stas

Stas is a masculine given name, commonly used as a diminutive form of the Slavic name Stanislav. It is widely used in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and among Slavic-speaking communities abroad. While Stanislav remains the formal name, Stas is typically used in everyday speech and informal contexts, including among friends, colleagues, and in popular culture. In some cases, Stas can be used as a stand-alone given name rather than strictly a nickname.

Origin and meaning: Stanislav is formed from Slavic elements stan- meaning “to become” or “to stand” and slav meaning “glory” or “fame.” As a short form, Stas inherits the same basic meaning and heritage of the root name.

Usage and variants: The use of Stas varies by country. In Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian contexts, Stas is a common informal form; in Polish contexts, variants such as Stanisław and diminutives appear, though Staś (with diacritic) is a separate Polish diminutive. Stas is typically not used on formal documents; the full Stanislav is preferred in official settings.

Notable people and cultural references: A number of public figures known in Slavic-language media are known by the name Stas, either as a given name or stage name. The form also appears in fiction and online handles.

See also: Stanislav, Staś (Polish diminutive).

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