Why did English dancers change their names to #Russian ones? In the early 20th century, when Sergei Diaghilev's ‘Ballets Russes’ took #Europe by storm, dancers from all over the world dreamed of joining his company. Diaghilev selected talented artists from among foreigners, as well, but, in order to maintain a cohesive image for the ‘Ballets Russes’, they "Russified" their names. Moreover, foreign audiences adored everything Russian on stage.