Vladimir

Boy Name
Origin:slavic
Pronunciation:/ˈvlædɪmɪr/

Vladimir: a male name of Slavic origin meaning "This name derives from the Old Church Slavonic “Volodiměrŭ (Володимѣръ),” composed of two elements: “vladěti ‎(владѣти) vladétʹ ‎(владе́ть)” (to rule, to own, possess, be master of, be in possession of, govern, control, to master, manage) plus “*mir” (*mirъ) mir ‎(мир)” (peace, calm, tranquility, universe, world)". It derives from the Slavic word "vladěti / vladétʹ *mir" / mir ‎> Volodiměrŭ".

The name Vladimir carries a rich history rooted in Slavic culture. Derived from "vladěti / vladétʹ *mir" / mir ‎> Volodiměrŭ", this masculine name embodies the essence of This name derives from the Old Church Slavonic “Volodiměrŭ (Володимѣръ),” composed of two elements: “vladěti ‎(владѣти) vladétʹ ‎(владе́ть)” (to rule, to own, possess, be master of, be in possession of, govern, control, to master, manage) plus “*mir” (*mirъ) mir ‎(мир)” (peace, calm, tranquility, universe, world). Its linguistic journey through centuries reflects the cultural values and traditions of Slavic-speaking communities.

Quick Facts About Vladimir

Quick facts about Vladimir
OriginSlavic, Old Church Slavonic
GenderBoy name
PopularityUncommon

Researched by Name Doctor Linguistics Team

Our names are verified by professional linguists with expertise in etymology and cultural naming traditions.

Last reviewed: November 2025

Meaning

This name derives from the Old Church Slavonic “Volodiměrŭ (Володимѣръ),” composed of two elements: “vladěti ‎(владѣти) vladétʹ ‎(владе́ть)” (to rule, to own, possess, be master of, be in possession of, govern, control, to master, manage) plus “*mir” (*mirъ) mir ‎(мир)” (peace, calm, tranquility, universe, world). In turn, the name means “to rule with greatness, of great power, ruler of the world/peace/people.” This name is now widespread throughout all Slavic nations. It is also a common name in former Soviet non-Slavic countries where Christianity is practiced, such as Armenia. Volodymyr Sviatoslavich the Great (Old East Slavic: Володимѣръ Свѧтославичь) was a prince of Rus, grand prince of Kiev, and ruler of Kievan Rus’ from 980 to 1015. Max Vasmer explains the name as meaning “regal.” Folk etymology interprets the meaning as “person of the people” or “the one with peace on one side.”

Etymology & Details

Name Root

vladěti / vladétʹ *mir" / mir ‎> Volodiměrŭ

Other Scripts

Russian / Serbian / Bulgarian / Macedonian (Владимир)

How to Pronounce Vladimir

Vladimir is pronounced /ˈvlædɪmɪr/

Step-by-step pronunciation guide:

  1. Break it into syllables: Vlad-im-ir
  2. Say it like: "VLADEEHMEEHR"
  3. Practice saying it naturally a few times

Pronunciation verified by linguistic sources

Usage & Popularity

Vladimir enjoys international appeal, used in 7 different linguistic and cultural contexts including romanian, russian, croatian, and many others. This widespread adoption reflects its universal resonance.

romanianrussiancroatianserbianbulgarianmacedonianslovene
Frequently Asked Questions About Vladimir
What does the name Vladimir mean?
Vladimir means "This name derives from the Old Church Slavonic “Volodiměrŭ (Володимѣръ),” composed of two elements: “vladěti ‎(владѣти) vladétʹ ‎(владе́ть)” (to rule, to own, possess, be master of, be in possession of, govern, control, to master, manage) plus “*mir” (*mirъ) mir ‎(мир)” (peace, calm, tranquility, universe, world). In turn, the name means “to rule with greatness, of great power, ruler of the world/peace/people.” This name is now widespread throughout all Slavic nations. It is also a common name in former Soviet non-Slavic countries where Christianity is practiced, such as Armenia. Volodymyr Sviatoslavich the Great (Old East Slavic: Володимѣръ Свѧтославичь) was a prince of Rus, grand prince of Kiev, and ruler of Kievan Rus’ from 980 to 1015. Max Vasmer explains the name as meaning “regal.” Folk etymology interprets the meaning as “person of the people” or “the one with peace on one side.”". The name comes from vladěti / vladétʹ *mir" / mir ‎> Volodiměrŭ. In its original form, the name derives from vladěti ‎(владѣти) vladétʹ ‎(владе́ть) *mir" (*mirъ) mir ‎(мир) Volodiměrŭ (Володимѣръ). This slavic name has been passed down through generations, carrying its meaning across different cultures and time periods. Parents who choose Vladimir for boys often connect with the name's meaning of "This name derives from the Old Church Slavonic “Volodiměrŭ (Володимѣръ),” composed of two elements: “vladěti ‎(владѣти) vladétʹ ‎(владе́ть)” (to rule, to own, possess, be master of, be in possession of, govern, control, to master, manage) plus “*mir” (*mirъ) mir ‎(мир)” (peace, calm, tranquility, universe, world). In turn, the name means “to rule with greatness, of great power, ruler of the world/peace/people.” This name is now widespread throughout all Slavic nations. It is also a common name in former Soviet non-Slavic countries where Christianity is practiced, such as Armenia. Volodymyr Sviatoslavich the Great (Old East Slavic: Володимѣръ Свѧтославичь) was a prince of Rus, grand prince of Kiev, and ruler of Kievan Rus’ from 980 to 1015. Max Vasmer explains the name as meaning “regal.” Folk etymology interprets the meaning as “person of the people” or “the one with peace on one side.”" as a quality they hope to see in their child. Vladimir offers a distinctive option for parents who want a name with clear meaning that stands apart from more common choices.
What is the origin of the name Vladimir?
Vladimir has slavic and old church slavonic origins. The name traces back to vladěti / vladétʹ *mir" / mir ‎> Volodiměrŭ. The original form vladěti ‎(владѣти) vladétʹ ‎(владе́ть) *mir" (*mirъ) mir ‎(мир) Volodiměrŭ (Володимѣръ) shows the name's roots in its native language. In its native script, Vladimir is written as Russian / Serbian / Bulgarian / Macedonian (Владимир). From its slavic roots, Vladimir spread to become common in romanian, russian, croatian, serbian and other cultures. The slavic meaning "This name derives from the Old Church Slavonic “Volodiměrŭ (Володимѣръ),” composed of two elements: “vladěti ‎(владѣти) vladétʹ ‎(владе́ть)” (to rule, to own, possess, be master of, be in possession of, govern, control, to master, manage) plus “*mir” (*mirъ) mir ‎(мир)” (peace, calm, tranquility, universe, world). In turn, the name means “to rule with greatness, of great power, ruler of the world/peace/people.” This name is now widespread throughout all Slavic nations. It is also a common name in former Soviet non-Slavic countries where Christianity is practiced, such as Armenia. Volodymyr Sviatoslavich the Great (Old East Slavic: Володимѣръ Свѧтославичь) was a prince of Rus, grand prince of Kiev, and ruler of Kievan Rus’ from 980 to 1015. Max Vasmer explains the name as meaning “regal.” Folk etymology interprets the meaning as “person of the people” or “the one with peace on one side.”" reflects values important in the culture where this name first appeared.
Is Vladimir a boy or girl name?
Vladimir is a boy's name. The name has been used for boys across many generations, maintaining its masculine character through different eras and cultures. In slavic tradition, Vladimir has historically been given to boys. The meaning "This name derives from the Old Church Slavonic “Volodiměrŭ (Володимѣръ),” composed of two elements: “vladěti ‎(владѣти) vladétʹ ‎(владе́ть)” (to rule, to own, possess, be master of, be in possession of, govern, control, to master, manage) plus “*mir” (*mirъ) mir ‎(мир)” (peace, calm, tranquility, universe, world). In turn, the name means “to rule with greatness, of great power, ruler of the world/peace/people.” This name is now widespread throughout all Slavic nations. It is also a common name in former Soviet non-Slavic countries where Christianity is practiced, such as Armenia. Volodymyr Sviatoslavich the Great (Old East Slavic: Володимѣръ Свѧтославичь) was a prince of Rus, grand prince of Kiev, and ruler of Kievan Rus’ from 980 to 1015. Max Vasmer explains the name as meaning “regal.” Folk etymology interprets the meaning as “person of the people” or “the one with peace on one side.”" carries well for a son, giving the name lasting appeal.
How do you pronounce Vladimir?
Vladimir is pronounced "/ˈvlædɪmɪr/". This pronunciation follows sl language patterns. In its original script, the name appears as Russian / Serbian / Bulgarian / Macedonian (Владимир), which helps explain how native speakers pronounce it. As a single-syllable name, Vladimir is quick to say and easy to call out. Pronunciation may vary slightly in romanian, russian, croatian, where the name is also used. Local accents and language rules can shift certain sounds while keeping the name recognizable. If you're unfamiliar with slavic names, listening to a native speaker say Vladimir can help you catch the right rhythm and emphasis. The name's root vladěti / vladétʹ *mir" / mir ‎> Volodiměrŭ influences how Vladimir sounds in its original language.
How popular is the name Vladimir?
Vladimir is less common but not rare. As a less common choice, Vladimir gives a child a name that stands out. Most people will encounter it rarely, making it memorable when they do. Vladimir's popularity may vary between slavic communities and the broader population, where naming trends differ. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Old Church Slavonic “Volodiměrŭ (Володимѣръ),” composed of two elements: “vladěti ‎(владѣти) vladétʹ ‎(владе́ть)” (to rule, to own, possess, be master of, be in possession of, govern, control, to master, manage) plus “*mir” (*mirъ) mir ‎(мир)” (peace, calm, tranquility, universe, world). In turn, the name means “to rule with greatness, of great power, ruler of the world/peace/people.” This name is now widespread throughout all Slavic nations. It is also a common name in former Soviet non-Slavic countries where Christianity is practiced, such as Armenia. Volodymyr Sviatoslavich the Great (Old East Slavic: Володимѣръ Свѧтославичь) was a prince of Rus, grand prince of Kiev, and ruler of Kievan Rus’ from 980 to 1015. Max Vasmer explains the name as meaning “regal.” Folk etymology interprets the meaning as “person of the people” or “the one with peace on one side.”" likely influences its appeal, as parents often choose names that express values or hopes for their children. Among boys' names, Vladimir holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
Where is the name Vladimir commonly used?
Vladimir spans multiple cultures, including romanian, russian, croatian, and 4 other traditions. Though slavic in origin, Vladimir found a home in other cultures where it resonated with local naming preferences. Names that work across multiple cultures, like Vladimir, often have straightforward pronunciation and positive meanings that translate well. The meaning "This name derives from the Old Church Slavonic “Volodiměrŭ (Володимѣръ),” composed of two elements: “vladěti ‎(владѣти) vladétʹ ‎(владе́ть)” (to rule, to own, possess, be master of, be in possession of, govern, control, to master, manage) plus “*mir” (*mirъ) mir ‎(мир)” (peace, calm, tranquility, universe, world). In turn, the name means “to rule with greatness, of great power, ruler of the world/peace/people.” This name is now widespread throughout all Slavic nations. It is also a common name in former Soviet non-Slavic countries where Christianity is practiced, such as Armenia. Volodymyr Sviatoslavich the Great (Old East Slavic: Володимѣръ Свѧтославичь) was a prince of Rus, grand prince of Kiev, and ruler of Kievan Rus’ from 980 to 1015. Max Vasmer explains the name as meaning “regal.” Folk etymology interprets the meaning as “person of the people” or “the one with peace on one side.”" carries universal appeal, helping explain why different cultures adopted Vladimir into their naming traditions. A child named Vladimir will likely find their name recognized in multiple countries, which can be an advantage for families with international connections or who value global accessibility. Across these cultures, Vladimir is given to boys, maintaining consistent gender association.

Sources: Etymology verified through linguistic research including Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Behind the Name, and academic etymology databases.

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