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Home › Baby Names Directory › Darek

Darek

♂ Boy

Pronounced DAH-rek /ˈdɑ.rɛk/High

Meaning: Polish short form of Dariusz ('possessor, wealthy', via Darius) or a form of Derek ('ruler of the people'); also a modern Derek spellingLow

In 30 seconds: A crisp Slavic short form: Darek is the Polish nickname for Dariusz — 'possessor, wealthy' — and a cousin of Derek, 'ruler of the people'. Sturdy, friendly, and central-European.
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Origin MediumPolish, Germanic
MeaningPolish short form of Dariusz ('possessor, wealthy', via Darius) or a form of Derek ('ruler of the people'); also a modern Derek spelling
U.S. rank (2025)#3970 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births27 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1973
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,561

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197319572025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Darek is a Polish short form of Dariusz — from the Persian Darius, 'possessor, wealthy' — and overlaps with Derek (from Theodoric, 'ruler of the people'). A friendly central-European name; its exact line varies, which we note.

In the U.S. it appears in Polish-heritage families. Rare, possessor-or-ruler at the root, and sturdy.

Did you know? Darek is the everyday Polish short form of Dariusz (Darius) — the name of the great Persian king — so the warm nickname carries a faint royal Persian shimmer.
Overall data confidence 62%
Behind the Name — Dariusz / Derek — root background

Variations

DariuszDerekDarrek

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Darek Oles (1971-)
    Polish-American jazz bassist based in Los Angeles who has performed with major jazz artists

If you like Darek…

Derek— the related 'people's ruler' name
Darius— the Persian source name
Marek— a fellow Polish -ek name
Derick— shares Darek's Germanic roots
Derik— shares Darek's Germanic roots

Explore names like Darek

By themeuncertaingermanicpolish
By meaningRoyal / NobleWealth

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Darek mean?

Darek is a Polish short form of Dariusz ('possessor, wealthy') or a form of Derek ('ruler of the people'); we note both lines.

How do you pronounce Darek?

It's said DAH-rek /ˈdɑ.rɛk/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Darek a boy or girl name?

Darek is a boy's name.

How popular is Darek?

Darek is a rare name in the U.S.

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