Volos is a variant of Veles, reflecting a different phonetic rendering preserved in certain Slavic languages and historical texts. As a given name, it directly references the Slavic god Veles (also known as Volos), a major deity in pre-Christian Slavic mythology. According to linguistic analysis, the name's etymology is uncertain but may derive from Old Slavic volŭ meaning "ox" or velĭ meaning "great", both of which align with the god's associations with cattle, wealth, and earthly power. The form Volos is particularly common in South Slavic contexts and is often used interchangeably with Veles in historical chronicles and folklore.The god Veles/Volos was a complex figure, worshipped as the patron of cattle, trade, music, and the underworld. He was seen as a chthonic deity connected to the earth and its riches, often in opposition to Perun, the god of thunder and the sky. In Kievan Rus', a prominent statue of Volos stood alongside that of Perun in the pantheon erected by Prince Vladimir I, as recorded in the Primary Chronicle. The name thus carries profound mythological weight and a connection to ancient Slavic spiritual traditions.As a given name, Volos is rare, mostly found in modern times among individuals seeking a revival of pre-Christian Slavic heritage. It appears occasionally in regions of Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Serbia, and other Slavic-speaking countries, but its usage is very limited compared to more common Slavic names.