Vladek

Vladek is a male given name of Slavic origin. In Polish and other Slavic languages, it commonly appears as a diminutive or nickname for Władysław or Vladislav, formed from roots associated with ruling and glory. The name is used in Poland and among Slavic-speaking communities, with spellings and usage varying by language and region.

The most prominent reference in modern culture is Vladek Spiegelman, a fictional character in Art Spiegelman’s graphic novel Maus. In Maus, Vladek is the father of the author and a Polish Jew who survives the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Poland. The work presents his memories and experiences, alongside those of his wife Anja and their family, through a dialogue-driven narrative and distinctive artwork. Maus is noted for its exploration of memory, trauma, and intergenerational history, and it received widespread critical acclaim, including the Pulitzer Prize Special Award in 1992.

Variants and usage: Vladek can function as a familiar or affectionate form of Władysław or Vladislav in Slavic communities. While Vladek Spiegelman is the best-known due to Maus, other individuals or fictional characters with similar names may exist in different languages or contexts.

See also: Władysław; Vladislav; Maus.