Wenceslaus, Wenceslas, Wenzeslaus and Wenzslaus (and other similar names) are Latinized forms of the Czech name Václav. The other language versions of the name are , , , , , , among others. It originated as a Latin spelling for Czech rulers. It is a Slavic dithematic name (of two lexemes), derived from the Slavic words veli/vyache/więce/više ("great(er), large(r)"), and slava ("glory, fame") – both very common in Slavic names – and roughly means "greater glory". Latinised name Wenceslaus corresponds to several West Slavic, Lechitic given names, such as Wieceslaw, Wiecejslav, Wieńczysław/Vienceslav, Węzel, Wacław and a few more. In Lithuanian there is also the form Venckus, but only as a surname.

People named Wenceslaus or spelling variations thereof include:

• Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907–935 or 929), saint and subject of the Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas"

• Wenceslaus II, Duke of Bohemia (died 1192)

• Wenceslaus I of Bohemia (c. 1205–1253), King of Bohemia

• Wenceslaus II of Bohemia (1271–1305), grandson of Wenceslaus I, King of Bohemia and Poland

• Wenceslaus III of Bohemia (1289–1306), son of Wenceslaus II, King of Hungary, Bohemia, and Poland

• Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia (1361–1419), great-grandson of Wenceslaus II, King of Bohemia, and German King

• Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor (1316–1378), born Wenceslaus

• Wenceslaus I of Legnica (c. 1318–1364)

• Wenceslaus I, Duke of Luxembourg (1337–1383), the first Duke

• Wenceslaus Hanka (1791–1861), Czech philologist

• Wenceslaus Hollar (1607–1677), Czech etcher

• Vaclavas Kidykas (born 1961), Lithuanian discus thrower

• Venceslaus Agrippa Lituanus (c. 1525–c.1597), Lithuanian writer and diplomat

• Venceslaus Ulricus Hammershaimb (1819–1909), Faroese minister and linguist

See also

• Boleslaus, cognate

• Ventsislav, Bulgarian variant

• Višeslav, South Slavic cognate

External links