Holding steady.
Popularity of Tomislav since 1962
Babies named Tomislav per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1980, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Tomislav's real moment was 1973.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 22 |
| 1970s | 70 |
| 1980s | 62 |
| 1990s | 33 |
| 2000s | 10 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Tomislav is a distinctly Slavic name with strong historical roots, particularly as the name of Tomislav I, the first king of Croatia who reigned in the early 10th century. The name's meaning is debated among scholars, but it is generally accepted to combine a prefix related to 'striving' or 'torment' with the widespread Slavic element 'slava' meaning 'glory'. Tomislav has seen limited use in the United States, first recorded in 1962, and it reached its peak rank in 1973 according to Social Security data. After that year, its usage declined steadily, and by 2025 it was so rare that it did not appear in the top 1000 names, with a 1-in-N ratio too small to calculate. The name's trajectory suggests stable but minimal usage, primarily among families with Croatian or Serbian heritage. Despite low overall numbers, the name carries a strong cultural identity and remains a traditional choice in the Balkan region.
Tomislav is a Slavic compound name, typically derived from the elements 'toma' (possibly related to 'tomiti' meaning 'to torment' or 'to strive') and 'slava' meaning 'glory'. The name is historically significant among South Slavic peoples, particularly in Croatia and Serbia. Tomislav was the name of the first king of Croatia in the 10th century, which contributed to its enduring popularity in the region.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tom, Tommy, Tomo
Variants: Tomyslav, Tomisław (Polish)
Sibling names for Tomislav
Names that share Tomislav's style, for a brother or sister.
