Many traditions are associated with the name in Russian culture; it is not in vain that the child was given two names. One is for people, and the second is a secret name; only close relatives knew it. It was forbidden to talk about him, since it was a true name, it protected a person from evil forces and was a kind of talisman. Saying your middle name to the uninitiated is like selling a soul.
Female Old Russian names are rare names, very few have survived. Calendars of names have survived to this day, where for each day several nominatives were allotted, closely related to holiday activities. In general, the Slavs very responsibly approached the issue of man’s complaints, because they believed that the fate of man depends on this. Yes, and in our time the winged saying has been preserved: "As you call a boat, it will float."
Origin of names
Female old Russian names are very interesting in terms of their origin. For example, such a familiar name for us, Olga, actually came to our cultural environment from the northern lands of the Scandinavian peoples. There it sounds in another version - Helga, which means "bright" in translation. The owner of this name is strong in character, independent and decisive. I immediately recall the image of Princess Olga, the first woman ruler in Kievan Rus.
Female old Russian names are mysterious and very beautiful. Our ancestors worshiped the natural elements, worshiped the Sun, Stars, Fire, especially the living fire (Svarog - the god of living fire). It was in their honor that they also called their daughters - Zoreslav, Bohumil, Velizar (illuminated), Zhivoroda (priestess of the goddess Alive), Lada, Ladomila and Milada, which means "dear to the goddess Lada", Luchesara (illuminated with light), Ogneslav (that that praises the Fire), Jaromila (dear to the god Yarila).
Also, female old Russian names denoted positive traits and qualities of character and appearance: Faith (faithful), Goluba (meek), Dobrolyub, Volunteer (kind), Ludomir (peaceable people), Rada (Joy), Radmila, Svetoyara (sunny, happy), Snezhana (white-haired, cold), Chernava (dark-haired).
In addition, knowledge was very much appreciated at that time. And the ancient Slavs considered people who owned knowledge to be close to the gods. The names of women who knew (knew) the secrets of healing, such as the Omniscience, have also been preserved.
Mysteries of female names
Many old Russian female names were formed from the names of men and characterized their bearers as strong-willed and strong women. Such names were given in honor of husbands, fathers, grandfathers, as well as various national heroes. Nowadays, you rarely see similar old Russian female names. A list of some of them is given below:
- Bazhen, Beloslav, Blagoslav, Borislav, Boyan, Bronislav;
- Vladimir, Vladislav, Voislav;
- Darren (Darina, Dara), Dobromila, Dobroslav, Dragomir;
- Spark;
- Miroslava, Mstislav;
- Nekras
- Ogneyara;
- Radimir
- Svetislav, Stanimir;
- Yaroslav and others.
Many names are harmonious, but some "cut the ear" of modern man. Therefore, before choosing an unusual name for a baby, think about whether it will be comfortable for a child to wear it in modern society?
