Thread: Select a Russian name for me

Originally Posted by delog

Your surname and Russian names are no good match. But if you wish:

5/10 Вадим Швед
4/10 Влодимир Швед
3/10 Всеволод Швед
3/10 Изяслав Швед
4/10 Эдик Швед
6/10 Эмиль Швед (hm... maybe Емельян (Емеля)? then 2/10)
6/10 Юрий Швед

So these names don’t sound Russian, but do they sound good? Funny? Stupid? Acceptable? Boring? Common? Dark? Scary? Ridiculous? Foreign? Weird? Tough? Weak?

Вадим Швед
Владимир Швед
Всеволод Швед
Изяслав Швед
Эдик Швед
Емельян Швед
Емеля Швед
Эмиль Швед
Юрий Швед

I’m more concerned with my given name, and the given name flowing smoothly with Швед, even if Швед doesn’t sound like a Russian surname. I’m more concerned with my full name sounding good/cool/neat rather than exactly/precisely/specifically Russian. I don’t mind if Швед sounds a little foreign, but I do mind if my given name sounds foreign.

So, do these names sound good? Or do they sound stupid, etc?

The names Владимир, Юрий, Вадим are rather good and don't sound ludicrous. I also can offer following:
Александр
Андрей
Артём
Виктор
Денис
Дмитрий
Иван - how could you, guys, forget about it?
Илья
Константин
Максим
Михаил
Николай
Роман
Ярослав etc.

Well, not all the names are original russian, but it's rather popular over here. I also can't understand what for you want to choose other name, but don't take Емеля - I accosiate it only with one fairy-tale character - funny, but not so clever.

Good luck

Please rate these names on a scale of 1 – 10 by how good they sound, NOT by how Russian they sound, but by how good they sound. Yes, the list looks long but it will probably take you only a few minutes to complete the list. An English demonstration is on the top, the Russian list is on the bottom.

Demonstration:
Here’s how I would rate these English names:
8 Aaron
5 Abraham (5 Abram)
7 Adam
7 Aiden
7 Alexander (7 Alex)
5 Amos
7 Andrew (6 Andy)
7 Anthony (6 Andy)
6 Benjamin (7 Ben)
7 Christian (8 Chris)
7 Christopher (8 Chris)
7 Dane
7 Daniel (6 Dan)
7 David (7 Dave)
5 Elijah (6 Eli)
8 Ethan
5 Gabriel (4 Gabe)
7 Isaac
5 Isaiah
7 Jacob (7 Jake)
8 James
9 Jason
7 Jayden
5 Jeremiah (8 Jeremy)
6 Jesse
5 Jesus
5 Job
5 Joel
8 John
7 Jonathan (8 John)
7 Joseph (6 Joe)
7 Joshua (9 Josh)
5 Josiah
6 Jude
9 Levi
7 Logan
7 Luke
7 Mark
7 Matthew (7 Matt)
6 Micah
7 Michael (7 Mike)
5 Moses (4 Moe)
7 Nathan (7 Nate)
7 Nicholas (6 Nick)
6 Paul
5 Peter (5 Pete)
8 Philip (7 Phil)
10 Roman
7 Ryan
6 Samuel (5 Sam)
8 Seth
9 Stephen
7 Thomas (7 Tom)
6 Timothy (7 Tim)
7 Tyler
7 Victor
7 William

Please rate these:

Аарон Швед
Абрам Швед
Адам Швед
Александр Швед
Амос Швед
Андрей Швед
Артём Швед
Вадим Швед
Вениамин Швед
Виктор Швед
Владимир Швед
Гавриил Швед
Давид Швед
Даниил Швед
Денис Швед
Дмитрий Швед
Иаков Швед
Иасон Швед
Иван Швед
Иван Швед
Иеремия Швед
Иессей Швед
Иисус Швед
Иисус Швед
Илья Швед
Иоанн Швед
Иов Швед
Иоиль Швед
Иосиф Швед
Иосия Швед
Исаак Швед
Исай Швед
Иуда Швед
Константин Швед
Левий Швед
Лука Швед
Максим Швед
Марка Швед
Матвей Швед
Михаил Швед
Михей Швед
Моисей Швед
Николай Швед
Ноа Швед
Осип Швед
Павел Швед
Пётр Швед
Роман Швед
Самуил Швед
Сиф Швед
Стефан Швед
Тимофей Швед
Филипп Швед
Фома Швед
Юрий Швед
Яков Швед
Ярослав Швед

Originally Posted by Оля

What is the purpose?

I used to learn several languages, but I see now that I never did a great first step - I never got a special name in any of them.

Here is an example:
Bobby Jindal (Americans call him this with the possible exception of some Asian-Indian-Americans)
Piyush Jindal (Asian-Indians call him this)



The Governor of the U.S. state of Louisiana. A Republican, before his election as governor, he was member of the United States House of Representatives from Louisiana's 1st congressional district, to which he was elected in 2004 to succeed now U.S. Senator David Vitter. Jindal was re-elected to the House in the 2006 election with 88 percent of the vote. He was the second ever Indian American elected to Congress.

Айн Рэнд - Ayn Rand
Алиса Зиновьевна Розенбаум - Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum

Айн Рэнд (англ. Ayn Rand; урожд. Алиса Зиновьевна Розенбаум) (транскрипция: ajn ɹænd, 2 февраля (ст. ст. 20 января) 1905 — 6 марта 1982) — американская писательница и философ.

thelaxu, do you mean your real name is so very hard for Russians to pronounce?

Probably not, it would probably be easy for Russians to pronounce, but when in Rome, do as Romans do.

Could you please rate the names? I will only take a few minutes.

Originally Posted by thelaxu

Probably not, it would probably be easy for Russians to pronounce, but when in Rome, do as Romans do.

Probably it would work with Romans, but we in Russia "give" people some "more Russian" names ONLY if their original names are too difficult to pronounce for us. If you're Jack - be Jack, we don't mind.

Could you please rate the names? I will only take a few minutes.

Of course I can't. I don't even understand what is "rate a name". Maybe someone else here does.

Of course I can't. I don't even understand what is "rate a name". Maybe someone else here does.

I demonstrated it above in English. I do not understand your hesitation, this is such a simple task. It would probably take you 5 minutes to complete. Rate it by how good it sounds.

Like this:

8 Aaron
5 Abraham (5 Abram)
7 Adam
7 Aiden
7 Alexander (7 Alex)
5 Amos
7 Andrew (6 Andy)
7 Anthony (6 Andy)
6 Benjamin (7 Ben)
7 Christian (8 Chris)
7 Christopher (8 Chris)
7 Dane
7 Daniel (6 Dan)
7 David (7 Dave)
5 Elijah (6 Eli)
8 Ethan
5 Gabriel (4 Gabe)
7 Isaac
5 Isaiah
7 Jacob (7 Jake)
8 James
9 Jason
7 Jayden
5 Jeremiah (8 Jeremy)
6 Jesse
5 Jesus
5 Job
5 Joel
8 John
7 Jonathan (8 John)
7 Joseph (6 Joe)
7 Joshua (9 Josh)
5 Josiah
6 Jude
9 Levi
7 Logan
7 Luke
7 Mark
7 Matthew (7 Matt)
6 Micah
7 Michael (7 Mike)
5 Moses (4 Moe)
7 Nathan (7 Nate)
7 Nicholas (6 Nick)
6 Paul
5 Peter (5 Pete)
8 Philip (7 Phil)
10 Roman
7 Ryan
6 Samuel (5 Sam)
8 Seth
9 Stephen
7 Thomas (7 Tom)
6 Timothy (7 Tim)
7 Tyler
7 Victor
7 William

It's that easy, I don't see why this is so difficult.

Hi thelaxu!

Maybe I can assist here...Just so we are clear here, I am American. I have been following your thread here and I must say I am bit confussed by your quest for a name because in the start you said...

Originally Posted by thelaxu

It helps one to fit in.

And I believe that many may have thought as I, you are trying to fit in as a student of the Russian language and culture. To become one and immerse yourself.

Yet, your next to last posting you stated...

Originally Posted by thelaxu

Please rate these names on a scale of 1 – 10 by how good they sound, NOT by how Russian they sound, but by how good they sound.

Which seems a bit contradictory. You appear to be putting a great deal of effort into selecting a name which will not even be a name on any document or have any permanence in your life. Which of course, if you put forth this much effort into your studies you will master Russian with great ease!

It just feels like the tail is wagging the dog here a bit. Why are you so concerened about how good and trendy your name sounds and not how Russian it is if your goal is really to fit in? To become one with Russia and Russian.

In the US we don't mind calling someone Mikhail (Михаил), but if Mikhail asks to be called Michael, we will call him Michael (I would anyways).

If my name is Michael and I go to Russia and ask to be called Михаил will Russians refuse to do so? Will they insist on calling me Michael even though I insist on being called Михаил?

Originally Posted by thelaxu

If my name is Michael and I go to Russia and ask to be called Михаил will Russians refuse to do so? Will they insist on calling me Michael even though I insist on being called Михаил?

But in this thread you don't ask to call you Михаил or suggest you a name which corresponds with your original name! This thread looks like "My English name is Michael, but in Rusian, call me Kiyhkdhkfizuuuyhhblablablawhatever (not Михаил, but any name that you wish and that sounds 'good')" which sounds strange and makes no sense to me.

Rate it by how good it sounds.

"How good a name sounds" is not an objective thing. Everyone has his own "rate" (or has not it at all) for a name. And I hope you're not seriously thinking that everyone can rate a name or a word using a numeric scale. I, personally, only can say "I like / I don't like this name", at best.

Originally Posted by rockzmom

Hi thelaxu!

Maybe I can assist here...Just so we are clear here, I am American. I have been following your thread here and I must say I am bit confussed by your quest for a name because in the start you said...

Originally Posted by thelaxu

It helps one to fit in.

And I believe that many may have thought as I, you are trying to fit in as a student of the Russian language and culture. To become one and immerse yourself.

I believe immersing yourself involves getting a name of the language you're learning, a surname may be a bit overboard, but a given name will help in my opinion. I've known several Chinese immigrants who have adopted American given names and I did not attack them for doing so. You want an American given name, use an American given name. Why so much resistance?

Yet, your next to last posting you stated...

Originally Posted by thelaxu

Please rate these names on a scale of 1 – 10 by how good they sound, NOT by how Russian they sound, but by how good they sound.

Which seems a bit contradictory. You appear to be putting a great deal of effort into selecting a name which will not even be a name on any document or have any permanence in your life. Which of course, if you put forth this much effort into your studies you will master Russian with great ease!

I was referring to my full name. Швед is not a common Russian surname. So while my full name may not sound 110% Russian, I want my given name to sound Russian, and I want it to not sound stupid with my surname Швед. It will never sound 100% Russian, but I want it to sound good to a Russian, common in a sense, easy and pleasant to say, etc.

It just feels like the tail is wagging the dog here a bit. Why are you so concerened about how good and trendy your name sounds and not how Russian it is if your goal is really to fit in? To become one with Russia and Russian.

Mmm... not so much trendy, I just don't want it to sound stupid. As you can see I don't speak Russian, who knows, maybe Михаил Швед is a euphemism for sex in Russian. I doubt it, but just want to make sure. Or maybe Михаил Швед is a well known child molester in Russia. With Швед as my surname my full name will never sound 100% Russian, but I want it to at least sound pleasant to a Russian, not stupid or link me to some criminal in Russia.

I'm rather bewildered by all the dodging of 5 minutes of work. I rated the English names, I survived. I kind of feel like saying stop running from the problem and just answer the question and this will all be over in 5 minutes. I'm not trying to have a debate, I just want a Russian to rate the names to the best of their ability.

Originally Posted by Оля

Originally Posted by thelaxu

If my name is Michael and I go to Russia and ask to be called Михаил will Russians refuse to do so? Will they insist on calling me Michael even though I insist on being called Михаил?

But in this thread you don't ask to call you Михаил or suggest you a name which corresponds with your original name! This thread looks like "My English name is Michael, but in Rusian, call me Kiyhkdhkfizuuuyhhblablablawhatever (not Михаил, but any name that you wish and that sounds 'good')" which sounds strange and makes no sense to me.

Well, all I can say is it makes sense to me. I know several Chinese immigrants who want to be called by an American given name that sounds NOTHING like their Chinese name. Who cares? If Wong wants to be called Tim, I will call him Tim. If Ping wants to be called Alex, I will call him Alex. What's so hard about that? It must be very different in Russia. If I go to China, I will get a Chinese name.

Rate it by how good it sounds.

"How good a name sounds" is not an objective thing. Everyone has his own "rate" (or has not it at all) for a name. And I hope you're not seriously thinking that everyone can rate a name or a word using a numeric scale. I, personally, only can say "I like / I don't like this name", at best.

Well, give me your opinion then, or at least tell me "I like / I don't like this name". Maybe everyone cannot use a numeric scale to rate names, but I did and I thought it was easy. I assumed everyone else would find it easy but I guess I thought wrong. At least tell me "I like / I don't like this name", it's better than nothing.

Originally Posted by thelaxu

Швед is not a common Russian surname.

It doesn't mean that this surname can't be taken for a surname of a Russian.

True, like Алексей Швед, the basketball player.

Originally Posted by thelaxu

I've known several Chinese immigrants who have adopted American given names and I did not attack them for doing so. You want an American given name, use an American given name. Why so much resistance?[/b][/color]

thelaxu, take a deep breath. No one is attacking you. Especially NOT me. Yes, people often change their name when there is a great language difference to make it easier for the new adopted country to be able to pronounce their name AND for the new immigrant to fit in.

However, as it had been pointed out, Russians are very accommodating and as Оля stated:

Originally Posted by Оля

but we in Russia "give" people some "more Russian" names ONLY if their original names are too difficult to pronounce for us. If you're Jack - be Jack, we don't mind.

It is not the same as say in Spanish class when you automatically will get a Spanish version of your name.

This is why I was trying to help and clarify the exact reasons for you wanting a Russian name and your passion for it to be trendy or not so Russian sounding.

The names that were already suggested, you did not like any of them? If not, why not? As Оля was saying, names are very individual and personal. You may not like a name and she might love it because of the history associated with it or meaning. Example: You like Joshua, yet I would never recommend (or name a child) that name as there are too many Joshua. It is a very common name. I even have a cousin by that name.

Originally Posted by rockzmom

Originally Posted by thelaxu

I've known several Chinese immigrants who have adopted American given names and I did not attack them for doing so. You want an American given name, use an American given name. Why so much resistance?[/b][/color]

thelaxu, take a deep breath. No one is attacking you. Especially NOT me. Yes, people often change their name when there is a great language difference to make it easier for the new adopted country to be able to pronounce their name AND for the new immigrant to fit in.

However, as it had been pointed out, Russians are very accommodating and as Оля stated:

Originally Posted by Оля

but we in Russia "give" people some "more Russian" names ONLY if their original names are too difficult to pronounce for us. If you're Jack - be Jack, we don't mind.

It is not the same as say in Spanish class when you automatically will get a Spanish version of your name.

This is why I was trying to help and clarify the exact reasons for you wanting a Russian name and your passion for it to be trendy or not so Russian sounding.

The names that were already suggested, you did not like any of them? If not, why not?

I can't rate them, I don't speak Russian. If a Russian gave it a 9/10 I would probably like it. If a Russian gave it a 5/10 I would probably not like it.

Originally Posted by thelaxu

I can't rate them, I don't speak Russian.

How strange! I don't speak Swedish, but I can easily rate names, say... Olaf, Niklas, Stafan, Ingvar and say which one of them I like and which one not.

I'll ask someone else.