At a glance
- U.S. rank 2025
- #5,608 of boy names (outside the top 1,000)
- Babies in 2025
- 16 (<0.01% of boys)
- Trend
- Steady #5,451 in 2020 to #5,608 in 2025
- Peak
- #3,534 in 2004
- First recorded
- 1995
Meaning of Vlad
Vlad gallops across centuries like a fiery stallion racing dawn. It traces its roots to the Slavic vladeti—“to rule”—and blossoms with regal crispness in Romania’s Latin-tinted tongue—a Romance language flowing from ancient Rome—and in Russia’s snow-kissed dialect as vlahd. It carries whispers of Vlad the Impaler, the daring Wallachian prince whose legend carved its mark into Gothic lore, yet today Vlad lands on U.S. birth certificates around the 900th spot—911th in 2024—a sleek comet streaking through playgrounds so charming even neighborhood squirrels pause with their acorns. Rich with Eastern European mystique and a hint of Transylvanian moonlight, Vlad feels both timeless and tantalizingly modern—with just enough edge to spark a smile, dancing between royal heft and playful intrigue across backyards and breakfast tables alike.
How to pronounce Vlad
Romanian
- Pronounced vlahd /vlad/
Russian
- Pronounced vlahd /vlɑːd/
Popularity of Vlad in the U.S.
Vlad was the #5,608 boy name in the U.S. in 2025, with 16 babies. It peaked at #3,534 in 2004. It first appears in the records in 1995.
- Rank among U.S. boy names (right scale, #1 at the top)
Year-by-year table, 1995–2025 30 rows
| Year | Babies | Rank | vs previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 5,608 | ▲ 861 |
| 2024 | 13 | 6,469 | ▲ 428 |
| 2023 | 12 | 6,897 | ▼ 1,264 |
| 2022 | 16 | 5,633 | ▼ 1,271 |
| 2021 | 23 | 4,362 | ▲ 1,089 |
| 2020 | 16 | 5,451 | ▲ 653 |
| 2019 | 14 | 6,104 | ▼ 1,494 |
| 2018 | 21 | 4,610 | ▲ 501 |
| 2017 | 18 | 5,111 | ▼ 1,121 |
| 2016 | 26 | 3,990 | ▲ 900 |
| 2015 | 19 | 4,890 | ▼ 876 |
| 2014 | 25 | 4,014 | ▲ 299 |
| 2013 | 22 | 4,313 | ▼ 182 |
| 2012 | 24 | 4,131 | ▲ 691 |
| 2011 | 19 | 4,822 | ▼ 723 |
| 2010 | 24 | 4,099 | ▲ 649 |
| 2009 | 20 | 4,748 | ▼ 208 |
| 2008 | 21 | 4,540 | ▲ 100 |
| 2007 | 20 | 4,640 | ▼ 417 |
| 2006 | 22 | 4,223 | ▼ 161 |
| 2005 | 22 | 4,062 | ▼ 528 |
| 2004 | 26 | 3,534 | ▲ 742 |
| 2003 | 19 | 4,276 | ▼ 88 |
| 2002 | 19 | 4,188 | ▲ 488 |
| 2001 | 16 | 4,676 | ▲ 364 |
| 2000 | 14 | 5,040 | ▲ 2,099 |
| 1999 | 8 | 7,139 | back (not recorded in 1998) |
| 1997 | 14 | 4,451 | ▲ 2,685 |
| 1996 | 7 | 7,136 | ▼ 144 |
| 1995 | 7 | 6,992 | new |
Notable people named Vlad
- Vlad III, known as Vlad the Impaler, was a ruler of Wallachia remembered for strengthening royal authority and resisting the Ottoman Empire.
- Vlad II, known as Vlad Dracul, was a ruler of Wallachia and the father of Vlad the Impaler.
- Vlad Tuinov is a Russian professional kickboxer who competes in the lightweight division.
- Vlad De Briansky is an American guitarist, composer, and educator known for playing blues, jazz, rock, and classical music.
- Vlad Tenev — Vladimir Tenev is a Bulgarian-American entrepreneur and the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Robinhood.
More people named Vlad 10 more
- Vlad Moldoveanu — Vlad-Sorin Moldoveanu is a Romanian former professional basketball player who founded VM Hoops Agency after retiring.
- Vlad Vasile Voiculescu is a Romanian politician who served twice as Minister of Health.
- Vlad Topalov is a Russian singer who rose to fame with the pop group Smash before pursuing a solo career.
- Vlad VI Înecatul — Vlad VI was a prince who ruled Wallachia from 1530 to 1532 and became known as Vlad the Drowned after his death.
- Vlad and Niki are Russian American siblings known for their popular family YouTube channel.
- Vlad Cubreacov is a politician from Moldova.
- Vlad Sokolovsky is a Russian singer, songwriter, dancer, and TV host known for the duo BiS and his solo pop and R&B music.
- Vlad Alexandru Nistor is a Romanian rugby union player who represented his country at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
- Vlad Ivanov is a Romanian actor of Lipovan heritage.
- Vlad Dumitru Mihalcea is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder.