These Russian pet names come in three kinds: fond words such as Solnyshko (little sun), short forms of given names such as Masha and Sasha, and words that make a pet's name, such as Pushok (fluff) and Ugolyok (little coal).
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Pick a kind of name
You can narrow the draw to one kind. Fond words are ones the dictionary marks as endearing: Zayka, Lastochka (swallow), Zolottse (little gold). Short forms of given names gives Petya for Pyotr and Katya for Yekaterina. Words that make a pet's name gives Sharik (little ball), Tuchka (little cloud) and Murzik, a common name for a cat.
How Russian small forms work
Russian builds a smaller word with an ending. The dictionary describes -ка, -очка and -ушка as endings that form diminutives, and -енька as forming diminutive, often endearing, nouns. So Masha gives Mashenka and Lena gives Lenochka.
Questions and answers
What are Russian pet names for cats?
Murzik is a common name for a cat, by its dictionary entry. Pushok means fluff, Ryzhik a redhead, Dymok little smoke and Ugolyok little coal. For a dog, Pyosik is doggie and Sharik little ball.
What are Russian pet names for friends?
The list answers with short forms of given names: Sasha for Aleksandr or Aleksandra, Misha for Mikhail, Dasha for Darya, Kolya for Nikolay. Each card names the full name the short form comes from.
How are Russian pet names written in English letters?
Each name is given in Latin letters and in Cyrillic. The Latin spelling follows the BGN/PCGN system with ё written yo: Пёсик is Pyosik and Лёша is Lyosha.