Given name & surname
Malek
“the sovereign”
Malek is a variant of Malik. One Arabic interpretation is “the sovereign.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Malek is a variant of Malik. One Arabic interpretation is “the sovereign.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Malek is a variant of Malik. An origin associated with Malik is Arabic.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1974. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Malek through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 3,092
- 3,086 boys · 6 girls
- Most popular year
- 2023
- 151 babies
- 2025
- 121
- #1,472 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +17%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 121 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,472 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 17.1% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (25). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 2,819 as a first name in 2020; 4,925 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Malek’s family of names
Malek has a related form in Malik. In Greek usage, Malek as a surname is a transliteration of Μάλεκ. In Greek usage, Malek as a surname is a transliteration of Μαλέκ.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 4
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
People named Malek
- Malek JaziriTunisian tennis playerborn 1984
- Malek MouathSaudi Arabian footballerborn 1981
- Malek BennabiAlgerian philosopher (1905–1973)
- Malek RahmatiIranian politician (1982–2024)
- Malek AshrafChupanid ruler1344–1357
- Malek JandaliAward-winning composer & pianistborn 1972
- Malek HaddadAlgerian writer (1927–1978)
- Malek BaayouTunisian association football playerborn 1999
- Malek AlloulaAlgierian writer (1937-2015)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Malek, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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