Orlov

Orlov is a Slavic surname and toponym derived from the word for eagle. In Russian and other Slavic languages it appears in masculine form as Orlov and feminine form as Orlova. As a toponym, Orlov is used for various places in Russia and other Slavic regions, with transliterations such as Orloff in some languages.

Notable uses of the name include historical figures, a horse breed, and a famous gemstone. Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov (c. 1734–1783) was a Russian nobleman and one of Catherine II’s most influential favorites, associated with the events surrounding her rise to power. The Orlov name is also linked to the Orlov Trotter, a horse breed developed in 18th‑century Russia by Count Orlov, known for its speed and influence on later trotting horses. Yuri Orlov (1924–1996), a Soviet dissident and physicist, co-founded the Moscow Helsinki Group and became a prominent advocate for human rights in the Soviet Union.

The Orlov Diamond, a famous large gemstone valued at about 189.62 carats, is named after Count Grigory Orlov, who is said to have presented it to Catherine the Great; it became part of the Russian imperial regalia. In addition to these associations, Orlov appears as a place name in several Slavic countries, reflecting its broad geographic and cultural presence. The feminine form Orlova and transliterations such as Orloff are encountered in related contexts, including surname variants and toponymy.