I’m looking for girl’s names that work in English and Russian but aren’t either stereotypically Russian ([name_f]Alexandra[/name_f], [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f] etc) or from that group of super popular names that are useable in most languages (I’m looking at you [name_f]Anna[/name_f] and [name_f]Maria[/name_f]), simply names that are pronounceable in both and that can be easily written in the Russian alphabet.
So far I have two ideas but I’m still looking for alternatives:
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] - more English, obviously, but can be written in Russian and is also phonetically pronounced which is good.
Liviya - pr like [name_f]Livia[/name_f]. This is a Russian friendly spelling, but still pronounceable to Brits. I also like that it’s more unusual.
This one kind of goes against what I said about popular multilingual names, but I’ve surprised myself by liking Magdalena. I really like the nickname Magda, it’s really unusual round here where I live.
I also thought about [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], but I don’t know if I like it enough.
Any suggestions and opinions would be super helpful.
ps. I’m not expecting, just obsessing.
@roseofjune Thanks, I forgot about [name_f]Zorina[/name_f]!
Also from your signature, I was reminded of [name_f]Magda[/name_f], adding that to the list.
@roseofjune Thanks, I forgot about [name_f]Zorina[/name_f]!
Also from your signature, I was reminded of [name_f]Magda[/name_f], added that to the list.
According to Nameberry, [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] is also used in [name_f]Russia[/name_f], although it is used for boys. However, the name [name_f]Natasha[/name_f] is the Russian diminutive of [name_f]Natalya[/name_f]. I actually didn’t know this until I looked it up. I always assumed it was an American-made name.
Either way, [name_f]Natasha[/name_f] and [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] originally derive from [name_f]Russia[/name_f].
We wanted a name that works in english and russian.
These are the names that were on our list:
[name_f]Ivanna[/name_f]
[name_f]Mikaela[/name_f]
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f]
[name_f]Sonya[/name_f]/[name_f]Sonia[/name_f]
[name_f]Maya[/name_f]
[name_f]Katia[/name_f] (everyone in USA adored this one)
[name_f]Mila[/name_f]
[name_f]Melania[/name_f]
[name_f]Stefania[/name_f]
I went to school with a Russian girl whose full name was [name_f]Daniela[/name_f], who went by [name_u]Dana[/name_u]- we pronounced it day-nah like in English but her family pronounced it dah-nah which I assume is the Russian pronunciation.
I know you said no stereotypical Russian names, but what about names that are Russian/used in [name_f]Russia[/name_f] but are also used in other places/by other cultures and wouldn’t make someone instantly think the person was Russian by their name? e.g.
[name_f]Alina[/name_f]
[name_f]Helena[/name_f]
[name_f]Elena[/name_f]
[name_f]Natasha[/name_f]
[name_f]Violetta[/name_f]
[name_f]Vera[/name_f]
[name_f]Sofia[/name_f]
[name_f]Valeria[/name_f] (more stereotypically Russian/Eastern European I guess)
[name_f]Nina[/name_f]
[name_f]Marina[/name_f]
[name_f]Veronica[/name_f] (if you spell it with a c rather than a k)
I’ve known as many people who aren’t Russian with these names as people who are, so I definitely wouldn’t automatically assume someone with one of these names was Russian.