Russian Diminutives, Endearments, and other words...

[briyerrose]

Hello, hello, hello! I’m hoping someone can help me on a few details of my story. I have been trying to figure this out for the past few months and I think this may be my best option. My story takes place in present day between Russia and America. My main character’s name is Svetlana and she was born and raised in Russia until an unfortunate event

Comments

[obnyal]

Hi! I guess I can help. I'm Russian so you probably can trust me :)

1. The most popular will be Sveta. Svetochka is Ok, it is diminutive-hypocoristic. We never use Svetyuska. Svetka can be used by a close friend or relative, only not addressed to Sveta herself (it would sound somehow slighting). So you can say "Svetka is charming today" and you cannot say "Svetka, you are charming". Better use Sveta. (and sometimes Svetochka).

2. It will be "Moy Svetlyachok". I know that "Moy" is of masculine gender but in this case it should be consistent with the noun Svetlyachok (which is of masculine gender), not with the person's gender

[tabaqui]

Not the OP, but curious....why is the name 'Dimitr' so very unpopular?

[obnyal]

well..because nobody uses it?
Dmitry is very very popular

[tabaqui]

So it's just not in use? I got the impression you meant 'very unpopular' because it was connected to someone everyone hated or something.

[pogodda]

1. Sveta is mostly neutral and common for any age. Svetka is more usual among children or between close pals. Svetyushka doesn't exist))
2 Moy Svetlyachok (Svetlyachok is a masculine noune)
3 Yeah, Dedulya and Babulya would be OK
4. Also "babulya" (I think Granny is less formal and closer to the meaning)
5. Yakov Dm -i -t-r-i-e-v-i-ch Voz-ne-sen-skiy - these would be a correct spellinng and pronouciation. And we adress to colledge professor Yakov Dmitrievich (it's a man BTW)
6. Shtorm hardly fits in such a case I think. It is difficult to discuss every name, because I think all of them are a bit clumpsy and it also depends on a personal attitude.
If the man almost wild? she could name him "Dikiy".
Voitel is a very old word.
Boec means fighter
Voin is more epic name for the soldier

[dark1977]

Native speaker here

[brune_hilda]

1. All you wrote, but usually common is Sveta, Svetka is familiarly enough and even roughly. Sometimes the variant Lana is used.
2. Correct
3. Both. But Dedushka&Babushka are more suitable.
4. Yes, but not 60+, rather 70+. And 'madame', 'dama' or even without reference at all.
5. It's impossible name:) Yakov Dmitrievich Voznesenskij is correct. Collegue 'professor' or 'Yakov Dmitrievich'.
6. 'Boec' is rather Fighter. For nickname I'd choose Volk and 'solntse' for episodic references.

[briyerrose]

Her American side will actually call her Lana. =)

[r_blackcat]

I'm russian and mostly agree with everything said above. What I have to add:
1. "Svetka" is not always slighting or rude. It depends on relations. In my childhood "Lenka" was OK and even preferable, because it was something like a sign of "brotherhood", closeness between children and even older people if they wanted to be countered as a close friend to a child.
2. "Moy Svetik" and "Moy Svetliachok" both sound very good. Not "svetliak".
3. I'd say "dedulia" and "babulia" are more intimate. Depends on family once again.
4. "Babushka" or none. "Madame" sounds a little bit mocking.
6. Volk and 'solntse' - yes, just mind you that "solntse" (btw, "l" is not pronounced, you know it?) doesn't "sounds fierce, powerful, uncertain, strong". It's very affectionate. "Dikiy" sounds good too. How about "Dingo"?
Good luck! (And sorry if my English is not very good.)