Ruslan
Ruslan is a Muslim boy name meaning “Lion”.
| Meaning | Lion |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Turkic |
| Pronunciation | roos-LAHN |
| Muslim name? | Used by Muslims |
Meaning and origin of Ruslan
Ruslan is a Turkic name that goes back to arslan (also aslan), the common Turkic word for 'lion'. The lion stands for courage, strength and leadership, so the name is a wish for a bold and steady character. The initial 'r' form is generally explained as a reshaping of Arslan as the name passed into Russian and neighbouring languages, which is why Ruslan, Arslan and Aslan are best seen as members of one family rather than unrelated names.
Ruslan became widely known across the Russian-speaking world through Alexander Pushkin's poem Ruslan and Lyudmila, and in that setting it is also given by non-Muslim families in Russia and Ukraine. It is, however, especially common among Turkic and Caucasian Muslim peoples: Tatars, Bashkirs, Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Chechens and the many groups of Dagestan. Pronunciation is roos-LAHN, with the stress on the second syllable. Some Central Asian families extend it with the honorific '-bek', giving Ruslanbek. As a non-Arabic name with a positive meaning, it raises no religious objection.
Famous people named Ruslan
- Ruslan Chagaev — Uzbek boxer and former WBA heavyweight champion
- Ruslan Ponomariov — Ukrainian chess grandmaster and FIDE world champion (2002)
Is Ruslan a Muslim name?
Ruslan is not an Arabic name, but it is widely used by Muslim families in Central Asia, the Caucasus and among the Tatars. Its meaning, 'lion', is a good one, so it is perfectly acceptable as a Muslim name.
Where is the name Ruslan used?
Common in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tatarstan, Chechnya and Dagestan. Also used by non-Muslims in Russia and Ukraine.
Gifts with the name Ruslan
- Ruslan name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Ruslan baby gifts (Amazon)
- Islamic baby gifts & books (Amazon)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a small commission from these links, at no extra cost to you.
Spellings and variants of Ruslan
Read more
More boy names like Ruslan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ruslan mean?
Ruslan means 'Lion'. It comes from Turkic.
Is Ruslan a Muslim name?
Ruslan is not an Arabic name, but it is widely used by Muslim families in Central Asia, the Caucasus and among the Tatars. Its meaning, 'lion', is a good one, so it is perfectly acceptable as a Muslim name.
How do you pronounce Ruslan?
Ruslan is pronounced roos-LAHN.
Is Ruslan in the Quran?
No. Ruslan is a Turkic name meaning 'lion', so it does not appear in the Quran; that does not prevent Muslims from using it.
What language is the name Ruslan?
It is Turkic in origin, from arslan, 'lion', and spread widely through Russian.
Are Ruslan and Arslan the same name?
They are generally treated as forms of the same Turkic name, with Aslan as another variant.