NarekՆարեկ

/nah-REK/

ArmenianBoy

Narek is an Armenian boy's name pronounced /nah-REK/. Named after the historic village and the 10th-century saint Grigor Narekatsi, symbolizing spiritual depth.

Meaning of Narek

Named after the historic village and the 10th-century saint Grigor Narekatsi, symbolizing spiritual depth.

The name Narek is derived from the historic Armenian village of Narek, located in the Vaspurakan province of Western Armenia. It gained spiritual prominence through Saint Grigor Narekatsi, a 10th-century mystic and poet whose work, the 'Book of Lamentations,' is a cornerstone of Armenian literature and theology.

Origin
Armenian
Pronunciation
/nah-REK/

Cultural background

Narek remains one of the most popular and enduring male names in Armenia and the Armenian diaspora, often chosen to honor religious heritage and intellectual depth.

Variations & nicknames

  • Nareg
  • Naro
  • Narekatsi

Famous people named Narek

Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.

  • Saint Gregory of Narek

    Medieval monk, theologian, and philosopher recognized as a Doctor of the Church.

    Religion · 951–1003

  • Narek Hakhnazaryan

    World-renowned cellist and gold medal winner of the XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition.

    Music · 2000s–present

  • Narek Sargsyan

    Architect and former Chief Architect of Yerevan.

    Architecture · 1990s–present

  • Narek Seferyan

    International Grandmaster of chess.

    Sport · 1990s–present

  • Narek Bavayan

    Professional football player for the Armenian national youth teams.

    Sport · 2010s–present

Frequently asked about Narek

What does Narek mean?
Narek is a toponymic name referring to the ancient village of Narek and is strongly associated with Saint Grigor Narekatsi, symbolizing spiritual wisdom.
How do you pronounce Narek?
It is pronounced nah-REHK, with a rolled 'r' and a short 'e' sound.
Is Narek a boy or girl name?
Narek is exclusively a masculine name, though the female counterpart 'Nare' is also very popular in Armenia.
Is Narek a popular name?
Yes, Narek has consistently ranked as one of the top five most popular names for newborn boys in the Republic of Armenia for several decades.

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