Vladimir

Pronunciation: [ vl-AD-uhm-ihr ]

Boy Name #1,951 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

A great Slavic ruler name with a thousand years of history

Russian Ukrainian Bulgarian Czech Slovak Serbian

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Meaning & Origin

"ruler of the world"

Origin: Slavic

Language: Russian

"rules with peace/fame"

Origin: Slavic

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Vladimir

Vladimir Putin

Politician

1952

Russian President and former KGB officer, in power since 2000

Vladimir Nabokov

Writer

1899

Russian-American novelist and lepidopterist, author of Lolita and Pale Fire

Vladimir the Great

Royalty

958

Prince of Kiev who Christianized the Kievan Rus in 988, venerated as a saint in Eastern Orthodoxy

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

Pairs Well With

Vladimir Alexei Vladimir Nikolai Vladimir Ivan Vladimir Dmitri Vladimir Sergei Vladimir Boris

Sibling Names

Natasha Katya Alexei Dmitri Irina Nikolai

Similar Names

Kazimir

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.