Irek is a male given name in Central and Eastern Europe, both as an independent name and as a diminutive of Ireneus (Polish: Ireneusz, Czech: Irenej or Ireneus, Ukrainian: Іреней, Russian: Ириней). This name derives from the Ancient Greek Eirēnáios, from eirḗnē, meaning "peace, tranquility, harmony".
It is recently more often mistakenly considered a Tatar name due to its similarity to the Tatar word for freedom/liberty, but there are no sources indicating this alternative etymology.
Notable people with the name include:
Irek Faizullin (born 1962), Russian statesman and politician Irek Gimayev (born 1957), Russian ice hockey defenceman Irek Ganiyev (born 1986), Russian football player Irek Hamidullin, Russian soldier Irek Kusmierczyk (born 1978), Canadian politician Irek Mukhamedov (born 1960), Soviet-born British ballet dancer of Tatar origin Irek Murtazin (born 1964), Russian journalist and blogger Irek Rizaev (born 1997), Russian BMX rider Irek Zaripov (born 1983), Russian biathlete and cross-country skier Irek Zinnurov (born 1969), Russian water polo player