A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Darek since 1957
Babies named Darek per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 107 |
| 1970s | 292 |
| 1980s | 325 |
| 1990s | 311 |
| 2000s | 196 |
| 2010s | 154 |
| 2020s | 170 |
Meaning & origin
Darek has been in use in the United States since at least 1957, when it was first recorded. Its peak came in 1973, though it remained relatively uncommon. After a period of decline, the name has been rising again since 2019, reflecting a possible revival of vintage-sounding names. In 2025, the name ranked 3,949 with a frequency of 1 in every 63,262 boys. The most common state for usage is Texas, which aligns with broader trends for names with Eastern European heritage. Darek is a straightforward variant of the more widely known Derek, offering a distinct Polish and Czech spelling that may appeal to families honoring that heritage.
Darek is a Polish and Czech variant of Derek, which itself derives from the Low German name Diederik, a form of Theodoric. Theodoric comes from the Germanic elements 'þeudo' meaning 'people' and 'rīk' meaning 'ruler'. The name was borne by a 5th-century Gothic king and later by several medieval rulers and saints, including a 12th-century archbishop of Sens.
Where Darek is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dare, Dek
Sibling names for Darek
Names that share Darek's style, for a brother or sister.
