Berislav
Masculine
Croatian
Meaning & Origin
Berislav is a masculine Slavic given name, primarily used in Croatian. It is formed from the Slavic elements bĭrati ("to take" or "to gather") and slava ("glory"), reflecting a common pattern in Slavic onomastics where compound names convey abstract virtues. The name is sometimes interpreted as "he who takes glory" or "gatherer of glory." The feminine counterpart is Berislava.Historical and Cultural ContextThe medieval Croatian noble family Berislavić traces its name to a Berislav, indicating early usage among Slavic aristocracy. The name's structure—a verb element plus slava—is shared by many Slavic names, such as Bohuslav ("God's glory") and Mstislav ("vengeance glory").Notable BearersBerislav Rončević (1960–present), Bosnian Croat politician and entrepreneur.The Berislavić noble family held lands in medieval Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia.Geographic InfluenceThe name has influenced toponymy: there are villages named Berislavec in Dubrovacko-Neretvanska County, Slovenia, Berislăvești in Romania (via a Berislav bearer), and the Ukrainian city of Beryslav on the Dnieper River, once a fortress in the Crimean Khanate.Meaning: "He who gathers glory" (from bĭrati "to take/to gather" and slava "glory")Origin: Slavic (Croatian and wider)Type: Male given nameUsage regions: Croatia, Bosnia (historically), Romania (via diaspora)