Novak


Novak and Novák is a surname and masculine given name, derived from the Slavic word for 'new', which usually translates as 'novice', 'new man', 'newcomer'.
In most languages, the stress is on the first syllable of the word. An exception is Slovene, which places stress on the second syllable instead.
It is the most common surname in the Czech Republic, and Slovenia, and the sixth most common in Croatia. It is also found in Romania and Moldova, in the Novac form, and among Ashkenazi Jews in various forms depending on their country of origin.

Spelling

The surname is usually spelled Novak in Serbo-Croatian and Slovene, and Novák in Czech, Slovak and Hungarian. The Polish counterpart is Nowak.

In specific countries

Czech Republic and Slovakia

Novák is widespread in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In both countries, the feminine form is Nováková. It is the most common surname in the Czech Republic.

Slovenia

Novak is the most common surname in Slovenia with more than 11,000 sharing it. There are however significant variations between regions: it is very common in central Slovenia, as well as in parts of southern Slovenia and eastern Slovenia. It is much less common in northern and western Slovenia; in the Goriška region on the border with Italy, it is quite rare.

Other countries

In Croatia, Novak is the sixth most common surname.
In Serbia and Montenegro, Novak is given name.

Surname bearers

Arts

Sports

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Given name bearers

Fictional people