Vlad is a distinctive name of Romanian origin, derived from the old Slavic word "vladimir," meaning "to rule" or "to command." Traditionally given to boys, it's famously associated with Vlad III Dracula, the 15th-century Wallachian ruler known as "Vlad the Impaler." While popular culture links Vlad to vampires due to Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula," there's no historical evidence supporting vampiric traits in Vlad III.