Meaning and history
Václav is a Czech masculine name from Slavic elements meaning “greater” or “more” and “glory,” giving a sense such as “greater glory.” Its best-known early bearer was Duke Václav of Bohemia, the tenth-century martyr remembered in English as Saint Wenceslas and celebrated in the Christmas carol. Notable modern bearers include Czech playwright and president Václav Havel and Czech-Canadian scientist and policy analyst Václav Smil. The accents mark standard Czech pronunciation.