Russian People

Created by Peekajinx

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Natasha, Katya, Zarya, Katerina, Viktoriya, Galina, Anya, Tatyana, Nadia, Irena

Masculine names

Lev, Aleksandr, Mikhail, Sacha, Nikolai, Gavriil, Konstantin, Vasili, Maxim, Luka, Ivan,

Family names

Ivanov, Smirnov, Kuznetsov, Popov, Vasiliev, Petrov, Sokolov, Mikhailov, Fedorov, Morozov

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

While there are about 100 languages spoken in Russia, Russian is the only official language of the country and is spoken by the overwhelming majority of the population. There are 3 groups of Russian dialect including Northern, Central, and Southern. However, the one most heard is Standard Russian, also known as the "Moscow dialect", which could be considered a Central dialect.

Common Taboos

Do not forget to take your shoes off when entering someone's home.
Never show the sole of your foot. (This includes sitting cross-legged and having your sole pointed outward.)
Do not show up empty handed when visiting someone.
Do not whistle indoors as it can bring bad luck and financial problems.
Never smile too much. The saying goes, "To smile without a reason is a sign of a fool."
Bring odd numbers of flowers when visiting. Even numbers are meant for a funeral.
Never insult or even joke about someone's family, especially their parents.

Common Myths and Legends

Probably one of the most well known Russian myth is the existence of Baba Yaga. Living in the woods in a hut with chicken legs, she is usually depicted as an old woman who rides in a mortar and carries a pestle. Baba Yaga may help or hinder those who cross her path depending on how they might pass her tests. However, she is also known to enjoy feasting on children and may be used as a sort of bogeyman to get children to behave.

Historical figures

Aleksei Yushkov dictator (1980-2034) Dictator of Russia who ushered in World War III when he came to power in 2028.
Anastasia Romanov duchess (1901-1918) Daughter of the last Russian czar, Nicholas II. It's thought she may have survived the execution of her family. Several woman came forward trying to prove that they were Anastasia.
Joseph Stalin dictator (1878-1953) Ruled the Soviet Union for more than two decades.
Leon Trotsky activist (1879-1940) Helped start the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Leo Tolstoy author (1828-1910) Wrote "War and Peace," "Anna Karenina," and "The Death of Ivan Ilyich."
Vladimir Lenin president (1870-1924) Founder of the Russian Communist Party, leader of the Bolshevik Revolution, and architect and first head of the Soviet state.
Rasputin religious figure (1869-1916) Mystical adviser in the court of Czar Nicholas II.
Ivan the Terrible czar (1530-1584) First tsar of Russia.