Alexander and Alexander

My translator's name is Alexander, the usual nickname for which in Russian is Sasha.  My driver's name is also Alexander, and so as not to confuse them, we generally refer to him as 'Uncle Sasha.'  Alexander seems to be the most common Russian man's name, at least in Kazakhstan, and the most common girl's name: of course, Anastasia.

Kazakh names are a little harder to pronounce in many cases, although some, like the names of my coordinator, Gulnara and one of the nurses at the baby house, Anara, are not particularly difficult.  Longer names include the President's name, Nursultan, and others like Azamat and Yerkeyzhan.

Kazakhstan is about 2/3 Kazakh and 1/3 Russian, with smaller populations of various European and Asian origins as well.  Karaganda has some population of Germans, for example.  Kazakhs and Russians mix socially but are culturally and religiously different and therefore tend not to intermarry.  Kazakhs are generally Muslims, and Russians are various varieties of Christians.  Protestants here are known to be conservative - for example, both Sashas mentioned above are Protestants, and neither drinks alcohol.  (My Muslim coordinator, on the other hand, is always happy to bring champagne or vodka to dinner!)