At a glance
- In short
- Sviatoslav, a male Slavic name meaning 'holy glory', is rooted in history and symbolizes strength.
- U.S. rank 2025
- Not in the 2025 data · last seen 2023 (#12,239)
- Babies in 2023
- 5 (<0.01% of boys)
- First recorded
- 2023 (the only year on record)
Meaning of Sviatoslav
The name Sviatoslav, with its variation Svyatoslav, is a distinguished male name of Slavic origin. Pronounced as "svee-AH-toh-slav" in both Russian and Ukrainian, this name carries the profound meaning of "holy glory." Rooted deeply in Eastern European history, Sviatoslav notably belonged to Sviatoslav I of Kiev, a valiant 10th-century prince known for his military prowess and expansive campaigns. The name evokes images of strength and historical richness, making it an intriguing choice for parents seeking a name with cultural significance and venerable roots. Although not common in the United States, with only five occurrences in 2023 ranking it at 12,190th, Sviatoslav remains a proud choice for those wishing to honor their Eastern European heritage.
How to pronounce Sviatoslav
Ukrainian
- Pronounced svee-AH-toh-slav /svʲiˈɑ.tɔ.slɑv/
Russian
- Pronounced svee-AH-toh-slav /svʲɪˈa.tə.sləf/
Popularity of Sviatoslav in the U.S.
Sviatoslav appears in the records for the U.S. only in 2023, ranked #12,239 with 5 babies.
- Rank among U.S. boy names (right scale)
Year-by-year table, 2023 1 row
| Year | Babies | Rank | vs previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | 12,239 | new |
Notable people named Sviatoslav
- Sviatoslav Richter was a celebrated Soviet and Russian pianist known for his powerful interpretations, brilliant technique, and vast repertoire.
- Sviatoslav I was a 10th century Prince of Kiev known for military campaigns that helped bring down Khazaria and the First Bulgarian Empire.
- Sviatoslav II of Kiev — Sviatoslav II Yaroslavich was Grand Prince of Kiev from 1073 to 1076 and founded the Sviatoslavichi branch of the Rurik dynasty.
- Sviatoslav Shevchuk is a Ukrainian religious leader who has headed the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church since 2011.
- Sviatoslav Vakarchuk is a Ukrainian musician, activist, soldier, and former politician best known as the lead singer of the rock band Okean Elzy.
More people named Sviatoslav 6 more
- Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk — Svi Mykhailiuk is a Ukrainian NBA player who won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024.
- Sviatoslav Knushevitsky was a celebrated Russian cellist known for his trio with violinist David Oistrakh and pianist Lev Oborin.
- Sviatoslav Palamar is a Ukrainian National Guard officer known for defending Mariupol during the 2022 Russian invasion.
- Sviatoslav Yurash is a Ukrainian politician who became the youngest member of parliament after his election in 2019.
- Sviatoslav III of Vladimir — Sviatoslav III Vsevolodovich was a medieval ruler who served as Prince of Novgorod and Grand Prince of Vladimir-Suzdal from 1246 to 1248.
- Sviatoslav III of Kiev — Sviatoslav III Vsevolodovich was a medieval prince who ruled several principalities and became Grand Prince of Kiev.