Korchagin

Korchagin is a surname of Russian origin. It is derived from the given name Korchak, which itself is thought to be a diminutive form of names like Prokhor or Kornily. The suffix "-agin" is a common patronymic ending in Russian, indicating "son of" or "belonging to". Therefore, Korchagin literally means "son of Korchak".

The name is most famously associated with Pavel Korchagin, the fictional protagonist of Nikolai Ostrovsky's 1932 novel "How the Steel Was Tempered" (Как закалялась сталь). Pavel Korchagin is depicted as a devoted Bolshevik and a heroic figure who overcomes immense hardship and physical suffering to serve the Soviet cause. The character became an iconic symbol of socialist heroism and resilience in the Soviet Union and other communist countries, influencing generations of readers and serving as a model for communist youth.

Beyond the literary character, Korchagin exists as a given surname for individuals. It is found in Russia and other countries with significant Russian diasporas. While the literary figure is the most prominent association, the surname itself is a common Slavic patronymic.