Stastny

Stastny is a surname of Czech and Slovak origin. It is derived from the adjective šťastný, meaning “happy” or “fortunate.” In English usage, the diacritical marks are frequently dropped, producing the form Stastny.

The name is most common in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and is also found among diaspora communities in North America. Bearers of the surname have pursued a variety of careers, with a notable concentration in professional ice hockey among people of Czech or Slovak heritage who emigrated or were born abroad.

Notable people with the name include Peter Stastny (born 1951), a Czech-born Canadian-American former professional ice hockey forward who played in the NHL; his son Paul Stastny (born 1985), also a professional ice hockey forward who has played in the NHL. The Stastny surname, therefore, is linked to a lineage that has had a measurable presence in hockey history and reflects broader patterns of Central European migration and cultural influence.