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Do Russian Girls Have Middle Names?

Published in Russian Naming Customs 2 mins read

While Russian girls do not have "middle names" in the Western sense of an additional given name, they do have a patronymic that serves a similar function and is customarily used in that position. This patronymic is a crucial part of a Russian person's full name.

Understanding Russian Naming Conventions

The Russian naming system traditionally consists of three distinct parts:

  1. Given Name (Imia): This is the personal name chosen by the parents, similar to a first name in English.
  2. Patronymic (Otchestvo): This is derived from the father's given name and acts as a link to one's paternal lineage. It is often used where a middle name would be in other cultures.
  3. Surname (Familiia): This is the family name, inherited from parents, similar to a last name.

The Role of the Patronymic

The patronymic is not an optional middle name but an integral part of an individual's identity and is used in formal and polite address, often alongside the given name. For Russian girls, patronymics are formed by adding specific suffixes to their father's given name:

  • If the father's name ends in a consonant or -y, -ov, -ev, or -in, the female patronymic typically ends in -ovna (e.g., Ivan becomes Ivanovna).
  • If the father's name ends in -ey or -iy, the female patronymic typically ends in -evna (e.g., Sergey becomes Sergeyevna).

Examples of Russian Female Names

Here are some examples illustrating how the patronymic forms part of a Russian girl's full name:

  • Father's Name: Alexander
    • Female Patronymic: Alexandrovna
    • Full Name Example: Anna Alexandrovna Petrova (Anna, daughter of Alexander, from the Petrov family)
  • Father's Name: Dmitry
    • Female Patronymic: Dmitrievna
    • Full Name Example: Elena Dmitrievna Smirnova (Elena, daughter of Dmitry, from the Smirnov family)
  • Father's Name: Mikhail
    • Female Patronymic: Mikhailovna
    • Full Name Example: Olga Mikhailovna Ivanova (Olga, daughter of Mikhail, from the Ivanov family)

Structure of a Full Russian Name

The table below summarizes the typical structure of a Russian name:

Component Russian Term Description Example (Female)
Given Name Imia The individual's personal first name Anna
Patronymic Otchestvo Derived from the father's given name Alexandrovna
Surname Familiia The family name, inherited from parents Petrova

In essence, while the term "middle name" doesn't perfectly translate to Russian naming conventions, the patronymic serves a similar positioning and identification purpose, deeply rooted in Russian culture and tradition.