The fictional vampire character created by Bram Stoker in his 1897 novel, or more generally, any vampire figure. Often used to refer to the archetypal vampire in popular culture.
From the historical figure Vlad III Dracula (1431-1476), ruler of Wallachia, whose surname meant 'son of the dragon' from Romanian 'drac' (dragon). Bram Stoker adapted this name for his vampire character, forever linking it with the undead.
The real Vlad Dracula was known for his brutal method of impaling enemies, earning him the nickname 'Vlad the Impaler' - ironically, he was actually a defender of Christian Europe against Ottoman expansion. Stoker's choice to use this name transformed a historical warrior into the world's most famous vampire, showing how literature can completely reshape a legacy.
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