Sharik

Sharik is a Russian diminutive form derived from shar, meaning ball or sphere, and is commonly used as an affectionate nickname for children and pets, especially dogs. It can also be used as a given name in informal contexts.

In literature, Sharik is best known as the name of a stray dog in Mikhail Bulgakov’s satirical novella Heart of a Dog (Sobachye serdtse), written in 1925–1926 and published later. In the story, Sharik is taken in by Professor Preobrazhensky, who performs experiments that transform the dog into a human-like being, with the narrative exploring themes of social class, ethics, and identity.

Beyond Bulgakov’s work, Sharik appears as a generic canine name in Russian-language media and is sometimes used in children’s stories and cartoons. The term also remains a common everyday word for a small ball or a playful nickname in colloquial speech.

Overall, Sharik functions as a cultural shorthand in Russian for affection toward a pet or child, while also carrying literary significance through Bulgakov’s novella, where the name is linked to broader social commentary.