Hranislav

Hranislav is a masculine Slavic given name, primarily used in Serbian, composed of the elements xorniti (meaning "to feed, to protect") and slava (meaning "glory"). Thus, the name can be interpreted as "glory of protection" or "one who protects glory."

Historical Bearer

The most notable historical bearer of this name is Hranislav (Bulgarian: Хранислав; Medieval Greek: Χρανίσθλαβος), a Bulgarian military commander active in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. He was a close associate of the rebel leader and later Tsar Ivaylo of Bulgaria (r. 1277–1280), whom he supported during the peasant uprising. Following Ivaylo's defeat, Hranislav was captured by the Byzantines. According to the Byzantine historian George Pachymeres, he entered the service of Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos (r. 1282–1328) and held the high court title of megas tzaousios. He later commanded a detachment that assisted the Catalan Company in campaigns against the Anatolian beyliks in Asia Minor.

Related Forms

An earlier Old Slavic variant of Hranislav is Xornislavŭ, reflecting the same etymons with a different phonology.

• Meaning: "to feed/protect" + "glory"
• Origin: Slavic
• Type: Given name
• Usage regions: Serbia, historically Bosnia and Croatia