This list includes 23 Russian boy names that start with V, from “Vadim” to “Vyacheslav”. They are mostly Slavic or Christian in origin, often tied to saints, history, or familiar family forms. Use it if you are choosing a baby name, researching family history, or naming a character.
Russian boy names that start with V are male given names beginning with the letter V in Russian use. Many come from Old Slavic, Greek, or Christian traditions, with “Vladimir” and “Vasily” especially well known.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Cyrillic, Pronunciation, Meaning/Origin, and Notes.
Name: The standard Latin transliteration of each Russian given name so you can read and choose easily.
Cyrillic: The original Russian spelling in Cyrillic so you can see the authentic form and search records.
Pronunciation: A simple phonetic respelling (plus optional IPA) to help you say each name correctly.
Meaning/Origin: A concise one-line explanation of the name’s meaning and linguistic source for quick comparison.
Notes: Additional details like common diminutives, usage frequency, or cultural context that may influence your choice.
Russian boy names that start with V
| Name | Cyrillic | Pronunciation | Meaning/Origin | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vladimir | Владимир | vla-DEE-meer (/vɫɐˈdʲimʲir/) | “rule” + “peace/world” (Slavic) | Extremely common Russian name; diminutives Volodya, Vlad; historical princes and many saints; widely used today (e.g., Vladimir Putin, Saint Vladimir of Kiev). |
| Viktor | Виктор | VIK-tor (/ˈviktər/) | “conqueror, victor” (Latin) | Long-established in Russia; diminutive Vitya; moderate popularity; appears in civil registries and Orthodox calendars; notable bearers Viktor Tsoi, Viktor Chernomyrdin. |
| Vitaly | Виталий | vih-TAH-lee (/vʲɪˈtalʲɪj/) | “vital, life” (Latin vitalis) | Popular modern name; diminutives Vitalik, Vita; used across generations; notable Vitaly Churkin (diplomat). |
| Valery | Валерий | vah-LEH-ree (/vɐˈlʲerʲɪj/) | “strong, healthy” (Latin valere) | Common male name in Russia; diminutive Valera; bearers include conductor Valery Gergiev; appears in official records. |
| Vasily | Василий | vah-SEE-lee (/vɐˈsʲilʲij/) | “kingly” (from Greek basileus) | Traditional Orthodox name with many saints (St. Basil); diminutive Vasya; widespread historically and today. |
| Vadim | Вадим | VAH-deem (/ˈvadʲim/) | Probably Slavic origin; meaning uncertain | Common modern name; diminutive Vadik; notable bearers include violinist Vadim Repin; well attested in name dictionaries. |
| Valentin | Валентин | vah-len-TEEN (/vɐlʲenˈtʲin/) | “strong, healthy” (Latin) | Used in Russia with diminutives Valya (m.), Valik; cultural presence (Valentine associations secondary); appears in saints’ lists. |
| Valerian | Валериан | vah-leh-REE-an (/vəlʲɪˈran/) | From Roman gentilic Valerius (Latin) | Historical/rare modern use; ecclesiastical attestations and saints; diminutive Valera; occasional literary or historical bearers. |
| Veniamin | Вениамин | veh-nee-AH-min (/vʲenʲɪˈamin/) | Russian form of Benjamin, “son of right hand” (Hebrew) | Traditional biblical name in Russia; diminutive Venya; used historically and present; appears in Orthodox calendars. |
| Vyacheslav | Вячеслав | vya-CHEH-slav (/vʲætɕɪˈslaf/) | “greater glory” (Slavic) | Popular Slavic name; common diminutive Slava; notable Vyacheslav Molotov; steady usage in Russia. |
| Vladislav | Владислав | vlah-dee-SLAV (/vlɐdʲɪˈslaf/) | “rule” + “glory” (Slavic) | Frequently used; diminutives Vlad, Slavik; popular across Slavic countries; many historical and modern bearers. |
| Vsevolod | Всеволод | vseh-vo-LOHD (/vsʲevɐˈɫod/) | “rule all” (Slavic) | Medieval princely name (e.g., Vsevolod), less common today; notable in history and literature; occasional modern use. |
| Vissarion | Виссарион | vees-SAH-ree-on (/vʲɪsɐˈrʲon/) | From Greek Bessarion; ecclesiastical origin | Monastic/saint name; used by clergy and some laymen; notable modern figures (religious leader Vissarion). |
| Varfolomey | Варфоломей | var-foh-loh-MEY (/varfɐˈlomʲej/) | Russian form of Bartholomew (Aramaic/Greek) | Biblical/saint’s name in Orthodox calendar; rare as a secular given name; diminutives Varfoloma/Varfoloma. |
| Varlaam | Варлаам | var-LAH-am (/vɐrˈlaam/) | Monastic name of Greek/Aramaic origin | Church and historical use; appears in hagiographies and older records; rare in modern civil registries. |
| Vassian | Вассиан | vah-see-AHN (/vɐˈsːian/) | From Cassian (Latin/Greek) — ecclesiastical | Rare, attested in Orthodox sources and older records; used by monastics and in hagiography. |
| Velimir | Велимир | veh-LEE-meer (/vʲɪˈlʲimʲir/) | “great” + “peace/folk” (Old Slavic) | Archaic/poetic Slavic name (e.g., poet Velimir Khlebnikov); uncommon in modern registries; diminutive Velya. |
| Vlas | Влас | VLAHS (/vlas/) | From Saint Blaise (Latin/Greek origin) | Old Christian name preserved in Orthodox tradition; used in rural and historical contexts; saint Vlasiy (Blaise) remembered. |
| Vladlen | Владлен | vlad-LEN (/vlɐdˈlʲen/) | Soviet-era contraction of “Vladimir Lenin” | 20th-century Soviet name; seen in civil records from USSR era; diminutives Vlad, Len. |
| Vladilen | Владилен | vlad-ee-LEN (/vlɐdʲɪˈlʲen/) | Soviet-era contraction (Vladimir Ilyich Lenin) | Rare, Soviet-period coinage; recorded in registries; diminutive Len or Vlad. |
| Venedikt | Венедикт | veh-ne-DEEKT (/vʲenʲɪˈdʲikt/) | Russian form of Benedict, “blessed” (Latin) | Historical and ecclesiastical usage; appears in saints’ calendars; diminutive Venya sometimes used. |
| Vseslav | Всеслав | vseh-SLAHV (/vsʲeˈslaf/) | “all-glory” (Old Slavic) | Medieval princely name (Vseslav of Polotsk); rare today but well attested in historical sources. |
| Vladimir-variant (archaic) Vladimirok excluded | — | — | — | — |
Descriptions
Vladimir
Viktor
Vitaly
Valery
Vasily
Vadim
Valentin
Valerian
Veniamin
Vyacheslav
Vladislav
Vsevolod
Vissarion
Varfolomey
Varlaam
Vassian
Velimir
Vlas
Vladlen
Vladilen
Venedikt
Vseslav
Vladimir-variant (archaic) Vladimirok excluded