Holding steady, #5,608 for boys today.
Popularity of Vlad since 1995
Babies named Vlad per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2004, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Vlad's real moment was 2016.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 36 |
| 2000s | 199 |
| 2010s | 212 |
| 2020s | 96 |
Meaning & origin
Vlad is a short, assertive Slavic name that has maintained a steady but uncommon presence in the United States since Social Security first recorded it in 1995. Its trajectory is stable, reflecting consistent but low usage. The name's peak year was 2016, though it has never cracked the top 5,000 and currently ranks 5,608 with a frequency of 1 in 106,755 births. The name is most familiar from historical figures like Vlad the Impaler, but modern parents drawn to its strong sound may also appreciate its connection to longer traditional names like Vladimir and Vladislav.
Vlad is a short form and independent name from Slavic elements meaning 'to rule' or 'to possess', related to Vladimir. It has been used historically in various Slavic countries, often as a diminutive of Vladimir or Vladislav. The name gained visibility outside Slavic regions partly due to Vlad the Impaler (15th century), though the modern usage in English-speaking countries is largely separate from that historical figure.
“Vlad” around the world
Where Vlad lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Sibling names for Vlad
Names that share Vlad's style, for a brother or sister.
