On the translation of the nickname "Грозный – Grozny" into English for the Russian Tsar Ivan.

On the translation of the nickname "Грозный – Grozny" into English for the Russian Tsar Ivan.

In the social network of the Internet, I asked a question about the naming of the first Russian Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich in English. Now it is possible to summarize it. Below I give that question and the answers. I think there is truth in every answer. And I also think that the simplest name is enough: Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich, Tsar John. And the nickname, which was not in his lifetime, each author is free to add himself.

—Vyacheslav Marchenko.

Tsar Ivan I

QUESTION FOR NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS

The first Russian Tsar Ivan is called in English Ivan the Terrible, which is incorrectly translated from the Russian word Grozny (Грозный).

The same confusion arises when he is called Ivan IV, counting according to the Grand Dukes and belittling his Royal dignity. During his lifetime he was simply called Tsar Ivan. And it would be more correct for us to call him that, or Ivan I. There was no other Tsar Ivan in Russia. He is the first and only Tsar Ivan.

In Russia there is a city called Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, and it is not Terrible at all.

The word grozny (грозный) is closer in meaning to the words: strict, thunderous, formidable - it seems so to me.  The enemies of Christ were truly afraid of Tsar Ivan, they are afraid of his memory and slander him to this day.

So how to correctly translate into English what is the best name for the first Russian Tsar?

There is no negative connotation in the Russian word Grozny (Грозный).

I ask those who ill-wish Tsar Ivan not to answer this question.