What does Lenin mean?
What a great question! I don’t know that it means anything in particular. I have looked it up in various Russian dictionaries and can’t find anything. I’m pretty sure he changed his name to conceal his identity or make it easier to evade the authorities, as many revolutionaries did. He also disguised himself to hide his identity. I know Lenin would have known various languages, but he wouldn’t have known Gaelic, I don’t think. Stalin does mean “steel,” not “man of steel” necessarily. I learned that from a Russian-born history professor who specialized in Stalin and the revolution. Thus, the person who says that Stalin didn’t mean anything is wrong.
“The name Lenin is a masculine name. It is more often a first name then the last name. Its language of origin is Irish. It has several variants including Lennon, Lennan or Leannan. In irish, the names Lennan or Leannan occurs in the early genealogies of the Clare dynasty. Lennan mac Cathrannach was the king of Corcu Baiscinn from 898 to 915. The name Lenin means “lover, sweetheart, paramour”. The modern surname O Lennon has been derived from it. In Gaelic, the word Lennon means a “small overcoat”. Some eminent personalities have their first or last name as Lenin or Lennon such as John Lennon; famous artist and singer and famous Russian revolutionary, Valdimir Lenin.” Edit: Actually, I agree it probably has nothing to do with the Gaelic origins. Perhaps he just liked the sound of it.
