Russian Culture Monday: Russian Nicknames and Diminutives

Among friends and family members, Russians are called by nicknames or diminutives that may sound nothing like the names from which they derive. For example, a boy named Evgeni or a girl named Evgenia may be called "Zhena" for short. Your friend Masha, whose given name is Maria, may be called "Mashenka" by her mother. And Vladimir might be called "Vova" by those closest to him.

Learn more about Russian nicknames and diminutives so you aren't caught off guard when one person is called by three or four first names. You may find your Russian friends shortening your name creatively, too, if a Russian diminutive version of your name doesn't already exist!

• Russian Nicknames and Diminutives