Jacek

Meaning of Jacek

Jacek, a masculine appellation of Polish provenance, originates as a diminutive of the ancient Greek name Hyakinthos, signifying “hyacinth,” and was assimilated into the Slavic onomastic tradition during the medieval period. Its most distinguished historical bearer, Saint Jacek Odrowąż (ca. 1183 – 1257), co-founded the Dominican Order in Poland and established influential centers of theological scholarship, thereby bequeathing to the name enduring associations of intellectual rigor and spiritual resilience. Phonologically, Jacek is articulated in Polish as YAH-tsek (/jatˈsɛːk/), featuring a palatal approximant, an open front vowel, an alveolar affricate and a lengthened mid-open vowel that together exemplify characteristic Slavic sound patterns. In the United States, the name remains comparatively uncommon, with annual occurrences consistently below double digits and an approximate ranking of 919th in 2024, reflecting its status as a distinctive choice beyond its primary cultural context.