Zaytsev

Zaytsev is a Russian surname derived from зайец (zayets), meaning hare. The name may have been used for a hunter or someone associated with a place linked to hares. The feminine form is Zaytseva (Зайцева). In English-language texts the name is commonly transliterated as Zaytsev or Zaitsev; other spellings include Zaytzev and Zaitzev.

Geographically, Zaytsev is a common surname in Russia and other Slavic regions, and it appears among émigré communities around the world. As with many Russian surnames, variations in spelling arise from transliteration into different alphabets and languages.

The most notable bearer of the name is Vasily Grigoryevich Zaytsev (1915–1991), a Soviet sniper who fought at the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II. He is credited with 225 confirmed kills and is widely regarded as one of the era’s leading snipers. His exploits have been widely documented in memoirs and popularized by the 2001 film Enemy at the Gates, which portrays his participation in the battle. Zaytsev remains a prominent example in discussions of Soviet military history and marksmanship.