What does Boris mean?
Boris is usually linked to the Slavic for “battle” or “fight.”
What does Vladimir mean?
Vladimir joins the Slavic for “rule” and “peace” or “great,” “famous ruler.”
Boris vs Vladimir
Which is more popular?
Vladimir is more popular than Boris today: about 87 US babies were given the name Vladimir in 2025, compared with 37 named Boris.
| Boris | Vladimir | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Battle, fight | Ruler of peace |
| Origin | Slavic | Slavic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | BOR-iss | VLAD-ee-meer |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1911 | 1913 |
| Peak year | 1970 (82) | 2016 (180) |
| In 2025 | 37 | 87 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Boris
Vladimir
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Boris | Vladimir |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 230 | 606 |
| 2010s | 507 | 1,583 |
| 2000s | 581 | 1,369 |
| 1990s | 603 | 967 |
| 1980s | 401 | 605 |
| 1970s | 481 | 437 |
| 1960s | 597 | 166 |
| 1950s | 287 | 95 |
| 1940s | 111 | 19 |
| 1930s | 237 | 81 |
| 1920s | 373 | 152 |
| 1910s | 213 | 110 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Boris or Vladimir more popular?
Vladimir is more popular than Boris today: about 87 US babies were given the name Vladimir in 2025, compared with 37 named Boris.
What is the difference between Boris and Vladimir?
Boris means Battle, fight (Slavic origin), while Vladimir means Ruler of peace (Slavic origin).
Which name is older, Boris or Vladimir?
In US records, Boris first appears in 1911 and Vladimir in 1913, so Boris has the longer recorded history.