Boleslaus
A boy's name of Polish origin with 255 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Boleslaus is a vintage name that peaked in early twentieth-century America and has since faded from common use. For parents drawn to retro charm, that quiet history is part of the appeal.
The classical, dignified quality of its ending — a hallmark of Latin and Greek masculine names — gives it a distinctive rhythm that pairs well with shorter middle names or surnames.
Boleslaus is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Boleslaus is a boy's baby name of Polish origin, the Latinized form of Bolesław, a Slavic compound meaning 'greater glory' from bole (greater, more) and sław (glory, fame). Bolesław I the Brave (967–1025) was the first King of Poland, and the name has been borne by multiple Polish rulers.
Boleslaus carries a thousand years of Polish royal history — a name of kings, used in its Latin form by Catholic scholars and clergy who wanted to render the Slavic original in a Roman alphabet.
EtymologyShow more
Though Boleslaus dates back to 1911 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Polish classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 255 recorded births, Boleslaus has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Boleslaus has 20+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1911.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 12 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 114 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 129 | — |
The Story of Boleslaus
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1923, Boleslaus is a name steeped in history. Boys named Boleslaus are most likely born between 1913 and 1932.
How rare is Boleslaus?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Boleslaus is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1911, peaked in the 1910s with 129 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Boleslaus by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(20 years, 1911–1932)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1932 | 7 | #3119 |
| 1930 | 5 | #4055 |
| 1929 | 5 | #4026 |
| 1928 | 8 | #3103 |
| 1927 | 5 | #4269 |
| 1925 | 11 | #2610 |
| 1924 | 13 | #2364 |
| 1923 | 25 | #1508 |
| 1922 | 22 | #1654 |
| 1921 | 18 | #1915 |
| 1920 | 7 | #3520 |
| 1919 | 18 | #1818 |
| 1918 | 16 | #2008 |
| 1917 | 11 | #2440 |
| 1916 | 15 | #1966 |
| 1915 | 22 | #1466 |
| 1914 | 15 | #1614 |
| 1913 | 17 | #1262 |
| 1912 | 10 | #1630 |
| 1911 | 5 | #1772 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boleslaus a boy's or girl's name?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1911–1932