Malek first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Malek has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Malek

A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "king" or "sovereign".

Popularity of Malek by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Malek is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Malek being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 128 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Malek.

YearMale CountFemale Count
20241280
20231510
20221180
20211180
20201250
20191300
20181000
2017930
2016950
2015720
2014960
2013830
2012970
2011816
2010770
2009980
2008880
2007690
2006710
2005840
2004710
2003710
2002720
2001820
2000740
1999720
1998730
1997750
1996750
1995580
1994450
1993480
1992230
1991130
1990230
1989140
1988100
1987120
1986120
198580
198480
198280
198170
198060
1979100
197850
197660
197550

The history of the first name Malek

The name Malek has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, with roots dating back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "malik," which means "king" or "sovereign." The name signifies power, authority, and nobility.

In the early days of Islam, the name Malek was associated with rulers and leaders. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in the Quran, where it is mentioned as one of the attributes of Allah, the Almighty.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Malek. One of the most famous was Malek ibn Anas (714-795 CE), a renowned Islamic scholar and the founder of the Maliki school of jurisprudence, one of the four major Sunni schools of Islamic law.

Another prominent individual was Malek Shah (1055-1092 CE), the Sultan of the Seljuk Empire, who ruled over a vast territory spanning modern-day Iran, Iraq, and parts of Central Asia. His reign was marked by the expansion of the Seljuk territories and the patronage of arts and literature.

In the field of literature, Malek al-Shuara (meaning "King of Poets") was a title bestowed upon several influential poets throughout the Islamic world. One such figure was Badr Shakir al-Sayyab (1926-1964), an Iraqi poet who played a significant role in the Arab literary renaissance of the 20th century.

The name Malek also has a presence in ancient Persian literature. One example is Malek Shah, a character in the epic poem "Shahnameh" by the renowned Persian poet Ferdowsi (940-1020 CE). In the poem, Malek Shah is portrayed as a wise and just ruler.

Another notable figure bearing the name was Malek Adhel (1145-1218 CE), a Kurdish ruler and nobleman who served as the Sultan of Egypt and Syria during the Ayyubid dynasty. He was known for his military prowess and diplomatic skills, as well as his patronage of arts and sciences.

These examples illustrate the rich history and cultural significance of the name Malek, which has been associated with leadership, nobility, and intellectual pursuits across various regions and time periods.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Malek was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Malek, please contact us.

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