Naming Conventions
- Ukrainian names generally consist of three parts: [personal name] [patronymic name] [SURNAME]. E.g. Dmytro Vasyliovych KLYMENKO (male), Hanna Andriivna IVANYTSKA (female)
- The first name is a personal name chosen by the child’s parents.
- Ukrainian middle names are patronymic, which means they combine the father’s first name with the suffix “–vych” or “–yovych” for men (meaning ‘son of’) or “–ivna” or “–yivna” for women (meaning ‘daughter of’). For example, if the father’s personal name is Petro, his sons would carry the patronymic of Petrovych and his daughters Petrivna.
- The family name (or surname) is patrilineal, inherited from one’s father and shared with other siblings.
- Married Ukrainian women are most often known by their husband’s family name, possibly with a feminine -A ending to the name. For example, if Olena Yuriivna VINNYCHUK married Dmytro Vasyliovych ZABOLOTNYI, she may be known as Olena Yuriivna ZABOLOTNA.
- Some Ukrainian women may hyphenate their maiden surname with their husband’s surname.
- Family members usually share the father’s last name.
Names
- Historically, it was traditional for a child’s name to be selected by a priest rather than the parents. This name would correspond with a patron saint whose ‘feast day’ fell on the same date or week the child was born or baptised.
- Today, Ukrainian parents are free to choose whatever name they want for their child. Some may wish to choose a unique personal name, while others may prefer traditional names. Most Ukrainian parents tend to prefer names that are familiar to their region.
- Many Ukrainian personal names have Christian origins, as this is a requirement of baptism. Parents who are particularly religious may prefer to give their child the name of an or saint.
- Names may take the form of parents’ spiritual gratitude or their wishes for a child’s future. For example, the name Anna means ‘blessing’, and the name Irina can be translated into the word ‘peace’.
- In cases where a child does not have a Christian name, they will be baptised with an name that is closest in similarity. For example, Anzhelika may be baptised as ‘Anna’.
- Some of the most classic Ukrainian male names include Mykola, Volodymyr, Petro, Pavlo, Oleksandr, Andriy, Vasyl’ and Ivan.
- Examples of classic female names include Mariia, Hanna, Valentyna, Olha, Halyna, Tetiana and Nadiia.
- There are often various alternative spellings for the same name. For example, Anna is also spelt Anya or Anichka.
- Russian-speaking Ukrainians may use the Russian spelling of their name in everyday life. This differs from the official written Ukrainian version, e.g. Petro (Ukrainian) may introduce himself as Petia or Piotr (Russian).
Name Days (Angel’s Days)
Many Ukrainians receive their names at baptism in honour of a heavenly patron saint and protector, known as their ‘Angel’. Each patron has a corresponding calendar date in their honour, usually believed to be the day of the figure’s birth. This date is the ‘Angel Day’ or name day for people named after that saint. For example, women named ‘Anastasia’ have the Angel Day of January 4th.
Traditionally, people celebrated their name days as if they were birthdays. However, as there are so many in the calendar, they are only generally celebrated if they correspond with a popular local saint. Nowadays, Ukrainians may simply send a message of congratulations to those whose name is celebrated on that day. SeeDates of Significance for more information on patron saints.
Addressing Others
- People tend to introduce themselves by their personal name/first name alone when greeting others in casual settings.
- When meeting for the first time in formal settings, Ukrainians may greet one another using their first name and patronymic name (e.g. Dmytro Vasyliovych). This is more common in professional environments, such as healthcare, education and government settings. The patronymic name is also commonly used amongst older generations of Ukrainians.
- Younger or more metropolitan Ukrainians tend to make formal introductions using their first name and surname, rather than the patronymic name (e.g. Dmytro KLYMENKO).
- People from Western Ukraine may address one another in formal settings using the titles ‘Pan’ or ‘Pani’, which is the equivalent of Mr/Mrs.
- You should address the other person using their chosen form of formal address until they indicate you can move to a personal name basis.
See Greetings for more information on appropriate ways to introduce yourself to others.
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in Ukrainian cultural traditions, particularly in the realm of naming conventions, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the intricacies and nuances associated with Ukrainian names.
Firstly, let's delve into the components that make up a Ukrainian name. Ukrainian names typically consist of three parts: the personal name, the patronymic name, and the surname. For instance, in the case of a male, the format is [personal name] [patronymic name] [SURNAME], as exemplified by Dmytro Vasyliovych KLYMENKO. The personal name is chosen by the child's parents, while the middle name is patronymic, combining the father's first name with a suffix like "–vych" or "–yovych" for men and "–ivna" or "–yivna" for women. The surname is patrilineal, inherited from the father.
In the context of marriage, Ukrainian women often adopt their husband's family name, sometimes with a feminine ending, such as -A. Additionally, some women may choose to hyphenate their maiden surname with their husband's surname. This practice reflects the dynamic nature of Ukrainian naming conventions, acknowledging the role of both paternal and marital ties.
Names in Ukraine carry historical and religious significance. While historically, a priest would select a child's name corresponding to the feast day of a patron saint, contemporary Ukrainian parents have the freedom to choose names. Many names have Christian origins, reflecting the requirement of baptism, and may convey spiritual meaning or wishes for the child's future. In cases where a child does not have a Christian name, a similar-sounding name may be given during baptism.
Classic Ukrainian names, both male and female, often have Christian origins. Examples include Mykola, Volodymyr, Mariia, Hanna, Valentyna, and Olha. It's noteworthy that alternative spellings for the same name exist, reflecting the diversity in linguistic expression.
Name Days, also known as Angel's Days, are celebrated in honor of a heavenly patron saint. Individuals receive their names at baptism, and the corresponding date is considered their Angel Day. Traditionally, these days were celebrated akin to birthdays, but modern practices involve sending congratulations to those with name days.
Addressing others in Ukraine involves cultural norms. In casual settings, people typically use their personal name/first name alone. In formal settings, especially in professional environments like healthcare and government, introductions may include the first name and patronymic name. The usage of the patronymic name is more prevalent among older generations.
Notably, individuals from Western Ukraine may use titles like 'Pan' or 'Pani' (equivalent to Mr./Mrs.) when addressing each other formally. It is crucial to adhere to the chosen form of address until the other person indicates a shift to a more personal name basis.
In summary, Ukrainian naming conventions are deeply rooted in tradition, family ties, and religious influences, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of the Ukrainian people.
