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Krak

Krak is a proper noun that appears in several contexts, primarily as a toponym and as a personal name in Slavic-speaking regions. The term is best known in connection with Polish folklore, where Krak (often called Krakus in extended form) is the legendary founder of the city of Kraków. In this tradition, the name explains the origin of Kraków’s name. The exact origins of the name Krak are uncertain, and etymologists have proposed connections to old words for rock, fortress, or hill, as well as to the legendary founder’s name.

Beyond folklore, Krak functions as a root in geographic names. As a toponym, it occurs as part

In modern usage, Krak may appear as an informal shorthand for Kraków in some texts, and it

See also: Kraków, Krakus.

of
longer
place
names
in
areas
with
Slavic
linguistic
heritage,
though
the
independent
form
Krak
is
uncommon
in
contemporary
maps.
also
appears
as
a
surname
in
various
cultures.
The
term
is
not
tied
to
a
single,
universally
defined
reference,
and
its
interpretation
varies
with
local
linguistic
and
historical
context.