This list includes 29 Russian boy names that start with S, from “Samson” to “Svyatoslav”. They range from short, popular names to traditional saints’ names and historic Slavic compounds, useful for parents, writers, and genealogists.
Russian boy names that start with S are male given names used in Russia and Russian-speaking communities. Many derive from Old Slavic roots or celebrate Orthodox saints, such as Svyatoslav, a medieval prince.
Below you’ll find the table with Transliteration, Cyrillic, Pronunciation, Meaning/Origin, and Notes.
Transliteration: Shows the standard Latin spelling you see in English sources, so you can pronounce and search for each name easily.
Cyrillic: Gives the original Russian spelling, essential if you check records, match documents, or read Russian-language lists.
Pronunciation: Provides a simple respelling and optional IPA, helping you say names correctly in conversation or when choosing a name.
Meaning/Origin: Summarizes each name’s literal meaning and historical or linguistic origin to help you understand its background quickly.
Notes: Includes diminutives, saint days, or regional usage notes that help you decide suitability and cultural resonance.
Russian boy names that start with S
| Name | Cyrillic | Pronunciation | Meaning/Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergey | Сергей | SEHR-gey (/ˈsɛrɡeɪ/) | From Roman family name Sergius, origin uncertain |
| Semyon | Семён | SEH-myohn (/sʲɪˈmjon/) | Hebrew “he has heard” (Samuel) via Slavic forms |
| Stepan | Степан | STEH-pahn (/ˈstɛpən/) | Greek “crown” (from Stephanos) |
| Stefan | Стефан | STEH-fahn (/stɛˈfan/) | Greek “crown” (from Stephanos) |
| Stanislav | Станислав | STAH-nee-slahv (/ˈstanislaf/) | Slavic “stand + glory” (become glorious) |
| Svyatoslav | Святослав | SVYAH-toh-slahv (/svʲætɐˈslaf/) | holy + “glory” (Slavic compound) |
| Svyatopolk | Святополк | SVYAH-toh-polk (/svʲætɐˈpolk/) | holy + “people/army” (Slavic compound) |
| Savva | Савва | SAHV-vah (/ˈsavə/) | From Hebrew “Sabbath” via Greek/Saint Savvas |
| Sava | Сава | SAH-vah (/ˈsavə/) | From Hebrew “Sabbath” via Church Slavonic |
| Saveliy | Савелий | sah-VEH-lee (/sɐˈvʲelʲɪj/) | From Hebrew “God has asked” (Savel) via Greek |
| Savel | Савел | sah-VEHL (/sɐˈvʲel/) | Short form of Saveliy; same Hebrew origin |
| Spiridon | Спиридон | spee-REE-dohn (/spʲirʲɪˈdon/) | Greek, from Spyridon, a 4th-century saint |
| Samuil | Самуил | sah-moo-EEL (/səmuˈil/) | Hebrew “God has heard” (Samuel) |
| Solomon | Соломон | SAH-loh-mohn (/ˈsɐləmən/) | Hebrew “peace” (shalom) |
| Samson | Самсон | SAHM-sahn (/ˈsamson/) | Hebrew origin; Biblical judge Samson |
| Sokrat | Сократ | SOH-kraht (/sɐˈkrat/) | Greek philosopher name Socrates |
| Serafim | Серафим | seh-RAH-feem (/sʲɪrɐˈfʲim/) | From Hebrew “seraphim” (angels) |
| Sevastyan | Севастьян | seh-vahs-TYAHN (/sʲɪvəstˈjan/) | From Latin/Greek Sebastianus |
| Sidor | Сидор | SEE-dor (/ˈsʲidor/) | From Greek Isidore “gift of Isis” |
| Sigizmund | Сигизмунд | see-geez-MOOND (/sʲɪgʲɪzˈmund/) | Germanic “victory + protection” (Sigismund) |
| Simeon | Симеон | see-MEH-on (/sʲɪˈmʲejən/) | Hebrew “hearing” (biblical Simeon) |
| Severin | Северин | seh-veh-REEN (/sʲɪvʲɪˈrʲin/) | Latin “severe” (from Severinus) |
| Sotiriy | Сотирий | soh-TEE-ree (/sɐˈtʲirʲij/) | From Greek Soterios “savior” via Church Slavonic |
| Siluan | Силуан | see-LOO-ahn (/sʲɪˈluan/) | Greek “Silvanus” lineage, “woods/forest” |
| Silvestr | Сильвестр | seel-VYES-tr (/sʲilˈvʲestr/) | Latin “wooded” (from Silvester) |
| Slavomir | Славомир | slah-voh-MEER (/slɐvɐˈmir/) | Slavic “glory + peace” (Slavic compound) |
| Svetozar | Светозар | svyeh-toh-ZAHR (/svʲetɐˈzar/) | light + “fame” (Slavic compound) |
| Sofroniy | Софроний | soh-FROH-nee (/səˈfronʲij/) | Greek “sensible” (from Sophronius) |
| Svyatogor | Святогор | SVYAH-toh-gor (/svʲætɐˈɡor/) | holy + “mountain” (epic/Slavic) |
Descriptions
Sergey
Very common Russian male name across generations; modern and historical use. Common diminutives: Seryozha, Sergeyok. Widely used in culture and sports.
Semyon
Traditional Russian form of Simeon; popular historically and still used. Diminutive: Semyonka, Senya. Pronunciation note: ё = “yo.”
Stepan
Common Russian form of Stephen; used historically and today. Diminutives: Styopa, Stepa. Classic Slavic/Orthodox name.
Stefan
Less common than Stepan but attested historically and in modern Russia. Often seen in ecclesiastical and pan-Slavic contexts.
Stanislav
Popular Slavic name in Russia; many diminutives: Stan, Stas. Common among older and middle generations.
Svyatoslav
Historic princely name (Kievan Rus); used by modern parents seeking old Slavic names. Diminutives: Slava, Svyat.
Svyatopolk
Historic name of princes; rare but attested in medieval and genealogical records. Seen in historical novels.
Savva
Traditional Orthodox name, used in Russia since medieval times. Short, distinctive; uncommon but recognized.
Sava
Older, simpler form of Savva; found in hagiography and regional usage. Uncommon today but historically attested.
Saveliy
Historic and ecclesiastical name; moderate modern use. Diminutives: Savel, Savelka. Formal variant of Savely.
Savel
Shorter form sometimes used as a legal name; traditional and somewhat rare. Friendly diminutive: Savelka.
Spiridon
Orthodox, especially in liturgical and regional contexts. Uncommon but well attested; diminutive: Spiridonchik, Spirya.
Samuil
Biblical/Church Slavonic form; used historically and in religious families. Formal and literary, uncommon in everyday use.
Solomon
Biblical name used in Russia via Church Slavonic; historical and literary use. Uncommon but recognized.
Samson
Rare historical and biblical name in Russia; appears in literature and religious contexts. Strong, archaic feel.
Sokrat
Used as a learned or classical name historically; rare in modern Russia but attested in 18th–19th century records.
Serafim
Orthodox Christian name, associated with saints. Moderately uncommon; diminutive: Rafim, Sera.
Sevastyan
Sevastyan is the Russian form of Sebastian; growing in modern use. Diminutives: Seva, Styopa sometimes used.
Sidor
Old Russian name, more common historically; now uncommon but known. Diminutive: Sidochka.
Sigizmund
Historical name in imperial Russia and nobility; rare today. Seen in historical texts and aristocratic families.
Simeon
Church Slavonic form distinct from Semyon; used in ecclesiastical and historical contexts. Archaic but attested.
Severin
Rare, ecclesiastical or literary name; occasionally used in modern Russia. Distinctive, slightly old-fashioned.
Sotiriy
Uncommon ecclesiastical name found in Orthodox registers and saints’ calendars. Rare in secular use.
Siluan
Monastic and religious name, known from saints and church history. Rare outside clergy.
Silvestr
Old-fashioned Biblical/Latin-derived name; used in literature and some families. Diminutive: Sil.
Slavomir
Pan-Slavic historical name; rare but attested in Russia. Pleasant archaic-Slavic feel; diminutive: Slavik.
Svetozar
Old Slavic name revived occasionally; uncommon but used by parents liking Slavic roots. Diminutive: Svetik.
Sofroniy
Ecclesiastical name, common in monastic tradition and older records. Rare in secular modern naming.
Svyatogor
Epic/folkloric name from byliny (epic poems); very rare as a given name, mainly literary or poetic use.