embrisa.
embrisa.
Theme
Masculine

Malik

məˈliːk

King, sovereign

Arabic

How to say it

ma · LIK

məˈliːk

What it means

Arabic, 'king' or 'sovereign'; al-Malik, 'the King,' is one of the names of God in Islam.

Malik is Arabic for 'king' or 'sovereign,' and al-Malik, 'the King,' is one of the ninety-nine names of God in Islam, which gives it deep reverence. It is honored across the Muslim world and widely used in Black American families. Singer Zayn Malik carries it as a surname. It reads regal and strong, said mah-LEEK. Mal is the short.

How to spell Malik

The standard spelling is Malik. Common variants include Maleek, Malek, Maalik, but Malik is the most widely used form.

Popularity over time

#10 #100 #1000 #1 #402418802025

peaked at #97 in 1996, currently #437 in 2025.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving

Heads-up notes

  • Worth knowing

    Means 'king'; al-Malik is one of the names of God in Islam. Common across Muslim and Black American communities.

  • Pronunciation

    mah-LEEK.

Who's worn it

Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.

  • Malik Arabic for 'king'; al-Malik is one of the 99 names of God in Islam

Spelling variants

  • Maleek
  • Malek
  • Maalik

Common questions

What does the name Malik mean?
Arabic, 'king' or 'sovereign'; al-Malik, 'the King,' is one of the names of God in Islam.
What does Malik mean in Arabic?
In Arabic, Malik means "King, sovereign." Malik is Arabic for 'king' or 'sovereign,' and al-Malik, 'the King,' is one of the ninety-nine names of God in Islam, which gives it deep reverence. It is honored across the Muslim world and widely used in Black American families. Singer Zayn Malik carries it as a surname. It reads regal and strong, said mah-LEEK. Mal is the short.
How do you pronounce Malik?
Malik is pronounced məˈliːk. Say it as ma-LIK, with the stress on the "lik" syllable.
How do you spell Malik?
The standard spelling is Malik. Common spelling variants include Maleek, Malek, Maalik.
Is Malik a boy or girl name?
Malik is traditionally a masculine name.
How popular is the name Malik?
Malik ranked #437 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.