Alek

Alek is a masculine given name that is used in various countries. It often functions as a diminutive or variant of Alexander, though in some communities it is also established as an independent given name.

Etymology and forms: Alek derives from Alexander, which originates in the Greek name Alexandros, meaning defender of men (from alexein, to defend, and aner, man). The spelling Alek arises in transliteration and informal usage, and is closely related to other forms such as Alec, Aleks, and Aleksander.

Usage and cultural context: In many languages, Alek appears as a standalone name or as a nickname for Alexander. It is found among speakers who use Cyrillic-based scripts as well as in other linguistic traditions, and it often coexists with longer forms like Aleksandr or Aleksander. In English-speaking contexts, Alec is the more common variant, but Alek is used in personal naming and in some cultural or stylistic contexts.

Notable people: One widely recognized bearer of the name is Alek Wek (born 1977), a South Sudanese-British model and designer known for her influence in fashion and advocacy for diversity. Other individuals named Alek exist in various professions, though not all have broad international recognition.

See also: The name Alek is related to other variants of Alexander, including Alec and Aleks, and shares its roots with the broader family of names derived from Alexandros.