Berek first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Berek has been for the last 1 years (from 1984 to 1984) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Berek

Of Slavic origin, a diminutive form meaning "little bear".

Popularity of Berek by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Berek is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1984, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Berek.

Year Male Count Female Count
1984 5 0

The history of the first name Berek

The name Berek is believed to have its origins in the ancient Turkic languages, specifically the Chuvash language spoken in parts of Russia. It is derived from the Chuvash word "perek," which means "gift" or "blessing." The name can be traced back to the early medieval period, around the 7th to 8th centuries AD, when the Chuvash people inhabited the region known as Volga Bulgaria, located in present-day Russia.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Berek can be found in the Orkhon inscriptions, a collection of ancient Turkic runic inscriptions dating back to the 8th century AD. These inscriptions were discovered in the Orkhon Valley of Mongolia and provide valuable insights into the history and culture of the early Turkic peoples.

In the 10th century, a Volga Bulgarian ruler named Berek (or Barak) is mentioned in the writings of the Arabian traveler and geographer, Ibn Fadlan. Ibn Fadlan's account describes Berek as a powerful leader who ruled over the Volga Bulgars and maintained close ties with the neighboring Khazars.

During the 13th century, a Mongol military commander named Berekeh (or Berke) Khan played a significant role in the expansion of the Mongol Empire. He was the grandson of Genghis Khan and served as the ruler of the Golden Horde, a Mongol khanate that controlled vast territories in Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

Another notable figure in history with the name Berek was Berek Bey, a 14th-century Ottoman statesman and military commander. He served under Sultan Murad I and played a crucial role in the expansion of the Ottoman Empire in Anatolia and the Balkans.

In the 15th century, Berek Pasha, an Ottoman grand vizier, held a prominent position in the Ottoman government during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II, also known as Mehmed the Conqueror. He was a skilled military commander and is credited with leading successful campaigns in the Balkans and Anatolia.

Throughout history, the name Berek has been associated with various cultures and regions, reflecting the spread and influence of the Turkic peoples. While its origins can be traced back to the ancient Chuvash language, the name has been adopted and adapted by other Turkic communities, as well as neighboring cultures, ensuring its enduring presence across generations.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Berek was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Berek, please contact us.

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"Berek first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 30, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/berek-meaning-and-history/.

"Berek first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/berek-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 30 June, 2025

Berek first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/berek-meaning-and-history/.

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