Lyudmila

This name derives from the Slavic “Lyudmila,” composed of two Proto-Slavic and Old Church Slavonic elements: “*ljudъ / ljudije ‎(людиѥ) ljudie ‎(людиє)” (people, folk) plus “milŭ ‎(милъ) mil ‎(мил)” (kind, dear, friendly, pleasant, loving, gracious, gentle, mild). In turn, the name means “love for the people, dear people.” The name Lyudmila appeared in Russia in the Age of Romanticism, but it reached its popularity peak in the mid-XXth-century. Saint Ludmila is a Czech saint and martyr venerated by the Orthodox and the Roman Catholics. She was born in Mělník, the daughter of a Slavic prince, Slavibor. Saint Ludmila was the grandmother of Saint Wenceslaus, who is widely referred to as Good King Wenceslaus. Lyudmila consistently ranks among the most common female names in Russia. The peak of its use accounts for the years 1938–1953.