Bronislaw
A boy's name of Polish origin with 247 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Bronislaw hit its peak of 26 births in 1918, American naming still drew heavily from family heritage, religious tradition, and the cultural norms of the time.
Today, Bronislaw reads as a vintage revival candidate — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Bronislaw is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Bronislaw is a boy's baby name of Polish origin, from the Polish Bronisław meaning 'armor of glory' or 'protecting glory,' from the Slavic bron (armor, protection) and sław (glory, fame). Bronisław Malinowski (1884–1942) was one of the most important anthropologists of the 20th century, a founder of modern social anthropology.
Bronislaw carries the scholarly legacy of Malinowski alongside a name of armored glory — Polish in its deepest roots, resonant with Slavic warrior tradition.
EtymologyShow more
Bronislaw is built from 9 letters and three syllables — a longer structure that creates presence and allows for natural nickname formation. Within the Polish naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Bronislaw creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Multi-syllable names often carry remnants of compound constructions — two or more meaningful elements fused together — even when the original components are no longer transparent to modern speakers.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Bronislaw has 18+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1908.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 89 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 148 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 5 | — |
The Story of Bronislaw
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1918, Bronislaw is a name steeped in history. Boys named Bronislaw are most likely born between 1908 and 1928.
How rare is Bronislaw?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Bronislaw is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1908, peaked in the 1910s with 148 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Bronislaw by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(18 years, 1908–1931)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1931 | 5 | #3829 |
| 1928 | 9 | #2874 |
| 1927 | 9 | #2936 |
| 1925 | 6 | #3789 |
| 1924 | 10 | #2833 |
| 1923 | 6 | #3869 |
| 1922 | 10 | #2830 |
| 1921 | 20 | #1773 |
| 1920 | 19 | #1828 |
| 1919 | 24 | #1488 |
| 1918 | 26 | #1410 |
| 1917 | 21 | #1594 |
| 1916 | 23 | #1462 |
| 1915 | 20 | #1560 |
| 1914 | 15 | #1615 |
| 1913 | 11 | #1690 |
| 1912 | 8 | #1907 |
| 1908 | 5 | #1402 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1908–1931