10 forgotten Russian names that are making a comeback in the Nizhny Novgorod region
Nizhny Novgorod residents have begun to name children more often with Old Russian names
Anastasia Larionovskaya
Writer
Just a few years ago names like Dobrynya or Zabava could be found only in fairy tales. Now they are once again being heard in the maternity wards of the Nizhny Novgorod region. The regional civil registry office (GU ZAGS) told NewsNN how in 2025 and 2024 parents chose Old Slavic and traditionally Russian names for their children.
Interest in old names may be connected to a desire to preserve cultural identity or to stand out. In addition, such names sound harmonious in Russian and carry a positive meaning. For example, boys in the region were named:
Dobromir — a name of Old Slavic origin, meaning “bringing good to the world.”
Ratibor — an ancient name of warriors and defenders, literally “one who fights for a just cause.”
Svetozar — a name filled with light, meaning “radiant.”
Yaromir — a combination of the words “yar” and “mir”; it can be interpreted as “bright world” or “ardent, strong peacemaker.”
Russian names are once again gaining popularity in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Photo: 1MI
Among girls, names with Russian roots are also appearing more frequently:
Bozhena — “blessed.”
Zlataslava — “glorified by gold” or “bright glory.”
Radislava — “rejoices in glory.”
Lada — the name of a Slavic goddess of love and spring, a symbol of harmony and beauty.
Vesenia — derives from the word “spring,” meaning renewal and life.
Zabava — means “delight” or “joy.”
More news about the event:
In the Nizhny Novgorod region parents choose Old Slavic names for their children
15:20 October 26
News Service
photo from the “Pro Gorod” archive
Revival of old names in the heart of Russia
A noticeable increase in interest in old Russian and Old Slavic names has been observed in the Nizhny Novgorod region
16:03 26.10.2025 ProDzer.Ru - Dzerzhinsk
10 forgotten Russian names that are coming back into fashion in the Nizhny Novgorod region
Nizhny Novgorod residents have begun to name children more often with Old Russian names
Anastasia Larionovskaya, Writer
Just a few years ago names like Dobrynya or Zabava could be found only in fairy tales.
11:36 26.10.2025 NewsNN.Ru - Nizhny Novgorod
An advertisement about manufacturing was posted online
Women from Nizhny Novgorod lost half a million rubles when buying non-existent barrel saunas.
Komsomolskaya Pravda
Bystanders helped put the car back on its wheels
An ambulance overturned on Lyadov Square in Nizhny Novgorod.
Komsomolskaya Pravda
Parents who exercise parental rights to the detriment of the rights and interests of children may be deprived of parental rights if the following grounds exist (in art.
Tonshaevsky District
A play with that title will be presented to audiences by the actors of the acting studio “The Little Prince” at the “Sputnik” Youth Center.
Dzerzhinsk Gazette
More than 7,000 spectators attended the XII Russian Theater Festival named after M. Gorky.
Ministry of Culture of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
Youth and talent are two great forces which, when combined, create an incredible driving force.
Nizhny Novgorod News
Другие Новости Нижнего (Н-Н-152)
Talented children with disabilities in the Nizhny Novgorod region will receive scholarships.
The payment will amount to 40,000 rubles
Talented children with disabilities in the Nizhny Novgorod Region will receive scholarships. October 26, 2025. Komsomolskaya Pravda. Nizhny Novgorod Region. Nizhny Novgorod.
Vladimir Putin highly praised the Nizhny Novgorod region's experience in demographic policy.
On October 23, 2025, Gleb Nikitin, Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, spoke at the first meeting of the Council under the President of the Russian Federation on the implementation of state demographic and family policy. 24.10.2025. Znamya newspaper. Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. Bolshoye Murashkino.
Gleb Nikitin congratulated transport drivers on their professional holiday.
The governor announced the strengthening of the region's position as a key transport center of the Russian Federation
Gleb Nikitin congratulated transport drivers on their professional holiday. 26.10.2025. Komsomolskaya Pravda. Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. Nizhny Novgorod.
Themed meeting on Driver's Day
On the Day of the Automotive and Passenger Transport Worker, Torpedo hockey players will play a themed game against Avtomobilist. October 26, 2025. HC Torpedo. Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. Nizhny Novgorod.
A residential house in the Urensky district caught fire due to a child playing with fire.
Four residents were able to evacuate the building on their own
A residential building caught fire in Urensky District because of a child playing with fire
Photo: Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations for Nizhny Novgorod Region. 25.10.2025. Komsomolskaya Pravda. Nizhny Novgorod Region. Nizhny Novgorod.
Rescue workers carried out fire drills on the roof of a 26-story building in Nizhny Novgorod.
10 forgotten Russian names that are making a comeback in the Nizhny Novgorod region
Nizhny Novgorod residents have begun to give their children Old Russian names more frequently Anastasia Larionovskaya, writer Just a few years ago names like Dobrynya or Zabava could be found only in fairy tales. 26.10.2025. NewsNN.Ru. Nizhny Novgorod Region. Nizhny Novgorod.