Meaning & History
Vladislavs is the Latvian form of Vladislav, a Slavic compound name derived from the Old Slavic elements volděti ("to rule") and slava ("glory"), together meaning "to rule with glory." This name has a long history among Slavic nobility, having been borne by kings, princes, and dukes of Croatia, Serbia, Bohemia, Poland, and Wallachia.
Etymology
According to Wiktionary, Vladislavs was first recorded as a given name in Latvia in 1749. The name is a cognate of English Ladislaus and equivalent to Polish Władysław, Czech Vladislav, or Russian Владисла́в. It is also used in Latvia as a respelling of the Polish and Czech forms and as a transliteration of the Russian version.
Usage and Variants
Vladislavs is primarily used in Latvia. Common diminutives or pet forms include Vladislavs, Vladis, or Vlad. The name shares its roots with other European variants such as Ladislav (Slovene, Czech), László (Hungarian), and Ladislas (French).
Notable Bearers
While historically the name Vladislav appears among Slavic royalty, the Latvian forms are more modern. Notable Latvian bearers may include athletes and cultural figures, though the name remains less common in the country.
- Meaning: "to rule with glory"
- Origin: Slavic, from Old Slavic *Voldislavŭ
- Type: First name
- Usage: Latvian
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Vladislavs