Slavic names for girls: beautiful - their meaning and origin, rare, by month and alphabet, including the letter L, popular among Orthodox Russians

In ancient times, when the parents of their daughter wanted to give her a name, they always looked first at the manifestations of her character traits, abilities, and craving for something specific. Slavic names for girls must necessarily reflect not only the purpose of the future mother and wife, but also some of their personal traits. If today more people choose names of foreign origin or from the Orthodox naming book, then earlier the Slavs relied on rituals and even religious traditions. Beautiful Slavic names for girls were given according to personality. In the naming ceremony, the key role was played by the sorcerer conducting the ceremony. Subsequently, traditions changed, Slavic Russian names for girls began to be assigned at birth. Perhaps now the time has come when we can use rare Slavic names for girls?

What were the children's names?

In Slavic culture, they were very careful when choosing a name for a newborn. The name was supposed to characterize the girl's positive traits. Our ancestors believed in the magical properties of words and it was important for them that the name of the future girl was in tune with herself.

The choice of a name among peoples of Slavic origin was based on certain points:

Temporary name. Until a certain age, the girl was not given a name. In the family they called her “child”, “girl”. In some families, the girl was called by number - if she had a younger brother or sister, then she was called “second”, “third”.
Naming. When a girl showed her special talents and character traits, her parents chose a name.
The process itself went like this: the girl was washed in a stagnant lake. At the temple, the sorcerer performed a special ritual of naming. Princesses or future warriors underwent this ritual at the age of twelve, witches and sorceresses - at the age of nine, and representatives of other classes and talents a little later - at the age of 16.

If there were famous women in a family line, then their names could be passed down from generation to generation.
Families of a certain faith named their daughters in honor of the Gods. There were cases when the naming ritual had to be repeated. This could happen to a little girl or a woman. The reasons could be new qualities demonstrated by the girl in life's trials or exploits. Reference! The name was changed if the previous one was no longer suitable for some reason or a new one was assigned to the girl.

Features of Slavic names for girls

A native Slavic name for a girl is considered a rare occurrence today. People are already accustomed to naming girls with names of Greek, German, Roman and even English origin. It is also popular today to name children from the church Orthodox naming book. But most of them include Jewish names, mixed with Greek variants.

Women's names among the Slavs could be complex or simple, depending on the family structure, traditions and personal characteristics, time of birth, and circumstances. In Russian fairy tales today you can find names consisting of an additional nickname: Elena the Wise, Marya the Artisan, Tiny Khavroshechka, Varvara Krasa - Long Braid, Ognevushka-Jumping and others. In addition to fairy tales, in the life of the Slavs there were names: Zarina Svetlaya, Dobronrava Solnechnaya, Yasun Krasa, Dobryan Marten, Vedana Groza and others.

In addition to double names, which spoke about the special qualities of the child, or the special time and hour when he was born, the children of the Slavs were also called secret names. Only the priest conducting the ceremony, the Native Gods who blessed the child, and the girl herself knew about this name. This name should not be told to anyone, because there is a belief that with its help evil forces can completely take possession of a person bearing a secret name. The function of such a name is to protect against various failures, attacks of evil spirits, the evil eye and other negativity.

If they wanted to mark a girl with the power of any Goddess, then she was given a name either with the root of the name of the Goddess, or by calling the child with the whole divine name. Such a relationship with the Native Gods allowed the future girl to get successfully married, the future mother to conceive, give birth and raise good children, the future wife to be a faithful friend, comrade-in-arms and caretaker of her husband.

SLAVIC NAME NAME

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

Take the test The following names are associated with the pantheon of Slavic goddesses: Lada, Zara (derived from Zarya Zaryanitsa), Maria (derived from Mary, Morena), Dana. Female names derived from the Gods: Yarila, Velesynya, Perunitsa.

Forgotten and rare ancient Slavic

Nowadays Slavic names are practically not used. Among them there are such unusual names as:

Appolinaria.
Aprilia.
Aster.
Afanasia.

Names such as:

Eulampia.
Emelyan.
Mavra.
Justina.
Juno.

In some modern Russian Orthodox families, parents call their daughters with rare Slavic names, for example:

Zlata.
Yaroslav.
Yana.

Choosing a name for a girl is an exciting process. Nowadays, a parent can choose any name for his daughter.

Slavic names for girls - meaning and identification

According to cultural experts, the Slavs had never previously given names to their children from infancy. In addition, it was their habit to always name children or an adult person by several names. Until now, we have a folk custom of giving nicknames to a person who already has a first name, patronymic and family surname.

Beautiful Slavic names for girls were assigned in adolescence. The purpose for each girl played a special role. It could be both personal and tribal, having family or community significance.

The first feature includes the child’s personal qualities that will remain with him for life. And to the second - the social role of the future mother, wife, continuer of the family. There is also a third meaning - this is the identification of the girl with one or another Goddess of the Slavic pantheon of gods. Then the girl could unwittingly attract divine power to herself by just her name.

Features of female Old Slavonic names

Old Russian names sound very beautiful, they are melodic and euphonious. All female Slavic names can be divided into several types, the most common of which were:

Based on participles - Zhdana.

Taken from the surrounding world of plants and animals.

Reflecting the personal qualities of a person.

Derived from the names of the gods.

Special names were usually given to princely children.

The naming ceremony itself was performed at the temple; it was done by a sorcerer. During the ritual, it was as if the child’s previous name-nickname was washed off, and then a new one was given. It is noteworthy that the rituals were different for boys and girls: for example, the name of a boy was “washed off” in the river, and that of a girl in the lake. That is, standing or flowing water was needed.

Under some circumstances the name could be changed. Most often this happened when a person, among the people, was assigned a new name. The situation is approximately the same as what happens with nicknames.

Names that have become popular among men

Mstislava – defending, rewarding. If you call a girl Mstislava, then she will always see her path, know where she is striving and why. A strong name that will charge you with energy.

Rostislava is the one who increases glory. She may be capricious and flirtatious, but she will be successful and lucky. A good name that will make its bearer happy and successful.

Svyatoslava is the one who has holy and good power. A girl with this name will have the opportunity to earn a lot and easily, and it will also be easy to manage the funds received. Svyatoslava will be a good friend, but married life may not work out due to the fact that not every man will tolerate a strong character.

It should be noted that care should be taken when choosing ancient Slavic names. Female versions with the “glory” part are not so common here. More often you can meet Yaroslav, Mstislav and Rostislav - guys than girls with similar names.

"Peaceful" names

Many female names of Slavic origin also have the word “peace” at their base. These names will make the girl peaceful and bright. Here are the most popular:

Vladimir is the one who rules the world. Vladimir will be a girl with delicate taste and a love of creativity. May become an artist, writer or composer.

Dragomira is the most precious in the world. Dragomira will be distinguished by good health and great willpower.

Myrrh is the one that smells fragrant. As you know, myrrh is an incense that has magical properties. The Mirra girl will be persistent, demanding and decisive. At the same time, she will be easy about money and other valuables.

Mira is very peaceful, peaceful. Despite the meaning of the name, the Mira girl will be brave, courageous and courageous. Can occupy leadership positions, as he will become a good manager.

Stanimira is the one who establishes peace. Stanimira will not be afraid to be a “black sheep,” because the most important thing for her is the opportunity to prove the truth and be fair.

It is necessary to remind once again that not all Slavic female names have “survived” to this day. The list, if they could be “restored,” would be very impressive. Meanwhile, these names also remained common in the male version of the sound - the name Vladimir remains the most popular.

The most famous female Old Russian names in alphabetical order

Starting with the letter A

Alla (highly moral, highly spiritual);
Agnia (enlightened, all-knowing, fiery);
Antonia (feminine form of the male name Anton);
Anisya (accomplisher);
Athanasia (immortal).

Starting with the letter B

Bela (clean, white);
Bazhena (desired);
Bogdana (given by God);
Beloyara (light, bright);
Boyana (courageous, fighting);
Borislava (fighting for glory);
Bratislava (taking glory);
Beloslava (praising purity);
Beatrice (happy);
Bogolyuba (loving God);
Belyana (spiritualized, enlightened).

Starting with the letter B

Vedana, Vedeneya (in charge);
Velena (imperative);
Velmira (ruler of people and the world);
Velimira (balanced, striving for peace, peaceful);
Virginia (maiden);
Faith (knowing Ra, believing);
Vesnyana (spring);
Vlada (slender, well-built, okay);
Vlasya (long-haired);
Vseslava (glorifying everything).

Starting with the letter G

Galina (earthy, feminine);
Gala (spiritual);
Heliana, Helia (sun);
Gloria (fame);
Glafira (elegant, sophisticated).

Starting with the letter D

Daryana, Daria (courageous);
Danuta, Dana (given);
Dorothea (gift of the gods);
Dear, Dragomira (dear to society and the world, dear).

Starting with the letter Z, I

Zvenislava (calling glory);
Zlatoyara (strong, ardent, like the sun);
Zlatana, Zlata (golden-haired, golden);
Inna, Inga (feminine).

Starting with the letter K, L

Karina (brown-eyed);
Lyuboyara (loving Yarila);
Lyuba, Lyubava Lyubima, Lyubusha (beloved);
Luda (human);
Lyudmila (humane, sweet to people);
Radiant (illuminating with light, radiant).

Starting with the letter M

Maya (born in May);
Mavra (maximalist, dark, black);
Melitina (honey);
Melania (charming);
Mirava, Mira, Mirana, Miret, Mirona (reconciling, peaceful);
Mila, Militsa, Milava (sweetheart);
Muse (inspiration).

Starting with the letter N

Nonna (dedicated to the Gods);
Nymphodora (gift of nature, gift of the nymph);
Nenonilla (young).

Starting with the letter O

Ognelava (glorifying Fire);
Olea (forest);
Olympia, Olympics;
Olga, Olyana (playful).

Starting with the letter P

Palmyra (active, blooming);
Pelagia (marine);
Pereyaslava (which took over the glory of its ancestors);
Polada (flexible);
Pulcheria (beautiful).

Starting with the letter R

Renata (reborn);
Rita (born in accordance with the Law of the Family);
Rusya (brown, fair-haired);
Rufina (red-haired);
Ruslana (lioness).

Starting with the letter C

Svetla, Sveta, Svetana (light);
Svetlena, Svetlana (pure, bright soul);
Selina (moon);
Seraphim (fiery);
Snezhana, Snezhina (white-faced, snowy);
Stepanida (Stepan's daughter);
Stella (star).

Starting with the letter U, F

Ustinya (correct);
Faina (shining);
Fevronia, Khavronia (bright, well-meaning);
Fedosya (dedicated to the Gods);
Floriana (luxurious, flower).

Starting with the letter X

Harita (lovely);
Kharitina (graceful);
Chionia (snowy);
Christina (dedicated to God).

Starting with the letter C

Celistina (heavenly);
Tsvetana (delicate, blooming).

Starting with the letter E

Ellina (girl from Greece);
Ennafa (kind);
Emiliana (rival).

Starting with the letter I

Yaroslava (glorifying the Sun God Yarila).

"Nice" names

Boleslava – this name means “more glorious than anyone else.” The girl who will be given this name will be quite superstitious and revere religion. Boleslava will be sensitive, with her own worldview on everything.

Preslava is very nice. The girl, if you call her by this name, will be calm and stable in her affairs and moods. The name is bright, and therefore will ensure its owner a kind and calm disposition.

Berislava is the one who asserts herself in her glory. According to the meaning of the name, Berislava will be an active, strong personality. She is not afraid of difficult situations, novelty or risk. A girl, if you give her such a name, will carry through her entire life the fire of passion in her soul, courage and desire to learn. The name is very strong and has a great influence on the owner.

Branislava is the one who protects glory. Despite the fact that the owner of the name has fame, which she seems to need to preserve, Branislava will have an unstable, restless character. At the same time, the girl will not participate in quarrels, showdowns, or disputes.

Velislava - commanding. A strong name that will make its owner calm, balanced, and sane. Throughout her life, Velislava will feel like a queen sitting on a throne.

Gorislava is bright. The girl, if you give her such a name, will be interested in mathematics, physics or other exact sciences. He can become a serious scientist and receive “bright” fame during his lifetime.

Zvenislava - loud, ringing glory. The girl Zvenislava will become a real businesswoman, as she will skillfully negotiate. In general, Zvenislava’s strengths are communication skills, the ability to build relationships, and establish connections.

Names of people born in September

Girls born in September are calm, diligent and balanced.
They surprise adults with their developed mind and serious reasoning. They are disciplined, diligent in their studies, and knowledge brings them the greatest pleasure. The usual interests of girls from adolescence, cosmetics, boys, are of little concern to them, and one should not blame them for this. Future career and studies are more important to them. Examples of suitable names for such girls: Lyubov, Sofia, Vera. List of September names
Vassa, Anfisa, Ksenia, Marfa, Susanna, Rufina, Feodosia, Eusevia, Thekla, Elizabeth, Seraphima, Natalya, Marfa, Vasilisa, Maria, Domna, Tatyana, Elena, Raisa, Iraida, Vera, Irina, Arina, Lyubov , Nadezhda, Sofia, Fedotya, Lyudmila, Melitina, Euphemia, Sevastiana, Fedora, Euphrosyne, Iya, Pulcheria, Anna.

How the Slavs chose a name for a child

First of all, it is worth noting that the Slavs did not give names to babies, and if they did, it was something like a temporary nickname. Usually at this age children were called “child” or “child”, sometimes even by a number - “first”, “second” and so on.

And the naming ceremony itself was carried out when children turned from 9 to 16 years old. Until this time, they usually observed the child and noticed his qualities and character. And they didn’t always give one name; this tradition, to some extent, is still alive in the habit of coming up with nicknames for each other.

Each girl had her own purpose, this greatly affected the choice of the Old Russian name. Everything was taken into account:

the role of the girl as a future woman, wife, mother and continuer of the family;

identification with one or another goddess.

The time of the ceremony itself was also not chosen by chance. For example:

if signs of a princess or warrior were noticed - at 12 years old;

in all other cases, the ceremony was performed when the girl turned 16 years old.

In general, names were given according to the following principle:

Naming based on the girl's character;
In honor of ancestors, for example, a grandmother-witch or a great-grandmother-handicraftswoman;
In honor of the ancestral deity (in this case one could count on the protection and patronage of the Goddess).

Unusual names

What rare Slavic female names can be adopted? Pay attention to these:

Bela (not Bela) - from the word “white”. The Bela girl will have a penchant for housekeeping and can become an excellent cook and head of the housekeeping department.

Bazhena – desired, beloved. A good name that will give the girl a meek and bright disposition.

Rogneda is the one who is equal with everyone (in particular, we were talking about men). A girl with this name will set global goals for herself, not wanting small victories.

Mlada – young or young. Fantasizing and dreaming, Mlada will be an excellent storyteller, and therefore can safely connect her life with teaching or writing.

Milada is sweet and kind. Openness and responsiveness will allow Milada to be a good friend and a person whom others will trust.

And here are some more options: Zlata, Snezhana, Svetozara, Dobrava, Lyubava, Slavyana, Golub, Rada, Militsa, Milana, Cheslava.

Church calendars

After the adoption of Christianity, the names were entered into church calendars, and, as it were, the child was given over to the protection of a guardian angel. As you know, not all Slavs willingly accepted the customs of Christianity, so for a long time children, in parallel with Christian names, were given old pagan nicknames. Later, many of them became modern surnames.

However, the pressure of Christianity was great. Closer to the 17th century, many Old Russian female names went out of use. They were replaced by the names of states that spread Christianity or were influential at that time - Byzantium, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Syria. Many names were transformed into the Russian style, and, for example, instead of Avdotya it turned out to be Evdokia. Today, many people would be surprised at how their names sounded in the original.

Only the names of the saints remained unchanged. The ancient tradition of giving a child two names also took root in Rus', but the second name given at baptism was usually not used. The second name was often Greek.

The church list provides a large number of female names to choose from. Both Christian believers and atheists can choose names. Moreover, the calendar allows you to select a name by month and even birthday. To name a child according to the Saints means to give him protection from the saint revered on this day. There is another tradition, choosing a saint on the eighth day after birth. If there are no Saints on the birthday, then choose the name of the saint honored on the fortieth day. Previously, it was on this day that a child was baptized.

It is also allowed to use a male name if there is no female name according to the Saints. That's why there are so many genderless names (Evgenia, Alexandra, Yaroslav, Vyacheslav).