Matryoshka dolls, also popularly known as nesting dolls, stacking dolls, or occasionally "Babushka" dolls—are a signature set of wooden figurines of decreasing size that fit perfectly one inside another. 

Each hand-painted doll splits at the middle to reveal a smaller figure, a sequence that traditionally symbolizes motherhood, fertility, and the interconnected chain of family generations. While often called "Babushka" (meaning grandmother") in Western markets, the name Matryoshka is derived from the Russian name Matryona, meaning "little mother," which reflects the doll's original design as a woman housing her children within her.

Today, these dolls range from classic peasant designs in traditional dress to modern themes featuring political figures, athletes, and animals, remaining an enduring symbol of Russian craftsmanship and heritage.