The moment of naming was considered one of the most important events in the life of the Slavs. A lot of traditions and rituals are associated with it. For example, our ancestors believed that in childhood a person is most susceptible to the negative influence of ill-wishers. In this regard, the child was called the name obviously ugly and unattractive. It was believed that this would protect him from evil spirits, as well as people with evil intentions, since they would not want to contact the bearer of such a dubious name.
Beautiful old Slavonic names were given to children later, at about the age of seven. By that time, the person was strong enough and independent enough to resist evil. In addition, the basic character traits should have already formed. Thus, the name became a kind of key to the human essence.
Old Slavonic names for girls were selected based on several criteria and were divided into categories:
- The nickname should be harmonious, that is, not only to caress the ear of the speaker, but also to evoke positive associations with the person who bears this name. I would immediately like to recall the following names, which are quite common to this day, such as Snezhana, Yaroslav, Milan, Lyudmila and many others.
- Nicknames given in honor of the goddesses. Agree, it’s flattering and pleasant to realize that your child’s name is the same as that of the famous Slavic deity.
- An adverb that characterizes any favorable human quality. Bright, bright, welcome, leading, cheerful, proud, peaceful, divine … What did not want the daughters in Ancient Russia! It was believed that Old Slavonic names for girls carry directions and determine the course of life. Thus, parents invested in the nickname not only protective functions, but also wishes for a long and happy life.
- Nicknames given in honor of animals and plants, as well as the phenomena of the world. Old Slavic names for girls that describe the beauty of the world of flora and fauna, as well as imitation of them, can be safely attributed to this category. An excellent example of these names can be Yesenia, Zora, Krasimira and many others.
- Drawing up one nickname from several. This category allowed to significantly expand the range of available adverbs, as well as to obtain many beautiful and interesting nicknames.
Old Slavonic names for girls, of course, are an integral part of the identity of our ancestors. The emergence and development of such a cultural heritage was sufficiently influenced by all sorts of geographical, historical and religious events and factors. In addition, there was a gradual borrowing from the cultures of other peoples, for example, Serbian, Bulgarian, Czech.
List of Old Slavonic names:
- Azorina - the beauty of dawn;
- Beloslava - bright glory;
- Faith - knowing the light, faithful;
- Vladimir - owning the world;
- Gordana is proud;
- Goodness - doing, creating good;
- Zlata - gold;
- Ladomira - loving;
- Lana - field, allotment, homeland, land;
- Olesya - from the forest;
- Rostislav - to grow glorious;
- Snezhana - snowy;
- Hranimira - keeping the world;
- Yaroslav - shining with glory.
