Vlad is of Slavic origin, derived from the Old Slavonic word 'vladeiti', which means 'to rule'. It is associated with the Proto-Slavic element *vlada, meaning 'power, rule'. This name has a long history and has been borne by numerous rulers throughout Eastern European history. In Russia, it was popularized by Grand Prince Vladimir I of Kiev, who ruled from 980 to 1015 AD. The name Vlad is often associated with the idea of leadership and authority due to its etymological roots. It gained international recognition through figures like Vlad III Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler, a 15th-century Wallachian voivode who inspired Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula". Despite its historical associations with power and ruling classes, Vlad is often used today as a given name in various Slavic countries, as well as internationally due to its unique sound and cultural significance.
The name Vlad experienced steady growth in popularity from 1997 onwards, with a significant spike occurring between 2004 and 2008, during which the annual number of births peaked at 26. After 2008, the frequency of this name stabilized around 20-25 births per year until 2021, when it jumped up to 23 births, followed by a slight decline in recent years with 16 and 12 births recorded in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Overall, the total number of births given the name Vlad over these years is 514.