Surname Nareik - Meaning and Origin

Nareik: What does the surname Nareik mean?

The last name Nareik is of Estonian origin and has several possible meanings. One interpretation suggests that it could mean “supreme” or “strong”, symbolising a family of powerful or influential people. Alternatively, it could also mean “a bright, famous person”, as “na” means “bright” and “reik” means “famous” or “well-known” in the Estonian language.

Nareik is also believed to have been derived from the word “neer” which means ‘spring’ or ‘source’ in Estonian. This suggests that people with this surname may have once had a place of origin near a spring, with the name evolving to become Nareik over the years.

This surname is common in Estonia, and it is also found in Russia, Latvia and Lithuania, among other nearby countries. The presence of this last name in both Estonia and elsewhere suggests that a sizeable number of people with the Nareik surname are likely to have travelled and moved away from the country.

Its origin and various interpretations make Nareik an interesting and complex last name, and the potential for a deep history and connection to a specific place or culture add to its appeal.

Nareik: Where does the name Nareik come from?

The last name Nareik is believed to have origins in Poland, and today is most commonly found in South East Europe, Eastern Europe, the Baltic States, and North America. In Eastern Europe, the Nareik surname is found particularly in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.

In the Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, the Nareik surname is particularly prominent in Lithuania, where its frequency is similar to that found across other Eastern European countries. The Nareik family is found most densely in the capital city of Vilnius and also around the cities of Kaunas, Panevėžys, Šiauliai, and Klaipėda.

In North America, Nareik is widely found in the United States and Canada, especially amongst those who emigrated from Eastern European countries. The family name can be found in states including New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. Most recently, the surname is increasingly common amongst the Lithuanian diaspora, many of whom have emigrated to the US since the country's 1989 declaration of independence.

Today, the Nareik last name is still common in its areas of origin. Its popularity can be attributed to the growing Lithuanian diaspora, as well as to other migratory movements from Eastern Europe which see the Nareik surname carried across the globe.

Variations of the surname Nareik

Nareik is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Narek. It is found in Armenia and the Armenian diaspora in various spelling variants. The most common variant is Narekyan, as well as its alternative version Naregian. Other variants are Narikyan, Narekian, Narekiyan, Narikian, and Nareghian. Variations of the same Armenian surname Nareik may also appear as Narekyanovich, Narekeyan, Nareghyan, Naregashyan, and Narekichian.

Due to the historic dispersal of Armenia’s population, the surname Nareik can be found in numerous countries around the world. Historically, it has been found in many nations such as the United States, Australia, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Russia, Canada, Iran, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Brazil, Georgia, and Greece.

The progenitor of the Nareik surname was Narek, an Armenian monk who lived in the 10th century. He was the author of the well-known book ‘Book of Laments’ and wrote about many religious and spiritual topics. It is believed that the Nareik surname was derived from Narek’s followers and descendants.

Nareik is also an Armenian word meaning “good” or “benevolent”, and it is derived from the Armenian word narek, which means “sprinkle”. Its meaning of “good” originates from the fact that Armenians traditionally sprinkled holy water over new babies in the name of God.

Given its origin as a patronymic surname, it is most commonly found in Armenia, as well as in Armenian diasporas around the world, with many of its spelling variants listed above.

Famous people with the name Nareik

• Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia
• American actor Aidan Kahn Nareik
• American sociologist, author, and activist Lois Nareik
• British actor Rupert Frazer Nareik
• Israeli politician Ariel Nir-Ezekiel
• Russian singer and actor Sergey Neireikis
• Indian cricketer Vijay Nareik
• Israeli comic book artist Shir Nariel
• American author Thomas Nareik
• German film director Gerd Neireikis

Other surnames

NareikaNareike