There are many traditions associated with the name in Russian culture, it was not for nothing 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. To tell the uninitiated your middle name is like selling your soul.
Old Russian female names are rare names, very few of them have survived. Calendars of names have survived to this day, where several nominatives were assigned for each day, closely related to festive events. In general, the Slavs approached the issue of censuring a person very responsibly, because they believed that the fate of a person depends on it. And in our time, the winged saying has been preserved: "Whatever you call a boat, so it will float."
Origin of names
Old Russian female names are very interesting from the point of view of their origin. For example, such a familiar name for us Olga is actuallyactually came to our cultural environment from the northern lands of the Scandinavian peoples. There it sounds in a different version - Helga, which means "bright" in translation. The owner of such a name is strong in character, independent and determined. I immediately recall the image of Princess Olga, the first female ruler in Kievan Rus.
Old Russian female names are mysterious and very beautiful. Our ancestors worshiped the natural elements, revered the Sun, Stars, Fire, especially living fire (Svarog is the god of living fire). It was in their honor that they also named their daughters - Zoreslava, Bogumila, Velizara (illumined), Zhivoroda (priestess of the goddess Zhiva), Lada, Ladomila and Milada, which means "dear goddess Lada", Luchezara (illumined by light), Ogneslava (the one that glorifies Fire), Yaromila (dear to God Yarila).
Also, female Old Russian names denoted positive traits and qualities of character and appearance: Vera (faithful), Golub (meek), Dobrolyuba, Dobrovlad (kind), Ludomira (peaceful people), Rada (Joy), Radmila, Svetoyara (sunny, happy), Snezhana (white-haired, cold), Chernava (dark-haired).
Besides, knowledge was highly valued at that time. And the ancient Slavs considered people who possessed knowledge to be close to the gods. The names of women who knew (knew) the secrets of healing have also been preserved, for example, Vseved.
Riddles of female names
Many ancient 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 folk heroes. Nowadays, you rarely see such old Russian female names. Some of them are listed below:
- Bazhen, Beloslav, Blagoslav, Borislav, Boyana, Bronislava;
- Vladimir, Vladislav, Vojislav;
- Darena (Darina, Dara), Dobromila, Dobroslav, Dragomir;
- Spark;
- Miroslava, Mstislava;
- Nekrasa;
- Ogniera;
- Radimir;
- Svetislava, Stanimira;
- Yaroslava and others.
Many names are euphonious, but some "cut the ear" of modern man. Therefore, before choosing an unusual name for the baby, think about it - will it be convenient for the child to wear it in modern society?
