Tarek Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TAH-rek //ˈtɑːrɛk//
Origin: Arabic; Turkish
Meaning: Arabic: morning star; Turkish: one who is brave
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Tarek has its roots in Arabic, derived from the verb "taraqa," which means "to knock" or "to strike." The name is often interpreted as "morning star" or "he who knocks at the door," reflecting a sense of arrival or new beginnings. The Arabic form "Tariq" has been used historically, and it entered the English language through various cultural exchanges, particularly during the periods of Moorish influence in Spain and the subsequent interactions between the Islamic world and Europe during the Middle Ages.
Historically, one of the most notable figures bearing the name was Tariq ibn Ziyad, an Umayyad general who led the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in 711 CE. His crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar, which is named after him (Jabal Tariq), marked a significant moment in history, leading to centuries of Islamic presence in Spain.
The name has been borne by various other notable figures throughout history, including scholars and leaders in the Islamic world, contributing to its enduring legacy. Culturally, Tarek has been associated with strength and leadership, often symbolizing a guiding light or a new dawn.
The name's connection to the morning star enhances its connotation of hope and illumination. In various Arabic-speaking cultures, it is not uncommon to find diminutive forms or affectionate variations of the name, which further embed it within familial and social contexts.
The name Tarek, through its historical significance and cultural resonance, continues to hold a place of importance in the Arabic-speaking world and beyond.
Famous people named Tarek
In this section, you will find notable people named Tarek. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Tarek who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Tarek who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Tarek El Moussa is a television personality best known for Flip or Flop and Flipping 101 with Tarek El Moussa.
Tarek Khatib is a chef best known for his appearances on various cooking shows and culinary competitions.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tarek, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Tarek. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Tarek was first seen in the United States in 1962.
Tarek has ranked as high as #1168 nationally, which occurred in 1996, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Michigan, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Tarek has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Tarek is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Tarek was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Tarek (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Tarek.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2023 | 37 |
| 2022 | 35 |
| 2021 | 33 |
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2017 | 56 |
| 2016 | 48 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2014 | 35 |
| 2013 | 38 |
| 2012 | 35 |
| 2011 | 30 |
| 2010 | 34 |
| 2009 | 44 |
| 2008 | 42 |
| 2007 | 33 |
| 2006 | 45 |
| 2005 | 45 |
| 2004 | 40 |
| 2003 | 44 |
| 2002 | 57 |
| 2001 | 46 |
| 2000 | 48 |
| 1999 | 50 |
| 1998 | 59 |
| 1997 | 57 |
| 1996 | 64 |
| 1995 | 52 |
| 1994 | 46 |
| 1993 | 60 |
| 1992 | 62 |
| 1991 | 58 |
| 1990 | 45 |
| 1989 | 46 |
| 1988 | 44 |
| 1987 | 43 |
| 1986 | 37 |
| 1985 | 55 |
| 1984 | 40 |
| 1983 | 20 |
| 1982 | 34 |
| 1981 | 28 |
| 1980 | 36 |
| 1979 | 25 |
| 1978 | 29 |
| 1977 | 28 |
| 1976 | 31 |
| 1975 | 24 |
| 1974 | 23 |
| 1973 | 20 |
| 1972 | 23 |
| 1971 | 21 |
| 1970 | 18 |
| 1969 | 18 |
| 1968 | 15 |
| 1967 | 14 |
| 1966 | 7 |
| 1965 | 11 |
| 1963 | 5 |
| 1962 | 6 |