Václav

Václav is a masculine given name of Czech origin. It is the Czech form of Wenceslas (Latinized as Wenceslaus), derived from Old Slavic roots and generally interpreted as meaning “more glory” or “to gain glory.” The name is closely associated with Saint Wenceslas I, Duke of Bohemia, who ruled in the early 10th century and is venerated as the patron saint of the Czech state. The feast day of St. Wenceslas on September 28 is a traditional name day for Václav in the Czech Republic.

Václav remains widely used in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. International variants include Wenceslas (in English and Latin texts) and Wenzel or Wenceslas in German contexts; Polish uses Wacław. In Czech, the standard spelling is Václav, with the diacritic on the a. The name has produced several diminutives and affectionate forms such as Vašek.

Notable people named Václav include Saint Wenceslas I (Václav) of Bohemia, a medieval ruler and martyr; Václav Havel (1936–2011), playwright, dissident, and president; Václav Klaus (born 1941), economist and political leader; Václav Hollar (1607–1677), Bohemian engraver; and Václav Neckář (born 1943), singer and actor. The name appears across Czech literature, culture, and public life, reflecting its longstanding cultural resonance.

As a traditional and historically significant name, Václav remains common in the Czech Republic and retains strong cultural associations with Bohemian and Czech identity.