Baryshnikov (surname)

Baryshnikov is a Russian surname. It is derived from the patronymic form of the Russian nickname "Barysh," which itself is likely derived from the word "barysh" meaning "profit" or "advantage." Surnames derived from nicknames were common in Russia.

The surname is most famously associated with Mikhail Baryshnikov, a Soviet-born Latvian-American dancer, choreographer, and actor. His prominence has made the name widely recognized internationally, particularly within the fields of ballet and the performing arts.

The surname can be found, though less frequently, amongst families of Russian descent and in regions historically associated with the Russian Empire and Soviet Union.