Declining since 2013, #8,243 for boys today.
Popularity of Yaroslav since 1998
Babies named Yaroslav per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 7 |
| 2000s | 77 |
| 2010s | 126 |
| 2020s | 56 |
Meaning & origin
Yaroslav is a Slavic name borne by medieval royalty, including Yaroslav the Wise, a grand prince of Kievan Rus'. In the United States, the name first appeared in Social Security records in 1998 and reached its peak rank of 8,243 in 2016. Since 2013 its usage has been falling, reflecting a broader trend away from traditional Eastern European names in the American mainstream. The name's distinct sound and strong meaning make it a rare choice: in 2025, approximately 1 in every 189,786 newborns was named Yaroslav. While it has not been popular enough to appear in state-level data as a top name anywhere, its use persists among families with Slavic heritage.
Yaroslav is of Slavic origin, from the elements 'yar' meaning 'fierce, energetic' and 'slav' meaning 'glory'. It has been used by various Slavic royal dynasties, most notably in Kievan Rus', where Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise (11th century) consolidated the state and codified laws. The name remains common in modern Russia, Ukraine, and other Slavic countries.
“Yaroslav” around the world
Where Yaroslav lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yarik, Slava, Yar
Variants: Jaroslav, Jarosław
Sibling names for Yaroslav
Names that share Yaroslav's style, for a brother or sister.
