Surname Rybak - Meaning and Origin
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Rybak: What does the surname Rybak mean?
The last name Rybak is derived from the Yiddish word “ryb” meaning “fish”. Rybak originated as an occupational surname among fisherman in Eastern Europe and the Ukraine, and is one of the many Slavic-derived surnames found in the region.
Originally, the name referred to someone who harvested, sold, or traded fish. In some cases, it could also refer to someone who lived near a body of water or who worked in some capacity on a boat or fishing vessel.
Due to longtime Jewish immigration from Eastern Europe, the surname is also common among Jews living in English-speaking countries. Because of this, it is more likely to be encountered in countries like the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and other commonwealth nations.
Today, Rybak is a very common surname among Jews. It has also been adopted by non-Jewish Eastern Europeans, most notably in Poland where it is the fourth most common surname. Among both Jewish and non-Jewish people, this surname carries a sense of pride in the accomplishments of their ancestors and is thought of fondly.
Order DNA origin analysisRybak: Where does the name Rybak come from?
The last name Rybak is most commonly found in the Baltic countries and Eastern Europe. It is believed to have originated in Belarus and Ukraine. Today, the surname Rybak is extensively spread within these areas.
In Ukraine, there are several villages that are populated primarily by people with the Rybak surname. In addition to this, the surname is common among the Ukrainian diaspora in countries such as Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
In Poland, the Rybak surname is one of the most common. Most notably, most of these Rybaks have resided in the Masovian Voivodeship, where it is recorded that nearly half the population carry this surname.
In addition to this, there have been numerous professional Athlete’s and public figures who have embodied the Rybak surname, such as Moshe Ryback from the US and Viktor Rybak from Russia.
On a global scale, more than twenty thousand people carry some form of the Rybak surname. This makes the surname one of the most common surnames in the world, particularly within the Baltic states.
Variations of the surname Rybak
The surname Rybak (sometimes spelled Ribak or Ryback) is derived from the Slavic word "ryba" meaning fish. It is a patronymic surname that was originally borne by a person whose father's name was Ryba.
The surname Rybak can be found in Poland, Russia, the Ukraine, and Lithuania. Variations of this name include Ribak, Riback, Ryback, Rybka, Rybacki, Rybina, Rybysz, Ribinski, Rybas and Rybicki.
In Russia, variants of the surname Rybak include Rebus, Riboyeff, Ribachek, Ryabchikov, Rybkin, Ryabokon, Ryabushkina, Rybakoff, Ryfalevich, and Rybachek.
In Poland, variations of Rybak include Rybacki, Rybinski, Rybas, Rybicki, Rybin, Ryback, Rybaczuk, Rybałtowski, Rybka, and Rybarczyk.
In the Ukraine, spellings of Rybak include Ribak and Ryback.
In Lithuania, Rybak may be spelled Ridbakas, Rybaciunas, Rybackas, Rybakas, Rybkas, Rybarskas, and Rybekas.
Overall, the surname Rybak is a patronymic name that originated from the Slavic word for fish. It is found in Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and Lithuania and can be spelt in various ways, including Ribak, Ryback, Rybaczuk, and Rybka, depending on the origin.
Famous people with the name Rybak
- Alexander Rybak: an international music sensation from Norway, known for winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009.
- Andrei Rybak: a Russian sportsman who was a multiple-time world champion in powerlifting in the mid-1990s.
- Viktor Rybak: a French-born former Ukrainian footballer who played for the national team from 2004 to 2007.
- Rafael Rybak: a Polish singer and songwriter who was the runner up in the third season of The Voice of Poland.
- Mykola Rybak: a Ukrainian politician and lawyer who served as the Minister of Education of Ukraine for two years from July 2017.
- Madison Rybak: a Canadian actress, known for her roles in television shows such as “Murdoch Mysteries” and “11.22.63”.
- Taras Rybak: a Ukrainian writer and journalist who has contributed to various national and international publications.
- Roman Rybak: a Soviet swimmer who competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics and 1956 Summer Olympics.
- Leszek Rybak: a Polish architect who designed numerous public buildings like the Staromiejski Market in Bydgoszcz.
- Vyacheslav Rybak: a Ukrainian former ice hockey player who was part of the Ukrainian national team from 1999-2006.