81 ‘Athenas’ and two ‘Odysseuses’: unusual names chosen in Moscow in 2026
The Moscow Civil Registry Office has shared the names parents gave their newborns in the first half of 2026.
The most popular unusual name for girls was ‘Athena’ – the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. Since the beginning of the year, 81 girls with this name have been registered in the capital.
Among boys, the top spot in this category was shared by two ‘Odysseuses’ – perhaps they are future travellers.
However, Muscovites’ choices were not limited to these names. The agency also noted that, this year, names like ‘Dionysus’, ‘Hades’, ‘Aphrodite’ and ‘Hera’ were each registered at least once.
Other unusual names included ‘Slavia’, ‘Iskra’, ‘Sora’ and ‘Amur’.
And the most popular names in Moscow in 2026 remain the traditional ones: ‘Mikhail’ and ‘Anna’.