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Rostislav as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Rostislav

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The baby name Rostislav is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /rɔˈstiːslɑv/ (approx. roh-STEE-slahv).

Rostislav is Slavic in Origin.

Gender: Male
Syllables: 3.0
Origin: Slavic
Pronunciation: /rɔˈstiːslɑv/ (approx. roh-STEE-slahv)

What is the meaning of the name Rostislav ?

The baby name Rostislav is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /rɔˈstiːslɑv/ (approx. roh-STEE-slahv).

Rostislav is Slavic in Origin.

Rostislav is a pan‑Slavic male given name built from the Proto‑Slavic verb rasti/rost‑ “to grow, increase” and the element slava “glory, fame.” It thus carries the meaning “one who increases glory,” “growth of fame,” or “to spread renown.” The name belongs to the broad family of -slav names common across Slavic languages and has been used since the early medieval period.

It was borne by several princes in Kievan Rus’ and appears in Great Moravia in the closely related form Rastislav. Modern forms and regional spellings include Russian Rostislav, Ukrainian Rostyslav, Belarusian Rastsislau, Polish Rościsław, Czech Rostislav, Slovak and South Slavic Rastislav; feminine counterparts are Rostislava and Rastislava. Diminutives vary by language - Rostik, Rostya/Rosťa/Rasťo - and the pan‑Slavic Slava. The name remains in periodic use in Central and Eastern Europe, appreciated for its heroic, aspirational meaning.

Rostislav has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Rostislav

Rostislav Plyatt Actor · Born 1908 · Soviet Union Rostislav Plyatt was a Soviet actor best known for his roles in films like 'The Twelve Chairs' and 'The Straw Hat'. Born in 1908, he became a prominent figure in Soviet cinema, captivating audiences with his performances. Rostislav of Tmutarakan Royal · Born 1038 Rostislav was a Rurikid prince of Kievan Rus’, best known as Rostislav of Tmutarakan. Born around 1038, he was a landless prince, or izgoi, and died on 3 February 1066.

Rostislav – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
CZ Boys 0 #65 1,067 6,530
LU 0 #66 1 2,830
MD Boys 0 #77 5 756
BG 0 #81 2 1,799
EE Boys 0 #118 8 2,087
CY Boys 0 #129 3 3,473
CZ 0 #138 49 3,154
LT Boys 0 #148 4 2,166
BG Boys 0 #162 58 3,850
IR Boys 0 #166 1,083 10,162
IR 0 #176 55 4,221
RU 0 #186 9 3,641
AE 0 #187 1 10,220
SI Boys 0 #211 1 3,402
PL 0 #212 1 2,600
PS 0 #226 1 5,692
RU Boys 0 #250 328 12,621
HR Boys 0 #259 1 3,997
KZ Boys 0 #261 29 6,578
GR Boys 0 #273 1 6,912
IL 0 #281 2 6,291
KZ Girls 0 #332 1 5,862
PL Boys 0 #336 5 6,459
PT Boys 0 #381 1 7,951
PS Boys 0 #507 42 10,655
IL Boys 0 #544 64 10,983
Finland Boys 2026 #662 21 3,552
SG Boys 0 #739 1 17,960
TN 0 #865 1 13,765
United States Boys 2015 #881 5 7,337
Spain Boys 0 #912 19 5,610
EG Boys 0 #925 1 15,035
PE Boys 0 #926 1 14,506
Germany Boys 0 #938 15 5,697
AE Boys 0 #1,141 3 22,615
ZA Boys 0 #1,272 1 25,619
IT Boys 0 #1,446 26 10,046

Rostislav is popular in 28 countries — most recent births per country:

AE
BG
CY
CZ
Germany

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People also ask about Rostislav

Rostislav is predominantly a boy's name.
Rostislav is a 3 syllable name, pronounced /rɔˈstiːslɑv/ (approx. roh-STEE-slahv).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Rostyslav, Rastislav, Rostisław, Rostislaw, Rostik (diminutive) and Rosti (diminutive).
Across languages, Rostislav has these equivalents: Ростислав (Cyrillic; Russian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian), Rostyslav (Ukrainian transliteration), Rastislav (Czech, Slovak, Serbian, Croatian), Rostisław (Polish), Rostislava / Rostyslava (feminine form).
Somewhat — Rostislav ranked #662 in Finland in 2026, and appears in official birth registries across 2 countries, placing it just outside the most common names.
Rostislav ranks highest in Finland (#662 in 2026).
Yes — 2 notable people named Rostislav are in our database, including Rostislav Plyatt (Actor), Rostislav of Tmutarakan (Royal).