"to rule, power"
Origin: Slavic
Language: Slavic
Vlad
Pronunciation: [ vl-AD ]
Does Vlad flow with your last name?
A powerful Slavic royal name with a legendary dark edge
Romanian
Russian
Bulgarian
Slavic
Strong
Bold
Vintage
Royal
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"ruler of the world"
Origin: Old Slavic
Language: Russian
Browse names with similar meanings:
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Vlad the Impaler (Vlad III of Wallachia), the historical figure who inspired Dracula
- Associated with vampires and horror through the Dracula legend
The Story of Vlad
Vlad is a Slavic name, a shortened form of Vladimir, which combines the elements vlad (rule, power) and mir (world, peace) — together meaning ruler of the world or peaceful ruler. The name has been used by rulers, warriors, and saints across Eastern Europe for over a thousand years. It entered Western imagination through Vlad III of Wallachia, who inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Vlad remains a classic name in Romania, Russia, Bulgaria, and other Slavic countries. In the West, it carries the shadow of Dracula associations but has been reclaimed by Eastern European families proud of their heritage. It has appeared in popular culture through characters in films, games, and the Vlad and Niki YouTube channel.
In Slavic tradition, Vladimir-derived names have royal and saintly associations — Saint Vladimir the Great Christianized Kievan Rus in 988, one of the most transformative events in Eastern European history. In Romania, Vlad III (the Impaler) is a complex national hero who resisted Ottoman conquest, even as he became the West's ultimate vampire archetype.
Historical Record
Vlad first appeared in US Social Security records in 1995.
Over 527 babies have been named Vlad in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Vlad is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #6,703 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Vlad III of Wallachia (Vlad the Impaler) is considered a national hero in Romania for defending against the Ottoman Empire
- The Vlad and Niki YouTube channel, featuring a child named Vlad, has over 100 million subscribers making it one of the most-watched children's channels
Vlad in Other Languages
Polish
Wladyslaw
Russian
Влад
Serbian
Влад
Romanian
Vlad
Bulgarian
Влад
Popularity Over Time
#6,703
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Vlad
V
Vladimir Putin
Politician
1952
President of Russia, commonly called Vlad, whose full name is Vladimir
V
Vlad III (Vlad the Impaler)
Royalty
1428
Romanian prince of Wallachia who defended his territory against the Ottoman Empire and inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula
C
Count Dracula Fictional
Other
The fictional vampire from Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula, based on Vlad the Impaler
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #6,703
- Total SSA Count
- 13
- Cultural Origins
- Romanian Russian Bulgarian Slavic
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, strong style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, Russian heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, strong style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, Russian heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Vlad
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Compare Vlad with...
Same Origin Names (Romanian)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Vlad
What does the name Vlad mean?
"to rule, power" (from Slavic). "ruler of the world" (from Old Slavic). Vlad is a Slavic name, a shortened form of Vladimir, which combines the elements vlad (rule, power) and mir (world, peace) — together meaning ruler of the world or peaceful ruler. The name has been used by rulers, warriors, and saints across Eastern Europe for over a thousand years. It entered Western imagination through Vlad III of Wallachia, who inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula.
What is the origin of the name Vlad?
Vlad has Slavic, Old Slavic, Romanian, Russian, and Bulgarian origins. In Slavic, it means "to rule, power". In Old Slavic, it means "ruler of the world".
Is Vlad a boy or girl name?
Vlad is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Vlad?
Vlad is pronounced vl-AD.
How popular is the name Vlad?
Vlad is currently ranked #6703 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Vlad?
Popular middle name pairings include Vlad Boris, Vlad Ivan, Vlad Andrei, Vlad Sergei, Vlad Nikola, and Vlad Konstantin.
What are good sibling names for Vlad?
Names that pair well with Vlad as siblings include Igor, Natasha, Dimitri, Katya, Misha, and Irina.
How many syllables does Vlad have?
Vlad has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Vlad a common or rare name?
Vlad is an uncommon name, ranked #6703 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Vlad?
Are there other spellings for Vlad?
Related spellings include Vladimir.
About the Name Vlad
Vlad is a boy name with Romanian, Russian, Bulgarian, and Slavic origins . The name means "to rule, power" in Slavic .
Vlad is currently ranked #6,703 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Vlad has 1 syllable and is pronounced vl-AD, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Vlad include Vladimir . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis