Tsoy

Tsoy is a surname of Cyrillic origin, transliterated from the Russian spelling Цой. In English-language usage it is one of several renderings of that name; common variants include Tsoi and Tsoy. The surname appears among people in Russia and other post-Soviet states.

The most widely known bearer of the name is Viktor Tsoi (1962–1990), a Soviet singer, songwriter, and frontman of the rock band Kino. Tsoi played a central role in the development of Russian rock in the 1980s, and Kino achieved broad popularity both during that era and in the years that followed. His songs and image have continued to influence Russian popular music and youth culture.

Beyond Viktor Tsoi, individuals bearing the surname Tsoy exist in various fields, but none have achieved the same level of international recognition. Because transliteration from Cyrillic to Latin script varies, some people with Цой may be listed under different spellings in English-language sources.

See also forms of the name, such as Tsoi, and notes on transliteration of Cyrillic surnames. The surname is primarily recognized in connection with Viktor Tsoi and the legacy of Kino within Russian and post-Soviet music history.