Grigori Rasputin

Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin (Russian: ????????? ????????? ?????????) (1870(?) – December 16, 1916 (O.S.)) was a Russian mystic with an influence in the later days of Russia's Romanov dynasty.

Meaning of the name Rasputin

The name Rasputin in Russian does not mean "licentious," as is often claimed. There is, however, a very similar Russian adjective rasputny (??????????) which does mean "licentious" and the corresponding noun rasputnik. There is no definite explanation of the origin of this not uncommon surname which does not have a "disgraceful" meaning, as the contemporary Russian writer Valentin Rasputin would be quick to explain. There are at least two options for the root of the word. One of them is "put' ," which means "way," "road." Close nouns are rasputye, a place where the roads diverge or converge and rasputitsa (??????????, "muddy road season"). Some historians argue that his name roughly signifies a place where two rivers meet, which describes the area from which the Rasputin family originates.

Related Topics:
Valentin Rasputin - Root of the word - Rasputitsa

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Another possibility is "put', " which gives rise to the verb "putat' ": "entangle" or "mix up," with "rasputat' " being its antonym: "detangle," "untie," "clean up a misunderstanding," etc.

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However the most grounded explanation is a standard Russian surname derivation from the old Slavic name "Rasputa" ("Rasputko") (recorded as early as in 16th century) with the meaning "ill-behaved child," the one whose ways are against traditions or the will of parents.

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It is said that Rasputin tried to have his name changed to the inconspicuous "Novy" (?????, 'New') after his first pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but this is a subject of dispute.

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