Vlade

Vlade is a masculine given name used in several South Slavic languages, often as a diminutive form of Vladimir or Vladislav, though it also appears as an independent name. The form is common in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Bulgaria, and among diaspora communities in North America and Western Europe. In everyday usage, Vlade is typically heard in informal or familial settings.

The name derives from the Slavic root vlad-, meaning to rule or have power, a common element in names associated with leadership and authority. As a result, Vlade is often interpreted as a nickname with a sense of strength or control, though its exact meaning is influenced by cultural context and language.

Notable people named Vlade include Vlade Divac, a Serbian-born former professional basketball player who had a long NBA career with teams including the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings. He is one of the best-known bearers of the name in international media, reflecting the name’s visibility in Serbian and wider South Slavic communities.

Variants and related names include Vlado, Vladimir, and Vladislav. Vlade may function as a standalone given name in some contexts, while in others it serves as a shortened form of longer names. The usage and form of Vlade can vary by country and community, reflecting regional naming traditions.