Find out how popular the first name Darek has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Darek by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Darek is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 48 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Darek.

The history of the first name Darek

The name Darek is of Slavic origin, specifically from the Polish language. It is a diminutive form of the name Dariusz, which is derived from the Old Persian name Daryavahush, meaning "possessor of wealth" or "rich". The name Darek has been in use since the Middle Ages in Poland and other Slavic countries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Darek can be found in a 14th-century Polish chronicle, where it was mentioned as the name of a nobleman from the region of Lesser Poland. During the Renaissance period, the name gained popularity among the Polish nobility and gentry.

In the 16th century, Darek Kołudzki (born around 1510 - died after 1570) was a Polish nobleman and military commander who fought in the wars against the Teutonic Knights and the Ottomans. He is known for his bravery and leadership during the Siege of Malbork in 1535.

Another notable figure from history with the name Darek is Darek Fidler (1688-1765), a Polish mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of comets and celestial mechanics. He was a professor at the University of Krakow and a member of the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences.

In the 19th century, Darek Sienkiewicz (1846-1916) was a Polish writer and journalist who is best known for his novel "Quo Vadis". He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1905 for his works depicting the struggles and triumphs of the Polish people.

Darek Michalski (1906-1985) was a Polish composer and conductor who was influential in the development of Polish contemporary music. He was a professor at the Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and his compositions were performed internationally.

Darek Wójcik (born 1974) is a contemporary Polish football player who played as a defender for several clubs in Poland and Germany, including Legia Warsaw and Borussia Dortmund. He also represented the Polish national team and participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

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 Darek was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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