to oblivion. The new meaningful name had to correspond to the character of the child or the qualities that the parents would like to see in him if the child had a weak character, for example:

Bohumil - may he be dear to God,
Gosterad - let it be distinguished by hospitality,
Mstislav - may he be famous for his revenge over his enemies.

Apparently, according to Slavic beliefs, the name was a spell and a magical sign associated with the person wearing it.

Thanks to the lexical components of binomial names, preserved by customs and tradition, we learn a lot about the culture and value system of our ancestors. Here are examples from various areas of life:

Life (suffixes -byt, -zhir) - Vlastibyt, Zhiroslav, Domazhir.
Positive values ​​(good-, lyubo-, milo-, joy-) - Dobrogost, Lubomir, Radomir, Milostry.
Negative values ​​(non-) - Niklot, Nemir, Nerad.
The meaning of knowledge (thoughts-, -thought, -view) - Myslibor, Gostevid, Bolemysl.
Social structure (derzhi-, gradi-, vladi-) - Derzhikrai, Gradislav, Vladimir.
Hospitality (-gost) - Lyubogost, Dobrogost, Radogost.
Military organization (-regiment, howl-) - Svyatopolk, Voislav.
Combat readiness (budi-, kresi-) - Budivoy, Kresislav.
Fight (bori-, rati-) - Borignev, Ratibor.
The virtues of a warrior (holy, ardent, paco) - Svyatomir, Yaroslav, Pakoslav.
Honor, glory (honor, -slav) - Chtibor, Tomislav, Boleslav.
Family (brother-, -stroy, sister-) - Bratomil, Zhelistry, Sestromil.
Property (semi-) - Sememysl, Semavit.
Faith (god-, -god) - Boguslav, Praise, Molibog, Bogukhval.

These are examples of the presence of values, feelings, beliefs, a communal way of life, and the organization of life in conditions of war. It should be emphasized that in the system of Slavic names there are no names of animals (!), weapons and realities associated with the occupations of the population that appear in the system of names of other Indo-European languages. Slavic names are also more abstract than other Indo-European names.

Types of Slavic names in Poland

In Poland, as in other Slavic countries, there are three morphologically different types of names.

The first type is binomial names

Basic, ancient and most correct. They consist of two words that are interconnected in a certain syntactic and semantic relationship. The characteristics of these names were presented above. In Poland during the Middle Ages, about six hundred names of this type were used. However, since the adoption of Christianity, they were gradually replaced by Judeo-Christian names coming from the West and were eventually almost completely replaced at the turn of the 15th-16th centuries. The exception to this rule was the Slavic double names that were borne by the saints of the Church, for example, Czeslaw, Casimir, Stanislav, Wenceslas, Wladyslaw, Wojciech. Also, binomial names remained in use longer in noble families, which is evidence of the use of binomial names by Slavic elites. Proof of this are also the names of royal and princely dynasties throughout the entire Slavic world. In Poland, even rulers from dynasties that had nothing in common ethnically with the Slavs bore Slavic binomial names: the Jagiellons (for example, Wladyslaw IV Vasa).

In the XVI and XVII centuries we also meet Bronislav, Dadzibog, Dobrogost, Derzhislav, Yaroslav, Miroslav, Mstislav, Przemyslav, Przeclaw, Vladimir, Zbigniew. In the 18th century in Poland, the use of Slavic binomial names continued to decline. The situation changed in the 19th century due to interest in Poland's past. Calendars of Slavic names begin to appear (for example, T. Voevudsky in the Warsaw Courier for 1827), although along with them erroneous, distorted forms of Slavic names begin to appear (for example, instead of Zbygnev, Zbigniew appeared, and instead of Semovit, Zemovit appeared) and hybrid forms - received from Christian names with the addition of a second Slavic member, for example: Jan - Janislav, Julian - Yulislav. The resurrection of some old Slavic names was also facilitated by romantic literature, replete with Old Polish motifs with genuine Old Slavic names.

During the interwar period, the popularity of Slavic binomial names continued to increase, thanks to the activities of neo-pagan groups that turned to Slavic mythology and ancient belief systems. Slavic binomial names were also popularized through the publication of calendars and books (for example, Vladislav Kolodzei “Slavic Calendar”) and the habit of adopting pseudonyms in the form of a Slavic name. For example, the magazine "Zadruga" did not publish the full name of the author of the article - only the initials if the author's name was not Slavic.

Now in Poland there are organizations that show interest in the Slavs and require their members to have a binary Slavic name, which seems to me a very positive phenomenon (for example, some scout squads in Krakow, the Krakow branch of the society "Niklot", "Krak", "Lubusz") .

What is the current scale of use of Slavic names in Poland? Stanislavov - 800 thousand, Kazimirov - 300 thousand, Voitsekhov, Vladislavov, Cheslavov and Vladimirov - 200 thousand each, Bogdanov - 130 thousand. There are also quite a large number of Bogumilovs, Boguslavs, Bogukhvals, Svyatoslavs. These names are popular due to their connection with Christianity. Of the names that have little in common with Christianity, the popular ones are Zbigniew (400 thousand), Yaroslav, Miroslav, Wieslaw, Zdislav (200 thousand each), Przemyslaw (130 thousand each), Boleslav, Bronislav, Radoslav (80 thousand each).

Female forms are formed from male names, and their great similarity indicates the equality of women, for example: Stanislav (300 thousand), Casimir (145 thousand), Vladislav (140 thousand), Czeslav (100 thousand). Also popular: Vaclava, Bronislava, Lyudmila, Dobroslava, Slavomir, Zbigniew, Zdislava.

The second type is forms of names derived from binomial names

Derived forms, broken or abbreviated, equipped with various suffixes, often diminutive), for example: Ratiborek - from Ratibor, Lut - Lutognev, Pelka - from Svyatopolk, Wojtek - from Wojciech, Gniewko - from Gnievomir, Milos - from Miroslav, Bronish - from Bronislaw, Lech - from Lechoslaw, Mieszko - from Mieczyslaw, Boris - from Borislaw.

Personally, I think that the Slavs should get rid of names of this type as incorrect forms, although from an ethnic point of view they are much more correct than names originating from Christianity and Western pop culture.

The third type - simple names - folk names in the function of proper personal names

A good example of a name of this type is the popular name Vuk in Serbia, most likely derived from the name Vilchan, known in the Middle Ages - the ruler of Viletov with the meaning “let him be like a wolf, warlike, predatory, skillful warrior.” Other names of this type: Kvyatek ("let it be like a flowering plant, beautiful and portly"), Odolan (from the verb "to overcome"), Shiban (from "to hit", i.e. to beat), Kokhan, Milavan, Lasota.

Personally, I believe that these names, although they are Slavic, correct and interesting, should not be propagated due to their monosyllabicity, which does not give them a Slavic character.

Legal issues

My parents are Catholics, and therefore they gave me the name of the Archangel Raphael - Rafal in the Polish sound. When I already realized that I was a real Slav, I decided to change my name to Old Slavonic through the initiation rite. I chose the name Boromir, which means "let him fight the enemy for his world." It suits my last name and matches my character. Before I started using this name, it became my nickname due to the similarity with my surname and the character from Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings", who then from England conquered the minds of young people in Poland. After a few years, I wanted to officially register my new name as my middle name. Imagine my surprise when my application was rejected! In accordance with the law of the 50s, more than a dozen Slavic names that I listed earlier, as well as a large number of Herbraic, German and Latin names, were recognized as Polish. Thus, it turned out that having a Hebraic name, I could not replace it with a Slavic one, since the official said that I had made it up. But this name is present in the list of Serbian national names (Milica Cirkovic "Recnik licnich imena kod Srba"). This means that this name is purely Slavic, especially since it can be explained logically and grammatically. The above-mentioned law allows the surname to be changed at the same time, so that thanks to the pro-German policy of the Polish state, the often found surname Wilk (Serbian Vuk) can be replaced with the more “normal” Wolf. This is a legal problem that we Poles have to deal with ourselves, but I wonder how the legal issue of changing a name looks like in other Slavic states. It turned out to be a relief for me to write a thesis on this topic and several articles in special journals, but this is more of a legal trick than a principle that should be binding.

Ways to rescue binomial names

In order to preserve the existence of binomial Slavic names as an ethnocultural banner that distinguishes us from representatives of other language groups, an action to popularize these names in culture is necessary. For brevity, I will just list these methods:

A selection of literary and artistic pseudonyms in the form of binomial Slavic names, for example: writers Ludovit Stuhr, Zbigniew Nienacki, Barnim Rogalica;

Introduction of a mandatory Slavic name in organizations of national and Slavic orientation;

Naming companies, shops, associations, streets with such names (for example, the famous sausage company “Dobroslava” in Poland);

Propaganda of the early Middle Ages through archaeological expeditions and historical meetings, because all the rulers during this period had Slavic names;

Giving heroes of books, poems, films two-part Slavic names;

Publication of calendars with a list of Slavic names, and exclusively correct ones.

In a word, we are talking about introducing Slavic names in every area of ​​our activity: at the level of politics, economics, culture, science. We should remember our children who will soon be born. Let's think about Slavic names for them today! Unfortunately, today, due to legal requirements, we cannot afford to give a child a name at the age of 7 years. We must look for these names in lists of Slavic names, historical sources, literature, as well as in the names of places around us, for example: Vladimir in Russia, Bratislava in Slovakia, Litomysl in the Czech Republic, Zlatibor in Serbia and in Poland: Vodislav, Ratibuzh, Mysliborz, Przemysl, Jaroslaw, Derzyslaw, Wroclaw. They can also be found in names in Bulgaria: Borimirov from the name Boromir and in Poland: Lutoslavsky from the name Lutoslav.

I expect that at the next pan-Slavic congresses a special commission will be created to collect and catalog binary names found in all countries of the Slavic world in order to create an open bank of these names, available for the creation of Slavic calendars and publication in various countries.

Translation from Polish .

Psychologists say that a person’s name is not just a set of alternating sounds, but a kind of unique personality code. Hearing a name for the first time, the brain of a newborn baby at a subconscious level begins to adapt to it, forming certain character traits.

In Soviet times, variety of names was not in honor, so residents of cities and villages were almost universally called Sergei, Maria, Valentin, Ivan, Aleksey, etc. As a result, the majority of people who had similar characteristics and lived similar lives were depersonalized.

At the end of the twentieth and beginning of our century, there was a change in priorities and a tendency arose to give children rare and long-forgotten names. They even began to publish special collections - name books that help young parents choose for their heir beautiful name. And although some mothers and fathers prefer that their son or daughter be called a “foreign” name like Angelina or Harry, the majority still turn to the roots and choose old Russian names.

Things from days gone by...

Before the introduction of Christianity in Rus', original names were used, which in essence were nicknames given for one reason or another. They were often assigned to men and women according to external signs– height, physique, manner of speaking, character traits or time of birth.

To protect against evil spirits and unkind people, there was a system of double names. The first was given to the child at birth and most often did not sound very attractive - Nelyuba, Nekras, Zloba, Kriv, but this was precisely what was supposed to scare away evil forces from him.

The second name was given already in adolescence, taking into account the character traits that had already appeared in the boy or girl. These names can generally be classified into the following groups:

1. By order of birth in the family - Pervusha, Vtorak, Tretyak, Osmusha and others.
2. According to the main character qualities - Smeyan, Stoyan, Torop, Kras, Zorko, etc.
3. Names reflecting the world of plants or animals - Wolf, Falcon, Oak, Pike, Walnut and others.
4. By body type – Vyshata, Davila, Mal, etc.
5. Nicknames of pagan deities - Lada, Yarila, etc.

But the overwhelming majority of Old Church Slavonic names were dibasic, that is, formed from two roots. The most often used were “slav”, “wise”, “yar”, “sacred”, “regiment”, “rad” and others: Milorad, Mstislav, Luchemir, Yaropolk, Svyatoslav. For education diminutive form the second part was cut off from the full name and the suffixes “neg”, “tka”, “sha”, “yata”, “nya” were added, for example, Dobrynya, Yarilka, Miloneg, Putyata, Svyatosha.

Old Slavonic male names

Our ancestors came up with male pagan names especially carefully. After all, boys have always been more desirable than girls as bearers of strength and wisdom, successors of the family, defenders of their people. At the same time, the following rules and prohibitions were strictly observed:

1. The child was not given the name of his father: it was believed that in this case not only advantages, but also disadvantages were doubled, which was unacceptable.
2. It is impossible for two people in the same family to have the same name, since one of them was soon to die.
3. The names of drowned people, dead children, as well as the weak-minded, crippled, robbers, and drunkards should not be used, since negative qualities could be passed on to the baby.

There was also such an interesting ritual. If after birth the child did not show signs of life and did not cry for a long time, they began to call out to him different names. The one to which he reacted became his own.

The list of forgotten names is very extensive. Some ancient Slavic names, especially for men, may seem pretentious and strange in our time. However, among them there are many that can be successfully used in the modern world.

• Agniy – fiery, light;

• Bayan is the keeper of antiquity;
• Berislav - taker of glory;
• God-knower - one who knows the gods;
• Bogodiy - pleasing to the gods;
• Bogumil - dear to God;
• Boeslav – victorious in battles;
• Bratislav - brother of glory;
• Budimil - be nice;
• Bueslav - stork;
• Belogor - from the white mountains;
• Beloyar – furious;

• Vadimir is the leader of the world;
• Vsemil - dear to everyone;
• Vyacheslav - glorifying advice;
• Volodar – giver of will;
• Gradimir – looking at the world;
• Gorisvet – high light;
• Dobrynya - kind;
• Deyan – active;
• Dan – given from above;
• Daromir – giver of peace;
• Daromysl – thinking;

• Zhdanimir - the awaited world;
• Zhdan - long-awaited;
• Zhelan – desired;
• Dawn - rising light;
• Zvenimir – calling for peace;
• Zdanimir – creator of the world;
• Idan – walking;
• Ivar – tree of life;
• Istislav - glorifying the truth;

• Krasibor – chosen from the beautiful;
• Kudeyar is a magician;
• Ladislav - glorifying beauty;
• Ludimir - bringing peace to people;
• Lyuborad – pleasing with love;
• Lyuboyar - loving Yarila;
• We love - beloved;
• Lubodron – expensive;
• Lyubogost - hospitable;
• Milan - cute;
• Mlad – young;
• Peace lover - loving peace;
• Moguta – powerful;
• Mirodar – giver of peace;

• Negomir – gentle and peaceful;
• Found – found;
• Witty - sharp-thinking;
• Otcheslav - glory to the father;
• Peresvet - bright;
• Radey – joyful;
• Ratibor – chosen warrior;

• Svyatomir - holy world;
• Svyatovik - light;
• Svyatoboy - warrior;
• Died - peace;
• Khvalimir - glorify the world;
• Chestimir - honor of the world;
• Jaromil - dear;
• Janislav is nice.

With the introduction of Christianity, Old Church Slavonic names were supplanted by Greek, Roman, Jewish and Arabic, and some even found themselves under the strictest ban. True, later certain names, for example, Yaroslav, Vladimir, Mstislav, were included in the Orthodox name book thanks to Vladimir the Holy, Yaroslav the Wise or Mstislav the Great, who glorified them.

Features of female Slavic names

Like male names, basic female Slavic names were not given at birth. They were often replaced with distracting nicknames, or they simply said “child”, “child”, “girl”, “little one”. Over the years, having discovered in their daughter a craving for some craft or seeing special character traits in her, her parents prepared her for the ritual of receiving a new permanent name.

According to customs, the ceremony was carried out at the temple - an ancient Slavic sanctuary near the statues of pagan gods. First, the girl was bathed in water, washing away her old childhood name, and then the wise men solemnly named her a new one.

This usually happened when the girl turned 16 years old. However, there were exceptions. For example, for girls from princely families the ceremony was performed at the age of 12, and for children who were destined to become witches or priestesses from childhood, at 9.

Old Russian female names have a special melody and beauty. Therefore, many of them can be used in our time, naming our beloved daughters.

• Agnia – fiery, enlightened;

• Bela – white, clean;
• Bazhena – desired;
• Bayana – storyteller;
• Beloslava - glorifying purity;
• Snow White - pure, white;
• Belyana – enlightened;
• Blaginya is kind;
• Bogdana – given by God;
• Bogolyuba - lover of the gods;
• Bogumila - dear to God;
• Boguslava - glorifying God;
• Borimira - fighting for peace;
• Boyana – fighting, courageous;
• Bratislava - taking glory;
• Bronislava is a glorious protector;

• Faithful - faithful;
• Vedana – knowledgeable;
• Velena, Velina - commanding;
• Velizhana – polite;
• Wenceslas - crowned with glory;
• Veselina – cheerful;
• Vesnyana – spring;
• Vlada - okay;
• Vladislava - owner of glory;
• Vlasta – powerful;
• Vlastelina – ruler;
• Voislava – winning glory;
• Vratislava - who returned glory;
• Vsemila - dear to everyone;
• Vsenezha - tender to everyone;
• High - high;
• Vyacheslava - the most glorious;

• Gala – soulful;
• Galina – feminine, earthy;
• Blue – tender;
• Gorazda – capable;

• Darena – gifted;
• Daryana – courageous;
• Dobrovlada – possessing kindness;
• Dobroslava - glorifying kindness;
• Guess - quick-witted;
• Dolyana – lucky;
• Blast furnace - homely, economical;
• Dragana – precious;
• Dushana – soulful;

• Zhdana – awaited;
• Zhelana – desired;

• Fun is a comforter;
• Zadora - perky;
• Zbigniew – restraining anger;
• Zvezdana – born under the stars;
• Zlatoyara – strong as the sun;
• Zoreslava - glorious in beauty;

• Izbora – chosen one;

• Irina – ascended;

• Karina – brown-eyed;
• Krasa – beautiful;

• Lada - sweetheart;
• Lagoda – soulful;
• Lebedyan – slender;
• Luchezara – radiant;
• Love - love, beloved;
• Lyubodara – giving love;
• Lyudmila – dear to people, humane;

• Matryona – mature;
• Milada - dear to the goddess Lada;
• Milana - sweetheart;
• Militsa – sweet in person;
• Milolika – sweet face;
• Milonega – sweet and gentle;
• Milorada - sweet joy;
• Mironega – peaceful, gentle;
• Mlada – young, okay;

• Hope - hope;
• Beloved - beloved;
• Ogneslava – glorifying Fire;
• Olesya – forest;
• Olelya - beloved;
• Polelya – loving;
• Poleva - field;
• Polina – balanced;
• Beautiful - beautiful;
• Prelesta - lovely;
• Suitable - nice;
• Radmila – caring and sweet;
• Radoslava - glorifying joy;
• Rogneda – abundant;
• Rosana – clean, fresh;
• Ruzhena – pink;
• Blush – ruddy;
• Rusava – fair-haired;

• Svetana – light;
• Svetolika – enlightened;
• Svetoyara – solar;
• Sineoka – blue-eyed;
• Siyana – shining;
• Slavia – glorious;
• Smeyana – laughing;
• Humble - humble;
• Snezhana – white-haired;
• Stanislava – constantly glorious;
• Stoyana – very courageous;

• Delight – delightful;
• Tsvetana – blooming, tender;
• Charusha – generous;
• Chernava – dark-skinned;
• Cheslava - glorious in honor;
• Shchedra - generous;
• Yadviga - nurse;
• Yana – courageous;
• Yarolika – sun-faced;
• Jaromira – bright and peaceful;
• Yaroslava - glorifying Yarila the sun.

Our ancestors attached special meaning to names. Ancient people believed that the sounds from which they are composed have magical power received from the gods and mother nature itself. Old Church Slavonic names are a huge layer of our history and culture, which modern parents are increasingly turning to, hoping to find the most beautiful name for their beloved baby.

A name determines a person's destiny. This is the key to his inner self. After all, it is not without reason that in Rus' a person had two names, one - false, for everyone, and the other - secret, only for the person himself and his very close people.

A name determines a person's destiny. This is the key to his inner self. After all, it is not without reason that in Rus' a person had two names, one - false, for everyone, and the other - secret, only for the person himself and his very close people. This tradition existed as protection from unkind spirits and unkind people. Often the first Slavic name was deliberately unattractive (Kriv, Nekras, Zloba), for even greater protection from evil ones. After all, without the key to the essence of a person, it is much more difficult to cause evil. The rite of the second naming was performed in adolescence, when the main character traits were formed. The name was given based on these traits. Slavic names were replete with their diversity; there were groups of names:
1) Names from the animal and plant world (Pike, Ruff, Hare, Wolf, Eagle, Nut, Borscht)
2) Names by birth order (Pervusha, Vtorak, Tretyak)
3) Names of gods and goddesses (Lada, Yarilo)
4) Names based on human qualities (Brave, Stoyan)
5) And the main group of names is two-basic (Svyatoslav, Dobrozhir, Tihomir, Ratibor, Yaropolk, Gostomysl, Velimudr, Vsevolod, Bogdan, Dobrogneva, Lyubomila, Mirolyub, Svetozar) and their derivatives (Svyatosha, Dobrynya, Tishilo, Ratisha, Putyata, Yarilka , Miloneg).
From the listed names, it is easy to trace the process of creating a derivative name: the second part is cut off from the two-base one and a suffix or ending is added (-neg, -lo, -ta, -tka, -sha, -yata, -nya, -ka).
Example: Svyatoslav: Svyato + sha = Svyatosha.
Of course, the names of people carry a significant part of the culture and traditions of the entire people. In Russia, with the advent of Christianity, Slavic names almost completely fell into oblivion. There were lists of Slavic names prohibited by the church. Why this happened is not difficult to guess. One part of the names (Lada, Yarilo) were the names of Slavic gods, the owners of the second part were people who, even after the Christianization of Rus', tried to restore the cult and traditions (magi, heroes). Today in Russia only 5% of children are given Slavic names, which certainly impoverishes the already meager Slavic culture.

In ancient times, people believed that there was a magical connection between a person and his name. They believed that without knowing the main name, it was impossible to harm a person. Therefore, children were often given two names: the first - a deceptive one, known to everyone, and the second - a secret one, which only those closest to them knew. The secret name was hidden to protect the child from the evil eye and evil spirits. A false name was sometimes deliberately made unattractive to deceive evil spirits.

During adolescence, the ritual of re-naming took place. The young man was named in accordance with the expressed traits and characteristics of character that were manifested by this time.

History of origin

In the pre-Christian era, Slavic names reflected the meaning attached to the naming process. Usually the name carried positive energy and expressed the hopes and wishes of the parents. There are several options for the origin of Slavic names:

• From weather phenomena(Frost, Vetran), time of day (Twilight, Zoryan).
• From the natural world: fish (Ruff, Catfish), animals (Wolf, Hare), birds (Eagle, Nightingale, Raven).
• According to human qualities (Clever, Good-natured, Silent, Quiet). By character traits: Brave (brave, courageous), Veselin (cheerful, mischievous), Offended (touchy).
• By external features(Kudryash, Mal, Chernysh). Strong Old Slavic boys could be called: Dubynya (strong, like an oak), Gorislav (steadfast, like a mountain).
• Names from verbs, adverbs (Zhdan, Khoten, Nayden, Daren).
• By birth order: numerals (Pervusha, Vtorak, Tretyak, Shestak, Nine), and ordinal (Elder, Menshak).
• From the pagan gods (Veles, Yarilo).
• Negative names were chosen to protect against the evil eye (Dashing, Zloba, Nezhdan, Fool), or as a reflection of physical disabilities (Kriv, Nevzor, ​​Nekras).
• By occupation, profession - Kozhemyaka, Warrior, Villager. These names look like nicknames, but in fact they are confirmed by surviving documents.
• Names are derived from the names of other peoples. From the ancient German names Hrodrik, Ingvarr, Helg came the ancient Russian Rurik, Igor, Oleg.
• Compound or dibasic names made up of two roots united by a connecting vowel.

Dibasic

Most of the ancient Slavic names are represented by complex two-basic names. One root of such a name determined qualities (strength, power, might, love), and the second root showed the scope of their application (everything, people, good, gods, army). The underlying meaning of such names can be determined intuitively by ear. For example, Bogomil is dear to God, Vsemil is dear to everyone, Kazimir seems to show the world.

The inclination towards the art of war was conveyed by names with military roots - regiment, war-, rati-:

1. Yaropolk.
2. Ratibor.
3. Ratislav.
4. Vojislav.

Those inclined to study spiritual sciences added the holy root:

1. Svyatoslav.
2. Svyatomir.

Positive qualities were determined by the roots good-, sweet-, joyful-, loving-:

1. Lubomir.
2. Dobrogost.
3. Radolub.

Some meanings are already difficult to determine by sound, because the meanings of words have changed. For example, the root -fat meant abundance, wealth:

1. Zhiroslav.
2. Domazhir.

The root -ostr (ost) meant brave:

1. Ostromir.
2. Witty.

The root -slav spoke of the princely origin of the name and the upper class. Craftsmen and peasants had the same names with simple suffixes and endings: -l(o), -yat(a), -sh(a), -n(ya):

1. Dobroslav - Dobrynya, Dobryata.
2. Putislav - Putyata, Putyatya.
3. Stanislav - Became.
4. Mstislav - Mestila, Mistyasha.

Evolution

Many names of ancient Slavic men were lost after the arrival of Christianity in Rus'. The Slavic pagan gods were replaced with Christianity by a single God. With the change in faith, there was a rejection of names that included the names of the old gods (Yarilo, Veles). Some ancient Slavic names were banned by the Christian Church.

Old Slavonic names replaced names from the Bible (Greek, Hebrew, Roman and others). After the adoption of Christianity, children began to be named after Orthodox saints. Eg ancient name Ivan, which formed the basis of many folk tales and seems originally Russian, came from Jewish name John, and appeared after the baptism of Rus'.

Some of the ancient Slavic names remained in use as secular household names; they were used to call a child in the family circle. Some of these names gradually turned into nicknames.

Many ancient names formed the basis of surnames (Nezhdan - Nezhdanov, Volk - Volkov, Nevzor - Nevzorov, Nekras - Nekrasov, Molchan - Molchanov, Zayats - Zaitsev, Tretyak - Tretyakov, Zloba - Zlobov, Putyai - Putin, Orel - Orlov, Ersh - Ershov).

Some Slavic names have survived to this day almost unchanged. Vladimir, Stanislav, Vyacheslav, Vladislav - remain popular and modern today. These names were borne by rulers, princes, generals and governors, so they remained relevant for many centuries. Some Old Slavonic names were canonized by the church, name days were added for them, these names were included in church calendars and remained in use:

• Vladimir.
• Bogdan.
• Vsevolod.
• Vladislav.
• Yaroslav.

Complete list of Old Church Slavonic and their meanings

This is what the ancient names of Russian men meant:

• Bazhen (desired, beloved, God's).
• Bazan (screamer).
• Bashilo (pampered, mischievous).
• Belimir (white, bright world).
• Belogor (white mountain, sublime).
• Beloslav (white, bright glory).
• Belyai (white, light).
• Berislav (taker of glory).
• Bogdan (given by God).
• Bogolyub (God loving).
• Bogomir (Peace be with God).
• Boleslav (more glorious, most glorious).
• Borimir (fighting for peace).
• Borislav (fighting for glory).
• Bratislav (brother, friend of glory).
• Bronislav (protector of glory).
• Bryachislav (glorious warrior).
• Budimir (awakening, awakening the world).
• Burislav (stormy glory).
• Vadim (arguing, proving).
• Vadimir (attracting, calling).
• Velizar (great dawn, a lot of light).
• Velimir (great, big world).
• Velimudr (knowing).
• Vesilin (cheerful, cheerful).
• Vladimir (owning the world, striving for harmony).
• Vladislav (owner of glory).
• Vlastimir (ruler over the world).
• Voislav (fighting for glory, glorious warrior).
• Volodar (owner of the will, ruler).
• Volga (wizard, hero).
• Vorotislav (returning glory).
• Vsevolod (who owns everything).
• Vseslav (the most glorious, generous).
• Vysheslav (above others in glory, glorified).
• Vyacheslav (most glorious, most glorious).
• Gleb (presented to God, given under the protection of God).
• Gorazd (big, large, skillful).
• Gorislav (blazing in glory).
• Gradomir (creator of the world).
• Gradislav (preserver of glory).
• Gremislav (loudly famous).
• Danislav (let him be glorious).
• Darimir (giver of peace).
• Dobrolyub (kind, loving).
• Dobromil (kind, dear).
• Dobromysl (good-thinking).
• Dobroslav (glorified by good, glorifying good).
• Dobrynya (kind, daring).
• Dragomil (especially dear, precious).
• Dragomir (treasuring the world, beloved by all).
• Druzhina (friend, comrade, or army, detachment).
• Dusan (mental, spiritual).
• Dukhovlad (possessing the spirit).
• Yeseniy (clear sky, clear).
• Zhdan (desired, expected).
• Zhiteslav (glorifying life).
• Zvyaga (loud).
• Zvenimir (ringing for peace, calling for harmony).
• Zlatan (golden, precious).
• Zlatomir (golden world).
• Zlatoslav (golden glory).
• Izyaslav (who gained fame).
• Izheslav (be with glory).
• Istislav (glorifying the truth).
• Casimir (bringer of peace, tranquility).
• Krasimir (beautiful world).
• Krasislav (beauty of glory).
• Labuta (clumsy, lump).
• Ladimir (pacifying, in harmony with the world).
• Ladislav (glorifying beauty, harmonious).
• Lel (loving, passionate).
• Radiant (radiant, luminous).
• We love (beloved).
• Lyubomir (loving the world, any world).
• Lyubomysl (loving to think).
• Luboslav (glorifying love).
• Lyudmil (dear to people).
• Mal, Malyuta (small, baby).
• Mieczysław (famous for his sword, glorious warrior, valiant).
• Milan (sweet, gentle).
• Milovan (affectionate, caring).
• Miloslav (sweet glory).
• Mirko (peaceful, calm).
• Miroslav (glorious in the world, glorifying the world).
• Molchan (silent, taciturn).
• Mstislav (irreconcilable, avenging glory, glorious avenger).
• Myslimir (thinking about the world).
• Hope (hope, expectation).
• Negomir (gentle world).
• Nikola (winner, warrior).
• Odinets (the only one, the first in a row).
• Oleg (sacred, dedicated).
• Ostromir (piercing, brave world).
• Witty (sharp-thinking, brave-thinking).
• Overexposure (bright, bright, clear).
• Polkan (strong, quick).
• Polyuda (giant, huge).
• Wonderful (wonderful).
• Putimir (reasonable world, way of peace).
• Putislav (who glorified his path, blessed road).
• Radamir (rejoicing in peace, fighter for peace).
• Radey (joyful, joy).
• Radimir (who cares for peace).
• Radislav (rejoicing in glory, caring for glory).
• Radmil (sweet joy).
• Radosvet (light of joy).
• Ratibor (fearless warrior, winner of the army).
• Rodislav (nice by birth).
• Rostislav (growing glory, grown for glory).
• Svetozar (illuminating with light, illuminated with light).
• Svyatomir (holy world).
• Svyatoslav (sanctified by glory).
• Svyatopolk (fighter for a holy cause, holy army).
• Slawomir (glorifying the world).
• Stanislav (becoming glorious or famous by the camp).
• Stoyan (steadfast, strong).
• Tverdimir (solid world).
• Tvorimir (creating the world).
• Tihomir (quiet, peaceful, tranquil).
• Tichoslav (quiet glory).
• Khotislav (desiring glory, striving for glory).
• Brave (brave).
• Hranislav (guardian of glory).
• Czeslav (famous).
• Chudomil (wonderful, dear).
• Janislav (glorious).
• Jaromir (bright world).
• Yaropolk (bright regiment, powerful army).
• Yaroslav (bright, glorious, glorifying Yarila, the god of the Sun).

Ancient Slavic male names not only sound beautiful, but also have deep roots and sacred meanings. They carry the stamp of energy, culture and traditions of the Slavic people. By choosing an ancient Slavic male name, parents lay the foundations of spiritual qualities and the direction of your child’s life path, because the traits that the great ancestors possessed will be projected onto the growing boy.

Choosing a name for a child, Slavic parents paid attention to the meaning of the name and the future conditions that it promises. The name must necessarily reflect all the character traits of the future man, warrior or successor of the family - father, husband. Slavic male names differed from the names of other peoples in their connection with the forces of Nature, gods and clan. Slavic names for boys are given today, but, as before, you need to go through a whole ceremony - the naming ceremony. This is done if the child’s parents want the name to serve as a guiding star and bring good luck.

Researchers Slavic mythology It is believed that the Slavs did not have such a custom as to give one name to their children, which would be attached to them for life. At first the child did not have a name; he could simply be called by a nickname. It happened in some villages that in a large family, children up to a certain age could be called norms - First, Last, Third and others. It is difficult to name such nicknames and names. Among the Slavs, the name must necessarily reflect the purpose of the boy, the future man, or contribute to identification with some Slavic god.

Features of Slavic names for boys

Most Slavic male names today in Russia and nearby countries do not have Slavic roots. These are mainly Greek, Roman, Germanic or Latin names. There are also church names belonging to the Orthodox Christian naming book, which includes many Jewish names. But our ancestors were called completely differently, and chronicles, epics and legends testify to this.

Names could be given as complex ones, consisting of two words. For example, if you named a child Nikita, then as an adult man, having mastered the craft, the people called him Kozhemyaka, and it turned out - Nikita Kozhemyaka. And there are many such options. In ancient tales and tales we see Ratibor the Auror, Ilya Muromets, Alexander Peresvet (warrior-monk), Oleg the Prophet and others.

But there were not only double names that revealed the qualities, feats and skills of a person, but also secret names, which were known only to the priest with whose help the gods blessed the child with the name. The secret name already referred to the human Soul. Also, the secret name served as a kind of protection, a talisman for a person in contact with forces other worlds during life on Earth. Some believe that whoever learned such a name could take possession of a person forever.

SLAVIC NAME NAME

What Slavic name could you have had if you had lived in those distant times?

The names of the Slavs could carry not only a magical component, but also the meaning of addressing their native Gods, or reflect some connection with them. For example, a person in adulthood could find in himself the qualities of Veles - the God of Wisdom, Magic and the Three Worlds. In this case the options male name may be the following - Veleslav, Velemudr, Veligor, Vlas, Volos and other derivatives. The same approach was used when naming a child, only the parents themselves ascribed to him the desired qualities from the gods.

How to choose Slavic names for boys

Boys were named for the following reasons:

1. Temporary name for a boy. Before adolescence (approximately 12-14 years of adolescence), children were simply called “child,” and the child’s behavior and inclinations were observed.
2. Naming. They named (gave a name) in accordance with the demonstrated character traits, abilities, and qualities that would fully correspond to the child.
3. Honoring ancestors. To show respect, honor and memory to any deceased ancestor, immediate or distant relative, a child was named after him.
4. Worship of the ancestral God. When choosing a name for a boy, the name of the Native God, or his powers, forms, manifestations - everything that is connected with the deity was taken into account.

The naming ceremony was previously carried out strictly for a year, corresponding to the type of class whose qualities the “child” exhibited. There are the following age gradations when exactly such a ritual should be performed for a boy:

• children with the qualities of a sorcerer or priest were named at the age of 9;
• children with the makings of a warrior or a princely family - at 12 years old;
• children of other classes - at 16 years old.

Slavic mythology confirms that if the names were not suitable for some reason, the naming ceremony could be done again. Or go through new rite, giving the person another name. In the North of Russia, traditions are still largely preserved, and fathers and mothers approach the choice of names for their children thoughtfully, applying the ancient traditions of their ancestors.

Unlike most modern Slavs, who name their children based on their own tastes and preferences, the parents of the ancients Slavic peoples realized the power of the spoken word. The name is repeated more often than other words, which is why it was given special meaning. Our Slavic ancestors believed that words create vibrations, and vibrations are capable of forming a certain field that affects a person’s life. Slavic culture today still retains the well-known saying: “Whatever you name a ship, that’s how it will sail.” This means that any name should have a special meaning and even perform the functions of positive “programming” of a person’s fate.

Examples of Slavic names for boys

Belogor – related to the heights of the spirit
Beloslav – white, glorify
Belozar - enlightened
Belomir – pure in thoughts
Beloyar
Bogdan – given by the gods
Bratimir – striving for peace
Vedamir (Vedomir) – in charge
Veleslav - led - (great, big) and slav - (glory)
Vladislav - owner of glory
Gradibor
Gradimir - creator of the world
Daromir - the giver of peace
Dobrynya - kind, good
Lifeworld
Zhizneslav
Krasibor – the chosen one
Lubomir - beloved by the world
Lyubomil - beloved
Miloslav - dear, glory
Miroslav – peace, glory – young
Mstislav - revenge, glory, irreconcilable
Overexposure - very light
Pereslav - very wise, nice
Radimir – care, peace
Radislav - take care, glory
Ratibor – to protect
Ratislav - famous in battle
Ratimir - defender of peace
Rostislav - grow, glory
Svetoslav (Svyatoslav)
Svetomir - the carrier of the world
Svyatogor – saint, mountain, height
Jaromir – striving for peace
Yaroslav - bright glory
Yaropolk - a fierce warrior