Darek Boy

Popularity: #911 · Trend: → Stable

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DAH-rek //ˈdɑːrɛk//

Origin: Slavic; Polish

Meaning: Slavic: 'gift'; Polish: 'dear'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Darek is of Slavic origin, derived from the name Darius, which has its roots in the ancient Persian name Dārayavahush, meaning 'possessor of goodness' or 'maintainer of good.' The name Darius was borne by several kings of Persia, most notably Darius the Great, who ruled from 522 to 486 BCE and is known for his administrative reforms and the expansion of the Persian Empire. The name Darius made its way into various languages through historical conquests and cultural exchanges, eventually reaching Slavic languages where it evolved into forms such as Darek.

In the Slavic context, Darek is often considered a diminutive or affectionate form of the name Darius or its variants, which became popular in the medieval period. The name Darius appears in the Bible, particularly in the Book of Daniel, where Darius the Mede is mentioned as a ruler who conquered Babylon.

This biblical association contributed to the name's significance in Christian and Jewish traditions, further embedding it in the cultural fabric of Slavic societies. Culturally, names derived from Darius, including Darek, carry connotations of strength and leadership, reflecting the historical figures who bore the name.

The enduring appeal of Darek can be attributed to its strong phonetic qualities and the positive attributes associated with its etymological roots. As a name, Darek encapsulates a rich historical narrative that spans several cultures and epochs, symbolizing not just personal identity but also a connection to a broader historical legacy.

Famous people named Darek

In this section, you will find notable people named Darek. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Darek who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Darek who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Darek Jaskot is a professional wrestler best known for his appearances in various independent wrestling promotions.

Darek Kaczmarek is a Polish artist best known for his contemporary paintings and installations.

Darek Dziekan is a musician best known for his work with the band Darek and the Dancers.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Darek, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

DawidDanielDominikDorian

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Darek. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

DariusDanteDamonDarinDarioDavinDax

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Darek was first seen in the United States in 1957.

Darek has ranked as high as #2711 nationally, which occurred in 1973, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Illinois, New York, and Michigan.

In the past 5 years the name Darek has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Darek is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Darek was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Darek.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 27 27
2024 30 30
2023 48 48
2022 36 36
2021 18 18
2020 11 11
2019 8 8
2018 14 14
2017 17 17
2016 11 11
2015 27 27
2014 10 10
2013 13 13
2012 22 22
2011 12 12
2010 20 20
2009 17 17
2008 16 16
2007 21 21
2006 20 20
2005 26 26
2004 13 13
2003 19 19
2002 18 18
2001 18 18
2000 28 28
1999 20 20
1998 35 35
1997 25 25
1996 34 34
1995 30 30
1994 30 30
1993 32 32
1992 27 27
1991 43 43
1990 35 35
1989 29 29
1988 41 41
1987 35 35
1986 31 31
1985 37 37
1984 24 24
1983 32 32
1982 29 29
1981 28 28
1980 39 39
1979 21 21
1978 32 32
1977 35 35
1976 17 17
1975 20 20
1974 31 31
1973 53 53
1972 18 18
1971 37 37
1970 28 28
1969 18 18
1968 15 15
1967 21 21
1966 10 10
1965 12 12
1964 7 7
1963 10 10
1962 6 6
1960 8 8
1957 6 6

Top States for Darek (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 7
100%