Vlad
Fact sheet
- Name
- Vlad
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 1
The first name Vlad (Влад) is an independent Slavic name that is used as a historical short form in Romania and Russia for various names beginning with 'Vlad-'. Notable examples include Vladislav and Vladimir.
What does the name Vlad mean?
Vlad (Влад) is a Slavic name that directly translates to 'the ruler', 'the overlord', or 'the reign'. It originates from the Old Slavic term vladěti (владѣти), which means 'to rule', 'to possess', 'to dominate', or 'to manage'. Variants of the name include Vlado, Vlade, and Vladik. Additionally, Vlad can also occur as a surname.
Where does the name Vlad come from?
The name Vlad has its roots in Old Slavic and means 'the ruler'. The word composition vladěti (владѣти) represents the meanings of ruling, possessing, dominating, and managing. The name is common in the Romanian and Russian languages.
How do you pronounce Vlad?
The pronunciation of Vlad is monosyllabic and powerful. It is typically pronounced as 'Vlad' [vlat], with the name beginning with a striking consonant cluster that gives it strength. The open A sound in the center is direct, and the hard ending d provides a clear conclusion. Vlad conveys a strong, characterful feeling – a name with a compact form and clear presence.
Popularity
In Germany, Vlad is among the common first names and currently ranks 948th on the list of the most popular male baby names. Its best placement was in 2022, when it reached 738th place. Over the last ten years, Vlad has been chosen as a first name about 440 times, which earns it the 946th position in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 1,104th. The global popularity of Vlad is reflected in its rankings in various countries.
Nicknames & pet names
Valid / Vladi / Vladu
Similar first names
Famous people
- Victor Vlad Delamarina (writer from Romania)
- Vlad Achim (footballer from Romania)
- Vlad Bujor (footballer from Romania)
- Vlad Chebaturkin (Russian ice hockey player)
- Vlad Chiriches (football player from Romania)
- Vlad DeBriansky (English musician)
- Vlad Dogaru (Romanian basketball player)
- Vlad Duben (artist from Lithuania)
- Vlad Dumitrescu (Romanian basketball player)
- Vlad Georgescu (Romanian historian)
- Vlad Iancu (Romanian footballer)
- Vlad III. Tepes (the Impaler) (Prince of Wallachia, bore the nickname 'Draculea', which means 'Son of the Dragon' in German. Historical inspiration for the fictional character Count Dracula.)
- Vlad Iovita (Moldovan writer)
- Vlad Ivanov (Romanian actor)
- Vlad Jankaus (Lithuanian artist)
- Vlad Kolarov (illustrator from Bulgaria)
- Vlad Kozlov (film director from Russia)
- Vlad Mihalcea (Romanian football player)
- Vlad Mirita (Romanian singer)
- Vlad Moldoveanu (Romanian basketball player)
Frequently asked questions about the name Vlad
Where does the name Vlad come from?
The name Vlad has its roots in Old Slavic and is particularly common in the Romanian and Russian languages.
What does the name Vlad mean?
Vlad means 'the ruler' or 'the reign' and is derived from the Old Slavic term vladěti, which means 'to rule' or 'to possess'.
How popular is the name Vlad?
Vlad is widespread in various Slavic countries and enjoys a certain level of popularity, especially in Romania and Russia.