Svantepolk is an Old Swedish form of the Slavic name Svatopluk, itself composed of the elements svętŭ "sacred, holy" and pŭlkŭ "people, host, army". The name thus carries the meaning of "sacred people" or "holy army".Etymology and Historical ContextThe Slavic name Svatopluk was borne by Svatopluk the Great, a 9th-century ruler of Great Moravia who was known for expanding the empire. The name was particularly popular among West Slavic nobility. The Old Swedish variant Svantepolk likely entered Scandinavia through the connections between Swedish and Slavic Pomeranian dynasties. Notably, the name was borne by Svantepolk Knutsson (c. 1227 – c. 1310), a prominent knight and landowner in medieval Sweden. According to the Wikipedia article on Svantepolk of Viby, he was the son of Danish prince Canute (Knud Valdemarsen), a son of King Valdemar II of Denmark, and a Pomeranian mother possibly from a princely family. His name choice was influenced by his mother's Slavic lineage, as the name was characteristic of the Samborid dynasty of Pomerelia.Related Names and VariantsThe name exists in various Slavic and Nordic forms: Old Slavic Svętopŭlkŭ, Polish Świętopełk, Russian Svyatopolk, and Czech Svatopluk. In Swedish, the shortened form Svante is more common. The name equivalent would be Slovak Svätopluk.Key FactsMeaning: "Sacred people" (from Slavic svętŭ "holy" + pŭlkŭ "people, army")Origin: Slavic, adopted into Old SwedishType: First name (masculine)Usage: Primarily Sweden (historical), also Czech, Polish, Slovak, RussianNotable bearer: Svantepolk Knutsson, 13th-century Swedish knight