The name Tarek has its origins in the Arabic language, tracing back to the 7th century CE and the rise of Islam in the Middle East. It is derived from the Arabic word "tariq," meaning "path" or "way," often interpreted as a guiding light or direction in life.

The earliest recorded use of the name Tarek can be found in Islamic texts and historical records from the 7th and 8th centuries. It was a popular name among the early Muslim rulers and scholars, reflecting the significance of the concept of guidance and enlightenment in Islamic teachings.

One of the most notable historical figures bearing the name Tarek was Tariq ibn Ziyad, a Berber Muslim conquest who led the Islamic conquest of Spain in 711 CE. His historic crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar, known as the "Pillars of Hercules," was a pivotal moment in the spread of Islam and marked the beginning of the Moorish rule in the Iberian Peninsula.

Another renowned figure named Tarek was Al-Tariq ibn Abi Qurra, a 9th-century Arab mathematician, astronomer, and physician from Baghdad. He made significant contributions to the fields of algebra, geometry, and astronomy, and his works were widely studied and referenced by scholars across the Islamic world.

In the literary realm, Tarek Al-Hamawi was a 13th-century Arab geographer and traveler from Hama, Syria. His most famous work, "Mu'jam al-Buldan" (Dictionary of Countries), was a comprehensive geographical encyclopedia that provided detailed descriptions of regions, cities, and settlements across the known world at the time.

During the Ottoman Empire, Tarek Pasha was a 16th-century Ottoman military leader and statesman who served as the Grand Vizier, the highest-ranking political advisor to the Sultan. He played a crucial role in the expansion and consolidation of Ottoman territories in the Balkans and the Middle East.

In more recent history, Tarek Ben Ziyad (1925-2015) was a prominent Algerian revolutionary and politician who played a pivotal role in the Algerian War of Independence against French colonial rule. He served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the post-independence government and was a key figure in shaping Algeria's foreign policy and relations with other nations.