medvedev

Medvedev is a Russian surname derived from the word medved, meaning bear. The name typically carries the patronymic suffix -ev, and the feminine form is Medvedeva. It is found among Russian-speaking populations and has spread to other countries through migration and diaspora.

The most prominent bearer is Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev (born 1965), a Russian politician and lawyer who served as President of Russia from 2008 to 2012 and as Prime Minister from 2012 to 2020. After stepping down as prime minister, he has held various government and political roles, including a position as Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. His tenure as president overlapped with Vladimir Putin’s leadership and included efforts in modernization and foreign policy, amid the broader political context of post-Soviet Russia.

The surname is widely represented in Russia and in former Soviet states, and is borne by numerous individuals across public life, academia, sports, and industry. The feminine form Medvedeva is used for women in the family name, following commonly observed Russian surname conventions. In encyclopedic references, Medvedev may refer to multiple people or topics associated with the name, and additional disambiguation may be required for specific contexts.