Zaitsev

Zaitsev is a Russian surname derived from the word zajets, meaning hare. The suffix -ev indicates belonging or origin, so the name is often interpreted as “descendant of Zait” or “son of the hare.” It is common in Russia and other Slavic regions, with transliterations including Zaitsev, Zaytsev, and Saytsev.

Notable people with the surname include Vasily Grigoryevich Zaitsev (1915–1991), a Soviet sniper celebrated for his actions during the Battle of Stalingrad. He received the title Hero of the Soviet Union and became one of the war’s best-known snipers, later featured in popular culture and films.

Vyacheslav Zaitsev (1938–2023) was a prominent Russian fashion designer and founder of the Slava Zaitsev fashion house. He was influential in promoting Russian couture on the world stage, known for ornate, theatrically inspired designs and a distinctive contribution to postwar fashion.

In science, Zaitsev’s rule, also spelled Saytzev’s rule, is a principle in organic chemistry describing the preferred formation of the more substituted alkene as the major product in elimination reactions. The rule is named after a Russian chemist bearing the surname Zaitsev/Saytzev and is widely taught in chemistry coursework.