Slama

Slama is a word and surname found primarily in Central and Eastern Europe. As a common noun in several Slavic languages (for example Czech sláma and Polish słoma), it means "straw" and has historically been used as an occupational or descriptive surname for people associated with agriculture, thatching, or living near fields.

Etymology and variants

The name derives from a Proto-Slavic root for straw and appears in multiple orthographic forms, including Sláma, Słoma and Slama. Diacritical marks are often dropped in transliteration or migration, producing the plain Latin-letter form Slama in many countries.

Distribution and uses

Slama is encountered as a family name among Czech, Slovak, Polish and other Slavic populations and in diaspora communities worldwide. It also appears as a toponym in some localities and as a corporate or product name in commercial contexts. Individuals with the surname have worked across a range of fields, including the arts, sports and academia.

Cultural note

Because of its literal meaning, the term evokes rural and agricultural imagery in languages where it remains a common noun. Its presence across related languages reflects shared lexical roots within the Slavic family.

See also

Variants such as Sláma and Słoma and related surnames derived from agricultural terms.