The name Alek has its origins in the Ancient Greek language and can be traced back to the name Alexandros, which means "defender of men" or "protector of men". This name was popular in ancient Greece and was borne by several notable historical figures, including Alexander the Great, the renowned Macedonian king and military commander who conquered much of the ancient world in the 4th century BC.

The name Alek is a shortened form of the name Alexandros, which was later Latinized as Alexander. This Latinized version became widely used throughout the Roman Empire and eventually spread to other parts of Europe and beyond. Over time, various diminutive forms of the name emerged, including Alek, Alec, and Alex.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Alek can be found in the Byzantine Empire, where it was used as a variant of the name Alexander. In the 9th century AD, there was a Byzantine emperor named Alexios I Komnenos, who ruled from 1081 to 1118. His name was a Greek form of the name Alexandros, and it is possible that the diminutive form Alek was derived from this variant.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Alek, including Alek Wek, a South Sudanese-British model and author who was born in 1977. Another famous Alek is Alek Sandar, a Serbian-American actor known for his roles in films like "The Bourne Identity" and "The Hitman's Bodyguard". He was born in 1972.

In the world of literature, Alek Petöfi was a renowned Hungarian poet and revolutionary who lived from 1823 to 1849. He played a significant role in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 and is celebrated as one of Hungary's greatest poets.

In the field of science, Alek Issigonis was a British-Turkish designer and engineer who is best known for creating the iconic Mini car. He lived from 1906 to 1988 and his innovative design revolutionized the automotive industry.

Another notable figure with the name Alek is Alek Wek, a South Sudanese-British model and author who was born in 1977. She gained international recognition as one of the first African models to achieve global success and has been a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry.