Bartek

Bartek is a Polish masculine given name. It is the diminutive form of Bartłomiej, the Polish version of Bartholomew. The name Bartholomew itself is derived from a Hebrew name, commonly rendered as Bar-Tolmai, meaning “son of Talmai.” In Polish, the diminutive suffix -ek is used to create Bartek from Bartłomiej, signaling familiarity or affection.

The name is widely used in Poland and among Polish communities abroad. In everyday speech, Bartek serves as the conventional informal form of Bartłomiej; in most cases, Bartłomiej remains the formal name on legal documents, while Bartek is the familiar form used by family and friends. It is treated as masculine in Polish naming conventions and does not have a widely used feminine counterpart.

In the cultural sphere, Bartek is a common given name among Polish men, and various individuals named Bartek have become recognizable in fields such as sports, arts, and science. The name is part of a broader family of names related to Bartłomiej, including Bartosz and Bartłomiej, which share common etymological roots.

See also: Bart, Bartholomew, Bartłomiej, Bartosz.