Volodimir

Boy Name
Origin:slavic
Pronunciation:/voʊ.ləˈdiː.mɪr/

Volodimir: 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".

Parents seeking a meaningful masculine name often discover Volodimir, drawn to its Slavic heritage and beautiful significance: "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)". This name offers a perfect blend of cultural depth and personal meaning, making it a timeless choice for families around the world.

Quick Facts About Volodimir

Quick facts about Volodimir
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

Ukrainian (Володимир)

How to Pronounce Volodimir

Volodimir is pronounced /voʊ.ləˈdiː.mɪr/

Step-by-step pronunciation guide:

  1. Break it into syllables: Vol-od-im-ir
  2. Say it like: "VOL-OD-IM-IR"
  3. Practice saying it naturally a few times

Usage & Popularity

Volodimir is predominantly used in ukrainian speaking communities, where it maintains strong cultural connections and traditional significance.

ukrainian
Frequently Asked Questions About Volodimir
What does the name Volodimir mean?
Volodimir 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 Volodimir 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. Volodimir 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 Volodimir?
Volodimir 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, Volodimir is written as Ukrainian (Володимир). The name remains closely tied to ukrainian naming traditions while occasionally appearing in 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 Volodimir a boy or girl name?
Volodimir 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, Volodimir 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 Volodimir?
Volodimir is pronounced "/voʊ.ləˈdiː.mɪr/". This pronunciation follows cu language patterns. In its original script, the name appears as Ukrainian (Володимир), which helps explain how native speakers pronounce it. As a single-syllable name, Volodimir is quick to say and easy to call out. If you're unfamiliar with slavic names, listening to a native speaker say Volodimir can help you catch the right rhythm and emphasis. The name's root vladěti / vladétʹ *mir" / mir ‎> Volodiměrŭ influences how Volodimir sounds in its original language.
How popular is the name Volodimir?
Volodimir is less common but not rare. As a less common choice, Volodimir gives a child a name that stands out. Most people will encounter it rarely, making it memorable when they do. Volodimir'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, Volodimir holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
Where is the name Volodimir commonly used?
Volodimir is used primarily in ukrainian naming traditions. Though slavic in origin, Volodimir found a home in other cultures where it resonated with local naming preferences. 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 Volodimir into their naming traditions. A child named Volodimir 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, Volodimir 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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