UK boy's name
Olek
A diminutive of the Slavic name Oleg, of Varangian origin.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Olek is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Olek popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 4 births.
This profile covers 20 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2003 to 2021. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 20 living people in the UK are called Olek. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Olek ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2015, when 4 boys were registered as Olek.
- • About 20 living people in the UK are estimated to have Olek as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2021
Births in 2021
3
Latest year
Peak year
2015
4 births
Estimated living
20
2026
Meaning
What does Olek mean?
The name Olek is a diminutive form of the Slavic name Oleksy, which is derived from the Greek name Alexandros, meaning "defender of men." This name has its origins in ancient Greece and later spread throughout Europe and other regions through cultural diffusion.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Olek can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Central and Eastern Europe. It was particularly popular among Polish and Ukrainian communities, where it was often associated with nobility and literary figures.
In the 15th century, Olek Sudymuntowicz was a prominent Polish nobleman and military leader who played a significant role in the Polish-Teutonic War. He is mentioned in several historical accounts from that period.
Another notable figure with the name Olek was Olek Dowbor-Muśnicki (1873-1924), a Polish military officer and one of the leaders of the Polish Legions during World War I. He fought for Polish independence and is remembered as a national hero.
In the realm of literature, Olek Kuprin (1870-1938) was a renowned Russian novelist and short story writer. His works, such as "The Garnet Bracelet" and "The Duel," explored themes of love, honor, and the human condition.
The name Olek also appears in religious contexts. In the 16th century, Olek Brykczynski was a Polish Catholic priest and theologian who made significant contributions to the Counter-Reformation movement.
Moving forward in time, Olek Kulczyk (1950-2015) was a prominent Polish businessman and philanthropist. He amassed a considerable fortune through his investments and was known for his charitable endeavors, particularly in the field of education.
While these are just a few examples, the name Olek has a rich history and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including nobility, military figures, writers, religious leaders, and entrepreneurs.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Olek over time
The chart below shows babies named Olek registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Olek, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Olek by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Olek was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4789 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4373 | 14 | 4 |
| 2000s | #3467 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Olek
- Oliver 157,197
- Oscar 67,495
- Owen 33,517
- Ollie 13,193
- Oakley 9,838
- Omar 6,823
- Otis 6,395
- Oskar 4,827
- Olly 4,403
- Otto 3,839
- Osian 3,145
- Owain 2,310
FAQ
Olek: questions and answers
How popular is the name Olek in the UK right now?
In 2021, Olek was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Olek most popular?
The peak year on record was 2015, with 4 babies registered as Olek in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Olek?
A diminutive of the Slavic name Oleg, of Varangian origin.
How many people are called Olek in the UK?
A total of 20 babies have been registered as Olek across the 6 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.