Olek first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Olek has been for the last 8 years (from 2016 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Olek

A diminutive of the Slavic name Oleg, of Varangian origin.

Popularity of Olek by gender

Based on the last 8 years of data, Olek is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Olek.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 9 0
2021 5 0
2017 5 0
2016 5 0

The history of the first name Olek

The name Olek is a diminutive form of the Slavic name Oleksy, which is derived from the Greek name Alexandros, meaning "defender of men." This name has its origins in ancient Greece and later spread throughout Europe and other regions through cultural diffusion.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Olek can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Central and Eastern Europe. It was particularly popular among Polish and Ukrainian communities, where it was often associated with nobility and literary figures.

In the 15th century, Olek Sudymuntowicz was a prominent Polish nobleman and military leader who played a significant role in the Polish-Teutonic War. He is mentioned in several historical accounts from that period.

Another notable figure with the name Olek was Olek Dowbor-Muśnicki (1873-1924), a Polish military officer and one of the leaders of the Polish Legions during World War I. He fought for Polish independence and is remembered as a national hero.

In the realm of literature, Olek Kuprin (1870-1938) was a renowned Russian novelist and short story writer. His works, such as "The Garnet Bracelet" and "The Duel," explored themes of love, honor, and the human condition.

The name Olek also appears in religious contexts. In the 16th century, Olek Brykczynski was a Polish Catholic priest and theologian who made significant contributions to the Counter-Reformation movement.

Moving forward in time, Olek Kulczyk (1950-2015) was a prominent Polish businessman and philanthropist. He amassed a considerable fortune through his investments and was known for his charitable endeavors, particularly in the field of education.

While these are just a few examples, the name Olek has a rich history and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including nobility, military figures, writers, religious leaders, and entrepreneurs.

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

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

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"Olek first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 27, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/olek-meaning-and-history/.

"Olek first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/olek-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 27 June, 2025

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

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