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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Russian name for a nonRussian boy these days

63 replies

Lactosan83 · 08/03/2022 16:20

Hi all, am writing regarding concern I have for my future nephew.

My sis has a husband of Eastern European heritage, and they live internationally, with plans to spend some time in UK in the near future.
They are expecting a baby boy (yey!!), and plan to give him an Eastern European name to honour his father's roots. All peachy and great.

However, I am worried as they seem to have settled on a name that sounds specifically very "Russian". I am afraid what that will do to a baby boy growing up in current political circumstances, and who has no relationship with Russia (his father is Eastern European, but not Russian).
Will he be bullied / discriminated? Will he need to spend his days explaining that he's not really Russian etc?

I believe that confusion is best to be avoided, and hope they can find another EE name that doesn't ring "Russia" to everyone who hears it. Am I wrong? Am I over the top?

Wanted to check with you before I say anything to them. Any input is appreciated.

OP posts:
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Whoamireally22 · 08/03/2022 19:27

Would you personally bully or discriminate a CHILD based on their name or place of origin, OP?

BiscuitLover3678 · 08/03/2022 19:19

@Lactosan83

Thank you all, this is all very insightful.

Name is Sergei. It sounds like an epitome Russian name to me, although I understand it to be present in other E European countries too. Whenever I google it says "Russian name".

Just trying to make the right thing, didn't mean to offend.

I wouldn’t think Russian I’d think Eastern European. I love the name! But I think cute meetcat.
BiscuitLover3678 · 08/03/2022 19:18

I don’t even think Vladimir is an issue tbh. Just don’t call him Putin.

Apart from that please leave it be.

BiscuitLover3678 · 08/03/2022 19:17

Do you live in a particularly racist area?

Most people won’t know the difference between a Russian or Ukrainian name. They might even think of it fondly! Or just find it interesting. I really wouldn’t worry.

Also this isn’t the 1920s where everyone hated Germans. We’re a bit more multicultural and understanding these days.

Also I know Russian people in the uk. There are here because they DO NOT like putin.

Let’s remember Putin snd Russia aren’t the same thing.

Prescottdanni123 · 08/03/2022 19:15

There probably aren't many names that I would pinpoint as Russian. Eastern European, yes but not specifically Russian. And there are several countries in Eastern Europe.

Onlyrainbows · 08/03/2022 19:06

If you're talking about "Dracula" he was a Vlad.

Mb76 · 08/03/2022 18:49

To all of you saying “not Vladimir”, did you know that Volodymir is the same name in Ukrainian? Same as Kiev, Kyiv

HomeHomeInTheRange · 08/03/2022 18:46

@Riverlee

I think people are more likely to think of meerkats!
Or the Impaler.

Who was Romanian.

TheVanguardSix · 08/03/2022 18:44

I'm with Riverlee! Grin

SoupDragon · 08/03/2022 18:33

Sergei Is absolutely fine. It screams "Eastern European" to me rather than specifically Russian.

Riverlee · 08/03/2022 18:28

I think people are more likely to think of meerkats!

GrendelsGrandma · 08/03/2022 18:27

All names including Vladimir are fine. I quite like the name Vladimir. I wouldn't name him Nigel after Farage tho.

Original poster
Lactosan83 · 08/03/2022 18:24

Thank you all, this is all very insightful.

Name is Sergei. It sounds like an epitome Russian name to me, although I understand it to be present in other E European countries too. Whenever I google it says "Russian name".

Just trying to make the right thing, didn't mean to offend.

OP posts:
gogohm · 08/03/2022 18:16

Anything but Vladimir is fine.

FloBot7 · 08/03/2022 18:16

I work in a very multicultural university and work with academics from Russia, Ukraine and Poland. Aside from the very obvious Polish names (Bartek and Tomasz), I'm never 100% sure where they're from until I ask them. I don't think anyone will assume the name is Russian.

CallMeNutribullet · 08/03/2022 18:12

Why does the name sound Russian? Do you think all Eastern European names sound Russian?

RichardMarxisinnocent · 08/03/2022 18:08

@Frankley

I understand your concern. I know an English boy with foreign heritage. His name links him to another country that is not always popular. A relative did mention this at the time. I think now it may have been a mistake.
What do you mean by a county which isn't always popular? China because of their human rights recoded? Saudi Arabia? Somewhere else? And even if the name is in some linked to this unpopular country why do you think it's a mistake? Are people thinking the boy is somehow linked to the Chinese or Saudi leadership?
Riverlee · 08/03/2022 18:02

Ps. What’s the name?

Riverlee · 08/03/2022 18:02

Most people will assume it’s an East European name rather than being Russian.

I don’t see a problem.

Their baby, their choice of name.

Tigerteafor3 · 08/03/2022 18:02

It'll be fine as long as they don't call him Putin. I teach a few Vladimir/Vlad/Vadims/Alexis/Aleksandr-s and as far as I know nothing has been said.

HomeHomeInTheRange · 08/03/2022 17:58

But what does ‘sounds Russian’ mean? That anything E European ‘sounds Russian’?

Boris ‘sounds Russian’ to me but the reason I have no respect for our PM is nothing to do with his name.

Frankley · 08/03/2022 17:56

I understand your concern. I know an English boy with foreign heritage. His name links him to another country that is not always popular. A relative did mention this at the time. I think now it may have been a mistake.

thewhatsit · 08/03/2022 17:44

Presumably it’s also a name in the father’s country though? So it’s not an issue. They explain the child is half ..whatever nationality.

Plus isn’t it being emphasised over and over how normal Russians are not responsible for what is going on? Are basically under martial law themselves and carted away for mentioning Ukraine…?

TheVanguardSix · 08/03/2022 17:40

Don't be silly, OP.

organicoatmilk · 08/03/2022 17:39

Sorry but that is ridiculous.