Russian immigrants in the United States are increasingly dropping traditional feminine endings from their surnames to avoid immigration hurdles, according to Irina Dubinina, a Brandeis University professor.
Dubinina, who specializes in bilingualism and language acquisition within immigrant communities, noted that the U.S. system treats masculine and feminine forms of Russian surnames as distinct entities. For example, “Ivanov” and “Ivanova” are considered separate surnames by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
This distinction creates significant challenges when applicants move in with relatives. To confirm family ties, they must provide additional documentation if their documented surname differs from the current one—a process that can delay or disrupt immigration proceedings.
“The rejection of the final letter ‘a’ in female surnames is solely due to linguistic differences and the specific procedures of U.S. immigration services,” Dubinina explained. “When these variations exist, USCIS opens separate cases for each surname, which slows down family reunification efforts.”
Additionally, some immigrants independently adjust their names to adapt more quickly to American life—such as shortening Russian names like “Stanislav” to “Stan.”
Dubinina directs the Russian language program at Brandeis University in Massachusetts and has extensive experience studying how immigrant families navigate language and cultural integration.
