Russian Names

Something people often ask me is to explain is why Russian names in novels are always so dang long. I've written about this on my website in the Extras/For Book Groups, section of The Revolution of Marina M.

1. WHY DO RUSSIANS HAVE THREE NAMES?

Simple — because in the old days, you were referred to as your father’s son or daughter. Historically, last names came later.

So Marina Dmitrievna Makarova, is Marina, Dmitry’s daughter (evna or ovna for women, ovitch or evitch for men), Makarov. (If you’re a woman you end your last name with an a.)

It’s a matter of respect for an older person to be called by first and middle name, (called a patronymic -- literally 'father-name.') the same way we would call an older person Mrs. Smith instead of Deborah or god forbid, Debby.

Only older people who command respect are called by first and patronymic. It’s a clue as to the relationship that person has to the speaker. Thus, when Marina’s school friend Varvara calls Marina’s dignified father Dmitry, instead of Dmitry Ivanovitch, we know the fat’s in the fire.

When someone calls a young person by first and patronymic, it’s often a parent speaking sternly. Or, as when a young man's flirting with a young woman, there's a touch of mockery in it.

If someone's referred to by patronymic alone, that’s a slight to-not-so-slight put-down.

2. WHY DO RUSSIANS HAVE SO MANY NICKNAMES?

The Russians love nicknames — called diminutives, meaning “making little”. These nicknames aren’t the name-calling type (Squinty, Shorty etc.). It’s the John, Johnny, Jojo variety.

Each name has a standard nickname or two—Ivan becomes Vanya, Nikolai becomes Kolya, Sergei becomes Seryozha, Alexander becomes Sasha.

Then there’s rougher nickname, with a slight rascally edge — Vanka. That Ka… What boys will call other boys, watch for that.

And the enkas and ushkas, that’s babytalk — affectionate, in-the-family stuff. Marina’s old nanny is the only one who calls her Marinoushka. It’s funny that the more affectionate the diminutive becomes, the longer get gets. Seryozhenka gets the same treatment.

For more Russia insights, check out my website, www.janetfitchwrites.com