pekar

Pekar is a term found in several Slavic-language traditions that generally means baker. In Serbo-Croatian languages, pekar denotes a person who bakes bread, i.e., a baker. In Czech and Slovak, the cognate pekár also refers to a baker. The word appears in various related forms across South and West Slavic languages, and it is commonly encountered as a surname in the region and among descendants abroad.

Etymology and cognates are linked to a common Slavic root connected with baking, combined with an agentive suffix that marks the performer's role. Across languages, related nouns for places of work or trade include pekara or pekárna, used for the bakery or shop where bakers operate, with regional spellings and distinctions. These terms reflect historical guilds and urban economies in which bakers played a central role.

Usage and notable people: Pekar as a surname is found in multiple countries, often reflecting occupational origins of ancestors. In English-language contexts, the surname Pekar is notably associated with Harvey Pekar (1948–2010), the American writer and co-creator of the graphic novel series American Splendor. The name remains a recognizable example of how occupational terms from Slavic languages have become family names in the diaspora.

See also: Pekar as a surname, and variations such as Pekár or Pekara in different languages, which illustrate the cross-linguistic spread of the occupation-based term.