This list covers 20 Slavic boy names, running alphabetically from “Wacław” to “Witosław.” Most carry a strong, dignified sound built from old roots for glory, peace, or battle, and many trace back to medieval kings, dukes, and saints. Parents use them today to give a son a name with deep historical weight, while genealogists and history enthusiasts rely on lists like this one to trace naming patterns across Poland and neighboring Slavic countries.

Slavic boy names are traditionally formed by joining two meaningful root words, a style linguists call “dithematic,” producing names like Wojsław (“glorious warrior”) or Witomir (“lord of peace”). Many of these names honor real historical figures, such as Wacław, the Polish equivalent of Saint Wenceslaus. Some have faded into mostly historical use, while others, like Władysław, remain common choices in Poland today.

Below you’ll find the table with the name, country, pronunciation, meaning, and description of each entry.

Name: the specific Slavic boy name starting with “W,” shown in its standard Polish spelling.

Country: where the name is most closely tied historically or where it remains in active use today.

Pronunciation: a simple phonetic guide to help you say each name correctly, even without knowing Polish.

Meaning: the literal translation of the name’s root words, so you can see the idea behind it.

Description: background on the name’s history, notable people who carried it, and why it stands out.

Slavic boy names

NameCountryPronunciationMeaning
WacławPolandVAHT-swahfGreater glory
WładysławPolandvwah-DIH-swahfWielding glory
WłodzimierzPolandvwoh-JEE-myeshRuler of peace
WiesławPolandVYES-wahfGlory of the assembly
WitoldPoland, LithuaniaVEE-toltLord of the forest (disputed)
WojciechPolandVOY-chekhComfort in war
WaldemarPoland, Czech RepublicVAHL-deh-marFamous ruler
WincentyPolandveen-TSEN-tihConquering
WawrzyniecPolandvahv-ZHIH-nyetsCrowned with laurel
WarcisławPoland (Pomerania)var-CHEE-swahfOne who returns glory
WszeborPolandVSHEH-borFighter of all
WszemiłPolandVSHEH-meewDear to all
WyszesławPolandvih-SHEH-swahfHigher glory
WięcesławPoland, Czech Republicvyen-TSEH-swahfMore glory
WratysławPoland, Czech Republicvrah-TIH-swahfReturned glory
WojsławPolandVOY-swahfGlorious warrior
WojmirPolandVOY-meerWarrior of peace
WitomirPolandVEE-toh-meerLord of peace
WolimirPolandvoh-LEE-meerOne who wants peace
WitosławPolandvee-TOH-swahfRenowned lord

Descriptions

Wacław
A classic Polish name descended from the Old Slavic Więcesław. It is the Polish equivalent of Wenceslaus, honoring the beloved Bohemian duke and saint.
Władysław
A traditional royal Polish name blending “władać” (to rule) and “sław” (glory). Several Polish kings, including Władysław Jagiełło, carried this name.
Włodzimierz
The Polish form of Vladimir, joining “włodać” (to rule) with “mir” (peace). It has long been favored by Polish nobility and remains a dignified, old-fashioned choice.
Wiesław
A native Polish name pairing an old word for a public gathering with “sław” (glory). It saw a surge in popularity through the 20th century.
Witold
A name with Baltic roots tied to Grand Duke Vytautas that became fully absorbed into Polish naming tradition, carried by writers, athletes, and historical figures alike.
Wojciech
Formed from “woj” (soldier) and “ciech” (solace), this is the Polish name of Saint Adalbert, one of the country’s patron saints.
Waldemar
Though Germanic in origin, Waldemar was adopted early into Slavic naming traditions and is often treated as a counterpart to Włodzimierz across Central and Eastern Europe.
Wincenty
The Polish rendering of Vincent, naturalized into Slavic use long ago and borne by the medieval chronicler Wincenty Kadłubek.
Wawrzyniec
The Polish form of Laurence, popular since the Middle Ages thanks to widespread devotion to Saint Lawrence.
Warcisław
An old West Slavic dynastic name carried by several medieval Dukes of Pomerania, built from roots meaning “to return” and “glory.”
Wszebor
A rare Old Polish warrior name combining “wsze” (all) and a root for fighting, recorded among medieval Polish nobles.
Wszemił
An archaic two-part Slavic name meaning roughly “beloved by everyone,” once given among early Polish nobility.
Wyszesław
A historic Old Slavic name built from “wyższy” (higher) and “sław” (glory), typical of the dithematic names favored by early Slavic nobles.
Więcesław
A variant of Wacław/Wenceslaus meaning “ever more glory,” used among medieval Polish and Czech ruling families.
Wratysław
The Polish spelling of Vratislav, a historic Czech and Polish princely name meaning “one who regains glory.”
Wojsław
An Old Slavic compound of “woj” (warrior) and “sław” (glory), characteristic of the martial names given to medieval Slavic nobles.
Wojmir
A rare dithematic Old Slavic name pairing “woj” (warrior) with “mir” (peace), reflecting the era’s ideal of a defender who secures peace.
Witomir
An old two-part Slavic name combining a root for “lord” or “master” with “mir” (peace), largely historical today.
Wolimir
An archaic Slavic name formed from “woleć” (to wish or prefer) and “mir” (peace), now rarely used outside historical contexts.
Witosław
An old Polish compound name joining a root meaning “lord” with “sław” (glory), occasionally revived today as a distinctive historical choice.
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