The real name of the leader of the proletariat is Vladimir Ulyanov, but in world history he remained Lenin. Obviously, the reasons that forced a person to choose this particular surname must be.

Researchers note the existence of several versions, each of which is worth considering. Vladimir Ulyanov had more than 150 pseudonyms, he became known just like Lenin, because party documents were signed in the name of V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin).

In honor of the Lena River

Distribution have several versions associated with the name of the Siberian river Lena. The niece of the leader Olga Ulyanova devoted much time to studying her family, she is convinced that the pseudonym comes from the name of the great river. The pseudonym Volgin was already occupied, it was used by Plekhanov, Glinka, and other personalities. But the name of Lena has not yet been exploited.

Interesting fact: there is a version that Vladimir Ilyich took the pseudonym to spite Plekhanov, in some way parodying him, “Volgin”.

As for family traditions, it is indicated here that the grandfather of the revolutionary became the first Ulyanov in the family. But the surname did not immediately attach to him; for a long time he was called Ulyanin. The distorted form could turn into "Lenin".

In addition, the name in honor of the river could come due to the historical events of that time. In 1912, the strike of the workers of the Lena mine was severely suppressed, where the workers suffered from terrible working conditions and meager salaries. The troops brutally crushed the strike.The information spread widely, the “Lensky execution” itself became one of the egregious symbols of tsarist power and violence against the people. Ulyanov could well take advantage of this event, its name, to choose a pseudonym that attracts attention.

However, it is difficult to confirm this version, and critics completely refute it, emphasizing that the pseudonym Lenin appeared much earlier. In fact, Ulyanov began to use the pseudonym Lenin in 1901when he was preparing materials for the magazine Zarya, as well as in correspondence with Plekhanov.

Fake Passport Version

There is another, less romantic version of why Ulyanov got this pseudonym. The need to change names, use fake documents - these are the realities of the life of a revolutionary. Ulyanov constantly had to hide.

In 1900, the future leader had to go abroad - he only returned from exile. However, the possibility of obtaining a passport in your own name and leaving with him was very doubtful. Nadezhda Krupskaya found a sympathizer for the revolutionaries by the name of Sergei Nikolaevich Lenin, who was able to provide a passport to his father, who lived in the Yaroslavl province of a retired state councilor.

All necessary information was corrected in the passport, Ulyanov received the coveted document. He became an excellent cover, especially since the father of the revolutionary himself was a state adviser, which would allow Vladimir Ilyich to impersonate a person from this cohort, because all the features of the life and life of officials were clear to him.

In support of this fact, it is worth noting that in 1901, the signature of Vladimir Ilyich in the magazine Zarya under his materials looked exactly like N. Lenin. The letter H was not deciphered by him in the future. But she could very well indicate the name of Nikolai.

The Lenin family really existed, it began in the 17th century from the Cossack Posnik, who was granted the nobility and land for his services to conquer Siberia. At that moment, when the passport was in the hands of Vladimir Ilyich, his original owner was seriously ill, then, soon, died.

Love story

There is also a hypothesis that a love story led to the appearance of such a pseudonym. However, it is still not known in honor of which woman Ulyanov could come up with a surname - someone brings Elena Zaritskaya, Elena Lenin, other ladies. But the version is unproven.

Other pseudonyms of Lenin

Among the huge number of pseudonyms of the revolutionary, the names of K. Tulin and Vladimir Ilyin were most remembered by contemporaries and followers. He also had the party nickname Old Man.

Thus, the origin of the pseudonym Lenin is not exactly known. There are versions linking its appearance with the Lena River, the events taking place on it. The most likely version with a fake passport. And someone even points to a love story.