The personal name Rad is derived from a short equivalent of the Slavic adjectival participle "rady," which means "glad, joyful, lively." This name can be compared to names such as Radomil, Radislav, or Milorad. The earliest records of the name Rad date back to the 14th - 15th centuries. For instance, in 1346, relatives named Rad were mentioned in the village of Surdok in Transylvania, and in 1393, there is a record of "Rad gener Mykoch habitaret" in the village of Chaslivtsi in the Uzhhorod district. Additionally, in 1408, a nobleman named Ivan with the name Rad was documented.The name Rad, along with the variant "Rad," is well represented in the monuments of Galicia and Volhynia from the 15th - 16th centuries. For example, in 1443, the name Rad was recorded, and in 1565, names such as Rad Suchorebri, Rad Russanowicz, and Rad Predowicz are mentioned. The name Rad has also frequently served as a basis for patronymic surnames, such as Radich, Radovich, Radenko, and Radyuk.The name Rad was also widely popular among Slavic peoples and appeared in the Romanian language. For instance, there is a village called Radiivtsi in Bukovina, which has been mentioned since 1415, and the village of Radovychi in Volyn Oblast, known since 1444.Overall, the name Rad is an important part of Slavic cultural heritage, and its use remains relevant in history and toponymy.
