200+ Russian Dog Names for Your Pawsome Fur Babies

Russia is the biggest country in the world. It is known for its rich history, beauty, spectacular landscapes, and vast ethnic diversity. Home to many of the world’s billionaires, this country has the second largest museum and the longest railway.

If you love vodka, do you know that this originated in Russia? The first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, was also a Russian. He was onboard the first satellite, Sputnik.

There are just so many things that Russia takes pride whether it be technology, architecture, infrastructure, sceneries, and science, to name a few. It would not be among the world’s superpowers for nothing.

When it comes to names for your pets, they also have a plethora of intriguing and one-of-a-kind choices for your birds, dogs, cats, and all other pets.

Why Russian dog names?

Unless you have Russian blood running through your veins, there is no question why you would choose to give your dog a Russian name. But if you don’t, chances are you find yourself fascinated by Russia.

But why Russian words or names? What is with them? Aside from the fact that most dog breeds (Siberian husky, Black Russian terrier, and Samoyed to name a few) originated from this country, the Russian language sounds powerful. For male dogs, it suggests masculinity.

Learn How to Turn Your Dog into a Genius Here>>

What is a unique name for a dog?

You surely want to give your beloved dog a unique and cool name. Pet owners have been tired of hearing the same pet names.

Imagine calling your dog by his name and hearing your neighbor’s pet screaming as he thinks he is the one called for having the same name. Don’t you think your neighbor would name you a copycat?

If you want to give your dog a catchy name and stand out from the rest of the dog names in your neighborhood, then it is time to check out unique Russian dog names or Russian terms and find one that best fits your dog’s personality more so if your dog is a Russian breed.

Best Russian male dog names

Here are some of the best choices of Russian boy dog names for your male dogs and their corresponding meanings:

Abrasha – short for Abraham, the ‘father of multitudes.
Akim – a variation for Joachim, meaning raised by Yaweh.
Anastas – short for Anastasius, meaning resurrection.
Anatoly – taken from Anatolios, meaning sunrise.
Anton – a variation for Antonius, meaning worthy of praise and admiration.
Artem – short for Artemy.
Artemy – a variation for Artyom.
Artyom – meaning safe or butcher.
Artur – the Russian version of Arthur, meaning bear-like.
Avenir – taken from Abner, meaning God is light.
Avgust – their version of Augustus, meaning sacred or majestic.
Baron – meaning lord, nobleman, or king.
Bogdan – meaning given by God.
Bolshoi – meaning big or large.
Brosno – refers to the Brosno Dragon, a lake monster dwelling in Lake Brosno in Eastern Russia.
Buka – meaning grumpy.
Cosmonaut – meaning an astronaut of the Soviet space program.
Czar – refers to Russia’s emperor or ruler.
Danil or Daniil – Russia’s version of Daniel, meaning the creator’s gift.
Demid – Russia’s version of Diomedes, meaning advised by Zeus.
Dennis – refers to the follower of Zeus.
Dimka – a variation for Dmitry, meaning universal.
Dmitri or Dmitry or Dimitriy – meaning earth-lover or it could be a follower of Demeter.
Dorofey – meaning gift of God.
Dosifey – the Russian for Dositheos, meaning giving God.
Erast – meaning beloved.
Ermolai or Yermolai – refers to the people of Hermes.
Evgeny – Russia’s version for Eugene, meaning noble.
Feliks – the Russian for Felix, meaning lucky.
Fima – meaning fiery or burning.
Foka – refers to the mammal, which is a seal.
Foma – refers to Gemini in astrology, meaning double or twin.
Fyodor or Feodor or Fedor – meaning God’s gift.
Gavriil – meaning warrior of God.
Georgiy – the Russian for George, meaning farmer or earth worker.
Gleb – meaning the heir of God.
Grigory – the Russian for Gregory, meaning vigilant.
Grom – meaning thunder.
Han – meaning the Lord is gracious.
Ilia – meaning my God is Yaweh.
Iosif – the Russian for Joseph.
Iriney – derived from Irenaeus, meaning peaceful.
Ivan – the Russian for John, meaning the Lord is gracious.
Kazimir – the Russian for Casimir, meaning keeper of the peace.
Kir – the Russian for Cyrus, meaning young.
Kirill – meaning loved by the people.
Kodiak – refers to an island.
Konstantin – meaning constant or firm.
Kostya – a variation for Konstantin.
Kuzma – meaning universe.
Leo – short for Leonid, meaning lion.
Leontiy – the Russian for Leontius, meaning lion-like.
Lev – a variation of Leo.
Luka – the Russian for Lucas, meaning light.
Makar – meaning blessed.
Matfey – the Russian for Matthew, meaning God’s gift.
Mechta – a variation of Meyta, meaning dream.
Mikhail – the Russian for Michael, meaning God-like.
Misha – short for Mikhail.
Mishka – meaning little bear.
Mir – meaning peace.
Nazar – derived from Nazarius, meaning from Nazareth.
Nikol – meaning people’s triumph.
Oleg – meaning blessed.
Onisim – the Russian for Onesimus, meaning useful or profitable.
Osip – the Russian for Joseph, meaning the Lord will increase.
Pasha – meaning small.
Pavel – the Russian for Paul, meaning small.
Petya – meaning rock or stone.
Polina – meaning little rock or little stone, can be a good name for small breed dogs.
Prokhor – meaning lead singer.
Pyotr – a variant of Petya.
Ramidir – meaning joyful and peaceful.
Rafail – the Russian for Raphael, meaning God has healed.
Renat – meaning rebirth.
Rodion – meaning a hero’s song.
Rodya – meaning hero’s verse.
Ruble – refers to Russia’s currency.
Rurik – meaning noted ruler.
Ruslan – meaning lion man.
Ruvim – the Russian for Reuben.
Sabaka – the Russian term for a dog.
Savva – meaning old man.
Sputnik – refers to Russia’s launched satellites in space.
Stanislav – meaning one who becomes famous
Stepan – the Russian for Stephanos, meaning crown.
Sultan – meaning ruler.
Timofey – the Russian form of Timothy, meaning to honor Yaweh.
Tyoma – a variation for Timothy.
Vadik or Vadim – meaning ruler.
Valentin – meaning strength.
Vlad – short for Vladimir.
Vladimir – may refer to Russia’s current leader, also meaning ruler of the world.
Vladislav – meaning famous.
Vulkan – meaning volcano.
Yakov – the Russian for James and Jacob, meaning he who supplants.
Yarik – meaning God’s gift.
Yaroslav – meaning fierce and glorious.
Yasha – another form of James and Jacob.
Yefim – meaning fair speech.
Yefrem – meaning fruitful.
Yegor – meaning farmer.
Yelisey – the Russian for Elisha, meaning salvation of God.
Yevgeni – meaning well-born.
Yozhik – meaning little hedgehog.
Yul – short for Yulian.
Yuli – also short for Yulian.
Yulian – meaning youthful.
Zakhar – meaning remembrance of God.
Zinovy – meaning the life of Zeus.

Best Russian female dog names

Here are some of the best choices of Russian girl dog names for your female pooch and their corresponding meanings:

Adelaida – meaning noble.
Afya – meaning health.
Aleandra – the Russian for Alexandra, meaning defender of men.
Alina – meaning beautiful.
Aloina – a variation for Alyona, meaning torch of light.
Anastasia – meaning resurrection.
Anfisa – meaning flower.
Anna – derived from the Hebrew word Hannah, meaning grace.
Antonina – derived from the same Spanish word, meaning priceless.
Anya – a variant of Anastasia.
Arina – meaning peace.
Avgusta – female version for Avgust, meaning sacred or majestic.
Avrora – the Russian for Aurora, the Goddess of Dawn. This may also refer to Aurora Australis (Southern Lights).
Czarina – the lady counterpart of Czar, referring to an empress or female ruler.
Darya – meaning upholder of the good.
Dasha – meaning God’s gift.
Dessa – meaning a long journey.
Doroteya – a variation of Dasha, meaning the Lord’s gift.
Dunya – meaning well-regarded.
Ekaterina – meaning eternally pure.
Elena – of Greek origin, meaning shining light.
Elizaveta – the Russian for Elizabeth, meaning God is my oath.
Esfir – derived from the Persian word Esther, meaning star.
Evgenia – feminine version of Eugene, meaning noble.
Faina – of Slavic origin, meaning bright.
Galina – of Slavic origin, meaning calm.
Gasha – derived from the Greek word Agatha, meaning good.
Gavrilla – meaning Lord, give me strength.
Inessa – derived from the Greek word Hagnos, meaning chaste.
Irina – the Russian for Irene, also the Greek Goddess of peace.
Katenka – the Russian for Katherine, meaning pure.
Katerina – a variant of Katenka.
Katia or Katya – a variant of Katerina.
Keesa or Kisa – meaning kitten.
Kesha – meaning innocent.
Klava – a variant of Klavdiya.
Klavdiya – the Russian for Claudia, meaning lame.
Ksenia – meaning welcoming or hospitable.
Ksyusha – a variant of Ksenia.
Lada – of Slavic origin, referring to the Goddess of love and fertility.
Lida – of Slavic origin, meaning one who loves people.
Lidia – the Russian for Lydia, meaning a woman inhabitant of Lydia.
Liliya – the Russian for Lily the flower, which means purity.
Lubov – meaning love.
Lyuba – a variant of Lubov.
Manya – a variant of Maria.
Marfa – derived from the Greek word Martha, meaning lady.
Margosha – meaning pearl.
Maria – the Russian for Mary, meaning beloved.
Marina – meaning from the sea.
Marsha – the feminine version of Marcius, the God of war.
Mila – of Slavic origin, meaning dear.
Nadia or Nadya – meaning hope.
Nasya – meaning immortal.
Nata – short for Natalia.
Natalia – meaning born on Christmas.
Natasha – a variant of Natalia.
Nesha – meaning pure.
Nika – feminine for Nikolai.
Nina – of European and Slavic origin, meaning grace.
Oksana – of Ukrainian origin, meaning praise to be God.
Olesya – the Russian for Alexandra.
Olga – meaning blessed.
Orya – meaning peace.
Rada – derived from rad, a Slavic element, meaning happy.
Raisa – meaning rose (flower).
Rimma – referring to a girl from Rome.
Roksana – the Russian for Roxanne, meaning dawn.
Serafima – of Hebrew origin, meaning fiery or burning one.
Sezja – meaning protector of mankind.
Sonia or Sonya – the Russian for Sophia, meaning wisdom.
Stacia – meaning resurrection.
Svetlana – meaning light or holy.
Tanya – a variant of Tatiana.
Tatiana or Tatyana – meaning fairy queen.
Varya – meaning foreign or stranger.
Vera – of Slavic origin, meaning faith.
Verusha – meaning truth.
Yana – meaning the Almighty is gracious.
Yelena – the Russian for Helen, meaning light.
Yeva – the Russian for Eve, meaning life.
Yulia – the Russian for Julia, meaning youthful.
Zhanna – the Russian for Jeanne.
Zhenya – meaning noble.
Zinaida – meaning belonging to Zeus.
Zoya – the Russian for Zoe, meaning alive.

What is a badass name for a dog?

Perhaps you have a tough-looking dog like a large breed dog, and a strong-sounding Russian name would fit your beloved pet. Here are some excellent choices for your big dogs:

Aleksandr – defender of men, taken from Alexander the Great.
Alek or Alik – short for Aleksandr.
Alexie – a variation for Aleksandr.
Andrei – meaning brave, manly, warrior.
Boris – short for Borislav, meaning battle glory.
Borya – a variation for Boris or Borislav.
Borislava – female version for Boris and Borislav, meaning battle glory.
Dima – meaning strong fighter.
Faddei – meaning brave.
Igor – meaning warrior of peace.
Inna – meaning rough stream.
Kazak – meaning trained for battle.
Kira – meaning lady ruler.
Lavr – the Russian for Laurance, meaning victor.
Maks – short for Maksim.
Maksim – a variation for Maxim, taken from Maximus, which means the greatest.
Mansur – meaning victorious.
Nikita – meaning victory.
Nikolai – the Russian for Nicholas, meaning conqueror of the people. This may also refer to Nicholas II, Russia’s last emperor.
Sasha or Zasha – meaning defender of the people.
Sergei – meaning protector.
Timur – meaning iron man.
Valeriya – meaning strong and tight.
Viktor – the Russian for Victor, meaning champion.

Russian dog names based on food

Russia showcases delicious food. You may find their cuisine different, but their dishes are just as fabulous as your beloved pup. Here are some great choices for dog owners who would love to give their sweet dogs some food names:

Blini – refers to Russia’s delicious pancake served with various sweet toppings
Borscht – refers to the traditional Russian soup, the red beet soup.
Ikra – refers to the popular eggplant caviar spread.
Kissel – refers to a well-known Russian dessert.

Paskha – refers to a famous Russian dessert, an egg and fruit custard with some cream cheese.
Pelmeni – refers to the Russian dish, their version of meat dumplings.
Ponchick – refers to donuts.
Sakhar – their term for sugar.
Shashlik or Shashlyk – the Russian version of kebab. These are skewered and grilled cubed meat.
Shchi – refers to Russia’s traditional cabbage soup.
Syrniki – refers to the traditional Russian cheese dish.
Sushki – refers to the traditional, semi-sweet bread rings that are small and crunchy in Eastern Europe.
Vodka – refers to the world’s famously clear, distilled alcoholic drink.
Zefir – refers to Russia’s marshmallow.

Russian dog names based on Russia’s famous places

Being the world’s largest country, Russia is home to picturesque places. Whether it’s the capital city of a body of water, you sure have more dog name ideas for your precious pooch.

Altay – refers to the mountain range that joins Russia to Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China.
Baikal – is associated with Lake Baikal, the oldest, clearest, and deepest lake in the world that drains into the Siberian river.
Caspian – refers to the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest landlocked body of water separating the Middle East and Russia.
Elbrus – refers to the country’s tallest mountain peak located in Southwest Russia.
Fedosia – refers to one of the regions in Crimea.
Kazan – refers to the capital city of Tatarstan in West Russia.
Kremlin – refers to the Citadel, the official residence where the Russian Federation President resides.
Lena – refers to Russia’s longest river.
Moscow – refers to Russia’s capital city.
Moskva – refers to the river found in the western part of Russia.
Novgorod – refers to one of the oldest towns in Northwest Russia.
Onega – refers to Lake Onega found in Northwest Russia.
Petersburg – refers to Saint Petersburg, Russia’s cultural center and a port city in the Baltic Sea.
Sochi – refers to the largest coastal city on the Black Sea in Western Russia.
Urals – refers to the Ural Mountains connecting Kazakhstan.

Russian dog names inspired by famous Russian personalities

Aside from scenic spots and iconic structures, Russia also houses some of the world’s famous athletes, authors, politicians, and musicians, including famed rulers. So if you want to name your puppies or mature dogs after famous Russians, here are some of the choices:

Adelina Sotnikova – is the Russian figure skater who took home the gold medal during the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
Anna Kournikova – is Russia’s tennis superstar.
Grigori Rasputin – is considered by some a prophet and visionary. This legendary mystic man considerably had a strong influence on the ruling family around the 19th – 20th century.
Joseph Stalin – was the Soviet Union leader who ruled for two decades (1922-1953).
Leo Tolstoy – is known as one of history’s greatest writers. Among his famous works were Anna Karenina and War and Peace.
Leon Trotsky – is a famous politician who introduced his theory of permanent revolution.
Maria Sharapova – is a former female Russian tennis player with bright fame for ranking number one in the world of tennis.
Mikhail Gorbachev – was a Soviet politician and the last ruler of the Soviet Union.
Pyotr Tchaikovsky – is a famous Russian composer who became famous for his works during the Romantic period. Among the famous compositions were: The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, and Swan Lake.
Roman Klein – is the Russian educator and architect behind the iconic Pushkin Museum in Moscow.
Valentina Tereshkova – is the youngest and the first woman to explore outer space. She remains to be the only one to go on a sole space mission to date.
Vladimir Putin – is Russia’s current president and strongman.
Yul Brynner – is a multi-awarded (Oscar and Tony awards) Russian actor for his portrayal of King Mongkut in the Broadway musical King and I (both in the movie and on stage).
Yuri Gagarin – refers to the famous cosmonaut and pilot who, aboard Vostok in 1961, was the first human to travel in space.

Conclusion

So there you have it – a list of some of the most unique and cool Russian names you can give your dog. Whether it’s a puppy or an adult dog that needs to have its own identity, the choices are vast.

Naming your dog is not only a manifestation of how affectionate you are towards your beloved pet but also part of your responsibility as a dog owner. Russian names would fit any dog breed and any size.

Even if you would ask the vet to provide veterinary advice on what dog names to give your pup, surely, he would excitedly suggest dog names inspired by famous Russians or the Russian form of English names.

Whatever type of personality your dog has and whether you are a religious person, there is always a Russian dog name that you can pick for your canine partner. Whether it be male Russian dog names or female Russian dog names, you will never run out of Russian dog name ideas.