Ratislav

Ratislav is a male given name of Slavic origin, found in Czech, Slovak, and other Slavic-speaking communities. It is often treated as a variant spelling of Rastislav or Rostislav.

Etymology: The name combines a first element common in Slavic names with the element -slav, meaning "glory" or "fame." The exact meaning of the initial element varies (rat, rad, rast, rosti) and there is no single accepted reading. The -slav suffix is a common feature in many related names.

Historical usage: Rastislav of Great Moravia (c. 824–869) is the best-known historical bearer, with some sources rendering his name as Ratislav. He is noted for promoting Slavic literacy and for inviting Cyril and Methodius to establish a Slavic liturgy in his realm, an event that helped shape early Slavic culture and written language.

Modern usage: In contemporary Czech and Slovak usage, Ratislav remains a recognized variant but is less common in everyday use than Rastislav or Rostislav. The name has feminine forms such as Rastislava or Rostislava, which are used in the same linguistic area.

Related forms and variants: The name is related to Rastislav and Rostislav, with multiple spellings across Slavic languages. As with many traditional names, regional preferences influence which form is most commonly used in a given country or community.