Lepik

Lepik is a common Estonian surname meaning "alder forest" in Estonian, derived from lepp "alder tree". The name is topographic in origin, referring to someone who lived near or in an alder grove. A variant spelling, Leppik, exists and is also used in Estonia.

Notable Bearers – Lepik

Several notable Estonians bear the surname Lepik. Andres Lepik (born 1957) is an actor, while August Lepik (1881–1955) was a politician. The poet Kalju Lepik (1920–1999) made significant contributions to Estonian literature. In sports, Krista Lepik (born 1964) competed as a biathlete, and footballers Liis Lepik (born 1994) and Mark Anders Lepik (born 2000) have represented Estonia. Liina Kersna (née Lepik; born 1980) is a journalist and politician. Actors and politicians also include Mait Lepik (born 1968), Margus Lepik (born 1969), and mathematician Ülo Lepik (1921–2022).

Notable Bearers – Leppik

The variant Leppik appears among notable figures such as mycologist Elmar Leppik (1878–1978), rowing coach Mihkel Leppik (1932–2021), priest and musician Sakarias Jaan Leppik (born 1969), and basketball player Silver Leppik (born 1983).

Distribution and Related Names

Lepik is predominantly found in Estonia, but may also appear in diaspora communities. A similar surname in Finnish is Leppänen, which likewise derives from leppä "alder" and is common in Finland.

• Meaning: "alder forest", from Estonian lepp (alder)
• Origin: Estonian, topographic
• Type: Surname
• Usage Regions: Estonia, Finland (as Leppänen)