Vireak is one of the most common male names in Cambodia. The word is derived from a khmer word “Vireak Boros” which means “Hero”. Well, I’m nowhere near that. “Reak” is not really an easy word to pronounce if you’re a non-khmer. By the way, if you are one, have you figure out how to pronounce my name yet? I used to hear something like Vira, Virak, Virik, Virek, Vila, Vileak, or even Beeleak (Beeleak? what the hell is that?).
The word “reak” should be pronounced somewhere between “ree” and “rak”. So there is no surprise that some people would write their names “Virak” rather than “Vireak”. In fact, I found out that there are actually more “Virak” than “Vireak” in the khmer blogosphere.
And did I mention that Vireak or Virak is a male name. Well surprise, I used to come across a girl who shares the same name as well. But I guess it must be her family name rather than her given name.
14 Wonderful Comments:
September 10th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
A bit hard to differentiate. Just like when people jot down female name: Sophea. I myself would prefer to say: Sophia.
All I like about naming is that our Cambodian name, in most cases, implies some beautiful meaning — just like yours. Well, a friend of mine shares a your name. He runs khmerak.com.
September 11th, 2006 at 11:22 am
yeah! there are lots of Virak(s) and Vireak(s) in the blogsphere! sometimes i got confused too! i guess I’l need to try to know all Reak and Rak bloggers here as to divide u all who share the same or similar given names eh!
September 12th, 2006 at 10:11 pm
Tharum: i came across your friend’s blog. one of the earliest khmer bloggers, i guess.
Deedee: well u don’t need to know all, just me is enough…oops 
September 13th, 2006 at 11:06 am
Hmmm come to think of it, i also got a bro with the name Virak. Cheer!
September 15th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Vireak is not derived from Vireak Boros. Vireak Boros is a combination of Vireak and Boros. Vireak means Courage : ) on its own.
September 17th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
Sky, you’re right that it is a word of its own. The reason I used the word “derived” is that we do not use it on its own. E.g if we wanna to say “sok has courage”….we don’t say “sok mean vireak”.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Quote “E.g if we wanna to say “sok has courage”….we don’t say “sok mean vireak””
We can’t say “sok mean vireak”. because “vireak” is an adjective, not noun. and “courage” is a noun, “courageous” is adjective.
we can say “vireak neary, vireak boros …”
it means courageous woman, courageous man ….
September 16th, 2011 at 10:48 am
Hi!! My name is also virak … That’s sweet to know there’s alot more of viraks out there lol..?
November 30th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
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January 5th, 2012 at 11:31 pm
I am trying to deal with the matter of cambodian courage. 50 moto drivers ganging up against one person on 278 street. Now how do I tell them this is not an honorable thing to do? How do I persuade them?
If I want to be left alone, why should it bother them?