Yevgeny

Yevgeny is a masculine given name widely used in Russia and other Slavic countries. It is the Russian form of the Greek name Eugenios, from eu- meaning “good” or “well” and -genes meaning “born,” so it is commonly interpreted as “noble birth” or “well-born.”

The name has several transliterations and variants, including Evgeny, Evgenii, Evgeniy, and Yevgeniy. In Western texts, the form Eugene is often used. Diminutives in Russian include Genya and Zhenya, which are commonly employed in informal speech.

Usage and cultural context: Yevgeny is a traditional and enduring name in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and among Slavic-speaking communities worldwide. It appears across literature, politics, sports, and the arts. Outside the Slavic world, anglophone contexts may render it as Eugene or Evgeny depending on transcription.

Notable people: Yevgeny Primakov (1929–2015) was a Russian politician and diplomat who served as prime minister from 1996 to 1999. Yevgeny Yevtushenko (1932–2014) was a prominent poet and public intellectual. Yevgeny Kafelnikov (born 1974) is a former professional tennis player and Grand Slam champion. Yevgeny Plushenko (born 1982) is an Olympic champion figure skater. Yevgeny Zamyatin (1884–1937) was a novelist best known for the dystopian novel We. Yevgeny Leonov (1926–1994) was a renowned Soviet actor.

In literature, the name appears in Alexander Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin, where the protagonist is known as Yevgeny (Eugene Onegin in English).