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Bronislaus
How to Pronounce Bronislaus
Pronounced bron-ih-SLAW-us /ˌbrɒn.ɪˈslɔː.əs/Medium
Meaning: Bronislaus is the Latinized form of the Polish Bronislaw, built from the Slavic elements bronic, 'to defend' or 'protect', and slaw, 'glory' - so 'glorious protector' or 'one whose defence brings glory'. It reached American records with Polish immigrant families, often in this Latin church-register spelling.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Bronislaus is the Latinized form of the Polish name Bronislaw, from the Slavic bronic, 'to defend', and slaw, 'glory' - 'glorious protector'. It entered American records through Polish immigrant families in the late 1800s and early 1900s, frequently written in this Latin spelling used in church and civil registers.
Bronislaus was never common - only a few dozen boys a year at its faint peak around 1920, tightly bound to the Polish-American immigrant cohort. As those families anglicized, the name shifted to Bruno or Bernard or simply faded, and the Latinized Bronislaus became a genuine historical rarity.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Bronislaus mean?
Bronislaus is a Latinized form of the Polish Bronislaw, from Slavic roots meaning 'glorious protector'.
How do you pronounce Bronislaus?
It's said bron-ih-SLAW-us /ˌbrɒn.ɪˈslɔː.əs/ - four syllables, stress on the third.
Is Bronislaus a boy or girl name?
Bronislaus is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Bronislaus?
Bronislaus has always been rare, used mainly by Polish immigrant families in the early twentieth century.