Find out how popular the first name Malik has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Malik by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Malik is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Malik being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 831 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Malik.

The history of the first name Malik

The name Malik originated from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Middle Eastern and Islamic cultures. It is derived from the Arabic word "malik," which means "king" or "sovereign ruler." The name can be traced back to ancient times and has been used since the early days of Islam.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Malik is in the Quran, where it is mentioned as one of the attributes of Allah, the supreme ruler and king of the universe. This association with divine sovereignty and kingship has contributed to the name's prestige and popularity in the Islamic world.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Malik. One of the most famous is Malik ibn Anas (715-795 CE), an influential Islamic scholar and the founder of the Maliki school of jurisprudence, one of the four major Sunni schools of Islamic law. His magnum opus, "Al-Muwatta," is considered one of the earliest and most authoritative collections of hadith (sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad).

Another prominent figure named Malik was Malik al-Kamil (1180-1238 CE), a Sultan of Egypt and Syria during the Ayyubid dynasty. He is best known for his participation in the Sixth Crusade and his negotiations with the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, which led to a temporary peace agreement and the return of Jerusalem to Muslim control.

In the field of literature, Malik al-Shuara (996-1057 CE), also known as Abul Ala al-Maarri, was a renowned Arab philosopher, poet, and writer from Syria. He was a prolific author known for his biting satire and skepticism towards religious dogma.

Malik Ambar (1549-1626 CE) was an influential military leader and prime minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate in the Deccan region of India. Despite being brought to India as a slave, he rose through the ranks and played a significant role in the struggle against the Mughal Empire.

In more recent times, Malik Ghulam Muhammad (1895-1956) was a prominent Pakistani poet and writer who is considered one of the pioneers of modern Urdu poetry. His works, such as "Shahrah-e-Kashmir" and "Divan-e-Malik," are celebrated for their lyrical beauty and social commentary.

While these are just a few examples, the name Malik has been associated with many influential figures throughout history, reflecting its deep roots in Arabic and Islamic culture and its connotations of authority, sovereignty, and leadership.

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 Malik was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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