This list includes 24 Russian boy names that start with N, from “Nadir” to “Nurlan”. Many come from Slavic, Turkic, or Arabic roots, reflecting Russia’s multicultural naming traditions.

Russian boy names that start with N are male given names used throughout Russia and Russian-speaking regions. Several, like “Nikolai”, have deep historical or religious significance and appear often in literature and church calendars.

Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Cyrillic, Meaning/Origin, and Notes.

Name: The standard Latin transliteration of each Russian name, which you use to read, compare, and search entries quickly.

Pronunciation: A simple respelling and optional IPA guide to help you say each name correctly and confidently.

Cyrillic: The original Russian spelling so you can recognize the name in records, signs, or Cyrillic sources.

Meaning/Origin: A concise one-line explanation of the name’s meaning or linguistic origin to inform your choice.

Notes: Practical details such as common diminutives, regional usage, or popularity that help you evaluate each name.

Russian boy names that start with N

NameCyrillicPronunciationMeaning/Origin
NikolayНиколайnee-koh-LAHY (nʲɪkɐˈlaj)victory of the people
NikitaНикитаNEE-kee-tah (nʲɪˈkʲitə)victorious (from Greek Niketas)
NikiforНикифорnee-KEE-for (nʲɪˈkʲifər)bearer of victory (Greek)
NikodimНикодимnee-koh-DEEM (nʲɪkɐˈdʲim)victory of the people (Greek)
NikanorНиканорnee-kah-NOR (nʲɪkɐˈnor)victorious man (Greek)
NikandrНикандрnee-KAHN-dr (nʲɪˈkandr)victory-man (Greek)
NifontНифонтnee-FONT (nʲɪˈfont)from Greek Niphon; saint’s name
NektariyНектарийnek-TAH-reey (nʲɪkˈtarʲij)of nectar (from Greek Nektarios)
NestorНесторNES-tor (ˈnʲestor)homecoming, return (Greek)
NazarНазарnah-ZAR (nɐˈzar)from Nazareth; consecrated
NazariyНазарийnah-ZAH-ree (nɐˈzarʲij)belonging to Nazarius (Latin/Greek)
NaumНаумnah-OOM (naˈum)comforter (Hebrew Nahum)
NilНилneel (nʲil)of the Nile (from Latin/Greek Nilus)
NailНаильNAH-eel (naˈilʲ)one who attains (Arabic Na’īl)
NadirНадирnah-DEER (naˈdir)rare, precious (Arabic)
NasirНасирnah-SEER (naˈsir)helper, defender (Arabic)
NurlanНурланNOOR-lahn (nurˈlan)radiant lion (Turkic/Arabic elements)
NuralyНуралиnoo-RAH-lee (nuˈralʲi)radiant; with Ali (Arabic/Turkic)
NuriНуриNOO-ree (nuˈri)my light (Arabic “nur”)
NazimНазимnah-ZEEM (naˈzim)organizer, composer (Arabic Nazim)
NshanНшанnshahn (nʃɑn)sign, symbol (Armenian)
NarekНарекNAH-rek (ˈnarʲek)from the Armenian place/name Narek
NorayrНорайрno-RAYR (noˈrajr)new man (Armenian: nor + ayr)
NorikНорикNOH-rik (ˈnorik)used as an independent Armenian name

Descriptions

Nikolay
Russia’s most familiar form of Nicholas; widespread, saintly name. Diminutive Kolya; heavy historical and modern usage.
Nikita
Traditional male name in Russia; sometimes mistaken for a female name abroad. Common diminutives: Nik, Nikita.
Nikifor
Old Orthodox name found in saints’ lists; rare today but historically used.
Nikodim
Ecclesiastical name (Greek Nikodemos); seen in church calendars, uncommon in secular use.
Nikanor
Ancient/saint’s name (Nicanor); used historically and by Orthodox families.
Nikandr
Archaic saint’s name (Nicander); rare, appears in older records.
Nifont
Old Christian name present in menologies; uncommon in modern civil registries.
Nektariy
Orthodox name from a Greek saint; occasional modern use in Russia.
Nestor
Homeric name preserved in Russian tradition; used historically and today.
Nazar
Used across Slavic and Caucasian communities; popular in Ukraine and present in Russia.
Nazariy
Church form related to Nazar; appears in Orthodox calendars and formal usage.
Naum
Biblical/Orthodox name; traditional though not common in modern urban registries.
Nil
Short, rare ecclesiastical name (St. Nilus); occasionally chosen for historical flavor.
Nail
Common among Tatars and other Muslim communities in Russia; appears in civil registries.
Nadir
Used among Muslim populations in Russia and internationally; simple and familiar.
Nasir
Found among Muslim families in Russia; common given name in Caucasus and Central Asia.
Nurlan
Popular in Kazakhstan and among Central Asian communities in Russia; modern-sounding, widely used.
Nuraly
Common Central Asian/Dagestani name used by Russian citizens of those backgrounds.
Nuri
Short Muslim name used by various ethnic groups within Russia.
Nazim
Used among Turkic and Caucasian groups in Russia; familiar in Central Asian communities.
Nshan
Armenian male name common in Russia’s Armenian communities; short and traditional.
Narek
Very common among Armenians; associated with St. Gregory of Narek and widely used in Russian Armenian families.
Norayr
Armenian-origin name used by Armenian communities in Russia; dignified and traditional.
Norik
Often used formally among Armenians in Russia; can be a standalone given name rather than only a diminutive.
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