This article examines the role of Russian personal names in shaping the image of individuals and society. Personal names are analyzed not only as a means of personal identification but also as an important linguistic and cultural element reflecting social status, national identity, cultural values, and historical era. The paper examines the origins of Russian anthroponyms, their semantic features, and their functional role in fiction. Particular attention is paid to the importance of names in revealing a person's character, defining the social environment, and conveying social relations. The conclusion is that Russian personal names are an important factor demonstrating the relationship between language and society.