Gorelik

Gorelik (Горелик) is a surname of Eastern European origin, primarily found among Ashkenazi Jewish populations. It is derived from the Yiddish word "gorele" or "gerle," a diminutive or term of endearment for a bald person. Thus, the surname likely originated as a nickname referencing a physical characteristic of an ancestor. Like many Ashkenazi surnames, it became hereditary in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as part of efforts by authorities in the Russian Empire and other regions to formalize identity and facilitate taxation and conscription.

The name Gorelik, along with its variations, can be found in various countries including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Israel, the United States, and other locations where Jewish communities have settled. The spelling and pronunciation may vary slightly depending on the geographic location and language spoken.

While no single, universally agreed-upon meaning beyond the etymological explanation exists, surnames, including Gorelik, often carry a sense of familial history and connection to a specific cultural heritage.