Looking at dictionary.com, 'trek' is defined as "to travel or migrate, especially slowly or with difficulty."

Given the connotation in the second definition, was there an actual known reason that this specific term was chosen among all of the possible synonyms?

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    Its actually difficult to get to the stars... – I Love You 3000 Apr 8 '13 at 4:18
  • And, even warp ships were slow.. mind it, they were confined to certain part of galaxy. – I Love You 3000 Apr 8 '13 at 4:20

Not sure if there's a better reasoning quoted in some source, but as per Memory Alpha:


Obviously, wagon train does have a connotation of "slowly migrate with difficulty", so in that context the choice of "Trek" fits pretty well.

The above (sadly un-sourced) Memory Alpha info matches the info on Wikipedia:


The source for the Wikipedia info is listed as "25th Anniversary television special"

Interestingly enough, the original title seems to have been given a new life in "Star Trek: Wagon Train to the Stars" - a novel #1 (of 6) written by Diane Carey for "Star Trek: New Earth" series.

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    If you're looking for source, the phrase "wagon train to the stars" is used several times in "The Making of Star Trek" by Stephan E. Whitfield. Gene Roddenberry used it to describe the show a number of times and apparently used it to pitch the show. In the sound recording of "Inside Star Trek" I believe he uses it there as well. – Tango Aug 25 '11 at 4:59
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    @Tango -make that comment a real answer :) – DVK-on-Ahch-To Apr 7 '13 at 22:25
  • Okay, it's done. – Tango Apr 7 '13 at 23:00
  • That name sounds like it would be hoaky even by the 1960s standard. I'm glad they changed their mind...but why did they eventually decide NOT to use that name? – Zibbobz Mar 31 '14 at 13:25

Gene Roddenberry repeatedly said he was going to make a "Wagon Train to the stars" show. Wagon Train was a popular western show on TV in the 1960s. (He was quoted as using this phrase many times in The Making of Star Trek by Stephen E. Whitfield.) The basic plot was a few men leading a number of settlers in a wagon train to the west. On the way, they'd face hardships and adventures and come across Indian tribes and outlaws and other types of people. It was a show about exploration.

His idea was lasers or blasters instead of six-shooters and space ships instead of conestoga wagons.

Westerns were very popular at this time. While pitching the show to network executives, he used that comparison and phrase over and over. The title Star Trek reflects that. It's about movement, with an implication of exploration.

So it played on the popularity of westerns and gave the implication of movement and exploration. It also tied in with the way he pitched it to the networks.

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