Yelena

Olga

Russian · “Olga is the Russian and Slavic form of the Old Norse name Helga, derived from "heilagr" meaning "holy" or "blessed." The name was brought to Kievan Rus by Varangian settlers and became famous through Saint Olga of Kiev (c. 890–969), the first Rus ruler to convert to Christianity and the grandmother of Vladimir the Great. She is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church.”

Tatiana

Russian · “Tatiana is a Russian and Slavic feminine name derived from the Latin Tatianus, itself from the Roman family name Tatius — of uncertain Sabine origin, possibly related to the Sabine king Titus Tatius. Saint Tatiana of Rome, a third-century Christian martyr, spread the name through Eastern Orthodox Christianity. In Russia, January 25 — Saint Tatiana's Day — is celebrated as Students' Day, as Moscow State University was founded on that date.”

Irina

Russian · “Irina is the Russian and Slavic form of Irene, derived from the ancient Greek "Eirene" meaning "peace." The goddess Eirene was one of the Horae (goddesses of the seasons) and a personification of peace, depicted carrying a cornucopia. Saint Irene of Rome and other early Christian martyrs spread the name across the Byzantine world and from there into Slavic culture, where it became one of the most enduring feminine names.”

Natalya

Russian · “Natalya is the Russian form of Natalia, from the Latin "natale domini" meaning "birth of the Lord," given to children born on Christmas Day. In Russian culture, the name is inseparably linked to Natasha Rostova in Tolstoy's "War and Peace" — one of the most beloved heroines in world literature, whose vivacious energy and emotional generosity came to define the ideal of Russian feminine vitality. The diminutive Natasha is among the most internationally recognized of all Russian names.”

Irina

“Irina is the Russian and Slavic form of Irene, derived from the ancient Greek "Eirene" meaning "peace." The goddess Eirene was one of the Horae (goddesses of the seasons) and a personification of peace, depicted carrying a cornucopia. Saint Irene of Rome and other early Christian martyrs spread the name across the Byzantine world and from there into Slavic culture, where it became one of the most enduring feminine names.”

Mariya

“Mariya is the Russian and Slavic form of Mary, derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, whose meaning has been debated for centuries — proposed origins include "beloved," "wished-for child," "sea of bitterness," and "rebellious." The Virgin Mary made this name the most common feminine name in Christian Europe. In Russia and Ukraine it appears alongside the Church Slavonic Maria, with the diminutive Masha being among the most beloved of all Russian names.”

Dmitri

“Dmitri is the Russian form of Demetrius, derived from the ancient Greek "Demeter" — the goddess of the harvest and the earth, from "de" (possibly meaning "earth") and "meter" meaning "mother." Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, a third-century martyr and warrior saint of the Eastern Orthodox Church, spread the name throughout the Byzantine world and from there into Russia, where it became one of the most prominent masculine names.”

Oleg

“Oleg is a Russian and Slavic masculine name derived from the Old Norse "Helgi" meaning "holy," "sacred," or "blessed." It was brought to Kievan Rus by Varangian settlers and borne by Oleg of Novgorod (died c. 912), the regent who unified the northern and southern Rus lands by capturing Kiev and is sometimes called the founder of the Kievan Rus state. The name remained popular throughout Russian history and is common across modern Russia and Ukraine.”

Mikhail

“Mikhail is the Russian form of Michael, derived from the Hebrew "Mikha'el" meaning "Who is like God?" — a rhetorical question implying that no one compares to the divine. The Archangel Michael, commander of the heavenly armies, has made this one of the most venerated names in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. It has been borne by Russian tsars, great writers, and celebrated composers including Glinka and Glière.”

Fyodor

“Fyodor is the Russian form of Theodore, derived from the ancient Greek "Theodoros," composed of "theos" meaning "God" and "doron" meaning "gift" — thus "gift of God." Saint Theodore the Recruit, a third-century Christian martyr, spread the name through the Orthodox world. In Russian literary culture, the name belongs above all to Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821–1881), arguably the greatest psychological novelist who ever lived.”