Vladislaus

Vladislaus is an Anglicized given name of Slavic origin that appears in several Central European royal lineages. In Latin historical sources it is often rendered Ladislaus, and regional variants include Vladislav (Czech, Slovak), Władysław (Polish), and László (Hungarian). The name is commonly understood to be derived from elements meaning “to rule” and “glory.”

Historically, bearers of the name were prominent in medieval and early modern monarchies of Bohemia, Hungary, and Poland. Notable examples include Vladislaus II, who served as King of Bohemia and also as King of Hungary in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Another well-known bearer is Vladislaus III (Ladislaus III of Poland), who was King of Poland from 1434 to 1444 and King of Hungary from 1440 until his death at the Battle of Varna in 1444.

The form Vladislaus is most often encountered in English-language or Latin-language historical writing. In the contemporary English-speaking world, the name is rare outside of historical or genealogical contexts. Other languages preserve their own variants, reflecting local linguistic traditions, while the underlying Slavic roots remain a common source for related names across the region.