Bolesław, Boleslaw, Boleslav or Boleslaus in Latin, is a male given name of Slavic origin meaning great glory. Feminine forms: Bolesława / Boleslava.
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It was the favoured dynastic name in the Polish Piast dynasty and also, to a considerably lesser extent, among the Czech Přemyslids. Into the Piasts was borrowed from Přemyslids through inheritance in female line. (The mother of first Polish monarch of that name, i.e. Boleslaus the Brave, was the Czech princess Doubravka of Bohemia, whose father and brother bore the name "Boleslav".) Rulers of the Silesian line of the Piast dynasty were often known by the shortened version of the name, Bolko. In total, 45 kings and dukes from the House of Piast bore the name.
Polish historical rulers from the House of Piast
- Bolesław I of Poland (c. 966 – 1025), known as 'the Brave' or 'the Valiant', Duke of Poland from 992 to 1025 (ending in 1025 as King of Poland)
- Bolesław II of Poland (1039–1081), known as 'the Bold', 'the Generous' or 'the Cruel', Duke of Poland 1058 to 1076 and King of Poland 1076 to 1079
- Bolesław III Wrymouth (1085–1138), Duke of Poland from 1102 to 1138
- Bolesław IV the Curly (1120–1173), High Duke of Poland from 1146 to 1173
- Bolesław of Kuyavia (1159–1195), Duke of Kuyavia from c. 1186 to 1195
- Bolesław I of Cieszyn, Duke of Cieszyn
- Bolesław II of Cieszyn, Duke of Cieszyn
- Bolesław II Rogatka (1220/5–1278), Duke of Silesia, portions of Poland
- Bolesław V the Chaste (1226–1279), mid-13th century Duke of Kraków, who rebuilt the city after its destruction in 1241
- Bolesław the Pious (c. 1224 – 1279), Duke of Greater Poland 1239–1247
- Bolesław I of Masovia (1208–1248), Duke of Sandomierz, Sieradz (1233–1234), and Masovia (1229–1248)
- Bolesław II of Masovia, Duke of Masovia (c. 1250 – 1313)
- Bolesław the Elder (1293–1365), Duke of Wielun, Niemodlin, who often goes by the name Bolko
- Bolesław Jerzy of Mazovia, Duke of Masovia and Galicia-Volhynia (died 1340)
- Bolesław III of Płock, Duke of Płock (c. 1325 – 1351)
- Bolesław IV of Warsaw, Duke of Warsaw (1421–1454)
- Bolesław V of Warsaw, Duke of Warsaw, Zakroczym, Nur, Płock, and Wizna (1454–1488)
Polish-Silesian rulers from House of Piast known as Bolkos
- Bolko I the Strict (1252/56–1301), Duke of Lwówek, Jawor, Świdnica, Ziębice/Münsterberg
- Bolko I of Opole (1258–1313), Duke of Opole, Niemodlin, Strzelce Opolskie
- Bolko II of Ziębice (1300–1341), Duke of Ziębice/Münsterberg
- Bolko II of Ziębice (1300–1341), Duke of Ziębice/Münsterberg
- Bolko II of Opole (1300–1356), Duke of Opole
- Bolko II the Small (1312–1368), Duke of Świdnica Jawor, Lwówek, Lusatia, Siewierz, who was the last independent Duke of the Piast dynasty in Silesia
- Bolko III of Strzelce (1337–1382), Duke of Opole, Strzelce
- Bolko III of Münsterberg (1348–1410), Duke of Ziębice/Münsterberg
- Bolko IV of Opole (1363/67–1437), Duke of Strzelce, Niemodlin, Opole
- Bolko V the Hussite (c. 1400 – 1460), Duke of Opole, Głogówek, Prudnik, Strzelce, Niemodlin, Olesno
Other
- Boleslaus, Bishop of Vác, Hungarian prelate
- Bolesław Bierut, former President of Poland
- Bolesław Bronisław Duch, Polish Major General and General Inspector of the Armed Forces
- Boleslav Jablonský, Czech poet and catholic priest
- Bolesław Prus, foremost figure in Polish literature of the late 19th century, and a distinctive voice in world literature
- Boleslav Polívka, Czech actor
- Bill Sienkiewicz, award-winning American comics artist, whose full given name is Boleslav William Felix Robert Sienkiewicz
- Bolesław Wieniawa-Długoszowski, Polish general, adjutant to Chief of State, politician, freemason, diplomat, poet, artist, and formally, for one day, President of the Republic of Poland
- Peter Boleslaw Schmeichel, former Danish goalkeeper
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