Makarov

Makarov is a Russian surname. The feminine form is Makarova. The name is derived from the given name Makar (Makary) and has been used as a family name in various Slavic populations. It is relatively common in Russia and other states of the former Soviet Union.

Notable bearers include Nikolay Fyodorovich Makarov, a Soviet firearms designer who developed the Makarov pistol, a compact semi-automatic sidearm that bears his name.

The Makarov pistol, also known as the PM (Pistolet Makarova), was designed in the late 1940s and adopted by the Soviet Army in 1951. It is a blowback-operated pistol chambered in 9x18mm Makarov, noted for its simplicity, reliability, and ease of manufacture. Production and service continued through much of the late 20th century and into the post-Soviet era, and the weapon has seen widespread use in many countries of the former Eastern Bloc and beyond. Variants include modernized or sport versions.

In culture, the surname Makarov has appeared in fictional works and media, sometimes used for characters of Russian origin, reflecting the name's cultural associations.