Declining since 2010, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Radek since 2003
Babies named Radek per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 62 |
| 2010s | 82 |
| 2020s | 38 |
Meaning & origin
Radek entered U.S. Social Security records in 2003, a relatively recent arrival for a name with deep Slavic roots. Its peak year of usage came in 2009, after which its frequency has gradually declined. By 2025, the name ranked 12,008, with approximately 1 in 341,615 newborn boys receiving it. While not widely used in the United States, Radek retains a stronger foothold in Central and Eastern Europe. As a short form of Radosław, it carries a sense of cheerful glory, though its standalone use in America is still modest, with no top-five states showing notable concentration.
Radek originated as a short form of the Slavic name Radosław, which is composed of the elements 'rad' meaning 'happy, glad' and 'sław' meaning 'glory'. This name has been used in Czech, Polish, and Slovak cultures primarily since the 20th century. While historically a diminutive, Radek has become an independent given name in its own right.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rado, Radeček
Variants: Radosław, Radoslav, Radek (Cyrillic: Радек)
Sibling names for Radek
Names that share Radek's style, for a brother or sister.
