"ruler of the world"
Origin: Slavic
Language: Russian
Vladimir
Pronunciation: [ vl-AD-uhm-ihr ]
Does Vladimir flow with your last name?
A great Slavic ruler name with a thousand years of history
Russian
Ukrainian
Bulgarian
Czech
Slovak
Serbian
Strong
Bold
Royal
Classic
Traditional
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Vladimir
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Meaning & Origin
"rules with peace/fame"
Origin: Slavic
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Vladimir Putin, Russian president and authoritarian leader; and with Vladimir the Impaler (Vlad the Impaler), inspiration for Dracula
The Story of Vladimir
Vladimir is a Slavic name composed of 'vlad' (rule, power) and 'mir' (world, peace, or fame) — together meaning 'ruler of the world' or 'one who rules with peace.' It was introduced to Eastern Europe through the Varangians (Scandinavian Vikings who ruled Kievan Rus) and became one of the most important royal names of medieval Slavic civilization.
Vladimir was widely used among Slavic royalty and nobility for over a thousand years. In the modern era, the name remains common in Russia, Ukraine, and other Slavic countries. In English-speaking nations, it is rare and immediately associated with either Vladimir Putin or literary/historical figures like Nabokov and Lenin.
Vladimir the Great (Saint Vladimir I of Kiev, c. 958–1015) Christianized the Kievan Rus — modern Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus — making the name of profound religious and historical significance in Eastern Orthodox Christianity. He is venerated as a saint in both the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches.
Historical Record
Vladimir first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 5,740 babies have been named Vladimir in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Vladimir is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,951 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Vladimir the Great baptized the Kievan Rus into Christianity in 988 AD, an event that shaped the religious history of Eastern Europe for centuries
- Vladimir Nabokov, author of Lolita, was one of the greatest stylists in 20th-century English literature — despite being a Russian native speaker
Vladimir in Other Languages
Czech
Vladimír
German
Wladimir
Polish
Włodzimierz
Russian
Владимир
Bulgarian
Владимир
Ukrainian
Володимир
Popularity Over Time
#1,951
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Vladimir
V
V
Vladimir Nabokov
Writer
1899
Russian-American novelist and lepidopterist, author of Lolita and Pale Fire
V
Vladimir the Great
Royalty
958
Prince of Kiev who Christianized the Kievan Rus in 988, venerated as a saint in Eastern Orthodoxy
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Compare Vladimir with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,951
- Total SSA Count
- 81
- Cultural Origins
- Russian Ukrainian Bulgarian Czech Slovak Serbian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Vlad
Vova
Volodya
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Vladimir
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Russian)
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Germanic origin
"bold counsel, brave advisor"
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Hebrew via Greek origin
"God is gracious"
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Latin origin
"consecrated to Mars"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Vladimir
What does the name Vladimir mean?
"ruler of the world" (from Slavic). "rules with peace/fame" (from Slavic). Vladimir is a Slavic name composed of 'vlad' (rule, power) and 'mir' (world, peace, or fame) — together meaning 'ruler of the world' or 'one who rules with peace.' It was introduced to Eastern Europe through the Varangians (Scandinavian Vikings who ruled Kievan Rus) and became one of the most important royal names of medieval Slavic civilization.
What is the origin of the name Vladimir?
Vladimir has Slavic, Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Czech, Slovak, and Serbian origins. In Slavic, it means "ruler of the world". In Slavic, it means "rules with peace/fame".
Is Vladimir a boy or girl name?
Vladimir is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Vladimir?
Vladimir is pronounced vl-AD-uhm-ihr.
How popular is the name Vladimir?
Vladimir is currently ranked #1951 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Vladimir?
Common nicknames for Vladimir include Vlad, Vova, and Volodya.
What are good middle names for Vladimir?
Popular middle name pairings include Vladimir Alexei, Vladimir Nikolai, Vladimir Ivan, Vladimir Dmitri, Vladimir Sergei, and Vladimir Boris.
What are good sibling names for Vladimir?
Names that pair well with Vladimir as siblings include Natasha, Katya, Alexei, Dmitri, Irina, and Nikolai.
How many syllables does Vladimir have?
Vladimir has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Vladimir a common or rare name?
Vladimir is an uncommon name, ranked #1951 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Vladimir
Vladimir is a boy name with Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Czech, Slovak, and Serbian origins . The name means "ruler of the world" in Slavic .
Vladimir is currently ranked #1,951 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Vladimir has 3 syllables and is pronounced vl-AD-uhm-ihr, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Vladimir include Vlad, Vova, and Volodya. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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