Mieszko is a Slavic

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

of uncertain origin.

Onomastics

There are three major theories concerning the origin and meaning of the name of Duke

Mieszko I of Poland Mieszko I (; – 25 May 992) was the first ruler of Poland and the founder of the first independent Polish state, the Duchy of Poland. His reign stretched from 960 to his death and he was a member of the Piast dynasty, a son of Siemomysł and ...

. The most popular theory, proposed by

Jan Długosz Jan Długosz (; 1 December 1415 – 19 May 1480), also known in Latin as Johannes Longinus, was a Polish priest, chronicler, diplomat, soldier, and secretary to Bishop Zbigniew Oleśnicki of Kraków. He is considered Poland's first histor ...

, explains that Mieszko is a diminutive of ''Mieczysław'', a combination of two elements or lexemes: ''Miecz'' meaning sword and ''Sław'' meaning famous. Today, this theory is rejected by the majority of Polish historians, who consider the name Mieczysław to have been invented by Długosz to explain the origin of the name Mieszko. It is known today that ancient Slavs never formed their names using either animal names or weapon names. Ancient Slavic names were abstract in nature. The same explanation rules out another theory about the origin of the name Mieszko, which links the name with the Polish word ''miś'' or ''miśko'' meaning bear, as no animal names were used to form honorable Polish names among Polish nobility.Włodzimierz K. Krzyżanowski, ''"Arystokracja rodowa w Polsce"'', Warszawa, 2007 The second most popular theory about the origin and sense of Mieszko's name can be traced to the very old legend, firstly described by

Gallus Anonymus ''Gallus Anonymus'' ( Polonized variant: ''Gall '') is the name traditionally given to the anonymous author of ''Gesta principum Polonorum'' (Deeds of the Princes of the Poles), composed in Latin between 1112 and 1118. ''Gallus'' is generally rega ...

, according to which Mesco (the

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

ized form used by the earliest sources) was blind during his first seven years of life. The chronicler related this story (a typical

medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the Post-classical, post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with t ...

allegory As a literary device or artistic form, an allegory is a narrative or visual representation in which a character, place, or event can be interpreted to represent a hidden meaning with moral or political significance. Authors have used allegory th ...

) as follows: ::''At that time (after Mieszko recovered his eyesight) Prince Siemomysł urgently asked the elderly people of his country whether his son's blindness conveyed some miraculous meaning. They explained that this blindness meant that Poland was blind back then, but from now was going to be illuminated by Mieszko and elevated over the neighboring nations.'' This interpretation was a clear reference to the later baptism of the duke: ::''Poland was indeed blind before, knowing nothing about the true God or the principles of the Catholic faith, but thanks to the enlightenment of Mieszko the country also had become enlightened, because when he adopted the faith, the Polish nation was saved from death and destruction''.Gallus Anonymus, ''Kronika polska'', vol. I, chap. 4 In addition, it is known that the Slavic word "''mzec''" can be interpreted as "having his eyes closed" or "be blind". Yet again, today it is almost certain that this legend was used as a metaphor, in allusion to the old Slavic pagan ceremony known as the "

postrzyżyny The first haircut for a human has special significance in certain cultures and religions. It can be considered a rite of passage or a milestone. Indian babies Hindu babies In Hindu tradition, the hair from birth is associated with undesi ...

": During that ceremony hair cutting was performed to every boy at the age of seven. In that symbolic rite a child became a man. That explains that Mieszko wasn't blind in fact. He was blind only metaphorically. Besides his son's name was also Mieszko and it is hard to believe that he was also blind. In addition, early medieval Slavs used only abstract names among nobility.

List of people named Mieszko

(c. 935–992), duke of the Polans from about 960 until his death *

Mieszko II Lambert Mieszko II Lambert (; c. 990 – 10/11 May 1034) was King of Poland from 1025 to 1031, and Duke from 1032 until his death. He was the second son of Bolesław I the Brave, but the eldest born from his third wife Emnilda of Lusatia. He was prob ...

(990–1034), king of Poland (1025–1031) and duke from 1032 until his death *

Mieszko III of Poland Mieszko III the Old (c. 1126/27 – 13 March 1202), of the Piast dynasty, was Duke of Greater Poland from 1138 and High Duke of Poland, with interruptions, from 1173 until his death. He was the fourth and second surviving son of Duke Bolesław I ...

(ca. 1126/27–1202), also known as Mieszko III the Old *

Mieszko I Tanglefoot Mieszko IV Tanglefoot ( pl, Mieszko IV Plątonogi) (c. 1130 – 16 May 1211) was Duke of Kraków and High Duke of Poland from 9 June 1210 until his death one year later. He was also Duke of Silesia from 1163 to 1173 (with his brother as co-ruler) ...

(c. 1130–1211), duke of Silesia, Racibórz, and Opole, and briefly duke of Kraków and high duke of Poland *

Mieszko I, Duke of Cieszyn Mieszko I of Cieszyn ( pl, Mieszko cieszyński, cs, Měšek I. Těšínský, german: Mesko I (Teschen); also known as Mieszko I of Opole; 1252/56 – by 27 June 1315), was a Duke of Racibórz during 1282–1290 (with his brother as co-ruler) and t ...

(1252/1256–1315), founder of Cieszyn Piast dynasty and the first duke of Cieszyn *

Mieszko II the Fat Mieszko II the Fat ( pl, Mieszko II Otyły) ( – 22 October 1246) was a Duke of Opole-Racibórz from 1230 until his death, and Duke of Kalisz-Wieluń during 1234–1239 (with his brother as co-ruler). He was the eldest son of Duke Casimir I of O ...

(c. 1220–1246), duke of Opole-Racibórz and Kalisz-Wieluń *

Mieszko Bolesławowic Mieszko Bolesławowic (c. 1069 – 1089) was the only son of Bolesław II the Generous, King of Poland. Mieszko was Prince of Cracow from 1086 until his death in 1089. Biography Mieszko was, in all likelihood, born in Cracow sometime around or d ...

(c. 1069–1089), prince of Cracow from 1086 until his death *

Mieszko Mieszkowic Mieszko Mieszkowic (979/984 – aft. 992/95), was a Polish prince, and a member of the House of Piast. He was the second son of Mieszko I of Poland, but eldest born from Mieszko's second marriage to Oda, daughter of Dietrich of Haldensleben, Margr ...

(979/984 – aft. 992/995), Polish prince, member of the House of Piast *

Mieszko Talarczyk Mieszko Talarczyk (December 23, 1974 – December 26, 2004) was the lead singer and guitarist of the Swedish grindcore band Nasum, Genocide Superstars, Krigshot and Charles Harfager. Known for his engineering and production abilities, he co-f ...

(1974–2004), former guitarist and vocalist of Grindcore band Nasum * Mieszko S.A. is a Polish confectionery firm known for "Michaszki" hazelnut chocolates

References

{{given name, nocat Polish masculine given names Slavic masculine given names