Russian last names reflect the linguistic and cultural diversity of Russia, the largest country in the world. Russian surnames can sound harsh or gentle, and their different styles hold many meanings. We’ve collected lists of the most common Russian last names and their meanings.
What are Russian Last Names?
Russian last names reflect the surprisingly diverse linguistic and cultural fabric of Russian society, with surnames coming from the languages of Eastern Europe, North Asia, and the Russian heartland. Common themes of Russian last names are historically patronymic, meaning they are based on their father’s name. Religious themes and essential traits in Russian culture, such as strength and wealth, are also common.
Russian is a language that comes from Old East Slavic, and as Russian developed alongside other Eastern European languages, they retained many similarities. This original language affects Slavic last names in that there are many linguistic similarities. Popular surnames like Popov, meaning ‘priest,’ reflect the importance of religion in Russia, while others like Ivanova, meaning ‘daughter of Ivan,’ reflect popular first names.
Male and Female Russian Last Names
It is important to note the ending of a surname can change based on gender in Russia. Russian surnames have a gender-specific form. Common Russian surnames end in “ov,” “ev,” or “in.” For females, an “a” is added to the “-ov,” “-ev,” and “-in” endings, reflecting the grammatical gender of the language, becoming “-ova,” “-eva,” “-ina”.
As an example, below are the same Russian surnames in male and female forms:
|
Male Form |
Female Form |
|---|---|
| Bogdanov | Bogdanova |
| Alexeev | Alexeeva |
| Kuzmin | Kuzmina |
We’ve researched different Russian last names and curated lists of male and female surnames and their meanings.
Top 100 Russian Last Names
This list of the most common Russian last names and meanings showcases Russia’s history. Many Russian last names derive from occupations, personal characteristics, patronymics, or geographic locations.
- Ivanova – Daughter of Ivan
- Ivanov – Son of Ivan
- Kuznetsova – Daughter of a blacksmith
- Kuznetsov – Son of a blacksmith
- Petrov – Son of Peter
- Smirnova – Peaceful woman
- Magomedov – Son of Magomed
- Petrova – Daughter of Peter
- Smirnov – Peaceful man
- Popov – Belonging to a priest
- Novikova – New woman
- Volkova – She-wolf
- Popova – Priest’s wife
- Morozova – Frosty woman
- Sokolova – Falconer’s wife
- Romanova – Daughter of Roman
- Pavlova – Daughter of Paul
- Shevchenko – Related to a cobbler/shoemaker
- Volkov – Wolf
- Andreeva – Daughter of Andrew
- Vasilev – Son of Vasily
- Vasileva – Daughter of Vasily
- Mikhaylova – Daughter of Michael
- Novikov – New man
- Makarova – Daughter of Makar
- Morozov – Frosty man
- Sergeeva – Daughter of Sergey
- Pavlov – Son of Paul
- Zaytseva – Hare woman
- Sokolov – Falconer
- Aliev – Son of Ali
- Mikhaylov – Son of Michael
- Nikolaeva – Daughter of Nicholas
- Romanov – Son of Roman
- Zakharova – Daughter of Zakhar
- Makarov – Son of Makar
- Stepanova – Daughter of Stepan
- Lebedeva – Swan woman
- Kozlova – Goat woman
- Nikitina – Daughter of Nikita
- Egorova – Daughter of Egor
- Egorov – Son of Egor
- Kozlov – Goat man
- Nikolaev – Son of Nicholas
- Stepanov – Son of Stepan
- Andreev – Son of Andrew
- Yakovleva – Daughter of Yakov
- Zakharov – Son of Zakhar
- Kovalenko – Little blacksmith
- Frolova – Daughter of Frol
- Orlova – Eagle woman
- Sergeev – Son of Sergey
- Bondarenko – Related to a farmer
- Nikitin – Son of Nikita
- Zaytsev – Hare man
- Medvedev – Bear man
- Kotova – Cat woman
- Orlov – Eagle man
- Belova – White woman
- Kravchenko – Related to a cowherd
- Borisova – Daughter of Boris
- Mironova – World peace woman
- Alekseeva – Daughter of Alexey
- Frolov – Son of Frol
- Kuzmina – Blacksmith’s wife
- Kuzmin – Blacksmith
- Yakovlev – Son of Yakov
- Magomedova – Daughter of Magomed
- Medvedeva – Bear woman
- Antonova – Daughter of Anton
- Belov – White man
- Lebedev – Swan man
- Alekseev – Son of Alexey
- Dmitrieva – Daughter of Dmitry
- Borisov – Son of Boris
- Semenova – Daughter of Semyon
- Tarasova – Daughter of Taras
- Matveeva – Daughter of Matvey
- Vlasova – Woman with thick hair
- Polyakova – Related to a Pole
- Antonov – Son of Anton
- Zhukova – Beetle woman
- Tkachenko – Weaver’s son
- Tarasov – Son of Taras
- Ilina – Daughter of Ilya
- Filippova – Daughter of Philip
- Timofeev – Son of Timofey
- Mironov – World peace man
- Aleksandrova – Daughter of Alexander
- Dmitriev – Son of Dmitry
- Sorokina – Fortieth woman
- Isaev – Son of Isa
- Kolesnikova – Wheelwright’s wife
- Danilova – Daughter of Daniel
- Kotov – Cat man
- Matveev – Son of Matvey
- Sorokin – Fortieth man
- Timofeeva – Daughter of Timofey
- Maksimova – Daughter of Maxim
- Bogdanova – Gift of God woman
Unique Russian Last Names
Check out this list to learn about unique Russian last names often overlooked in pop culture. Possessing a rare surname in Russia can be a conversation starter, as it piques curiosity about its lineage and origin.
- Alexeev – Son of Alexey
- Abramov – Son of Abram
- Abramova – Daughter of Abram
- Afanasyev – Son of Afanasy
- Alexeeva – Daughter of Alexey
- Baranov – Ram’s
- Belousov – White-haired man
- Belousova – White or possibly swan’s female version
- Belyaev – White man
- Belyaeva – White’s female version
- Bogdanov – Son of Bogdan
- Chernykh – Black
- Chistyakov – Clean, pure
- Danilov – Son of Danil
- Davydov – Son of Davyd
- Eremeev – Son of Eremey
- Ermakov – Son of Ermak
- Fedorov – Son of Fedor
- Fedorova – Daughter of Fedor
- Fedoseev – Son of Fedos
- Fomin – Son of Foma
- Fomina – Daughter of Foma or Thomas
- Gerasimov – Son of Gerasim
- Golubev – Dove’s
- Grigoreva – Daughter of Grigory
- Gusev – From the goose
- Guseva – Goose’s female version
- Ignatev – Son of Ignat
- Ignateva – Daughter of Ignat
- Karpov – Son of Karp
- Karpova – Carp’s female version
- Kazakova – Cossack’s woman
- Kharitonov – Son of Khariton
- Kharitonova – Daughter of Khariton
- Kirillov – Son of Kirill
- Kirillova – Daughter of Kirill
- Kiselev – Chalk
- Komarov – Mosquito’s
- Kornilov – Son of Kornil
- Krylov – Place with a tavern or inn
- Krylova – Wing’s female version
- Kudryavtsev – Curly-haired
- Kudryavtseva – Curly-haired’s female version
- Lazarev – Lazarus’s
- Lysenko – Bald man’s
- Markov – Son of Mark
- Melnikov – Miller
- Melnikova – Miller’s female version
- Nazarenko – Nazarene’s
- Nazarov – Son of Nazar
- Osipov – Son of Osip
- Ovchinnikov – Sheep herder’s
- Polyakov – Field’s
- Rogov – Horn’s
- Rumyantsev – Rosy, ruddy
- Rumyantseva – Rosy or rosy-cheeked’s female version
- Ryzhov – Red-haired
- Ryzhova – Red or redhead’s female version
- Samsonov – Son of Samson
- Samsonova – Daughter of Samson
- Semenov – Son of Semen
- Shcherbakov – Pie maker’s
- Shilov – Tailor’s
- Shubin – Fur coat’s
- Sidorov – Son of Sidor
- Sidorova – Daughter of Sidor
- Solovyov – Nightingale’s
- Sysoev – Bellow’s
- Tikhomirov – Son of Tikhomir
- Tikhonov – Son of Tikhon
- Tikhonova – Daughter of Tikhon
- Titov – Titmouse’s
- Uvarov – Brewer
- Uvarova – Brewer’s female version
- Vasilyev – Son of Vasily
- Vinogradov – Vineyard owner
- Vinogradova – Vineyard female version
- Vorobyov – Sparrow’s
- Voronov – Raven’s
- Voronova – Voronova Raven’s female version
- Zhukov – Beetle’s
- Zotov – Toothless
- Zuev – Boot’s
Cool Russian Last Names
These cool Russian last names are perfect for aspiring globetrotters and trendsetters representing Russian culture. These surnames can invoke images of strength or ancient Russian folklore.
- Anisimov – Son of Anisim
- Biryukov – Little wolf’s
- Bolshakov – From the word “big” or “great”
- Demidov – Son of Demid
- Drozdov – Thrush’s
- Drozdova – Thrush’s woman
- Fadeev – Son of Fadey
- Fedotov – Son of Fedot
- Glukhov – Deaf man’s
- Gromov – Thunder’s
- Ilin – Son of Ilya
- Klimenko – Son of Klim
- Kochetkov – Little rooster’s
- Kolesnik – Wheel maker’s
- Korneeva – Daughter of Kornei
- Korol – King’s
- Korolyov – King’s
- Koval – Blacksmith’s
- Kovalchuk – Little blacksmith’s
- Kozhevnikov – Tanner’s
- Kruglov – Circle’s or round’s
- Kryukov – Hook’s
- Kuzmenko – Son of Kuzma
- Loginov – Hollow’s
- Maksimov – Son of Maksim
- Maslov – Butter’s
- Mayorov – Mayor’s or elder’s
- Mayorova – Mayor’s or elder’s woman
- Nekrasov – Not beautiful or not colorful
- Nesterov – Son of Nester
- Nosov – Nose’s
- Platonov – Son of Platon
- Prokhorov – Son of Prokhor
- Rodionov – Son of Rodion
- Safronov – Son of Safron
- Samoylov – Son of Samoyla
- Semyonov – Son of Semyon
- Sergeevich – Son of Sergey
- Shapovalov – Shepherd’s
- Shapovalova – Shepherd’s woman
- Sharipov – Son of Sharip
- Shishkin – Pine cone’s or pine forest’s
- Skvortsov – Starling’s
- Solovyova – Nightingale’s woman
- Spiridonov – Son of Spiridon
- Subbotina – Saturday’s
- Sultanov – Sultan’s
- Sviridov – Whistle’s or flute’s
- Tokarev – Lathe worker’s
- Trofimov – Son of Trofim
- Tsvetkov – Flower’s
- Ushakov – Ears’ or earring’s
- Viktorovich – Son of Viktor
- Vladimirov – Son of Vladimir
- Vlasov – Hair’s or wool’s
- Volk – Wolf’s
- Volodin – Son of Volod
- Zakirov – Son of Zakir
- Zhdanov – Son of Zhdan
- Zverev – Beast’s
- Zvereva – Beast’s woman
Pretty Russian Last Names
Russia’s beautiful countryside and mountains are reflected in our list of beautiful Russian last names. These surnames may be associated with nature, poetry, or images of beauty and elegance.
- Anisimova – Daughter of Anisim
- Avdeeva – Daughter of Avdey
- Baranova – Sheep’s or ram’s woman
- Borodina – Beard’s woman
- Chistyakova – Clean’s woman
- Denisova – Daughter of Denis
- Efimova – Daughter of Efim
- Eliseeva – Daughter of Elisey
- Emelyanova – Daughter of Emelyan
- Ershova – Ruff’s or perch’s woman
- Evdokimova – Daughter of Evdokim
- Kalinina – Guelder rose’s woman
- Karimova – Daughter of Karim
- Kiseleva – Chalk’s woman
- Kiselyova – Sour’s woman
- Klimova – Son of Klim woman
- Komarova – Mosquito’s woman
- Konovalova – Farrier’s or horse doctor’s woman
- Konstantinova – Daughter of Konstantin
- Koroleva – Queen’s
- Korolyova – Queen’s
- Korotkova – Short’s woman
- Kostina – Bone’s woman
- Krasnova – Beautiful or red woman
- Lapina – Paw’s woman
- Lazareva – Daughter of Lazar
- Leonova – Daughter of Leon
- Litvinova – Lithuanian’s woman
- Lobanova – Forehead’s woman
- Maltseva – Mallet’s woman
- Maximova – Daughter of Maxim
- Nekrasova – Not beautiful or not colorful woman
- Nesterova – Daughter of Nester
- Nikulina – Daughter of Nikul
- Nosova – Nose’s woman
- Ponomareva – Bell-ringer’s woman
- Potapova – Son of Potap woman
- Pronina – Curl or ringlet’s woman
- Rodionova – Daughter of Rodion
- Ryabova – Speckled woman
- Safina – Daughter of Safi
- Safronova – Daughter of Safron
- Saveleva – Daughter of Saveliy
- Savina – Daughter of Savva
- Sazonova – Season’s woman
- Sharipova – Daughter of Sharip
- Simonova – Daughter of Simon
- Soloveva – Nightingale’s woman
- Tokareva – Lathe worker’s woman
- Tsvetkova – Flower’s woman
- Ulyanova – Daughter of Ulyan
- Vesnina – Spring’s woman
- Zimina – Winter’s woman
- Zotova – Son of Zot woman
- Zueva – Daughter of Zuev
Strong Russian Last Names
Strong Russian last names evoke images of resilience and power. Many of these surnames have roots in occupations and titles or sound like they would be befitting for a badass man or woman.
- Aleksandrov – Son of Aleksandr
- Borisenko – Son of Boris
- Borodin – Beard’s
- Cherkasov – From the region of Cherkassy
- Chernov – Black’s
- Demchenko – Daughter of Demian
- Dolgov – Long or debt’s
- Ermolaev – Son of Ermolai
- Evdokimov – Son of Evdokim
- Gerasimova – Daughter of Gerasim
- Goncharov – Potter’s
- Gorbunov – Hunchback’s
- Gorshkov – Little pot’s or jar’s
- Grigoryeva – Daughter of Grigory
- Karimov – Son of Karim
- Klimov – Son of Klim
- Konovalov – Farrier’s or horse doctor’s
- Konstantinov – Son of Konstantin
- Kornienko – Descendant of a man with horns
- Korolev – King’s
- Kovalev – Blacksmith’s
- Kovaleva – Blacksmith’s woman
- Krasnov – Beautiful or red
- Kravtsova – Tailor’s woman
- Kudryashov – Curly’s
- Leonov – Son of Leon
- Litvinenko – Little Lithuanian’s
- Lobanov – Forehead’s
- Lukyanov – Son of Lukyan
- Makarenko – Son of Makar
- Maltsev – Mallet’s
- Martynov – Son of Martyn
- Mikheev – Son of Mikhei
- Moiseev – Son of Moisey
- Mukhin – Flour’s or powder’s
- Naumov – Son of Naum
- Nikolaevich – Son of Nikolaev
- Nikulin – Son of Nikul
- Pankov – Bread’s
- Ponomarev – Bell-ringer’s
- Ponomaryov – Son of a bell-ringer
- Potapov – Son of Potap
- Prokhorova – Daughter of Prokhor
- Safonov – Son of Safon
- Safonova – Daughter of Safon
- Savelev – Son of Saveliy
- Sidorenko – From the region of Sidory
- Sobolev – Sable’s
- Sultanova – Daughter of Sultan
- Tretyakov – Third’s
- Trifonov – Son of Trifon
- Valiev – Son of Vali
- Voronin – Raven’s
- Vorontsov – Descendant of a raven man
- Yusupova – Daughter of Yusup
- Zhuravlev – Crane’s
- Zinchenko – Son of Zinchenko
Rare Russian Last Names
These rare Russian last names could only be found in the farthest reaches of this giant nation. These surnames sometimes have intriguing etymologies or connections to old Russian tales and legends.
- Afanasev – Son of Afanasiy
- Agafonov – Son of Agafon
- Agafonova – Daughter of Agafon
- Akhmetov – Son of Akhmet
- Alieva – Daughter of Ali
- Andreevich – Son of Andrey
- Andreevna – Daughter of Andrey
- Antipova – Daughter of Antip
- Arkhipova – Daughter of Arkhip
- Barinova – Lady’s or noblewoman’s
- Bazurkaev – Origin or relation to Bazurka
- Belyy – White
- Bunyaev – Geographic location or personal name
- Bykov – Bull’s
- Bykova – Female version of Bull’s
- Dyachenko – Deacon’s
- Dyomin – Derived from Demyan, related to Damian
- Gasanov – Son of Gasan
- Gaytukaeva – Daughter of Gaytukai
- Guseynov – Son of Guseyn
- Ismailov – Son of Ismail
- Kadyrov – Son of Kadyr
- Kalashnikov – Maker of rifles
- Kalashnikova – Maker of rifles – female form
- Kharchenko – Eat’s or food’s
- Khasanov – Son of Khasan
- Kholod – Cold
- Kovalyova – Female blacksmith’s
- Magomadov – Son of Magomed
- Malakhov – Angel’s or messenger’s
- Mamedov – Son of Mamed
- Mishina – Female bear’s
- Musaev – Son of Musa
- Musatov – Son of Musat
- Nikiforov – Son of Nikifor
- Nikiforova – Daughter of Nikifor
- Omarov – Son of Omar
- Pozdnyakova – Late or tardy’s
- Prikhodko – or from the word for “come”
- Russkikh – Russian’s
- Sadykov – Orchardist’s or gardener’s
- Sadykova – Female version of orchardist’s or gardener’s
- Saidov – Son of Said
- Shakirov – Son of Shakir
- Shakirova – Daughter of Shakir
- Suleymanov – Son of Suleyman
- Terenteva – Daughter of Terentiy
- Trofimova – Daughter of Trofim
- Vasilenko – Little Vasily’s
- Vladimirovich – Son of Vladimir
- Vladimirovna – Daughter of Vladimir
- Yusupov – Son of Yusup
- Zakirova – Daughter of Zakir
- Zhuravlyov – Crane’s
Uncommon Russian Last Names
Our list of unusual Russian last names is filled with surnames that will spark conversations. These surnames often derive from unique sources such as specific regions, uncommon occupations, or have unique patronymics.
- Akimov – Son of Akim
- Anikina – Daughter of Anik
- Antipov – Son of Antip
- Babenko – Little old woman’s or grandmother’s
- Balashova – Daughter of Balash
- Belyakov – White’s
- Berezina – Birch tree’s
- Bondar – Cooper’s or barrel maker’s
- Cherkasova – Daughter of Cossack, from Cherkasy
- Chernyshov – Black or raven’s
- Denisenko – Son of Denis
- Dorofeeva – Daughter of Dorofey
- Fedoseeva – Daughter of Fedosey
- Gerasimenko – Son of Gerasim
- Ignatenko – Son of Ignat
- Isakova – Daughter of Isaac
- Khasanova – Daughter of Khasan
- Kirichenko – Small church’s
- Kondratev – Son of Kondrat
- Kondrateva – Daughter of Kondrat
- Korotkov – Short’s
- Kostenko – Bone’s
- Kostin – Bone’s
- Kozhevnikova – Daughter of leather worker
- Kuzina – Blacksmith’s female version
- Larina – Daughter of Larion
- Larionov – Son of Larion
- Markin – Son of Mark
- Markina – Daughter of Mark
- Mironenko – Son of Miron
- Moskalenko – Musketeer’s or possibly Cossack’s
- Naumenko – Son of Naum
- Nesterenko – Son of Nester
- Nikonov – Son of Nikon
- Pakhomova – Daughter of Pakhom
- Petukhov – Rooster’s
- Platonova – Daughter of Platon
- Ponomarenko – Clergyman’s or bell ringer’s
- Ponomaryova – Female version of clergyman or bell ringer
- Prokopenko – Son of Prokop
- Radchenko – Son of Radion or glad
- Rozhkov – Horn’s
- Ryabov – Spotted or speckled’s
- Rybakov – Fisherman’s
- Rybakova – Fisherman’s female version
- Shestakov – Sixth’s
- Stepanenko – Son of Stepan
- Sukhanov – Talkative’s
- Tarasenko – Son of Taras
- Terekhova – Daughter of Terekh
- Timoshenko – Son of Timofey or Timothy
- Trifonova – Daughter of Trifon
- Umarov – Son of Umar
- Ustinov – Mouth’s or lip’s
- Vlasenko – Hair’s
- Yurchenko – Son of Yury or George
- Zhuravlyova – Crane’s female version
More Lists:
Famous People with Russian Last Names
Mikhail Gorbachev was born in Russia in 1931 and was a lifelong politician. He rose in power, serving various roles within the Communist Party of the USSR, and became President of the Soviet Union in 1990. He guided the new Democratic Russia through the dissolution of the USSR. The surname Gorbachev means ‘hunchback’.
Roman Abramovich is a controversial politician and businessman who made his wealth during the tumultuous years following the dissolution of the USSR. His business deals led to him becoming a billionaire. Abramovich is a Russian genealogy name meaning ‘son of Abraham,’ which means ‘father of many.
Maria Sharapova, born in Russia in 1987, is a world champion tennis player. She has won several international competitions and has represented Russia at the Olympics. In 2005, she was declared the world’s number-one tennis player. The Russian surname Sharapova comes from Turkic languages and means ‘honor’ and ‘wisdom.’
Ivan Pavlov was a scientist whose research focused on the mind. He was born in Russia in 1849 and spent his scientific career studying psychology and neurology. He is best known for his studies of classical conditioning. Pavlov is a genealogy surname meaning ‘son of Pavel’ or ‘son of Paul,’ which means ‘humble.’
Artem Dzyuba, born in Russia in 1988, is a professional soccer player for the Russian national team. His debut was in 2006; since then, he has represented Russia at international tournaments. His Russian surname Dzyuba is a form of the Polish surname Dziuba, which means ‘nose peak.’
References
Information from Wikipedia on Russian last names was used in the collection of this data.