Writing Russian names in English. Transliteration - writing Russian words in Latin letters

Online service: text transliteration- writing Russian characters in Latin.

About transliteration of Russian names and surnames

When filling out registration forms, questionnaires, drawing up various kinds of documents (for example, a passport or visa), you have to write your last name, first name, address in Latin (English) letters. This service allows automate translation ( transliteration) Russians letters in English.

How to write the last name and first name in English? How to correctly name a Russian site in English letters? There are various systems or rules for the transliteration of names and surnames (transliteration of Russian words). They are based on the process of simply replacing the letters of the Russian alphabet with the corresponding letters or combinations of letters of the English alphabet (see below). The difference between the systems of transliteration of names and surnames is observed when translating some letters, for example, E, E, Ъ, b and diphthongs (combinations of a vowel and Y).

In order to translate english letters in Russians Paste the text into the top input field and click the "Make" button. As a result, in the lower input field you will get the translation of the Russian text into a transcript (Russian words in English letters).

Note. Since March 16, 2010, new Cyrillic transliteration rules for the Russian alphabet have been used when issuing a passport. The result may not match the old name, for example, on a plastic card. In order for the name to be entered correctly in the passport (as before), that is, so that it matches the name on a credit card or driver's license, you must additionally submit an appropriate application. Example: Julia in the new system will be Iuliia , most likely you will want Julia or Yuliya (which, in my opinion, is more harmonious).

When applying for a driver's license, a transliteration system is used that is different from a foreign passport, similar to the system for a US visa. At the request of the owner of the record in Latin letters in driver's licenses can

In every language there is such a category of words as proper names: names, surnames, all kinds of names. Any of us at least once necessarily faced with the need not to translate, namely write Russian word in English. For example, when we are dealing with names, surnames, names of cities, streets, various establishments (such as cafes, restaurants, hotels), we need to convey the sound of the word, make it readable in English. The names of cultural and religious events, the names of holidays, national elements that are not in the English-speaking culture also require transmission in English, because we communicate about these things with foreigners, talk about our country and culture.

For this purpose, there are rules transliteration - a method of writing words of one language by means of another. Each letter of the Russian alphabet (Cyrillic) has a corresponding English (Latin) letter or a combination of letters.

There are many systems and standards for transliteration. But first, let's talk about transliteration standards. Now, when almost everyone has a passport, when we travel abroad and fill out documents and forms in English, you just need to know the rules of transliteration that are accepted in the world.

Below are the transliteration options for letters and combinations of the Russian alphabet:

The soft sign and the hard sign are not transmitted in writing. Some letters are transmitted in combinations of two letters, and the letter Щ is a combination of four: shch.

For example:

Surname Shcherbakov will be written Shcherbakov.

Vowels E and Yo transliterated as YE if they are at the beginning of a word or after a vowel:

Yezhov - Yezhov
Hedgehogs - Yezhikov
Sergeyev - Sergeyev

In Russian, letter combinations are often found Y with vowels, and each of the combinations has a correspondence:

Many countries have transliteration rules for passports. In Russia, for example, the following rules apply for international passports:

A-A, B-B, C-V, G-G, D-D, E-E, E-E, F-ZH, Z-Z, I-I, Y-I, K-K, L- L, M-M, H-N, O-O, P-P, R-R, S-S, T-T, U-U, F-F, X-KH, C-TC, H-CH, W-SH, W-SHCH, S-Y, E-E, Yu-IU, I-IA.

Transliteration of names and surnames for international passports takes place according to this standard using a special program into which your data is entered in Russian. If you have a passport, you must use the spelling of your first and last name that is presented in the document.

Transliteration is used not only in the preparation of documents. We have already mentioned the groups of words for the transmission of which we use transliteration. For example, in English texts it is easy to meet the words borshch, pelmeni, matryoshka, Perestroyka and many others that have no equivalent in English.

And, perhaps, you remember the times when mobile phones did not support Russian, and we exchanged SMS in English. At the same time, everyone intuitively invented their own rules of transliteration. Reading these messages was not easy, but very funny. For example, to send a letter F used the letters G, J, Z, ZH. with a letter S it was generally difficult: it was written as I, U, Y, JI. Those times are long gone, but the need to master the transliteration system has not disappeared, but, on the contrary, has increased. Use the acquired knowledge and communicate in English fluently. I wish you success!

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In documents for traveling abroad, the name and surname are indicated in the Latin alphabet. Over the past few years, there have been changes in the rules of transliteration. Let's figure out what the transliteration process is and how to check it in the online service.

Transliteration means the translation of the name and surname. In 2019, when applying for a foreign passport, a citizen of the Russian Federation must correctly enter the data in the form in Cyrillic. Employees of the migration service department enter data into a special program to translate names into Latin.

What changed

In 2017, there were changes in the transcription rules. The new transliteration rules meet international standards, so citizens of the Russian Federation will not have problems traveling abroad due to the way transliteration is carried out in passports.

Writing letters after making changes:

• w=zh.
• x=kh.
• ts=ts.
• h=ch.
• sh=sh.
• sh=shch.
• b=ie.
• yu=iu.
• i=ia.

How to leave the previous spelling

If, according to the new rules, personal data looks completely different, very different from the information in other documents and certificates of close relatives, then you can leave the previous spelling of the name.

To do this, when applying for a passport, you need to attach an application to the package of papers. The application is written in any form.

Application requirements:

1. The reason why it is necessary to leave the previous version of the transliteration of the name and surname in the passport is indicated.
2. Written in the name of the head of the department of the migration service, where the application for processing the document will be submitted.

Along with the application is submitted:

1. Old foreign passport.
2. Photocopies of children's passports.
3. Documents on education in Latin.
4. If the reason for leaving the previous spelling is a valid visa, attach a copy of the visa.

Checking transliteration online

To check how the transcription of data will look according to the new rules, use the online service.

When you introduce yourself in English or write a letter, it is very important to know how different names will be in English. Let's look at how female and male names are written and pronounced in full and abbreviated form - when writing a letter to a friend or in everyday conversation, you are likely to use the abbreviated version of your name, and the full form in more formal subjects.

Name transliteration

When there is no analogue to the Russian name in English, then one has to resort to transliteration - the transfer of the Russian word in the Latin alphabet. Don't be surprised if you see the same word translated into English with some differences. The difference in word rendering will depend on the transliteration system used. In this article, we will focus on the International Standard Doc 9303 recommended by ICAO (the first version of the name in the second column and in brackets for abbreviations), and also indicate the spellings of names (for example, according to the British Standard system), which have already become familiar and widely used.

In various systems, you will find the following differences in transliteration:

• The letter "ya" is often rendered either by the combination ja or ia. If you are used to writing "I" in your name in English as ja, then you can continue to do so - this is not considered a mistake, you will simply be guided by a different system for translating Russian letters in Latin.
• In some systems, the transmission of the letters "and" and "th" is different (i - y, i - j, I - jj, respectively), and may be the same i -i.
• The letter "yu" can be transmitted as ju, yu, iu.
• The letters "u" have both shorter and longer transmission options - sc, shh, shch.

Please note that some names, being, for example, part of geographical names, have historical spellings (or just familiar spellings). In such cases, we will indicate the possible options for how this or that name is written - you can choose any option you like.

Women's names in English

The table shows the most popular female names that can be found.

After reviewing the female names in English, let's learn how the male ones are spelled.

Names for Women - female names

Male names in English

Names for Men - male names

Surnames

Male and female surnames in English are also transmitted through transliteration. Let's look at the most likely options for the transmission of the Russian alphabet and combinations of letters in Latin.

Female surnames in English have endings that are completely translated into English, while in English there are no such endings, for example, Michael Johnson - Hanna Johnson (Michael Johnson - Anna Johnson), Catherine Williams - Nicholas Williams (Katherine Williams - Nicholas Williams).

Examples of writing a full name

Let's look at examples of various combinations of surname, name and patronymic. Thus, we will consolidate the learned information and practice writing full names in Latin.

Please note: having chosen one system (for example, you decided to render the letters "u" and "ya" according to the system in which they correspond to ju and ja), stick to it throughout the text. If in correspondence you started writing your name in one way, continue to sign or sender's name in the same way.

In the following translation examples, different systems will be used, but please note that within the same name we do not go beyond one system.

• Kozlova Elena Vladimirovna - Kozlova Elena Vladimirovna.
• Petrova Aleksandra Pavlovna - Petrova Aleksandra Pavlovna.
• Ivanova Tatyana Nikolaevna - Ivanova Tat`yana Nikolaevna.
• Sinitsyn Anton Pavlovich - Sinitsyn Anton Pavlovich.
• Karelin Vladimir Sergeevich - Karelin Vladimir Sergeevich.
• Kuzmenko Yulia Filippovna - Kuzmenko Yuliya Filippovna.
• Fedoruk Roman Konstantinovich - Fedoruk Roman Konstantinovich.
• Pavlenko Maria Vladimirovna - Pavlenko Mariia Vladimirovna.

• Katrushina Lyudmila Mikhailovna - Katrushina Lyudmila Mikhaylovna.
• Lesovaya Olesya Evgenievna - Lesovaya Olesya Evgen`evna.
• Koroleva Alexandra Leonidovna - Korolyova Aleksandra Leonidovna.
• Tatarchuk Igor Grigorevich - Tatarchuk Igor Grigorevich.
• Somova Irina Yaroslavovna - Somova Irina Iaroslavovna.
• Krupnov Igor Valerievich - Krupnov Igor` Valer`evich.
• Anisova Marina Valentinovna - Anisova Marina Valentinovna.
• Nefyodov Denis Arkad'evich
• Lisitsina Daria Yurievna - Lisitsina Daria Iurevna.

Name matching

It happens that the Russian name has no analogue in English and the only way to transfer the name from one language to another is transliteration. However, some names in English, both male and female, have analogues in Russian.

• The name Catherine may correspond to the English Catherine (Catherine). Catherine the Great - this was the name of the great Empress Catherine, the daughter of Tsar Peter I. And the diminutive Katya would rather become Kate (Kate).
• The Russian name Maria exists in many languages, the English version of Mary (Mary) will become a more sonorous analogue than the transliteration of the name.
• Andrew may well turn into the English Andrew (Andrew).
• Alena and Elena in English can be called Helen (Helen) - this option will be more convenient and understandable to an English-speaking person.
• Eugene in English, most likely, will be called Eugene (Eugene).
• Anton may well become Anthony (Anthony).
• Many people love Valentine's Day and have probably seen how this name is written in English - Valentine (Valentine) (Saint Valentine's Day).
• Daniel is very similar to the English Daniel (Daniel).
• In the name Denis, only "n" will double - Dennis (Denis).
• John is considered an analogue of the name Ivan.
• The name Constantine is also in English, and instead of transliteration, you can use the already existing Constantine.
• Maxim will not change at all and will become Maxim, and in a diminutive version, simply Max.
• Michael will become Michael or Latin Michael.
• The name Nikolai is very similar to Nicholas (Nicholas) and will be Nick in a diminutive version.
• The simple Russian name Peter also found a colleague - Peter (Peter).
• The name Alexander and Alexandra is also popular in other languages ​​- Alexander and Alexandra in a diminutive form can be Alex.
• Russian Anna in a foreign language can turn into Hannah (Hannah).
• Veronica has a full match - Veronica.
• Victoria, which means "victory", has become a popular name in many languages ​​- Victoria.
• Jeanne can become Joan (Joan).
• Irina is similar to the English name Irene (Irene).
• The name Lydia has a full analogue in English - Lidia.
• Christina corresponds to Christina and in the diminutive version will be Chris or Christy.
• Margarita will take on a slightly different sound - Margaret (Margaret).
• Natalia also has her own version of Natalie (Natalie).
• Elizabeth corresponds to Elizabeth (Elizabeth)
• Julia may well turn into Julia (Julia).

Remember: first name or given name is the name of the person; do not confuse the middle name with the patronymic, this is the middle name in English names, for example, James Charles Brown, the second name is often abbreviated - James C. Brown; patronymic in English will be patronymic; when you meet the word surname, then know that this is a surname. So, if you fill out some document in English, then instead of our Russian “surname, first name, patronymic” there will be the surname, first name and patronymic.

Patronymic - patronymic

Thus, knowing how your name is spelled in English, you will be able to correctly sign a personal letter or fill out a resume, as well as fill out the necessary documents. Each name is unique, however, there are no strict rules for translating names. If you have a passport, then you can focus on the option indicated in your passport. You can choose any transliteration system, the main thing is that the recognizability of the translated name is preserved. However, do not be too lazy to find out if your name has an analogue in English.

Whether to choose the transliteration option or stop at the English version of one's name is a question that everyone decides for himself. Many names in English, both male and female, came from other older languages ​​and entered different languages, changing their form or remaining similar. However, remember that residents of English-speaking countries will be more understandable with a name that is already familiar to them. Therefore, if you want your name to be remembered faster, then it is better to choose an option that will be closer and more understandable to an English-speaking person. However, if for a friend you already know as Yuliya, then there is no urgent need to change the spelling to Iuliia or Julia.

English is one of the most widely spoken languages ​​in the world, so the need to translate names arises quite often.

Paperwork, visas, moving abroad, passing international exams, writing a resume, studying in foreign educational institutions - these and other activities force citizens to choose Russian names in English.

Correctly transmitted names and surnames are especially important in the field of business, the world economy, and tourism. That is why the US State Department has developed a table for the correct correspondence of Cyrillic letters to Latin letters.

Why do you need to translate names

The main goal of the translator when transferring proper names of one language by means of another is to preserve the semantic load that will be understood by native speakers of a foreign language.

The most difficult thing is to leave the original meaning when translating works of art, where the names not only name the character, but also carry the features of his character. For example, the translation of diminutive names of the heroes of Russian folk tales always lose this coloring. Ivanushka the Fool is translated into English as Ivan the Fool, the hero loses the easy attitude of readers and positive coloring.

The need to translate Russian names arises when conducting business meetings, communicating with foreigners, attending classes with a teacher. At the same time, the translation in different situations of communication may vary. If in English lessons a girl named Julia becomes Julia, then when buying a ticket, the option indicated in the passport is indicated, and this is usually Yulia or Yuliya.

Rules for writing Russian names in English

Judging by the examples given, there are several ways to write a name and surname in English: the actual translation, the selection of a similar-sounding name (such words usually have a consonant root), transliteration. Translators, businessmen, tourists use different methods of transferring names depending on the communication situation:

1. Usually "flower" and "edifying" names are translated. The Russian woman Rosa becomes Rose, and Vera becomes Faith. Many difficulties arise with the translation of the names of the heroes of Russian handicrafts. Thus, the Serpent Gorynych becomes simply (the) Dragon or Lizard and loses its uniqueness. Other translators put more effort into impersonating the character and he becomes Gorynych Snake.
2. In English lessons, for a deeper immersion in foreign reality, similar names from the English language are selected for students. So, Masha becomes Mary, Katya becomes Kate, Sasha becomes Alex, Mikhail becomes Michael, and Misha becomes Mike.
3. The transliteration method is especially in demand for the official business style of communication, however, for some names, several options are possible at once. So, for example, the name Eugene can be translated as Evgenia, Yevgenia, Yevgeniya. In each specific case, everything depends on the state body that selected the translation. Russian surnames are usually translated into English in this way.

Transliteration of Russian names into Latin

Transliteration of Russian names is the most common phenomenon in the transfer of the first name, last name and, of course, patronymic, which is extremely rarely indicated in official papers. Letters are transmitted in accordance with the requirements of the US State Department. Some of them are not difficult:

Others denote two letters at once:

How the letter E is written in the English manner is clear to everyone - E. Transliteration does not lend itself to b and b signs. An apostrophe ` can be used to soften a consonant.

You can translate patronymic only by translating the Cyrillic alphabet into the Latin alphabet. The table shows the most popular Russian patronymics in English, some of them can be transliterated in different ways.

Russian patronymics in English

How to write a Russian patronymic in English will be prompted by the correspondence tables of Russian and English letters.

Russian surnames in English - translation features

Surnames in Latin letters are also transliterated, for example:

• the name of the Russian poetess Tsvetaeva can be transliterated in several ways at once - Tsvetaeva, Tsvetaeva, Cvetaeva;
• Dzhumaev - Djumayev, Dzhumayev, Jumayev;
• Kuznetsov - Kuznetsov;
• Chistovich - Chistovich;
• Tatishchev - Tatishev;
• Khasymov - Hasymov;
• Lifting - Podyomny.

Most of the difficulties arise with the Russian combination J, which is transferred to English as J, DJ, DZH. As for the translation of the Russian combination KS into English, it is better not to use X, but to write KS. The correct translation of the surname from Russian into English online is available at the link: online transliteration.

Correspondence of Russian names to foreign ones

Since many Russian names were borrowed from Romance and Germanic languages, one can even find a match in English. But it will still be completely different names. They are suitable for friendly correspondence or communication with relatives, but they will not be useful at all when applying for visas or other documents.

A classic example is the Russian name Elena, which in English sounds like Helen. The name Andrei in Latin is written as Andrew, Stepan - Steve, Ivan - John, Anna - Anne, Anya - Annie, Peter - Peter, Boris - Bob and others.

Russian names in English

Consider examples of translating a full name into English:

Thus, it can be seen that the translation of Russian names into English depends on the situation of communication. Patronymic names are placed between the given name and surname and are transliterated. How to write a surname in English can be clarified on special sites. But each subsequent time, the full name in English should be written the same way so that there are no difficulties when crossing the border and other serious events.