novak

Novak is both a given name and a surname of Slavic origin. As a masculine given name, it is common in Czech, Slovak, Croatian, Slovenian, and Serbian communities and is derived from a root meaning "new," originally describing a newcomer to a settlement. The name is used widely across Central and Southeast Europe and in diaspora communities.

As a surname, Novak is widespread in Czechia, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and among people of Slavic descent elsewhere. It often represents a designation for a “new man” or “newcomer” and has several diacritic variants, notably Novák in Czech and Slovak. The unaccented form Novak is common in transliteration and in languages that do not mark diacritics.

Notable individuals with the given name include Novak Đoković, better known in English as Novak Djokovic, the Serbian professional tennis player who has won multiple major titles. The surname Novak is shared by various figures in sports, science, arts, and academia across Europe and North America, reflecting its broad Slavic roots.

In culture, the name Novak appears in fiction and media from regions where Slavic languages are spoken, illustrating its wide usage beyond personal naming. See also related surname forms such as Novák (Czech and Slovak) and Nowak (Polish) for additional context on similar names and variants.