The names of all the characters in Thin Ice were pre-determined when I first created them - yes, there's a story behind all the boys - and I developed all their personalities and backstories (in their canon timeline) without even knowing what their first names meant, and only just a few months ago I looked up their meanings on Behind The Name! Funnily enough, each of the boys' names does speak to them and/or their background in some way! I apologize in advance if these don't make sense or if I just don't explain them well. 

Also, when I mention "training", I mean training to become something like kpop idols. In Thin Ice's world, the concept of idols, groups, etc in kpop spans across other countries too, including Russia because I can! Thin Ice - Boris, Valeri, Aleksandr, Vladimir, Vasily, Viacheslav, Sergei, and Alexei - are a boy group in that industry too. And also because I hope Russian media can become freer in real life. Anyways, let's get onto the names!  

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Alexander (+ variant Aleksandr) - "defender/protector of men" 

Aleksandr has been a protector for much of his life. He never associates it with heroism though - it's always simply been him looking out for his younger brother Volodya. As the two grew up together but without their father, Aleksandr took on helping their mother to raise Volodya, taking care of him and protecting him from even the smallest of dangers. The brothers are very close to this day, and Aleksandr still plays the role of protector of his brother and now also his friends, as he loves them all so much and will show them he cares about them in any way he can. 

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Alexei - "to defend", "to help" 

The meaning "to help" goes perfectly with Alexei's personality. He's one to help his friends out however he can, whether it's to actually participate in the task or just cheer them up and offer moral support. He would help his friends study, he would encourage others in numerous situations in training, he would pitch into cooking at home, he would listen to and comfort Viacheslav whenever there was something bothering him that he couldn't shake off. Alexei also can and will defend those he cares about when they're in a conflict and/or their feelings are hurt. 

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Boris - "short", "wolf", "snow leopard" 

The meaning I feel goes best with our Boris is "wolf". It is said that a wolf as your spirit/totem animal will guide you to the correct path when you are lost, which is what Boris is always determined to do for his friends and family. He wants to help them stay on the path that will work best for them in their lives. (There is so much other symbolism associated with wolves that I could go into as well another time!) Wolves also bear a deep commitment to and love for their family - two things also very important to Boris. He greatly loves his family and friends. He has taken care of his siblings for practically all their lives, especially when their parents were away. He sees the others in Thin Ice as family too, he looks out for them the same way he has his siblings. 

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Sergei - "servant" 

Sergei was given little if any freedom growing up. His parents tried to control almost everything he did, they wanted him to be perfect and to turn out the very image they had in mind of him. He was to be a servant to their will, doing and behaving exactly as they wished. But he wasn't. He was just a kid, he wasn't perfect and often made mistakes. He was who he was, he would pursue just whatever he found interesting. So he bolted against his parents' will in any way he could. He often stayed out late at night and spent extra time away from the house in theater, with the ski club, or training, which was technically his parents' choice at first but it became a passion of his too. 

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Valeri - "to be strong" 

Though he may not actively think about it, Valeri has been determined to stay strong for much of his life. He was quite weak in his early childhood, but overcame this in the years that followed. (That's how he became so immersed in dancing!) But more than that, mental strength is important to him. He is well-versed in a number of topics he would be happy to discuss with others. He's had his feelings hurt and invalidated numerous times as he's grown up, but he has tried his best to overcome this as well - by not letting these instances get to him anymore, at least not letting it show that he's hurt. But he learns from his friends in Thin Ice that it absolutely isn't weak to show emotion; sometimes, there's actually courage in doing so. 

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Vasily - "king" 

Vasily has many of the traits a king should have. He is ambitious and fiercely determined to achieve or attain anything he sets his mind to, and refuses to let any barriers or discouragement get in his way. He's worked very hard to get where he is today, and in both school and training he went above and beyond with tasks and projects he became passionate about. But at the same time, he has a strong sense of empathy and cares about others, and he won't hurt someone he doesn't dislike to achieve his own goals. All in all, he is determined to remain in control of his life and his decisions (and has been doing very well!), like how a monarch must remain in control of their country. 

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Viacheslav - "more glory" 

After years of silence, without directly offering his opinions out in the open, fifteen-year-old Viacheslav began a new school year when he near completely changed. His old self had been quiet but his new self was loud. He no longer hid any of his thoughts, he would often speak up and share whatever was on his mind without worrying about others' reactions. Finding the courage to do so was a moment of glory for him. He started feeling much better about himself and what he had to say. The more he put himself - his new self, his real self - out there, the more confidence he gained to keep doing so. He still does so and is very proud of it. 

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Vladimir - "ruler of the world" 

This name is borne by three members of Thin Ice and its extended lineup: Vladimir Golikov (Volodya), Vladimir Myshkin, and Vladimir Petrov (Vladik). Its meaning suits them all in a similar way: that they're getting ahold of pride and control over their own lives (and worlds, in that sense). 

For Volodya, it's his fragile self-esteem that's come close to holding him back. Though he loves what he does - electrical engineering, which I've heard is not easy to study! - he finds it hard to be proud of his own achievements, especially when harsh enough criticism and more often simply discouragement gets to him. Some instances of others bringing him down have resulted in him seriously considering to leave the field altogether, but fortunately - with the help of others he loves, especially his brother Aleksandr - Volodya has found the resolve and determination to continue pursuing what he's truly passionate about. 

For Vladimir, he's hardly ever let societal norms or other unwanted influence get to him. He's an artist, of many forms, and since childhood he's dreamt of and created many things out of ideas and viewpoints of his. A good number of his vibrant creations have rebelled against what is seen as acceptable, others are there to stand out against his otherwise dull surroundings. Every song he contributes to, every dance he takes part in, so much of what he's drawn or painted across walls - it means something to him, it's a part of his world. 

For Vladik, there's something resembling reason behind even his most rash decisions. As he grew up he was limited and held back from making decisions of his own. He wasn't allowed to explore much around him. So when opportunities to explore the exciting and the dangerous approached them, he took them all. Once the things he was forbidden even a glance of - car chases, parties, and setting things on fire were all on the list - were now in front of him, he took every chance at them out of such strong curiosity. Along with debuting in his first group - with Boris and Valeri - the dangerous things Vladik took part in were his way of asserting control of his own life, even though it ended... not so great. 

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Dear readers and Snowflakes (that's the name I've given the fanbase of Thin Ice!), I hope you enjoyed these analyses and found them interesting! I love talking about my boys and what makes them... them. 

I know I have yet to do this for Musya and Yuna...
I've only heard or seen Musya's name in the original story she's come from, though a couple of friends on Discord have told me that Musya can be a nickname for the name Maria (and I've established that for my Musya). 
Apparently the name Yuna can mean several things. If anyone knows a meaning, you can always let me know! Chances are, it will fit our Yuna in some way! 

What else would you like to see about Thin Ice???