Ancient names: choose a beautiful name for the child. The meaning and origin of old Russian names

The name of the first person on earth is known to us from the Bible. Adam in the Jewish language means "man of red clay" or "red man". That is, brief information is given in his name: Adam was made of red clay and was the first man.

What does our name mean to us now? It is unlikely that anyone will answer this question unambiguously. Some believe that this is just a personification of a person - a label proving our identity. Others are trying to understand the literal translations of names and find in them some sacred meaning that affects the fate of the bearer.

So on what basis were names given before and how is it happening now? I propose to plunge into the history of personal names, where you can find answers to many questions, including those that you have never asked.

What are the most ancient names on earth? Of course, the names of gods, kings and heroes. And they carried in themselves, as a rule, a superlative degree - the highest, chief, omnipotent, invincible. Later, when wild strength began to give way to cunning and intelligence, the definitions of wise, omniscient, thinking, etc. were added to them.

Many of the first meanings of ancient names are lost today. Some of them were simply forgotten, while others tried to forget themselves. An absolutely accurate translation of some beautiful names will discourage many. For example, Apollo in direct translation is destructive. Apply this to the image of a golden-haired handsome man created by artists and sculptors - it does not correspond to his hypostasis in any way. Therefore, neither historians nor art critics try to mention the first meaning of the name of the Greek god. Or the same Anastasia. In the original translation, her name meant risen from the grave. Agree, not very pleasant. Therefore, now in most sources the translation sounds more streamlined - coming from another world.

The names of the ancient gods and heroes over the course of centuries and millennia turned out to be greatly distorted, many sounds changed, were added or disappeared. Find the meaning of these names in the ancients, and even more so in modern languages quite difficult. For example, the names of the main Greek gods Zeus and Hera still do not have an exact translation. The most realistic version suggests that Zeus is a modified name of the ancient Aryan god Alive. It meant life or giving life. This indirectly confirms the consonant Greek name Zoya (life).

From the names of the gods came the names of the demigods and even mortals. So, Hercules is a derivative of Hera, whose whims he fulfilled, accomplishing his exploits. In turn, the word hero came from the name of Hercules.

IN ancient Greek mythology besides the Olympians, there were other gods. Such "unkempt personalities" as the bearded and terrible god of the forests Pan (the word panic came from his name) were not allowed on the exquisite Olympus. Therefore, he lived on the very edge of the land in forested hilly places. Most likely, the patrimony of Pan was located in the territories of present-day Hungary and Croatia, which is why this land was called Panonia.

During the time of the Roman Empire, it was already a rich province, where the legionnaires who had served were allotted land. This was done taking into account the current situation - the owners themselves, willy-nilly, had to protect their possessions from the barbarians. The land in Panonia was beautiful and rich. From there, wood and fabrics were exported to the empire, the production of which was famous for local artisans. In addition, in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bmodern Budapest there were healing hot springs, where noble Romans came to be treated. They built villas near the springs, and the city that grew up around them was called Aquincum.

Two emperor brothers were born in Panonia, who became co-rulers of Rome - Valentinian (321) and Valens (328). Their names were formed from the root -val-, which had the meaning of great, great and consonant Latin word valeo - health. Valens, who ruled the eastern regions, died in battle with the Visigoths in 377. And soon the flourishing province was devastated by the Huns.

Main part local residents went north, settling in the southern and central regions of Poland. The settlers called themselves valens (wellets), and the new neighbors more often called them pans (who came from Panonia). Velletes clearly differed from their neighbors in the culture of communication, neatness and woven clothing. They lived apart and behaved with those who were considered barbarians, a little arrogantly. During the Middle Ages in Poland, the word pan became a respectful term for well-dressed and educated people, although in folk sayings lords were often mentioned with ironic notes hinting at arrogance.

The isolation of the Wellets is also evidenced by the fact that they managed to maintain their self-name for almost a millennium, right up to the Middle Ages. The name Velet (Valit) could be found from Karelia to France. As a rule, these were noble and educated people, among whom there were many military leaders.

K.N. Bestuzhev-Ryumin gives an excerpt from a chronicle list that has not survived to this day: "And the ambassador (Rurik) to the governor of his name Jack and war Korel" . INIn 1337, the Karelian boyar Ivan Fedorovich Valit and the governor Valit Korelyanin were mentioned in the Novgorod chronicles. Veilleta scattered all over the world, this is evidenced by the name of the capital of Malta - Valletta, which was so named in honor of the knight Jeanne Parisot de la Valetta.

It was during the Middle Ages in many Western states that a fashion arose to hire neat, executive and educated vellettes to serve on special assignments. And although the word jack in modern dictionaries translated as a servant, at the courts they were prominent figures. Vellets participated in all rituals and stood out with bright outfits, which can be judged by the image of jacks in card decks.

Let us return to the definition of the highest in proper names. In Sanskrit, it was denoted by the root -as. As a component -as- is found in the names of gods and kings: Asclepius - the god of healing among the Greeks, Astarte - the Semitic goddess of love and fertility, Assarak - the king of Troy, Esarhadon and Assurbanipal - the kings of Assyria. The name of the most ancient state of Assyria implied its superiority over the surrounding countries and peoples.

This definition was also included in the names of the mythological king Belshazzar and the prophet Zoroaster, the second part of whose name is translated as a star, which in the concept of the ancients was associated with an unattainable height.

At the beginning of I millennium AD the current Ossetians were referred to as Ases, Abkhazians as Abasgians, Circassians as Cherkasy. These peoples still have the same tradition: when performing national dances, men, entering the circle, shout “asa!”, which means “I am the highest, I am the best.” The former common name of the North Caucasian tribes was transformed into basics, hence the name of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov.

Among the Germans, the ases were the highest gods who lived in Asgard - the heavenly city. In Belarusian folklore, asilki were heroes with supreme power. The Dulebs, who lived in the Carpathian region, called their main leader Asdulo, and the name of the first Bulgarian king was Asparuh. At the end of the 5th century, Aspar, a native of the eastern regions of the empire, was the emperor of Byzantium. The supreme ruler of Byzantium was called basileus - here -as- is also visible. From this title came the name Vasily - regal.

Most Russian names are of Greek origin. But how did they arise among the Greeks?

Initially, there were no personal names, people were called according to their belonging to a particular tribe. Then the Greeks began to divide themselves according to their place of birth or residence. In Greece, the region of Arcadia and the city of Larisa still exist. Western Türkiye BC was called Anatolia, and there was the ancient state of Lydia. The name Barbara is now translated as a foreigner. And before it meant almost the same thing: a woman from a barbarian country.

The Greeks gave some names according to their appearance. For example, in Asia Minor lived Gauls-Galatians, who came from the Baltic about 4 thousand years ago. They were all fair-haired and fair-skinned. That is why the ancient Greeks appearance associated with milk (Greekγάλα - milk). The famous mythological heroine Galatea was a galatka, and therefore was carved by Pygmalion from white marble. Like an echo of that ancient history the name Galaktion came to us in Russia - milky. It is worth noting that Milky Way in Greek it was pronounced exactly the same, and the name of our entire star system, the Galaxy, was also given from it.

In order to understand how the very first names could be formed in Rus', one must turn to pre-chronic history. Most of the ancient names were associated with the religions that existed at that time. For example, the good Germanic gods Ases always fought with the bad gods Vanir. The Pro-Germans called the Vans the Venets, who lived in the territories of eastern Germany and Poland. True, at the beginning of our era, this struggle subsided. First, part of the Germanic tribes went to the Black Sea region (Ostrogoths), and the other part (Vandals) went along with the Slavs on a campaign against Rome.

But after the invasion of the Huns, the Ostrogoths were again forced out into central Europe, and the Slavs of the Danube, leaving the nomads, moved north. Thus, in the territories of Germany and Poland, overpopulation was again outlined. Slavic-German conflicts broke out with new force, as a result of which the Slavs began to migrate to the east. IN IV-V centuries, in the middle Dnieper region, mysterious antes appeared. Considering that there was no letter “v” in the Greek alphabet, these, naturally, were guys-venets.

Two centuries later, a new wave of nomads, the Avars, rolls over Europe. History repeated itself. Another part of the guys advanced into the territory of modern central Russia. In the Russian chronicles, the newcomers were called Vyatichi - after the name of the leader Vyatko. In the Khazar and Arab chronicles, they are referred to as vantites or vants.

From here arises a simple and understandable version of the origin of the Russian name Ivan. Vyatichi was presented to the neighbors simply: I am a van or a van - I. At the time, this was quite common. A number of examples of the coincidence of personal names with tribal names can be cited. Among the Carpathian dulebs, the most common name was Dulo, and among the Alans-Russes - Rus-alan (Ruslan). From the Venets in Poland, the name Venclav (Venet-Slav) is still preserved, and the Gallindian Prussians were presented as follows: I am a Gaul (the Lithuanian name Jagiello).

However, the official version of the origin of the Russian name Ivan says that it arose from the biblical John. The coincidence in the pronunciation of these ancient names was immediately noticed by the church. This was used to bring together the three "pillars" on which the state rested: power, church and people. The princes baptized their children as Johns already at the beginning of the 11th century, but in everyday life they were called Ivans in the old way; At the same time, the names Andrei, Yuri (George) and Daniel appeared.

VIII - IX centuries, with the arrival of the Varangians in Rus', warriors and nobility began to come into fashion double names. The fact is that among the Western Slavs, most of the main gods had compound names: Svetovit, Radigost, Triglav, Yarovit. Accordingly, the princes began to take similar names to themselves: Ratibor (winner of the army), Branibor (winner in wars), Pribyslav (growing glory). Rurik's father was called Godoslav, but during the period of domination Norman theory his name was distorted, bringing it closer to Swedish: Godlav.

For a century and a half of trade relations with the Varangians, Western gods were included in the East Slavic pantheon. From the god of light Svetovit, the names of the Russian epic heroes Svetozar and Svetogor were formed. From Radigost (the god of trade and hospitality), the words joy, cordiality, as well as a guest (merchant) appeared in our language. One of the West Slavic tribes that worshiped Radigost was called Radimichi. According to the official version, they came to Rus' together with the Vyatichi, that is, from the territory of Poland. Most likely, the names Radiva, Radimir, Radislav, Radomysl belonged to people from this tribe.

In our chronicles, the first prince with a compound name was Burivoy, and according to legend, he was the father of Gostomysl. The translation of the first part of Burivoy's name has long been disputed. Some tie it to the word storm, others to the bur (take) - that was the name of the bear. In any case, the meaning of this name is clear to us: a powerful, invincible warrior. Apparently, the comparison with the most ferocious of the animals among the Ilmen Slavs was the highest rating.

After Rurik, Oleg and Igor, from the middle of the 10th century, two-part names (names-composites) reappeared in princely families, where the root -slav became an indispensable component. So people from the Varangians tried to emphasize their unity with the people.

In ancient times, the name of a person spoke much more about him than in our time. As a rule, it reflected external data, character traits or skills of the wearer.

Once in childhood, we read the novels of F. Cooper. The names of Indian leaders and warriors told us a lot: Faithful Hand, Swift Deer, Hawk Claw. It is immediately clear which of the heroes can shoot accurately, who can run fast, and who is tenacious and tenacious.

Our Slavic ancestors a thousand years ago followed exactly the same principle. Not endowing a person with a divine essence, they considered themselves part of nature and often called each other the names of animals, fish or birds. Wolf, Deer, Ruff, Lark, Hare, Nightingale were both names and a brief description of a person: ruff - prickly, hare - cowardly, lark - gets up before everyone else. Many of these names existed in Rus' for a very long time. Even in writing books XVI - XVII For centuries, the names Hare, Ant, Golub, etc. are often found.

The surrounding nature was also represented in the names, which also characterized their owners: Gorynya - huge, Winter - severe, Dubynya - indestructible, Nut - hard, Birch - light. Ancient Russian heroes Gorynya and Dubynya - famous heroes our epics. There is also a real historical figure- Winter. This name was called one of the chieftains of Stepan Razin. The most interesting and mysterious to me seemed to be the old Russian name Borsch. What information it carried about a person, one can only guess, because the word-borsch in those days meant tops.

With the development of social and industrial relations, the Slavs began to have names-definitions (qualitative adjectives) associated with the appearance of a person or with his character traits. For example, the name Koschey spoke of bonyness and thinness, Mal - of short stature or youth in relatives. The closed and taciturn one was called Molchan, the brave Brave, beloved by the Beloved. But such names as Iskren (truthful) or Smel (brave) were hardly given immediately at birth. Indeed, earlier in Rus', children were first given infant names. Some of them have survived to this day. For example, Bogdan - given by God, Zhdan - long-awaited. And in large families, without further ado, children were named in order of birth: Pervak ​​(Pervusha), Vtorak (Vtorusha), Tretyak - the third, etc.

Before the adoption of Christianity, between the ages of 7 and 12, the child was given a different name. However, if the child did not stand out in any way, or the first name turned out to be quite suitable, he was left. So the names Tretyak, Osmin, Devyatko, Lyubim, Golovan, Zhelana, Zabava have come down to us in historical documents.

Two thousand years ago, the main gods of the ancient Slavs were Rod and Mir. From their names came Old Slavic names Rodislav, Rodolub, Rodomysl, Mirobog, Mirolub, Miroslav. In our time, only a few of them remain, the most common are Rodion and Miron.

The Slavs honored the god of cattle breeding Volos (Veles) and in honor of him they called their children the names Velemir, Velimysl, Velislav, etc. All of them had a big or great value. These names are in the past, only occasionally we meet the names of Velimir and Elizar. The latter comes from the Old Slavic Velizar.

We find the roots of the names of the ancient gods in the names of the Russian princes Yaroslav and Yaropolk, who descended from Yarilo, the god of the sun and arable farming. The concepts of bright and furious were invested in them. With the rarely mentioned agricultural god Semargl, from whose name the word seeds originated, the connection of the name Semyon is quite probable.

We find the most ancient female names in legends: the sister of the founder of Kyiv, Lybid (Swan) - the personification of beauty, Porusya - the wife of Rus, brother of Slaven. That, perhaps, is all. These names never became common. But Lada, produced on behalf of the ancient Slavic goddess of home comfort, is still popular to this day.

Matriarchy Slavic tribes bypassed, from time immemorial, a wife in Rus' belonged to her husband. Maybe that's why women were called after their husbands. In birch-bark writings, such references to women are often found: Vasilyeva, Pavlova, Glebova, or Fomin's wife. Even several centuries later, in cadastral books, without indicating affiliation or marital status, the names of women were not written: the widow Oksinitsa, the widow Ontonidna, the beggar Marfitsa Senkina, the marshmallow Annitsa Ignatieva daughter.

Many female names in ancient Rus' originated from male ones: Vasily - Vasilisa, Svetlan - Svetlana, Lyudmil - Lyudmila. The heroine of "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" Yaroslavna was named after her father - Prince Yaroslav. Our chronicles even recorded a specific historical case of the emergence of a derivative name: the wife of Prince Igor (in childhood, Prekras) took the name Olga in honor of the glorious Prince Oleg the Prophet. However, modern researchers of the names of the ancient Slavs have recently expressed the version that she could well be the daughter of Oleg himself.

Soon, female names begin to appear that have no analogues among male ones: Snezhana - white-haired, cold; Chernava - dark-haired, swarthy; Zlata - golden-haired; Glad is joy. Since that time, the names Faith, Hope and Love have come down to us, requiring no explanation. Their semantic component was fully accepted by the Orthodox Church, and therefore they have come down to us intact.

Many who are at least a little familiar with onomastics (the science of names) are surprised that the Slavs very often called their children dissonant names. These were amulets and nicknames. For example, the name Fool was supposed to protect the child from bad deeds, and Chertan - to protect from evil spirits. Giving the newborn the name Nekras or Nelyub, the parents were sure that everything would be the other way around. And slutty and unlucky person in Rus' they called Fornication, harmful - Malice, dishonest - Crooked, etc.

During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the Orthodox Church began to more actively replace ancient Slavic names with canonical ones. The baptism of children became obligatory. When performing the ceremony, the parents were offered the names of the saints commemorated on the day of baptism. All of them: Greek, Latin and Hebrew - were collected in a special book - the calendar, in the popular "saints". The name John was mentioned there more often than others - 64 times. At the same time, the Russian pronunciation Ivan all closed their eyes. Later, personal calendars began to be published, where approximately 900 male and 250 female names were presented. Among the latter, Anna was most often mentioned - 18 times and Mary - 12.

There were also lists of forbidden names associated with pagan gods or folk rituals. Many ancient compound names were abbreviated. For example, Dobroslav became Dobrynya, Danislav - Danila, Miroslav - Miron, Borislav - Boris, and the female name Lubomir turned into Lyubava. But not always everything went smoothly, for example, it was not possible to change the name Svyatoslav Svyatoshey. The semantic difference was too strong.

It is clear that the transition to canonical names was not easy and quick, it stretched out for about three centuries. This can be determined even by the names of the offspring of the main princely family. After their baptism, many princes preferred to be called by their former Slavic names. For example, Vladimir the Holy (Red Sun), who received the name Vasily at baptism, as well as his son Yaroslav, who had the Christian name George, were the first to write a Slavic name in their decrees. The genealogical tree of the ruling dynasty shows that for almost 200 years it was dominated by the Izyaslavs, Svyatopolks, and Yaroslavs. These names were in use until X I V century, the last Svyatoslav of the Rurik dynasty died in 1386.

Today, the list of restored Old Slavic names is quite extensive. They were collected according to birch bark letters, scribe books and other ancient documents. Interestingly, there was a certain order in naming. Only the children of princes could be given such significant names as Vladimir - the owner of the world, Vsevolod - the ruler of the people, Svyatoslav - sacred glory, Yaromir - the sunny world. The boyar and military nobility had a certain register of names: Dobromysl - kind and reasonable, Borislav - a fighter for glory, Gorislav - burning in glory, Ratibor - a defender. The townspeople and artisans had even less high-profile names: Dobrolyub - kind and loving, Dobrozhir - kind and rich, Milorad - sweet and joyful, Putimir - reasonable and peaceful, Tikhomir - a quiet world. From this list, only the abbreviated names Boris and Tikhon now remain. A few more composite names remained in the surnames: Dobrolyubov, Tikhomirov, Miloradovich, Dobronravov.

Ordinary people did not pursue beauty and harmony at all. Along with the names Raven, Som, Ruff, Tur, which have remained since ancient times, affectionate ones were met in the people's environment: Love and Milan, businesslike: Gorazd - skillful, capable, Putyata - knowing the roads and paths, Voroshila - working well and quickly. There were even "instrumental" names: Ax, Gate, Guslya. In more remote places, there were also quite offensive ones: Besko, Bykoder, Zhadok, Sinister, Mordach, Fistula, etc. Many of these names existed until the middle XVII century.

Ancient names in our language live today. Some in the form of nicknames: bulldozer, mountaineer, bigwig, bully, crybaby. Such as Ugly, Long-legged, Glum, Zhiznerad, Guess, Dokuka and the like turned into adjectives-definitions: ugly, lanky, mocking, annoying, etc. Several ancient names have been given a whole new life. For example, on behalf of the storyteller and singer Boyan, the name of a musical instrument arose. On behalf of Bulba, originally meaning a water bubble, in Belarusian language originated the name of the potato. And the name Valui, which meant absurdity and shapelessness, gave the name to the mushroom, which has a corresponding appearance.

With the coming to power of the Romanov dynasty, the two-hundred-year alternation of the royal names Ivan and Vasily was interrupted. The first Romanovs were called Mikhail and Alexei. Peter I introduced two more names into the royal register - Pavel and Alexander. He also named one of his daughters Margarita, a name that was common only among nuns. And the first Tatianas were already among the daughters of Mikhail and Alexei Romanov. Catherine II named her second grandson Nicholas.

All these royal names ordinary people were not forbidden to take. In honor of the kings of Alexander I , famous for his victory over Napoleon, and Alexander II who canceled serfdom, hundreds of thousands of children were named in Russia. Until now, the name Alexander is one of the most common in our country.

Some relaxation in the choice of names came in 1905, when it was allowed to give children foreign names. In the 1920s, foreign names of heroes of uprisings and revolutions appeared in the USSR - Spartak, Marat, figures revolutionary movements- Clara (Clara Zetkin), Ernst (Ernst Telman), Thorez (Maurice Thorez). New combinations began to form from the names and surnames of the leaders themselves: Vladlen (Vladimir Lenin), Lunachara (Lunacharsky), Ordzhonika (Ordzhonikidze), Budyon (Budyonny).

Abbreviations came into fashion: Kim (Communist Youth International), Trikom (Komsomol, Comintern, Communism) Lenslav (glory to Lenin). Some of the names sounded quite normal and even coincided with those that already existed: Emil (Engels, Marx and Lenin), Renat (revolution, science, labor), Rada (workers' democracy). But the overwhelming majority were intriguingly curious: Tomik (the triumph of Marxism and communism), Yaslik (I am with Lenin and Krupskaya), Izail (the executor of Ilyich's precepts).

In this ideological folk "creativity" revolutionary terms and symbols were widely used: Barricade, Revolution, Oktyabrina, Vanguard, Papir (party pyramid), Hammer and Sickle (two brothers with these names are known).

Industrialization has brought new wave names: Electrification, Tractorina, Gertrude (heroine of labor). The Soviet nomenklatura also joined this process, which resulted in new curiosities: the names Glavspirt and Tsas (central pharmacy warehouse) also have documentary evidence. Post-war names can be added to them - Pofistal (the winner of the Nazis Stalin), Kukutsapol (corn queen of the fields), Urgavneb (cheers for Gagarin in the sky). But these were still only isolated cases.

Naturally, all these ideological mistakes did not take root. Still the most popular in Soviet times were Vladimir, Alexander, Dmitry, Andrey and Sergey. Vladimir suited both the supporters of the old regime (Vladimir the Baptist) and the activists of the new one, who revered the leader of the world proletariat. The saints of the Russian land Andrei the First-Called and Sergius of Radonezh, as well as the liberator princes Alexander Nevsky and Dmitry Donskoy, were secretly revered. The heroes of the new time could not compete with them, although the fashion for their names was noted for several decades. For example, the name Valery, which before the revolution was called one of 1000 newborns, thanks to the pilot Chkalov, entered the top ten most common in the 30s and 40s. The same thing happened with the name Yuri after Gagarin's flight.

Today on the Internet you can find thousands of names for every taste. More and more foreign names are coming into fashion, and there is nothing to worry about. I just want parents to be sensible when it comes to choosing a name for their child. In combination with Russian patronymics and surnames, new names can sound awkward and even funny, for example, Artur Stepanovich Kozlov or Klarissa Fedorovna Puzyreva. Do not forget the beautiful Slavic names Miroslav, Dobromir, Dobrynya, Vsemila, Milana, Golub.

The name is not an empty sound, it is consonant with vibrations native land, it carries the power of the Slavic Gods, the significance of the culture and traditions of the whole family from which the person comes and belongs. Naming our children with alien, foreign phrases that are incomprehensible to our soul, we give our strength to other clans and alien Gods, and from this a person does not receive support from his Ancestors, Gods and native land.

My parents named me Maya. But when they were baptized according to the Christian faith, they called Mary, well, there is no name MAYA in their faith.

And in our Old Slavonic there is the goddess Maya, so everything fell into place and I finally found my name.

Maya is the most ancient name on the ground. Zlata Maya is one of the first goddesses.
The goddess of spring and the spring flowering of nature among the ancient Slavs, she was honored in the first days of May. Mentions of this goddess have come down in ritual spring round dance songs.

Goddess Maya among the Slavs
A lot about Maya Zlata, or Zlatogorka, is described by Tyunyaev A.A. in labor" Ancient Rus'. Svarog and Svarog's grandchildren"

Strong and beautiful daughter of Svyatogor and Film (Pleyana). As Svyatogor was a giant, so his daughter is considered a giantess. On the subtle divine plane, they believe that Zlata Maya was born from a ray of a bright star - the incarnation of love between Svyatogor and Film.

The star Maya is located in the constellation Taurus and is visible to the naked eye. This is a blue-white giant, radiating 660 times more energy than our Sun - a yellow dwarf.
It was brought to our planet by the civilization of the Pleiades star system. one of two star clusters in the constellation Taurusvisible to the naked eye. One of the Seven Sisters.

The asteroid Maya, discovered in 1861, is named after Maya.


The first of May is an ancient pagan holiday. The essence of the celebration of the first day is “Awakening of nature”. It could not be the incarnation of a male, but only the incarnation of a female deity.
The symbolism is feminine. Its visible symbol, the Maypole, is the center of all May Day celebrations. Apparently, because pine and spruce are evergreen, this is a metaphor for immortality. The folk holiday of the First of May is the legacy of the ancestors.

Ancient Maya, (mlaj, Maya, Maya) the goddess of nature, greenery and flowers, gave the name to the month.
Maya is mainly remembered today as the goddess of spring and rebirth. Maya produces lush green grass and fragrant flowers every spring. She is praised as the "mother of magic"

Maya is called the Goddess because she became the wife of God - Dazhdbog, Tarkh Perunovich.

The married couple was extraordinary, they had sons, the god Kolyada (God of the winter Sun) and Avsen (God of Autumn)

Maya's name is full of mysteries. And here is the first of them: the name Maya comes from the same root as the word "magic". In ancient times, when the Indo-European civilization was just emerging, magic was understood as the ability of Nature to constantly change and renew itself. Centuries passed, and the meaning of the word became much narrower, more limited: now for us magic is the ability to work miracles, that is, to change the world in accordance with our desires.

Miracles do not happen, this was known even in ancient India. In Hinduism, there is a philosophical category "Maya" - illusion, deception, mirage. “Under the influence of maya, a person develops in himself thousands of desires, which he then tries to fulfill,” say the Hindus, “and this is the cause of his misfortunes.”

The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization known for its writing, art, architecture, mathematical and astronomical systems. The beginning of its formation is attributed to the preclassical era (2000 BC - 250 AD)

Interestingly, among the Aztecs, the goddess of fertility wore similar name- Mayahuel. And the neighbors of the Aztecs were the Mayan people, who created a no less developed civilization. In Mexico and Guatemala, and now live Indians who consider themselves descendants of the Maya.

But back to Maya. Since it is associated with the word "magic", it can be translated as "sorceress", "sorceress", and this translation will be correct.
But incomplete: the name has other facets. Energy and Karma of the name: the energy of the name Maya has tremendous emotional strength and mobility. In addition, the sufficient rarity of the name today further enhances the already powerful energy.

In Greek mythology, Maya is the goddess of Spring, a mountain nymph, the daughter of Atlanta, the eldest and most beautiful of the seven Pleiades sisters, the mother of Hermes, later turned into a star by Zeus.


In ancient Italy, Maya (Maiesta) was the patron goddess of the fertile land. Majesta means "great": Your Majesty - your majesty - this is how the British refer to their queen.


The English “majesty” comes from the Latin “majestas” - “greatness, dignity”, and this is a word of the same root with the name of Mayi-Majesta.

The Romans revered the goddess Maya and named the month in her honor, at the beginning of which her festivities fell.

Maya was a skilled craftswoman, she embroidered with pure gold: "she sewed the first pattern - the Sun is red, and the second pattern - the bright Moon, she sewed the third pattern - then the stars are frequent."

Her sacred plant is the starflower aster. Zlata Maya patronized fertility and family well-being.

In the USSR, the name Maya (sometimes in a modified form - May) was often given to girls born on May Day.

Well, I am one of them...

There is also Maya the bee, the heroine of the animated series. She is smart, inquisitive, responsive and will not leave anyone in trouble.

Here is such a multi-valued and multifaceted name - Maya.

IN modern Russia it is quite rare. Interpreters of names attribute to him powerful energy and charisma.

The champions by the strange nicknames of their rulers are, of course, the ancient Scandinavians. Severe Vikings gave each other nicknames that "stuck" for life and served as a kind of label by which they recognized a person. Interestingly, this tradition also applied to the rulers.

Take, for example, at least Ragnar Lothbrok, known to many on the television series "Vikings". "Lothbrok" ​​translates to "hairy pants", which alludes to the piece of clothing that Ragnar always wore before battle "for good luck". These pants were made of coarse wool, so they looked very shaggy. True, there is an opinion that it is more correct to translate “Lothbrok” as “hairy ass”, but it would be unlikely that even among the brave Vikings there would be a madman who would dare to call the ferocious king that way.

Sons of Ragnar bore no less curious nicknames: Sigurd the Serpent-in-the-eye (so named for his piercing "serpentine" look), Bjorn Ironside (received a nickname for his insensitivity to pain and the good chain mail he wore) and Ivar the Boneless (distinguished by incredible flexibility and dexterity ).

Norwegian king Elvir Detolyub got his nickname not for his perverted addictions, as you might think, but for an incredible act of humanism by the standards of the Vikings: he forbade his warriors ... to string children on spears for fun!

Harald I, king of Denmark and Norway, was nicknamed "Bluetooth" by his subjects. He got such a strange nickname because he liked to feast on blueberries. However, the version sounds more plausible that Harald was nicknamed not Blatand (“Blue-toothed”), but Bletand (“Dark-haired”). WITH Harald Sinezuby very connected interesting fact: it is in his honor that the Bluetooth technology, created just by the Danish-Norwegian development team, is named.

Rollon Pedestrian- Viking Hrolf, who managed to conquer part of France and become the ancestor of the dynasty of the Dukes of Normandy. He received the nickname "Pedestrian" because he was so tall and heavy that not a single horse could withstand him as a rider for a long time. So Rollo had to walk.

King of Norway Eric I Bloodaxe earned such a terrifying prefix to his name for consistently slaughtering his relatives who could become his rivals in the struggle for the throne. Interestingly, Eric still could not get to one of his brothers, Hakon, who overthrew him. Obviously, compared to Eric, even the stern Hakon looked like a real charmer and, by contrast, received the nickname "Kind".

Few people know the following interesting fact: English king Wilhelm I during his lifetime was often called Wilhelm the Bastard(behind the eyes, of course) than the Conqueror (as they say in school textbooks). The fact is that he was the illegitimate son of the Norman Duke Robert. By the way, Wilhelm's dad also had a very eloquent nickname - the Devil. There were rumors about Robert the Devil that even before his birth, his soul was promised to Satan.

Byzantine emperor Constantine V bore a very dissonant nickname "Copronym" ("Dermon-named") for the fact that, as a baby, during his baptism he shat right in the font.

Emperor of Byzantium Vasily II, in 1014 he defeated the Bulgarian army at the battle of Strymon. 15 thousand Bulgarians were taken prisoner, whose eyes were gouged out by order of the Byzantine ruler. For every hundred blinded, a single “lucky” guide was left (only one eye was gouged out). For his sadistic cruelty towards the prisoners, Vasily II received the nickname “Bulgarian Fighter”.

The Grand Duke of Vladimir Vsevolod earned the nickname "Big Nest" for being the father of 12 children: 8 sons and 4 daughters.

King of England John (John) Plantagenet because of his short-sighted policy, he lost all his possessions in France and authority among the English chivalry. For this he was given a mocking nickname - "Landless". Also because of the constant defeats of the king teased "Softsword" - "Soft Sword". It is interesting that in medieval England they called the impotent. However, in the case of John Landless, such an interpretation of the nickname is unfounded - the king had 2 legitimate sons and 9 bastards, as well as 6 daughters - 3 legitimate and 3 illegitimate. Gossips it was said that making children is the only thing that a monarch is good at. The authority of John was so low that not a single English ruler called his heirs by this name anymore.

King of Bohemia and Hungary Ladislav was nicknamed "The Grave" because he was born 4 months after the sudden death of his father from dysentery.

In the XVII-beginning. 18th century ruler of Japan Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, popularly nicknamed the "Dog Shogun". Tsunayoshi forbade the killing of stray dogs and ordered that they be fed at public expense. Interestingly, the diet of the dog under this shogun was much richer than the diet of the peasant. By decree of the ruler, only “noble gentleman” was supposed to address street dogs, violators were beaten with sticks. True, after the death of the shogun, his “dog lobby” ceased to operate.

french king Louis Philippe d'Orleans received the nickname "Pear" for the fact that over the years his figure began to resemble this particular fruit. In addition, the French word “lapoire” (“pear”) has a second meaning - “moron”. In general, it is easy to guess how much the French loved this king of theirs.

What do we know about the names that the Vikings gave their children?

The names of the defenders of the Scandinavians

Often, parents gave a name to a newborn that would personify the qualities that they would like to see when the child grows up and matures. For example, male names for boys who were supposed to become protectors of the family, clan and community:

• Beinir - Beinir (assistant),
• Skúli - Skuli (defender),
• Högni - Hogni (defender),
• Birgir - Birgir (assistant),
• Jöðurr - Yodur (defender),
• Uni - Uni (friend, happy).
• Eiðr - Eid (oath),
• Leifr - Leif (heir),
• Tryggvi - Tryggvi (loyal, reliable),
• Óblauðr - Oblaud (bold and brave),
• Ófeigr - Ofeig (not doomed to death, you can say happy),
• Trausti - Trausti (one who is trustworthy, reliable),
• Þráinn - Thrain (stubborn),

Women's names for girls, who also personified the future protectors and helpers of the family and the whole family:

• Bót - Bot (help, help),
• Erna - Erna (skillful),
• Björg - Björg (salvation, protection),
• Una - Una (friend, happy).

Of course, popular names for boys there were names that meant physical and spiritual strength, courage, fortitude, endurance, that is, the qualities of a real man, a real warrior. And the owner of such a name must confirm it and have the same quality as his name meant.

Male names:

• Gnúpr - Gnup (steep mountain),
• Halli - Halli (stone, pebble),
• Kleppr - Klepp (mountain, rock),
• Steinn - Stein (stone),
• Múli - Muli (cape),
• Knjúkr - Knyuk (top),
• Tindr - Tind (top),
• Knutr - Whip (knot).

Female name: Hallótta - Hallotta (rocky). After all, girls could also be not only skilled housewives, but also excellent warriors.

When choosing, inventing a name for the baby, parents were guided by various principles and desires for the future characteristic features of their child, his fate. For example, wishing a child love and good luck, a high position in society, they named their baby or baby accordingly. For example, happy parents could name their daughter like this:

• Ljót - Ljot (bright and light),
• Birta - Birta (bright),
• Dalla - Dalla (brightness),
• Fríðr - Fried (beautiful and beloved),
• Fríða - Frida (beautiful),
• Ósk - Osk (desire, desired),
• Ölvör - Elver (happy),
• Heiðr - Heid (glory).

The boys were named:

• Dagr - Dag (day),
• Teitr - Tate (cheerful),
• Dýri - Dyuri (dear and beloved),
• Ölvir - Elvir (happy),
• Harri - Harry (ruler),
• Sindri - Sindri (spark),
• Bjartr - Bjart (bright).

Such names were not just like that, wishing happiness to their child and giving him an appropriate name, the parents, as it were, directed the child on the path of happiness and good luck, and happy life even one representative of the family clan could promise good luck and the whole family as a whole.

The time in the Viking Age in the Scandinavian countries was not easy, almost every man became, whether he wanted it or not, a real warrior in order to protect his family, his family, clan, community from encroachers on their native lands of strangers. There were few fertile lands in Norway, and everyone needed it, so conflicts and wars periodically arose between the clans.

Each boy from an early age learned the military craft in order to be able to protect himself and his loved ones, his land, therefore the names of the boys (and the girls too, because some of them could become excellent warriors) were often given names that would characterize him as a glorious warrior.

In addition, by conducting raids, the Vikings enriched themselves, brought slaves and gold from the raid to the family, after several raids, you can become a merchant and significantly improve the state of affairs of the whole family, because money was needed at all times, and silver Arab coins of dirhams were found in Scandinavia quite a bit of. Therefore, the war was not only defensive. In addition, at all times men have been associated with protection, weapons. The man is a warrior! A bellicose character and fighting spirit for a boy, and then for a man, were not negative characteristics at that difficult time.

Names of warriors and warriors of the Vikings

For example, there were such male names on the theme of a strong and courageous, glorious warrior:

• Hróðgeirr - Hrodgeir (spear of glory),
• Hróðketill - Hrodketil (helmet of glory),
• Bogi - Gods (bow),
• Hróðmarr - Hrodmar (fame of glory),
• Hróðný - Hrodnyu (youth of glory),
• Hróðolfr - Hrodolph (wolf of glory, maybe a glorious wolf),
• Hróðgerðr - Hrodgerd (fence of glory),
• Brandr - Brand (sword),
• Hróðvaldr - Hrodwald (power of glory),
• Geirr - Geir (spear),
• Eiríkr - Eirik (very mighty and strong),
• Darri - Darri (throwing spear),
• Broddi - Broddy (point),
• Egill - Egil (blade),
• Gellir - Gellir (loud or sword),
• Gyrðir - Gyurdir (belted with a sword),
• Klœngr - Kleong (claw),
• Naddr - Nadd (point or spear),
• Oddi - Oddi (point) or Oddr - Odd (also point),
• Vígi - Vigi (fighter),
• Óspakr - Ospak (not peaceful, warlike),
• Vigfúss - Vigfus (belligerent, eager to fight and kill),
• Ósvífr - Osvivr (ruthless),
• Styrmir - Styurmir (terrible, even stormy),
• Sörli - Sorli (in armor),
• Þiðrandi - Tidrandi (looking, observing),
• Styrr - Styur (battle),
• Ulf - Ulf or Wulf (wolf)
• Uggi - Uggs (terrible),
• Agnarr - Agnar (diligent or formidable warrior),
• Einarr - Einar (a lone warrior who always fights alone).
• Öndóttr - Andott (terrible).
• Hildr - Hild (female name, means battle). Often Hild was integral part various female names.

Names that symbolize protection:

• Hjalmr - Hjalm (helmet),
• Ketill - Ketil (helmet),
• Hjalti - Hjalti (sword hilt),
• Skapti - Skafti (weapon handle),
• Skjöldr - Skjold (shield), Ørlygr - Erlyug (shield),
• Hlíf - Khliv (female name, meant shield),
• Brynja - Brunya (female name, meant chain mail).

Sig - and Sigr - meant victory or battle. With this component there were quite a few compound names, both male and female:

• Sigarr - Sigar (warrior of victory or battle, battle),
• Sigbjörn - Sigbjorn (bear of battle),
• Sigfúss - Sigfus (ardent bright battle),
• Sigfinnr - Sigfinn (Finn of battle, warlike Finn),
• Sigvaldi - Sigvaldi (ruler or ruler of victory),
• Siggeirr - Siggeir (spear of victory),
• Sigsteinn - Sigstein (stone of victory),
• Sigtryggr - Sigtrygg (victory is sure),
• Sighvatr - Sigvat (victory of the brave),
• Sigurðr - Sigurd (guardian of victory, maybe guardian of battle),
• Sigmundr - Sigmund (hand of victory),
• Signý - Signy (female name, meant a new victory),
• Sigrfljóð - Sigrflöd (female name, meaning: girl of victory),
• Sigþrúðr - Sigtrud (also a female name, meaning: battle power),
• Sigrún - Sigrun (female name, meaning: rune or secret of battle or victory).

Name - amulet

Very often, both in Scandinavia of the Viking Age and in Kievan Rus, children were called amulets in order to protect the child from evil forces. Quite numerous in those difficult times were names denoting certain animals and birds. Some named children after an animal, so that its property would pass from it to the child, for example, speed of reaction, dexterity, grace, and others. In this case, this animal, the bird, even became a talisman and a guardian of the child from evil forces and twists of fate for life. pagan beliefs they talked about the close relationship between man and all living things, wildlife was in harmony with man for a very long time, people drew strength from plants and animals. There was such a symbolic connection between a person and an animal, whose name he bears.

Male names-amulets of animals:

• Ari - Ari or Örn - Ern (eagle),
• Birnir and Björn - Birnir and Bjorn (bear),
• Bjarki - Bjarki (bear cub),
• Ormr - Orm (serpent),
• Gaukr - Gauk (cuckoo),
• Brúsi - Brusi (goat),
• Hjörtr - Hjort (deer),
• Hreinn - Hrein (reindeer),
• Haukr - Hauk (hawk),
• Hrútr - Hrut (ram),
• Mörðr - Murd (marten),
• Hrafn - Hrafn, Hravn (raven),
• Ígull - Igul (hedgehog),
• Svanr - Svan (swan),
• Ulf - Ulf or Wulf (wolf)
• Refr - Rev (fox),
• Hundi - Hundi (dog),
• Starri - Starry (starling),
• Valr - Val (falcon),
• Uxi - Uxi (bull),
• Ýr - Ir (Turkish).

Female names-amulets of animals:

• Bera or Birna - Bera or Birna (bear),
• Rjúpa - Ryupa (rocky partridge),
• Erla - Erla (wagtail),
• Mæva - Meva (sea gull),
• Hrefna - Hrevna (crow),
• Svana - Svana (swan).

A birch tree is also considered a strong name-amulet, therefore both men and women were called the name of a birch: Birkir or Björk - Birkir or Björk (birch). And in Russian beliefs, it was also believed that a birch can be not only female, but there was also a male: birch.

Names-amulets were also such:

• Heimir - Heimir (who has a house),
• Ófeigr - Ofeig (who is not doomed to death).

Viking nicknames

Not always a name given to the child at birth, remained with him for life. Very often, the Vikings received more appropriate names and nicknames that were more appropriate for them already in their adulthood. Such nicknames could complement the name, or could completely replace it. Nicknames in adulthood could be given to a Viking in accordance with his character, his occupation, his appearance (by hair or eyes they could give a name at the birth of a child as well), according to his social status and even origin.

Nicknames that could be given by parents at birth or by acquaintances, friends or fellow tribesmen already in adulthood:

• Atli - Atli (rough),
• Kjötvi - Kyotvi (fleshy),
• Flóki - Floki (curly, curly),
• Kolli - Collie (bald),
• Fróði - Frodi (wise, scholar),
• Greipr - Grape (one with big and strong hands),
• Forni - Forni (ancient, old),
• Hödd - Hodd (a woman with a very beautiful hair),
• Grani - Edges (whiskered),
• Höskuldr - Hoskuld (gray-haired),
• Hösvir - Hyosvir (gray-haired),
• Kára - Kara (curly),
• Barði - Bardi (bearded),
• Narfi - Narvi (thin and even skinny),
• Krumr - Krum (stooped),
• Skeggi - Skeggi (bearded man),
• Loðinn - Lodin (hairy),
• Hrappr or Hvati - Hrapp or Grab (fast, ardent),
• Rauðr - Raud (red),
• Reistr - Reist (straight and high),
• Lúta - Luta (stooped),
• Skarfr - Scarv (greedy),
• Gestr - Gest (guest),
• Sölvi - Sölvi (pale),
• Glum - Glum (dark-eyed),
• Hörðr - Hurd (a man from Hördaland in Norway),
• Snerrir - Snerrir (difficult, difficult),
• Sturla - Sturla (impatient, emotional, restless).
• Gauti or Gautr - Gauti or Gaut (Gaut, Swede),
• Hálfdan - Halfdan (half-dan),
• Höðr - Hod (a man from Hadaland in Norway),
• Smiðr - Smid (blacksmith),
• Skíði - Skidi (skier),
• Sveinn - Svein (boy, guy, boy, servant),
• Gríma - Grima (mask, helmet, night, possibly a name for a witch, sorceress or healer),
• Gróa (Gró) - Gro (plant, healer, healer, woman who worked with herbs),
• Huld, Hulda - Huld, Hulda (mystery, veil, or even an elven maiden).

Names for sorcerers, magicians, witches they also gave peculiar ones, based on the type of their occupation.

• Kol - in translation means black and even coal.
• Finna or finnr - translated means Finn or Finn (in ancient times they were considered good magicians, sorcerers, witches and sorcerers).
• Gríma - translated means mask, night.

In ancient times, the Vikings gave names and nicknames to those who practiced witchcraft and magic, which in various ways combined the above parts, for example, female names: Kolfinna and Kolgríma - Kolfinna and Kolgrim or male names: Kolfinnr or Kolgrímr - Kolfinn or Kolgrim.

Viking names after gods

The Vikings adhered to the ancient pagan belief of Asatru (loyalty to the Ases), according to which there was a pantheon of gods who were ordinary people, but became gods for their heroism and stamina, thanks to the strength of the physical and spiritual. The Vikings, the ancient Scandinavians took the gods as an example and wanted to be like them, just as brave, strong, beautiful, therefore the names were often associated with the gods, with the names of the main gods. Children in the Viking Age, in those distant pagan times, were called names that were associated with one or another god, thereby entrusting him with the fate of their child.

The following female names were dedicated to God Yngwie - Freyr:

• Inga - Inga,
• Freydís - Freydis (dis of Freyr or Freya),
• Ingunn - Ingunn (pleased, Yngwie's friend),
• Ingileif - Ingileif (heiress of Yngwie),
• Ingigerðr - Ingigerd (protection of Yngwie),
• Ingvör (Yngvör) - Yngvör (in charge of Yngvi),
• Yngvildr - Ingvild (battle of Yngvi).

Male names in honor of the gods:

• Ingi - Ingi,
• Ingimundr - Ingimund (hand of Yngwie),
• Freysteinn - Freystein (Freyr's stone),
• Ingimarr - Ingimar (glorious Yngwie - in the instrumental case),
• Ingjaldr - Ingjald (ruler with the help of Yngwie),
• Ingolfr - Ingolf (wolf Yngwie),
• Ingvarr (Yngvarr) - Yngvar (Yngwie's warrior).

In Iceland, and in the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), most often their children were dedicated to the god Thor.

Male names in honor of the god Thor:

• Thorov - Thorir (male name, in honor of Thor),
• Þóralfr (Þórolfr) - Thoralv or Thorolf (Thor's wolf),
• Þorbrandr - Thorbrand (Thor's sword),
• Þorbergr - Thorberg (rock of the god Thor),
• Þorbjörn - Thorbjorn (bear of Thor),
• Þorkell - Thorkel (Thor's helmet),
• Þorfinnr - Thorfinn (Thor Finn),
• Þórðr - Tord (protected by Thor),
• Þórhaddr - Torhadd (the hair of the god Thor),
• Þorgeirr - Thorgeir (Thor's spear),
• Þórarinn - Thorarin (the hearth of the god Thor),
• Þorleifr - Thorleif (heir of Thor),
• Þorsteinn - Thorstein (Thor's stone),
• Þóroddr - Thorodd (thor's point),
• Þormóðr - Tormod (the courage of the god Thor),
• Þorviðr - Torvid (Thor's tree),
• Þórormr - Thororm (serpent of the god Thor),
• Þorvarðr - Torvard (Guardian of the Thors).

Female names in honor of Thor:

• Torova - Torah (female name, in honor of Thor),
• Þorleif - Thorleif (heiress of Thor),
• Þordís, Þórdís - Thordis (disa of the god Thor),
• Þórodda - Torodda (Tor's point),
• Þórarna - Torarna (the eagle of the god Thor),
• Þórhildr - Thorhild (Thor's battle),
• Þórný - Tornyu (young, dedicated to Thor),
• Þórey - Torey (luck of the god Thor),
• Þorljót - Torljot (light of Thor),
• Þorvé, Þórvé - Torve (the sacred fence of Thor),
• Þórunn - Thorunn (Thor's favorite),
• Þórelfr - Torrelv (river of the god Thor),
• Þorvör - Torver (who knows the (power) of the Torah).

Children could also be dedicated to all the gods in general. For example, Ragn in translation meant power, gods. Vé - the meaning in translation was as follows: pagan sanctuary, sacred. Both male and female names were formed from these words:

• Ragnarr - Ragnar (male name, meaning: army of the gods),
• Ragn (h) eiðr - Ragneid (female name, meaning: honor of the gods),
• Végeirr - Vegeir (sacred point),
• Véleifr - Veleif (heir to a sacred place),
• Végestr - Vegest (sacred guest),
• Ragnhildr - Ragnhild (female name, meaning: battle of the gods),
• Vébjörn - Vebjorn (sacred bear or bear sanctuary),
• Reginleif - Reginleif (female name, meaning: heiress of the gods),
• Vesteinn - Vestein (sacred stone),
• Vébrandr - Vebrand (sword sanctuary),
• Védís - Vedis (female name: sacred disa),
• Véfríðr - Vefrid (female name: sacred protection),
• Véný - Venu (female name: sacred and young).

Name in honor of glorious ancestors

There were also generic names, one might say, the predecessors of surnames. Children often received names in honor of their deceased ancestors, whose spirit was reborn in a new member of their own kind, with this name the child entered the world of his kind, his family, his clan and tribe. The Scandinavians believed in the transmigration of souls, but this could only happen within one clan, among blood relatives and descendants. The name was given only to those relatives who had already died, otherwise you could bring trouble. Naming a child after an existing, living relative was strictly forbidden.

The question of how to name a child worries future parents long before the appearance of the long-awaited baby. The choice is often not only the parents themselves. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, maybe even friends join. Everyone needs to express their point of view. Mom wants the child to bear the name of his beloved grandmother or grandfather, while dad insists that the name be beautiful, solid, such as that of famous people in cinema and sports. Grandmothers insist on holy grandfathers can offer something completely original or out of the ordinary. The list of names is just huge. Foreign celebrities are very popular, sometimes there are even nicknames fictional characters computer games. But no matter how sweet they are specifically for parents, it is still necessary to follow some recommendations before naming your child for a long life.

Now ancient Slavic names are especially popular. However, many Russian names that everyone hears are by no means of Slavic origin. A large number are borrowed from Greek, Latin. Initially, Russian names were similar in meaning to any qualities and characteristics of a person (Birch, Cat, Lesser, Wolf). With the introduction of Christianity in Rus' at the end of the first millennium, a gradual displacement took place. They were mixed with Byzantine church names. In addition to Byzantine, there were also Hebrew, Egyptian, ancient Roman, Syrian nicknames. All of them were not a simple set of letters, they denoted some specific qualities.

By the middle of the 19th century, all the names changed their appearance, transformed into the then Russian pronunciation. Thus, Jeremiah became Jeremy, and Diomede became Demid. In connection with the new ideology, at the beginning of the 20th century, names began to appear that reflected the time of industrialization: Diamara, Revmira. The names of characters from foreign novels were also borrowed: Arnold, Alfred, Rudolph, Lilia. In the years 1930-1950, there was a rapid return to real Russians (Maria, Vladimir, Ilya). The ancient names of the Russian people are popular not only in Russia. Many Russian names are worn by residents of Europe and Canada.

Does the name determine the fate of a person?

In Rus', it was customary to give the child two names. The first was intended for everyone around, the second was secret, only the closest people knew it. Thus, according to legend, protection was provided from the evil eye, evil thoughts and spirits. Evil forces did not know the name-key to the person (that is, his real church name), thus, could not harm in any way. Upon reaching adolescence, it was possible to judge the traits of a person's character. Then a name was given based on the following list:

1. Names of deities: Yarilo, Lada.
2. Names of plants, animals: Wolf, Nut, Eagle, Pike.
3. Names from the category of personality traits: Stoyan, Brave.
4. Two-part names: Miroljub, Dobrozhir, Dobrynya, Yaropolk.

What are the most popular Slavic old boy names?

The ancient names of boys are a fairly popular topic for discussion in Runet in 2013 and early 2014. According to average estimates for Russian cities, such names as Stepan, Bogdan and Makar are rapidly gaining popularity. In addition, the old names got into this top: Elisha, Miroslav, Gordey, Nazar, Rodion, Tikhon. The most unusual name for boys is Diamond.

What to name the boy?

If you want to bring characteristic features to your child's nature, then check out the list of the most popular Slavic names. Perhaps this information will be the most important for you to choose the name of the child. Old boy names and their meanings:

What are the most popular Slavic

As you know, statistics know everything. So, she identified the most popular Slavic ancient female names of 2013. They became such ancient nicknames as Alena, Darina, Dana, Nadezhda, Rostislava, Snezhana, Yaromila. Girls are much more often called by old Slavic names than boys.

How to name a girl?

And now check out the list of the most popular Slavic female names. Ancient names and their meanings:

• given by God - Bogdan;
• happy - Blessed;
• praising - Wanda;
• owning fame - Vladislav;
• current - Dobrodeya;
• given by God - Darina;
• peace-loving - Ladomira;
• beauty - Krasomir;
• radiant - Luchesara;
• sweetheart - Militsa;
• forest - Olesya;
• glorious - Rostislav;
• snowy - Snezhana;
• young - Yaromila.

Slavic old Russian names for a child by season

The character can be influenced not only by the date of birth, but also by the corresponding season. Astrologers assure that it is possible to correct the fate and character traits with the help of the correct name. Ancient Russian names are endowed with thousands of years of knowledge of their ancestors, they have a special semantic load.

Serious and talented autumn children do not need to choose a special name. They can choose both soft and hard names.

Winter children are intolerant, quick-tempered, they have a certain amount of selfishness. Light names are preferred, soft and gentle. Old names with a soft base can balance character traits.

Spring children have sharp mind They are self-critical and fickle. They often have great feeling humor. You should opt for solid-sounding names.

Summer children are easily influenced, they are trusting and easy-going. Therefore, it is better to stop your choice also on solid names.

The meaning of the name according to the Orthodox calendar

When choosing an old Russian name for a child, you should pay attention to traditions. And Orthodox principles say that you need to name a newborn in honor of a saint. Whose memory is celebrated on the day of naming (most often this is the eighth day after birth) - this is how the baby is called. Keep in mind that the days of memory of saints are celebrated according to the old style. Therefore, to determine the correct date, you must add the number 13 to the main date. The calendar for celebrating the name day of Orthodox saints and all the old names can now be viewed in the Saints, learned from confessors and in any other sources.

It is not at all necessary that the name for the child be exotic or rare. You can not choose old names. Sympathy plays a decisive role. For the final choice, make a list of the best names, consult with relatives and friends, find out their opinion. Based on all this, choose exactly what you like.

The name determines the fate of a person. This is the key to his inner self. After all, it was not without reason that in Rus' a person had two names, one - false, for everyone, and the other - secret, only for the person himself and his very close people.

The name determines the fate of a person. This is the key to his inner self. After all, it was not without reason that in Rus' a person had two names, one - false, for everyone, and the other - secret, only for the person himself and his very close people. This tradition existed as a protection against unkind spirits and unkind people. Often the first Slavic name was deliberately unattractive (Kriv, Nekras, Malice), for even greater protection from the evil. After all, without a key to the essence of man, it is much more difficult to cause evil. The rite of second naming was performed in adolescence, when the main character traits were formed. The name was given based on these traits. Slavic names abounded in their diversity, there were groups of names:
1) Names from the animal and flora(Pike, Ruff, Hare, Wolf, Eagle, Walnut, Borscht)
2) Names in order of birth (Pervusha, Vtorak, Tretyak)
3) Names of gods and goddesses (Lada, Yarilo)
4) Names according to human qualities (Brave, Stoyan)
5) And the main group of names - two-basic (Svyatoslav, Dobrozhir, Tikhomir, Ratibor, Yaropolk, Gostomysl, Velimudr, Vsevolod, Bogdan, Dobrogneva, Lyubomila, Miroljub, Svetozar) and their derivatives (Svyatosha, Dobrynya, Tishilo, Ratisha, Putyata, Yarilka , Miloneg).
From the listed names, it is easy to trace the process of creating a derivative name: the second part is cut off from the two-base one and a suffix or ending is added (-neg, -lo, -ta, -tka, -sha, -yata, -nya, -ka).
Example: Svyatoslav: Holy + sha = Holy.
Of course, the names of people carry a significant part of the culture and traditions of the whole people. In Russia, with the advent of Christianity, Slavic names almost completely fell into oblivion. There were lists of Slavic names forbidden by the church. Why this happened is not difficult to guess. One part of the names (Lada, Yarilo) were names Slavic gods, the owners of the second part were people who, even after the Christianization of Rus', tried to restore the cult and traditions (magicians, heroes). To date, only 5% of children in Russia are called Slavic names, which certainly impoverishes the already meager Slavic culture.