Bolesław is a male given name of Polish origin and Slavic derivation. It is composed of two elements: "boley" which means "to fight", and "slaw" which means "glory". Thus, the name Bolesław can be translated as "famous in battle" or "he who brings glory to war".
The name Bolesław has a long history in Poland, with several notable figures bearing this name. The most famous of them is Bolesław I the Brave (also known as Bolesław the Hunter), who was the Duke of Poland from 992 to 1025 and played a crucial role in the Christianization of Poland. He is also remembered for his military victories against invading enemies, which earned him the epithet "the Brave".
Another notable figure with the name Bolesław is Bolesław III Wrymouth (also known as Bolesław the Wry-mouthed), who was the Duke of Poland from 1102 to 1138. He is considered one of the greatest Polish monarchs and is credited with expanding the borders of Poland significantly during his reign.
In addition to these historical figures, there have been several other notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Bolesław, including several bishops and nobles in the medieval era.
Today, Bolesław remains a relatively uncommon but significant name in Poland. It is often given as a middle name or used as a family name, reflecting its historic importance and association with Polish nobility and royalty. Despite its historic connotations, Bolesław is not considered an outdated or old-fashioned name in modern Poland. Instead, it is seen as a traditional name with a strong historical legacy that continues to be passed down through generations of families.
The name Boleslaw experienced a significant peak in popularity during the early years of World War I, with a high of 40 births in 1916. However, it appears that this trend did not continue post-war, with births declining to single digits by 1922 and remaining low throughout the late 1920s. Overall, there were 277 births named Boleslaw recorded between 1909 and 1927.