Novikov

Novikov is a common Russian surname derived from the given name Novik, meaning “newcomer” or “novice.” It is historically associated with individuals who entered service or settled newly in a community. The name is widespread in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and among diaspora populations, and it has been borne by a number of notable figures in various fields.

In mathematics, Sergei Petrovich Novikov (born 1938) is a prominent Soviet and Russian mathematician known for his work in topology, geometry, and mathematical physics. He received the Fields Medal in 1970 for his contributions to the topology of manifolds, and later the Wolf Prize in Mathematics. His name is attached to several concepts, including the Novikov conjecture on homotopy invariance of higher signatures, the Novikov–Shubin invariants, and Novikov algebras in algebraic topology.

In the arts, Aleksandr Novikov (born 1955) is a Russian singer‑songwriter and poet who achieved popularity in the 1980s and 1990s for his lyrical ballads and folk‑rock style. In sports, Sergey Novikov (born 1981) is a Belarusian biathlete who competed in multiple World Cup seasons and represented Belarus at the Winter Olympic Games.

The surname also appears in place names, such as Novikovka, a rural locality in the Tula Oblast of Russia, and in corporate contexts, with companies like Novikov Engineering specializing in industrial equipment. As a cultural identifier, Novikov reflects typical Russian patronymic naming practices and remains a recognizable element of Slavic onomastics.