This list includes 27 Polish boy names that start with W, from “Wacław” to “Włodzisław”. They include short, everyday names and longer traditional compounds with Slavic roots, useful for naming, research, and genealogy.
Polish boy names that start with W are male given names used in Poland. Many show Slavic roots, and some reflect Christian or medieval influences, like “Wacław”.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, IPA, Meaning/Origin, and Diminutive.
Name: The actual given name in Polish, shown so you can scan and select choices quickly.
Pronunciation: A simple English-friendly respelling to help you say each name correctly at first encounter.
IPA: The International Phonetic Alphabet rendering gives precise pronunciation details if you want linguistic accuracy.
Meaning/Origin: A concise one-line explanation of a name’s meaning or historical origin to inform your choice.
Diminutive: Common short forms or nicknames when widely used, so you know familiar or affectionate variants.
Polish boy names that start with W
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning/Origin | Diminutive(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wojciech | VOY-chekh /ˈvɔjt͡ɕɛx/ | Slavic: “war/warrior” + “joy” — “joyful warrior” | Wojtek, Wojtuś, Wojtas |
| Władysław | VWAH-dih-swav /vwaˈdɨswaf/ | Slavic: “rule” + “glory” — “glorious ruler” | Władek, Władzio, Sławek |
| Włodzimierz | VWOHD-ji-MYEZH /vwɔd͡ʑiˈmjɛʐ/ | Slavic: “rule” + “great” — “famous ruler” | Włodek, Mirek (rare) |
| Wiktor | VEEK-tor /ˈviktɔr/ | Latin: “conqueror, victor” | Wiktorek, Witek, Wiktuś |
| Witold | VEE-told /ˈvitɔld/ | Possibly Germanic/Old Prussian origin, “ruler” or “wood ruler” | Witek, Witoldek |
| Wit | VEEt /vit/ | Old Slavic/Germanic roots, “lord” or “knowledgeable” | Witek, Witus |
| Wincenty | VEEN-tsen-tee /vinˈt͡sɛntɨ/ | Latin: “conquering” (from Vincentius) | Wincentek, Winiek, Wincek |
| Wacław | VATZ-waf /ˈvat͡swaf/ | Czech/Slavic origin, cognate of Wenceslaus | Wacek |
| Waldemar | val-deh-MAR /valdɛˈmar/ | Germanic: “rule” + “fame” | Waldek, Waldek, Mar |
| Walenty | vah-LEN-tih /vaˈlɛntɨ/ | Latin: “strong, healthy” (Valentinus) | Walek, Walentyk |
| Walerian | vah-leh-ree-AN /vaˈlɛrian/ | Latin origin, related to Valentinus/Valerius | Walerianek, Walek |
| Walery | vah-LEH-rih /vaˈlɛrɨ/ | Latin: variant of Valerius, “strong” | Waluś, Walek |
| Wawrzyniec | vahv-ZHIN-yets /vavˈʐɨɲɛts/ | Polish from Latin Laurentius — “from Laurentum” | Wawrzyn, Wawrzynio, Wawrzyk |
| Wawrzyn | vahv-ZHIN /vavˈʐɨn/ | Short form of Wawrzyniec (Laurentius) | Wawrzyk, Wawruś |
| Wiesław | VYESS-waf /ˈvjeswaf/ | Slavic: “great glory” or “famous glory” | Wiesiek, Wiesio, Wicio |
| Winicjusz | vee-NEE-choosh /vinit͡sˈjuʂ/ | Latin: from Vinicius, Roman family name | Winio, Winiczek |
| Wiktoryn | VEEK-toh-rin /vikˈtɔrɨn/ | Latin-derived diminutive of Victor — “little victor” | Wiktorek, Wiktuś |
| Witosław | VEE-toh-swav /vitɔˈswaf/ | Slavic: “to wish” + “glory” | Witek, Wito |
| Włodzisław | VWOHD-ji-swav /vwɔd͡ʑiˈswaf/ | Slavic: “to rule” + “glory” | Włodziszek, Włodek |
| Wratisław | vrah-TIH-swav /vraˈtɕiswav/ | Slavic: “rule” + “glory”; linked to Wrocław (Wratislavia) | Wrata, Sławek |
| Warcisław | var-CHEE-swav /varˈt͡ɕiswav/ | Slavic: elements meaning “glory” and a personal root” | Warcis, Sławek |
| Wergiliusz | ver-GEE-lyoosh /vɛrɡiˈlʲuʂ/ | Polish form of Virgil — Latin poet’s name | Giliusz (rare) |
| Witalis | vee-TAH-lis /viˈtalʲis/ | Latin: “vital, life-giving” | Witalek, Vita |
| Wilhelm | VIL-helm /ˈvɪlhɛlm/ | Germanic: “will” + “helmet” — “resolute protector” | Wiluś (rare), Wilu |
| Witomir | VEE-toh-meer /vitɔˈmir/ | Slavic: “wit/knowledge” + “peace” or “fame” | Witek, Mirko |
| Wymysław | vih-MIH-swav /vɨmɨˈswaf/ | Slavic: “inventive” + “glory” | Wymek, Sławek |
| Wymysł (variant) | vih-MIHSH /vɨˈmɨɕ/ | From Slavic root for “invention” or “thought” | Wymek |
Descriptions
Wojciech
One of Poland’s classic names; saintly and medieval roots, very popular diminutive Wojtek evokes warmth and familiarity.
Władysław
Historic royal name borne by Polish kings; formal and stately, often shortened to Władek in everyday use.
Włodzimierz
Old Slavic name with medieval usage; strong, formal feel; Włodek is the common affectionate short form.
Wiktor
Adopted from Latin, well-used in Poland; crisp, international sound and simple diminutives like Witek.
Witold
Popular 20th-century name with historical resonance; often shortened to Witek in casual speech.
Wit
Short, punchy Slavic name; used alone historically and as a base for Witold, Witkacy (artistic).
Wincenty
Traditional saint’s name in Poland; formal registry name with affectionate Wincentek in families.
Wacław
Old royal and noble name (equivalent to Wenceslaus); familiar short form Wacek is widely used.
Waldemar
Borrowed from Germanic sources, common in Poland; friendly diminutive Waldek is widespread.
Walenty
Classic saint-name (St. Valentine) used in Poland; formal but with affectionate short forms.
Walerian
Older, somewhat classical name; found in historical records and occasional modern use.
Walery
Polish form used since the 19th century; softer feel than Walerian.
Wawrzyniec
Formal Polish form of Laurence; somewhat old-fashioned, with Wawrzyn as a shorter everyday variant.
Wawrzyn
Colloquial shorter version of Wawrzyniec; familiar and less formal.
Wiesław
Mid-20th-century popular Slavic name; feels distinctly Polish and somewhat retro today.
Winicjusz
Classical, Latin-derived name used in Poland; formal and literary, with affectionate Winiczek.
Wiktoryn
Rare but attested historical form related to Wiktor; carries an old-fashioned, charming tone.
Witosław
Traditional Slavic compound name seen in medieval records; Witek commonly used today.
Włodzisław
Medieval Slavic name found in chronicles; formal and historical, rarely used now.
Wratisław
Historic princely name tied to medieval Silesia; uncommon but culturally significant.
Warcisław
Old Slavic name known from medieval sources; rare modern usage but historically attested.
Wergiliusz
Literary, classical name used in Polish translations and occasional baptisms; learned, uncommon.
Witalis
Saint-name with antique flair; used in church records and occasional modern revivals.
Wilhelm
Historical Germanic name used in Poland, especially in border regions and noble families.
Witomir
Slavic compound name with a pleasant melodic sound; attested historically and occasionally used today.
Wymysław
Medieval Slavic name meaning roughly “famous for cleverness”; rare but historically documented.
Wymysł (variant)
Shorter medieval form related to Wymysław; very rare in modern use.