Vowel Shifts - interchangeable e i

Interchangeable e/i:

There are frequent i/e switches in medieval Russian particularly in unstressed syllables.

Examples: Belyi (1301)/Bilyi (1649) (s.n. Beloi), Dedlelets/Dedilets (both 1175) (s.n. Dedelets), Onikei (1448)/Onekei (3rd ed.)/Onikii (c1452) (from Anikei), Ogrufena (15th c.)/Ogrufina (1445) (from Agripina)

Beg (m) -- "plea."

• • Beg. 1437. [Mor 31]
• Vars: Pih. 1276. [Mor 31]

Began (m) -- Began. 1115. [Mor 31]

• Vars: Begen. 1242. [Mor 31]
  • Pihan. 1278. [Mor 31]

Bela (m) -- "white."

• • Bela. 1101. [Mor 32]
• Pat Vars: Belich. 15th Century. [Mor 32]
  • Bilich. 1422. [Mor 32]
  • Bjelich. 1391. [Mor 32]

Belka (m) -- "squirrel."

• • Ivashko Belka, peasant of the Molviatsk parish. 1495. [Tup 76]
• Vars: Belco. 1279. [Mor 32]
  • Belko (Oleshko Belko, peasant of the Borpvitsk parish). 1495. [Tup 76]
  • Bel'ko (Bel'ko Debritskii, Mozyr' gunner). 1552. [Tup 76]
  • Bilko (Bilko Bogdanovich, Mozyr' peasant). 1552. [Tup 76]

Beloi (m) -- "white."

• • Vasilei Patrakeev Beloi. 15th Century. [Gra 313]
• Vars: Beli. 1470. [Mor 32]
  • Belyi (Ivan Belyi, ambassador from Liubek). 1301. [Gra 63]
  • Bilyi (Semen Bilyi, Glukhovsk city ataman). 1649. [Tup 77]

Bin'chula (m) -- Bin'chula. 1254. [Mor 12]

• Vars: Ben'choula. 1198. [Mor 11]
  • Ben'chula. 1332. [Mor 11]

• Pat Vars: Benchulik (Andrei Benchulik). 1399. [Mor 10]
  • Benochulich (Dubrota Benochulich). 1420. [Mor 80]
  • Ben'chulik (Pus'k' Ben'chulik). 1100. [Mor 160]
  • Binchulik (Mar'tolo Binchulik). 1442. [Mor 120]
  • Bin'chulik (Andrei Bin'chulik). 1390. [Mor 12]

Chekhoslav (m) -- "Czech glory."

• • Chekhoslav. 1305. [Mor 206]
• Vars: Cechoslaus. 1305. [Mor 206]
  • Cichoslav. 1305. [Mor 206]
  • Zechoslav. 1305. [Mor 206]

Cheslav (m) -- Cheslav. 1310. [Mor 206]

• Vars: Ceslaus. 1310. [Mor 206]
  • Cessezlaus. 1310. [Mor 206]
  • Czeslaus. 1310. [Mor 206]
  • Sisla. 1310. [Mor 206]
  • Zeslaus. 1310. [Mor 206]

Dedlelets (m) -- "grandfather." Dedlelets, boiar. 1175. [Tup 141]

• Vars: Dedilets (boiar). 1175. [Tup 141]

Derzhak (m) -- "to hold."

• Vars: Dersko. 1250. [Mor 69]Dirzek. 1220. [Mor 69]
• Drischo. 1244. [Mor 69]

Derzhata (m) -- "to hold."

• Vars: Dirsota. 1197. [Mor 69]

Derzhek (m) -- "to hold."

• Derzhek. 1183. [Mor 69]
• Vars: Dirsco. 1238. [Mor 69]
• Drizek. 1238. [Mor 69]

Derzhislav (m) -- "to maintain glory."

• • Derzhislav Abramovich. 1221. [Tup 127]
• Vars: Derslau. 1391. [Mor 69]
  • Derslaus. 1418. [Mor 69]
  • Dirisizlav. 1062. [Mor 69]
  • Dirsislaus. 1181. [Mor 69]
  • Dirsizlaus. 1174. [Mor 69]
  • Dirslaus. 1418. [Mor 69]
  • Dirzcliz. 1189. [Mor 69]
  • Dirzislau. 1167. [Mor 69]
  • Dirzliz. 1221. [Mor 69]
  • Dizizlaus. 1237. [Mor 70]
  • Drisizlaus. 1160. [Mor 69]

Detana (f) -- Detana. 1402. [Mor 81]

• Vars: Dikana. 1402. [Mor 81]
  • Dechana. 1402. [Mor 81]

Dmitrii (m) -- Great Prince Dmitrii. 1262. [Gra 9]

• Dims: Dmitro (Dmitro Hassan, lord's peasant). 1565. [Tup 103]
  • Dmitrok (falconer). 1328-41. [Gra 142]
• Vars: Dimiter (Dimiter Wassilievitze, Novgorod governor). 1448. [Gra 120]
  • Dimitrei (Dimitrei Mikhailovich Pozharskoi, governor). 1612. [RIB XIV 225]
  • Dimitrii (Dimitrii syn Marfin, Novgorod boiar). 1471. [Tup 24]
  • Dmitre (Dmitre Grigor'evich'). Second Half of 15th Century. [Gra 251]
  • Dmitri (Dmitri Vasil'evich', Novgorod captain). 1415-21. [Gra 147]
• Pat Vars: Demetevich ([A]rtemii Demetevich). 15th Century. [Gra 264]
  • Dimitrewitz (Wasilei Dimitrewitz). 1421. [Gra 99]
  • Dmetrievich (Iakov Dmetrievich, Novgorod ambassador). 1421. [Gra 99]
  • Dmitreiavich (Ivan Dmitreiavich Pleshcheev, Nizhegorod governor). 1627. [RIB II 990]
  • Dmitrevich (Bulat Dmitrevich Telitsin, Vilevsk landowner). c1610. [Tup 68]

Emelian (m) -- "flattering."Emelian. Lived in the 9th century. [Buk 18]

• Vars: Emel'ian (Emel'ian Ostaf'ev syn, scribe). 1515. [RIB XIV 3]
  • Emilian. 1356. [Lev 4]
  • Emiliian. 13-14th Centuries. [Lev 52]

Epistima (f) -- "knowledge." Epistima, martyr. Died in 3rd Century. [Buk 622-3]

• Vars: Epestemiia (Epestemiia Okinfieva doch', nicknamed Milava, daughter of peasant in Prilutskii monastery). 1612. [Tup 462]
  • Epistem'ia. 14th Century. [Lev 12]
  • Epistim'ia (mother of the governor Ivan Lukinich). Before 1471. [Gra 177]

Eremei (m) -- "Hermes." Eremei Krivtsev. 1315-22. [Gra 280]

• Dims: Eremeiko (Eremeiko Fedorov syn, sexton). 1568. [RIB XIV 83]
  • Eremia (Eremia Mogila). 1598. [Tup 253]
• Vars: Eremii (Eremii Ondriev syn Obros'ev). 1611. [RIB XII 156]

Evgeniia (f) -- "noble." Fem of Evgenii. Evgeniia, saint-martyr. 13th Century. [Art II 63-4; #62]

• Vars: Evgin'ia (Lithuanian princess). Before 1387. [Zap 608]

Evsignii (m) -- "good sign." Evsignii, martyr. Died in 362. [Buk 430]

• Vars: Evsegnii (martyr). 13-14th Centuries. [Lev 55]
  • Evsignei (Menshik Savel'ev syn, nicknamed Evsignei). 1618. [Tup 248]

Evsigniia (f) -- "good sign." Fem of Evsignii.

• Vars: Evsegniia (of Suzdal). 1202. [Lav 417]

Feliks (m) -- "happy."

• • Feliks, martyr. Died c164. [Buk 63]
• Vars: Felyce (Novgorod governor-general). 1338. [Gra 71]
  • Filiks. First Half of 14th Century. [Art VII 20; #414]

Feoktist (m) -- "sent by God."

• • Feoktist, father superior of the Kirillov monastery. 1559. [RIB II 40]
• Vars: Feklist (Novgorod archbishop). 1316. [Gra 65]
  • Fektist (Novgorod archbishop). 1316. [Gra 23]
  • Feoklist. 1356. [Lev 22]

• Pat Vars: Fiklistov (Mosei Fiklistov). 15th Century. [Gra 311]

Fetin'ia (f) -- Fetin'ia, boiaress. Before 1553. [Kaz 486]

• Vars: Feten'ia. 1456-71. [Gra 173]
  • Fetiniia. 14th-15th Centuries. [Art II 30; #28]

Grigorii (m) -- "to be awake." Russianization of Gregory. Grigorii Semenovich, boiar. 1375. [Gra 285]

• Vars: Gregorie (Gregorie Jacowitz Kretewe). 1503. [Gra 332]
  • Gregorii. Second Half of 14th Century. [Art V 101; #275]
  • Grigorei (Grigorei Zakhar'inich', Novgorod ambassador). 1431. [Gra 105]
• Pat Vars: Chriskowicz [from Chrisko] (Kunas Chriskowicz, craftsman). 1565. [Tup 216]
  • Gregor'ev [from Gregorii] (Mikifor Grego[r']ev). 15th Century. [Gra 309]
  • Grigorevoi (Grigorevoe Nepitushchee). Recorded in 1545. [Tup 274]
  • Grigoriev (Stepan Grigoriev, Novgorodite). 1456. [Gra 43]
  • Grigor'evich' (Kiprian Grigor'evich'). 1435. [Gra 171]

Ioann (m) -- The Russianization of John (God is gracious) and one of the most common given names. Both the older form (Ioann) and the newer (Ivan) are common in period. Ioann, son of Ivan the Terrible. 1558. [RIB XII 129]

• Dims: Evanets. Second Half of 15th Century. [Gra 254]
  • Ivanets (Ivanets Ontsyforov syn Leonov, scribe). 1595. [RIB XIV 149]

• Vars: Evan. 13th-14th Century. [Art VI 94; #391]
  • Ivan (Ivan Fomin syn, governor). 1181-2. [Gra 284]
• Pat Vars: Evanov [from Evan] (Mikita Istovno Evanov). Second Half of 14th Century. [Art V 104; #278]
  • Evanovich' [from Evan] (Iakim Evanovich'). Middle of 15th Century. [Gra 237]
  • Ivanov [from Ivan] (Prokhna Ivanov syn). Before 1147. [Gra 159]
  • Ivanovich [from Ivan] (Mikhail Ivanovich, lord). 1386. [RIB II 6]

• Pat Vars (f): Evanova (Evanova zhena). Second Half of 15th Century. [Gra 254]

Iustin (m) -- Russianiztion of Justin ("justice"). Iustin, martyr. 13-14th Centuries. [Lev 45]

• Vars: Usten (Usten Semenov syn). Second Half of 15th Century. [Gra 252]
  • Ustin. 13-14th Centuries. [Lev 45]

Iustina (f) -- "justice." Fem of Iustin. Iustina, martyr. c300. [Buk 559]

• Vars: Usten'ia (wife of captain Vasilii). 15th Century. [Gra 311]
  • Ustiniia (wife of Osip). 1466-7. [Gra 176]
  • Ustin'ia (wife of captain Vasilii). 15th Century. [Gra 311]

Khotebor (m) -- "wish/overcome." All Moravian. Khotebor. 1196. [Mor 201]

• Vars: Chotebor. 1196. [Mor 201]
  • Chotibor. 1196. [Mor 201]
  • Chotiebor. 1196. [Mor 201]

Kildeman (m) -- Kildeman. 1596. [RIB II 53]

• Vars: Keldeman. 1603. [RIB II 77]

Kseniia (f) -- "hospitable."

• • Kseniia, wife of Prince Vsevolodovich. 1279. [Ste 307]
• Vars: Aksiniia. 1356. [Lev 25]
  • Ks'n'ia. 13th-14th Century. [Art VII 16; #411]
  • Okseniia. 1356. [Lev 25]
  • Oksen'ia (Oksen'ia Grishina doch'). 15th Century. [Gra 260]
  • Oksin'ia (daughter of Prince Georgii). 1285. [Lav 483]

Ksenofont (m) -- "speaking foreign languages."

• • Ksenofont, saint. 5th Century. [Buk 64-5]
• Vars: Ksenifont (Ksenifont Ivanov syn). 1602. [RIB XIV 161]
  • Sinofont. 14th Century. [Art VI 66; #368]

• Pats: Ksenofontov (Bogdan Ksenofontov, clerk of Tsar Ivan IV). 1576. [Tup 52]
• Pat Vars: Sinofontov (Fedor Sinofontov). Second Half of 14th Century. [Art V 91; #264]

Kuz'ma (m) -- Kuz'ma, falconer. 1328-41. [Gra 142]

• Dims: Kuzemka (Kuzemka Bobyl', peasant of the Polonovsk parish). 1495. [Tup 50]
  • Kuzemko (Kuzemko Filin, serf). 1491. [Tup 412]
  • Kuzimka (Kuzimka Samoilov, clerk of Nikol'skii square in Dvorishcha). 1419-20. [Gra 288]

Kveton (m) -- Kveton. 1130. [Mor 99]

• Vars: Kveten. 1088. [Mor 99]
  • Kvetin. 1088. [Mor 99]

Lovek (m) -- "hunter." (Bohemian and Moravian) Lovek. 1031. [Mor 112]

• Vars: Lovich. 1107. [Mor 112]

Markell (m) -- "hammer." Markell, saint. Died in 485. [Buk 719-20]

• Vars: Markel (elder). 1585-6. [RIB II 310]
  • Markil (monk). 1613. [RIB II 861]

Matfei (m) -- "gift of God." Russianization of Matthew. Matfei Falaleevich, Novgorod captain. 1371. [Gra 28]

• Vars: Matfe (Novgorodite). 1409. [Gra 87]
  • Matfi (Matfi Ivanovich). Before 1459. [Gra 295]

• Pat Vars: Matfeevich' (Arsenii Matfeevich'). c1456. [Gra 294]
  • Matfeikov [from Matfeiko] (Ondreiko Sochevitsa Matfeikov). 1500. [Tup 370]
  • Matfiev [from Matfii] (Ivan Matfiev syn Osetr). 1602. [RIB XIV 524]
  • Mat'feevich' [from Mat'fei] (Stepan Mat'feevich'). 15th Century. [Gra 270]

Miliuk (m) -- "nice." Mikifor Sidorov syn Miliuk, servant. 1542. [Tup 251]

• Pats: Miliukov (Ivan Ivanovich Miliukov, Tiumen' governor). 1623-8. [RIB II 475]
• Pat Vars: Meliukov [from Meliuk] (Ivan Vasil'evich Meliukov, Dvina governor). 1598. [RIB XIV 151]

Milka (m) -- "dear." Milka. 1088. [Mor 123] (Serbian, Pomeranian, Moravian, ?)

• Vars: Mel'ko. 1198. [Mor 125]
  • Mil'ko. 1232. [Mor 125]

Milosh (m) -- Milosh. 1052. [Mor 124]

• Vars: Melocs. 1389. [Mor 124]

Moisei (m) -- Russianiation of Moses. Moisei. 12th-13th Centuries. [Art VII 37; #430]

• Vars: Moisii (Moisii Domazhinich). 1175. [Mor 75]
  • Mosei (Mosei Matveevich). 1456-71. [Gra 173]
  • Mosii. Second Half of 14th Century. [Art VII 140; #539]

• Pats: Moiseev (Emel'ian Moiseev, lieutenant). 1621. [RIB XIV 348]
• Pat Vars: Moiseevich' (Dementii Moiseevich'). 1465-6. [Gra 302]
  • Moseev. Second Half of 14th Century. [Art VII 140; #539]
  • Mosiev [from Mosii] (Zyk Mosiev syn Korobeinikov, peasant). 1587. [Tup 164]

Mstidrug (m) -- Mstidrug. 1220. [Mor 131]

• Vars: Meztidrug. 1220. [Mor 131]
  • Miztidru. 1220. [Mor 131]

Mstislav (m) -- "glorious avenger." Great Prince Mstislav Volodimir' syn. 1130. [Gra 140]

• Dims: Mstislavets (Petr Mstislavets). 1563. [Mor 131]
  • M'stisha. 945. [Mor 131]

• Vars: Mistislav. 1052. [Mor 131]
  • Mitizlaus. 1271. [Mor 131]
  • Mstislaus. 1274. [Mor 131]
  • M'stislav. 1069. [Tup 259]

Mstivoi (m) -- Mstivoi. 1239. [Mor 130-1]

• Vars: Mistevoi. 1253. [Mor 131]
  • Mstiui. 1234. [Mor 127]
  • Mstiviy. 1245. [Mor 131]

Nachevoi (m) -- "starting." Nachevoi. 1071. [Mor 134] (Bohemian)

• Vars: Nacevoj. 1071. [Mor 134]
  • Nazivog. 1071. [Mor 134]

Nachimir (m) -- "start of peace." Nachimir. 1228. [Mor 135] (Pomeranian, ?, Moravian)

• Vars: Nachemir. 1228. [Mor 135]

Nemir (m) -- "restless." Nemir. 1412. [Tup 273]

• Dims: Nemira (Nemira Rezanovich', landowner). Recorded in 1450. [Tup 273]
  • Nemiria (Nemiria Bogdanovich'). Recorded in 1513. [Tup 273]
  • Nimiria (Nimiria Fomin syn Koskina, lieutenant). 1507. [Tup 273]

Nikifor (m) -- "victorious." Nikifor Matfeev syn Esipov. 1528. [RIB XII 1]

• Dims: Mekeforko (peasant). Second Half of 14th Century. [Art V 148; #314]
  • Mikiforko (Pskov smith). 1480. [Gra 325]
  • Nekef. 14th Century. [Art VII 96; #501]

Patrikei (m) -- "patrician." Patrikei Nasonov, scribe. 1597. [RIB II 1101]

• Vars: Patrakei (Patrakei Dmit'rievich). Mid 15th Century. [Gra 220]
  • Patrakii (Patrakii Ustinov, warden). 1615. [RIB XIV 836]
  • Patrekei (Patrekei Ondreev syn). 1530. [RIB XIV 24]
  • Patrikii (saint). 1356. [Lev 17]

Pina (m) -- "kick." Pina. 970. [Mor 151]

• Vars: Pena. 970. [Mor 151]
  • Piena. 970. [Mor 151]

Plen' (m) -- "captive." Plen'. 1222. [Mor 152] (South Slav, Serbian)

• Vars: Plin'. 1222. [Mor 152]

Pois (m) -- Pois. 1246. [Mor 153]

• Vars: Poes. 1246. [Mor 153]

Porfirii (m) -- "purple." Porfirii, martyr. 2nd Century. [Buk 93]

• Vars: Perferei (Perferei Stefanov syn, lieutenant). 1572. [RIB XIV 89]
  • Perfirei (deacon of the Nizhegorod Pechersk monastery). 1602. [RIB II 975]

Potapii (m) -- Potapii, priest. 1588. [RIB XIV 127]

• Vars: Potapei (Potapei Pavlov syn). 1517-8. [RIB XIV 5]

Slavibor (m) -- "glory/overcome." (Bohemian, Pomeranian, Polish, Moravian)

• • Slavibor. 1145. [Mor 179]
• Vars: Slavebor. 1168. [Mor 179]
  • Zlavebor. 1165. [Mor 179]
  • Zlavibor. 1180. [Mor 179]

Tem (m) -- "theme." (Bohemian)

• • Tem. 1052. [Mor 192]
• Vars: Tema. 1052. [Mor 192]
  • Thema. 1052. [Mor 192]
  • Thima. 1052. [Mor 192]
  • Tim. 1052. [Mor 192]
  • Tima. 1052. [Mor 192]

Vechen (m) -- "elderly." (Bohemian, Moravian)

• • Vechen. 1053. [Mor 54]
• Vars: Vichen. 1238. [Mor 54]