Kowalski (; feminine: Kowalska, plural: Kowalscy) is the second most common surname in

Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...

(140,471 people in 2009). ''Kowalski'' surname is derived from the word ''kowal'', meaning " lackmith". " Jan Kowalski" is used as a

placeholder name Placeholder names are intentionally overly generic and ambiguous terms referring to things, places, or people, the names of which or of whom do not actually exist; are temporarily forgotten, or are unimportant; or in order to avoid stigmat ...

in Poland to mean " John Smith", much as "

John Doe John Doe (male) and Jane Doe (female) are multiple-use placeholder names that are used in the British, Canadian, and American legal systems, when the true name of a person is unknown or is being intentionally concealed. In the context of law ...

" is used in English-speaking countries.

Notable people

* Alexander Kowalski (1902–1940), Polish ice hockey player killed in the Katyn massacre * Aleksander Kowalski (1930–2009), Polish Nordic combined skier * Alexander Kowalski (musician) (born 1978), German DJ, electronic music artist * Alfred Kowalski (1849–1915), Polish painter * Annette Kowalski (born 1936), American producer, business partner of

Bob Ross Robert Norman Ross (October 29, 1942 – July 4, 1995) was an American painter and art instructor who created and hosted '' The Joy of Painting'', an instructional television program that aired from 1983 to 1994 on PBS in the United States, ...

* Bernard Louis Kowalski (1929–2007), American director * Bronisława Kowalska (1955–2020), Polish politician * Chana Kowalska (1899-1942), Polish Jewish painter and journalist * Craig Kowalski (born 1981), American ice hockey player * Daniel Kowalski (born 1975), Australian Olympic swimmer * Faustyna Kowalska (1905–1938), Polish Catholic saint, nun and mystic * Frank Kowalski (1907–1974), American US Army soldier and United States Representative * Gary A. Kowalski (born 1953), American author * Gerry Kowalsky (born 1922), Canadian car salesman * Grzegorz Kowalski (disambiguation) *

James Kowalski James M. Kowalski (born October 30, 1957) is a retired United States Air Force Lieutenant general (United States), lieutenant general who served as the Deputy Commander, United States Strategic Command from 2013 to 2015. Military career Kowal ...

(born 1954), United States Air Force Lieutenant General, Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command Barksdale AFB * Janusz Kowalski (born 1952), Polish cyclist * Jerzy Kowalski (disambiguation) * Jochen Kowalski (born 1954), German singer * John Kowalski (born c. 1951), American soccer coach * Józef Kowalski (1900–2013), Polish supercentenarian and second-to-last Polish-Soviet war veteran * Józef Kowalski (1911–1942), Polish Roman Catholic priest killed at Auschwitz, beatified * Józef Wierusz-Kowalski (1866–1927), Polish physicist and diplomat *

Kasia Kowalska Katarzyna "Kasia" Kowalska (; born 13 June 1973) is a Polish singer, songwriter, producer, and actress. She belongs to the top rung of most frequently broadcast Polish rock artists. Kowalska is one of the best-known Polish vocalists. The estimat ...

(born 1973), Polish pop rock singer and songwriter * Katarzyna Kowalska (born 1985), Polish long distance runner * Kazimierz Kowalski, Polish singer *

Ken Kowalski Kenneth Reginald Kowalski (born September 27, 1945) is a politician and former teacher from Alberta, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, where he served from 1979 to 2012, sitting with the governing Progressive Conse ...

(born 1945), Canadian politician * Kerstin Kowalski (born 1976), German rower * Ludwik Kowalski (born 1931), Polish-American nuclear physicist and professor emeritus * Łukasz Kowalski, Polish footballer * Manja Kowalski (born 1976), German rower * Lech Kowalski (born 1951), American film director * Maria Kowalska, Polish alpine skier * Marian Albertovich Kowalski (1821–1884), Polish astronomer * Myron Kowalsky (1941–2022), Canadian politician * Natalia Kowalska (born 1989), Polish racing driver * Natalia Kowalska (1918–unknown), Polish chess master * Piotr Kowalski (1927-2004), French-Polish artist * Richard Kowalski (born 1963), American astronomer * Robert Kowalski (born 1941), British logician * Sharon Kowalski, subject of groundbreaking disability and LGBT legal rights case * Tadeusz Kowalski (1889–1948), Polish orientalist, expert on Middle East Muslim culture and languages * Thomas Schmidt-Kowalski (1949–2013), German composer *

Wacław Kowalski Wacław Kowalski (2 May 1916 – 27 October 1990) was a Polish actor. He appeared in more than eighty films from 1947 to 1983. Selected filmography References External links * 1916 births 1990 deaths Polish male film actors Polish ...

, Polish actor * William Kowalski (born 1970), American author * Wladek Kowalski (AKA "Killer" Kowalski) (1926–2008), Polish-Canadian professional wrestler, trainer * Władysław Kowalski (politician) (1894–1958), Polish trade union activist, writer and politician (PSL, ZSL) *

Yelizaveta Kovalskaya Yelizaveta Nikolayevna Kovalskaya (; 17/29 June 1851 – 1943) was a Russian revolutionary, narodnik, and founding member of Black Repartition. Early life Kovalskaya was born near Kharkiv. Her mother was a serf, who belonged to her father, ...

(1851–1943), Russian revolutionary * Stanisław Kowalski (1910–2022), Polish supercentenarian masters athlete.

Fictional characters

* Kowalski, character in the 1991

parody film A parody film or spoof film is a subgenre of comedy film that lampoons other film genres or films as pastiches, works created by imitation of the style of many different films reassembled together. Although the subgenre is often overlooked by cri ...

Hot Shots! ''Hot Shots!'' is a 1991 American comedy film directed by Jim Abrahams, co-writer and co-director of ''Airplane!'', and written by Abrahams and Pat Proft. It stars Charlie Sheen, Cary Elwes, Valeria Golino, Lloyd Bridges, Jon Cryer, Kevin ...

'', played by

Kristy Swanson Kristy Swanson (born December 19, 1969) is an American actress. She is best recognized for having played Buffy Summers in the 1992 film ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' and appeared in the 1996 film ''The Phantom''. Her first starring role was in ...

* Kowalski, main character in the 1971 film ''Vanishing Point'', played by Barry Newman * Kowalski, character in the

PlayStation 2 The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October, in Europe on 24 Novembe ...

game ''

Syphon Filter 2 ''Syphon Filter 2'' is a 2000 third-person shooter video game developed by Eidetic and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation (console), PlayStation. It is the second installment in the ''Syphon Filter'' franchise and a seq ...

'' * Kowalski, character in ''

Madagascar Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar, is an island country that includes the island of Madagascar and numerous smaller peripheral islands. Lying off the southeastern coast of Africa, it is the world's List of islands by area, f ...

'' and the TV series ''

The Penguins of Madagascar ''The Penguins of Madagascar'' is an American animated television series produced by DreamWorks Animation in collaboration with Nickelodeon Animation Studio. It stars nine characters from DreamWorks' animated film ''Madagascar'': the penguin ...

'' * Mr Kowalski, original owner of Kowalski's, Rosie Duncan's florist store in the novel ''

Fairytale of New York "Fairytale of New York" is a song written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan and recorded by their London-based band the Pogues, featuring English singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl on vocals. The song is an Irish folk-style ballad and was writ ...

'' * Mrs. Kowalski,

Miriam Margolyes Miriam Margolyes ( ; born 18 May 1941) is a British and Australian actress. Known for her work as a character actor across film, television, and stage, she received the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mrs. Mingott in Marti ...

' character in the film '' How to Lose Friends & Alienate People'' (2008) * Kowalski, supporting character in ''

The Ren & Stimpy Show ''The Ren & Stimpy Show'', commonly referred to as simply ''Ren & Stimpy'', is an American animated Comedy film, comedy television series created by John Kricfalusi for Nickelodeon. The series follows the misadventures of Ren Höek, an emotion ...

'' * Benjamin "Ben" Kowalski in the comic series '' Templar, Arizona'' * Major Charles Kawalsky, a character in the science fiction movie ''

Stargate ''Stargate'' is a military science fiction media franchise owned by Amazon MGM Studios. It is based on Stargate (film), the film directed by Roland Emmerich, which he co-wrote with producer Dean Devlin; production company StudioCanal owns the ...

'' and subsequent television series ''

Stargate SG-1 ''Stargate SG-1'' (often stylized in all caps, or abbreviated ''SG-1'') is a military science fiction Adventure fiction, adventure television series within Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Stargate, ''Stargate'' franchise. The show, created by Brad Wrig ...

'' * Dick Kowalsky, character in the French animated series '' Funky Cops'' (2003) * Felix Kawalski, character in the British television series ''EastEnders'' * Jacob Kowalski,

Dan Fogler Daniel Kevin Fogler (born October 20, 1976) is an American actor, comedian and writer. He had his breakout in theatre, winning the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as William Barfée in the Broadway production of '' ...

's character in the film '' Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'' (2016) * Joe Kowalski, character in ''SIGMA Force'' book series by author

James Rollins James Paul Czajkowski (born August 20, 1961), better known by his pen name of James Rollins, is an American veterinarian and writer of action-adventure/ thriller, mystery, and techno-thriller novels who gave up his veterinary practice in Sacra ...

* Kitty Kowalski, Lex Luthor's companion in 2006 film ''

Superman Returns ''Superman Returns'' is a 2006 American superhero film directed by Bryan Singer, and written by Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris from a story by Singer, Dougherty and Harris, based on the DC Comics character Superman. It serves as a homage ...

'', played by Parker Posey * Leon Kowalski, character in the 1982 film ''

Blade Runner ''Blade Runner'' is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott from a screenplay by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples. Starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, and Edward James Olmos, it is an adaptation of Philip K. Di ...

'' played by

Brion James Brion Howard James (February 20, 1945 – August 7, 1999) was an American character actor. He portrayed Leon Kowalski in '' Blade Runner'' and appeared in '' Southern Comfort'', '' 48 Hrs.'', ''Another 48 Hrs.'', '' Silverado'', '' Tango & Cash'', ...

* Matt Kowalsky,

George Clooney George Timothy Clooney (born May 6, 1961) is an American actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist. Known for his leading man roles on screen in both blockbuster and independent films, Clooney has received numerous accolades, including two Ac ...

's character in the movie ''

Gravity In physics, gravity (), also known as gravitation or a gravitational interaction, is a fundamental interaction, a mutual attraction between all massive particles. On Earth, gravity takes a slightly different meaning: the observed force b ...

'' * Peter "Petey" Kowalski in the video game '' Bully'' * Private Kowalski, character in the video game '' Fallout: New Vegas'' * Roch Kowalski, character in Sienkiewicz's novel '' With Fire and Sword'' * Roxanne Kowalski,

Daryl Hannah Daryl Hannah (born December 3, 1960) is an American actress and environmental activist. She made her film debut in Brian De Palma's supernatural horror film ''The Fury (1978 film), The Fury'' (1978). She has starred in various films across the ...

's character in '' Roxanne'', the 1987 remake of ''

Cyrano de Bergerac Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac ( , ; 6 March 1619 – 28 July 1655) was a French novelist, playwright, epistolarian, and duelist. A bold and innovative author, his work was part of the libertine literature of the first half of the 17th ce ...

'' with

Steve Martin Stephen Glenn Martin (born August 14, 1945) is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician. Known for Steve Martin filmography, his work in comedy films, television, and #Discography, recording, he has received List of awards a ...

* Seaman Kowalski, crewman assigned aboard the submarine '' SSRN Seaview'', on the 1964–68 TV series ''

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea ''Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'' is a 1961 American science fiction disaster film, produced and directed by Irwin Allen, and starring Walter Pidgeon and Robert Sterling. The supporting cast includes Peter Lorre, Joan Fontaine, Barbara Eden ...

'', played by Del Monroe * Sergei Kowalski, the titular character in the

Spaghetti Western The spaghetti Western is a broad subgenre of Western films produced in Europe. It emerged in the mid-1960s in the wake of Sergio Leone's filmmaking style and international box-office success. The term was used by foreign critics because most o ...

'' The Mercenary'', played by

Franco Nero Francesco Clemente Giuseppe Sparanero (born 23 November 1941), known professionally as Franco Nero, is an Italian actor. His breakthrough role was as the title character in the Spaghetti Western film '' Django'' (1966), which made him a pop cul ...

. * Sgt. Kowalski, character in ''

Raising Arizona ''Raising Arizona'' is a 1987 American crime comedy film written, directed and produced by Joel and Ethan Coen. It stars Nicolas Cage as H.I. "Hi" McDunnough, an ex-convict, and Holly Hunter as Edwina "Ed" McDunnough, a former police officer ...

'' * Sgt. Kowalski, character in video game '' Call of Duty 3'' * Sophie Kowalski,

Marion Cotillard Marion Cotillard (; born 30 September 1975) is a French actress who has appeared in both European and Hollywood productions. She is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Marion Cotillard, various accolades, including an Ac ...

's character in the 2005 French film ''Jeux d'Enfants'', also known by its English title, '' Love Me If You Dare'' *

Stanley Stanley may refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Stanley'' (1972 film), an American horror film * ''Stanley'' (1984 film), an Australian comedy * ''Stanley'' (1999 film), an animated short * ''Stanley'' (1956 TV series) ...

and Stella Kowalski, characters in the

Pulitzer Prize The Pulitzer Prizes () are 23 annual awards given by Columbia University in New York City for achievements in the United States in "journalism, arts and letters". They were established in 1917 by the will of Joseph Pulitzer, who had made his fo ...

–winning play by

Tennessee Williams Thomas Lanier Williams III (March 26, 1911 – February 25, 1983), known by his pen name Tennessee Williams, was an American playwright and screenwriter. Along with contemporaries Eugene O'Neill and Arthur Miller, he is considered among the three ...

and 1951 film, ''

A Streetcar Named Desire ''A Streetcar Named Desire'' is a play written by Tennessee Williams and first performed on Broadway on December 3, 1947. The play dramatizes the experiences of Blanche DuBois, a former Southern belle who, after encountering a series of pe ...

'' * Detective Stanley Kowalski, character in the 1994–1999 television series '' Due South'' (named after the above ''Streetcar'' character) * Steve Kowalski, character in the 2007 film ''

Devil's Diary ''Devil's Diary'' is a Canadian horror television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that ...

'' * Viktor Kowalski, member of the OAS in '' The Day of the Jackal'' by

Frederick Forsyth Frederick McCarthy Forsyth ( ; 25 August 1938 – 9 June 2025) was an English novelist and journalist. He was best known for thrillers such as ''The Day of the Jackal'', ''The Odessa File'', ''The Fourth Protocol'', ''The Dogs of War (novel), ...

* Walt Kowalski, protagonist of the 2008 film '' Gran Torino'' played by

Clint Eastwood Clinton Eastwood Jr. (born May 31, 1930) is an American actor and film director. After achieving success in the Western (genre), Western TV series ''Rawhide (TV series), Rawhide'', Eastwood rose to international fame with his role as the "Ma ...

* Meryl Lee Kowalski, character in the Gary D. Schmidt book ''

The Wednesday Wars ''The Wednesday Wars'' is a 2007 young adult historical fiction novel written by Gary D. Schmidt, the author of '' Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy.'' The novel is set in suburban Long Island during the 1967–68 school year. The Vietna ...

Other uses

* Kowalski's Markets, supermarket chain

References

{{surname Polish-language surnames Occupational surnames

Notable people

Fictional characters

See also

Other uses

References