Okrzesław

Okrzesław is a rare Polish given name of Old Slavic origin. It is a compound name, meaning 'honor of the axe' or 'he who honors the axe'. The element 'okrz-' is related to 'okrzos' (axe, hatchet) or 'okrzesać' (to trim, to hew), while '-sław' is a common Slavic element meaning 'glory' or 'fame'. Names ending in '-sław' were very popular among Slavic peoples, particularly in medieval times, signifying prestige and noble lineage.

This name, like many other Old Slavic compound names, fell out of common use over centuries, largely due to the influence of Christian naming traditions which favored biblical or saintly names. However, there has been a minor revival of interest in traditional Slavic names in recent times, leading to the occasional use of names like Okrzesław, often chosen for their historical and cultural significance.