Why Are All Russian Women Called Olga?

First of all, this is not technically correct. Only 47.6% of Russian Women are called Olga. Nearly as many are called Natalia (Natasha) and the few other names like Tractorina and Elektricita - Tracya and Trishya for short - don’t really matter. (Well, all Russian Women are the same. Why they bother giving them different names I have no idea.)

But back to the issue. In Russian folklore, the name ‘Olga’ is sacred because it was the name of the very first, Russian Mail Order Bride: Princess Olga of Kiev, who ruled Russia (then Kievan Rus) for 27 years, beginning in the year 945.

Now. After losing her immediate husband, Oleg, and becoming the ruler of Kiev, Olga’s Drevlanian neighbours were very keen to see Olga married to a ‘nice Prince’. So she sends the Drevlanians a mail . . .

But, since you may not take my word for it, let history tell the story of what happened next in 945:

Quote:

Olga sent word to the Drevlanians to send over their best men to persuade the people of Kiev to let her marry. Thinking that Olga was willing to marry, the Drevlanians sent a large number of men.

In Kiev, Olga treated them to a ceremonial steambath, and then burned the bathhouse down.

Later, the foreign men complained of having been burned by a scammer.

As the most legendary Russian Bride, Olga’s proud name lives on and her influence is still felt to this day.

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