The concepts of proper names and realias, as well as the differentiation of these terms based on the novel A Week in December by S. Faulks are considered in this article. Classifications of onomastic realias are given. Purpose. Differentiation of the concepts of onym and realia, consideration of the types of onomastic realias according to the classifications of S. Vlakhov and S. Florin, V.V. Vinogradov, G.D. Tomakhin. Materials and methods. The research material comprises the novel A Week in December by S. Faulks and its translation into Russian, made by S.B. Ilyin. Method of theoretical analysis, descriptive and comparative methods were chosen as methods of scientific research. Results. The results of the study proved that not all proper names should be attributed to the realias. Since the main characteristic feature of the realias is a pronounced national component, only proper names that have a national coloring can belong to this group. This class of onyms usually includes anthroponyms and toponyms with a cultural component. Practical implications. The results of the research can be used in further study of the issue of differentiation of the concepts of proper name and realia, as well as in the classification of these terms.