Icek

Icek is a masculine given name found primarily among Ashkenazi Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe and in diaspora communities today. The name is a variant of Isaac, derived from the Hebrew Yitzhak (יצחק), meaning "he will laugh" or "laughter." The form Icek arises from the Yiddish and Polish renderings of the Hebrew name and may be encountered in historical records from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants of Icek include Itzak, Itzhak, Itzik, Izak, Izchak, and other transliterations used in different languages and communities. The spelling reflects phonetic adaptations to Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, and Yiddish orthographies.

In usage, Icek can function as a standalone given name or as a diminutive form of Yitzhak in informal contexts. In genealogical and civil records, individuals named Icek may be listed under longer forms of the name in official documents, while everyday references may use Icek.

Cultural notes: The name is tied to the biblical patriarch Isaac, and its variants are widespread in Jewish naming traditions. In modern times, Icek is relatively less common as a new given name but persists in older generations and in communities maintaining traditional naming practices. Related names include Itzik, Izak, Itzhak, and Yitzhak.