Thread: Russian names

I am working on a WWII historical fiction that takes place in the Battle of Stalingrad. I have a character named Aleksandra and I've been told by a Russian friend that that Sasha is commonly used and the full name is only used in formal situations. A young child that she has only known for a short time refers to her as Sasha. I'm not sure what to refer to her as while narrating the story, whether it should be Sasha or Aleksandra (it's third person).

Let me know.

Peace,

Revekka

Eastern Slavic naming customs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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It can be effective to use both forms of address. For instance, a stern Grandmother or an official could use the full name, friends and close family may use the diminutive. This is quite common in life. I am referred to by at least 3 different names; officialdom always use the first of my registered names (The name by which all the firstborn males in my paternal family are registered, which in the last 5 generations, only my grandfather actually used), acquaintances use my second forename, my wife and friends from the 50s and 60s call me by my nickname. This device can be used as a shorthand for establishing the closeness of the relationship in a story without having to go into long explanations every time a new character is introduced.

So the young child would still use the diminutive then? And when Aleksandra introduces herself to the child, she would use the full name as they are unfamiliar?

Aleksandra can be insulted or not. It depends whether she likes children. If she is kind, she can allow Sasha. But if she is more strict, she may not allow it. You choose for yourself what form is good for you. Would this child call YOU Becky or Rebecca? What form do you prefer if you were in her sho?
Or choose name Lisa or Inna or Olga or Vera or another short names that have the same informal form as formal.

Thanks for clearing that up, but I have since changed the character's name to Arina as it's easier for me.