Meaning & History
Władysława is the Polish feminine form of Władysław, thus a continuing derivation from the Old Slavic name *Voldislavŭ¹. Its meaning directly follows the masculine root: "to rule" (volděti) and "glory" (slava).
Because the masculine counterpart Władysław was borne by four kings of Poland, Władysława appears in noble families as a dynastic name, but it never achieved the same commonality.
The original root Vladislav (Old Slavic *Voldislavŭ) has been used across Slavic lands, producing other feminine forms: Vladislava (Russian), Ladislava (Slovak), Vladyslava (Ukrainian), and the Russian short form Lada. Within Polish diminutive convention, it may be shortened to Władzia or Włada, though the data does not specifically list these.
Because the masculine counterpart Władysław was borne by four kings of Poland, Władysława appears in noble families as a dynastic name, but it never achieved the same commonality.
The original root Vladislav (Old Slavic *Voldislavŭ) has been used across Slavic lands, producing other feminine forms: Vladislava (Russian), Ladislava (Slovak), Vladyslava (Ukrainian), and the Russian short form Lada. Within Polish diminutive convention, it may be shortened to Władzia or Włada, though the data does not specifically list these.
Usage and Distribution
The name is primarily recorded in Poland. It reflects the medieval practice of adding -a to a masculine name to yield a feminine counterpart, so Władysława never became as popular as some other international female names. In modern Poland, registration of this name has dwindled, fitting the broader European tendency away from archaic Slavic compound names.Notable Bearers
Documented notable holders include nobiliary figures such as Władysława z Jabłonowskich, a 19th‑century benefactress, though the name is relatively rare among widely known contemporary personalities. Several church records from 16th to 18th centuries list Władysława daughters among szlachta (the Polish nobility).- Meaning: Ruler of glory/to rule with glory
- Origin: Polish, derived from Władysław
- Type: Given name (feminine)
- Usage Regions: Poland
Related Names