Favorite Russian name for adopted Russian baby girl?

Question

My friend is adopting a baby girl from Russia and would like her to have a piece of her ethnic culture by giving her a traditional name. She turned to me for a few suggestions and likes what I've come up with. We'd both appreciate it if you could rank from your favorite to least favorite and maybe tell why you did so. We are also open to suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Natasha

Natalia

Alexandra

Anastasia

Irina

Julia

Yulia

Anna

Answer 1

I like -

NATASHA, ANNA, JULIA, ANASTASIA - I knew a Russian girl called Anastasia, and she shortened it to Nastia, but I've also heard Stasia (prn "stass-ee-ah")

But I also like -

SASHA (the nickname of Alexandra, and nicer than Alex), LARA (which isn't Russian, but it's very popular there) and ELISAVETA. I knew a girl that shortened it to Lisa.

Answer 2

Please don't use Natasha or Natalia. Both names are used throughout Europe as slang for the term, "prostitute".

Otherwise I love the name Anastasia (nn Anna?). Alexandra is also great and a great form of Russian nickname for that name is Sasha (cute for a little girl and unique in the West). For alternatives your friend might want to consider these other names:

Rada (meaning "Happy")

Tamara

Tatiana

Zoya (Russian form of Zoe, meaning "life")

Masha

Roza

Polina

Milena

Galya

Tell your friends congratulations!

  

Answer 3

My name's Natasha :D And I love this name. I don't know many people at all with it. Anastasia is also a favorite of mine!

Answer 4

In order of preference...

Anna

Natalia

Irina

Julia

Natasha

Anastasia

Yulia

Alexandra

Answer 5

My favorites are Alexandra ( I like Allisandra more, but I am not sure if that is true to Russian culture) and Anastasia...because it is very pretty and not too common.  My other favorite is Natalia, but I think that it is much more common and would like something a little different from everyone else.  I do not particulary care for Natasha, Irina, Julia, Yulia and Anna...I think the other names are much prettier and more unique.

Answer 6

My favorite names from your list (in order from most to least) are Alexandra, Irina, Julia, Anastasia, Natalia, Anna, Natasha, Yulia.

I personally like the names Anya, Keesa, Milena, Katya, and Lara as well.

Answer 7

I have a Ukrainian friend named Irina. My favorite name of the list for your friend's adopted baby girl would be Natasha! I think that's very gorgeous. An elegant, feminine and sophisticated name. I always think of someone classy when I hear the name Natasha. Congrats to your friend(: and btw you came up with beautiful names!

Answer 8

Natalia, Alexandra, Irina and Yulia are great names.

Answer 9

Out of the list I only like Irina, Anna and Julia in that order.  I just don't care for the others, nothing against them just not anything I would choose.  Some names I found and think are pretty and original:

Anya

Dessa (or Odessa)

Lida

Vera

Galina

Calina

Elena

Milena

Mischa

Good Luck!

Answer 10

LOVE Natalia and Natasha and Anastasia

I would probably avoid Yulia if in the USA because people will get confused (but it's a cute name).  I would go with Julia (with the J sound, like "Joo-lee-ah) instead, just so the name isn't mispronounced constantly.

Least favorite is Irina, but it's not bad!

Answer 11

Anastasia for sure! It's pretty and elegant and will make an excellent name that will make your baby will appreciate one day. But here's my list anyway:

1.Anastasia

2.Natalia

3. Alexandra (just don't call her Alex--that name is too common!)

4. Anna

5. Julia

6.Natasha

7.Yulia

8. Irina

Answer 12

thoose are all nice her are some more.

galina - ga-LEE-na(eng) gala/gaa-lii-nah (russian)

lena - lEE-NAH (eng) ll-EHH-NA (russian)

sasha - s-ASH-A

liza/eliza - lll-EE-Z-AH(eng)  eell - e -za (russian)

sima- SEE-MA

Answer 13

Has she thought of Catherine? It would not only represent the great Russian leader Catherine the Great, but be a very familiar American name.  

Answer 14

Nikita Hidel

Answer 15

I like Anastasia best. I know of a family who adopted a little girl from Russia and they named her Valentina..that was actually the name her Russian birth mother gave her. She is such a beautiful little girl and the name suits her very well.  

Answer 16

alexandra

Answer 17

Natalia - Natasha is a nickname for this.

Anastasia - Nastia is the nickname for that :)

Those are my two votes but I thought I'd give you the heads up on the Natalia/Natasha thing.

Answer 18

Natasha= I love this name. It's beautiful.

Anastasia= Ditto.

Anna= If Natasha wasn't on the list this would have been the first one.

Alexandra= I like it.

Julia= Ditto.

Natalia= It's cute, but I honestly don't like the pronunciation.

Irina= It sorta sounds like a grandma's name to me.

Yulia= Julia's better.

Answer 19

Natasha is pretty enough, but so stereotypically Russian that I'd avoid it.

Natalia is almost as stereotypical, but a lot prettier, so I'd have to consider it! It's such a gorgeous name.

Yulia, being unpronounceable, is out. Anastasia, being sort of overwrought and cartoony, is also out.

Irina is a nice one. I associate it with a vampire from the Twilight books, but that's neither here nor there. This would be on my short list.

Alexandra, Julia, and Anna are all very nice names and have the advantage of completely blending in with American culture. But then again, is that what she's looking for? It's up to her.

What about Anya? Pretty, very Russian, but still accessible and pronounceable. Catarina is another great one.

My short list: Anya, Catarina, Irina, Natalia

Answer 20

how about these lovely names..

Michelkovikvlov

Anastanmaristaciklov

Yulivonkovishlokikovikc

Annamarrieklovshlukikovickkovickslov

Answer 21

My name is Julia and my best friend is Natasha!  I also have friend's called Natalia, Alexandra and Anna (all of these are nice and fairly universal names except Natalia - my friend calls herself Natalie).

Personally I like Anastasia, it's a name that reminds me of Russian royalty and I like how you can shorten it to Ana.

I also like Alessandra more than Alexandra but not sure it is Russian!  However Aleksandra is Russian and is also pretty.  Also like Angelika.

Nadia or Tatiana are also Russian names you might like.

Not a fan of Yulia or Irina.

Answer 22

i like natalia and anastasia

Answer 23

Definitely Anastasia.  Russian names have a tendency to sound "slippery" but Anastasia sounds very elegant.

Answer 24

in order-

Anna

Alexandra

Natasha

Anastasia

Julia

Natalia

Irina

Yulia

Answer 25

Anastasia and Alexandra.

Answer 26

U could call her Anastasia and Anna for short? Anastasia would give her something to fall back on when she is older......lets face it Anna is a name alot of people have ! I hope I help x*x