Tarek Boy

Popularity: #916 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

SamirZainAmirRamiNadirKhalid

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.

TarikTariqFarikZarekDarekMarekJarekHarek

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Tarek was first seen in the United States in 1962.

Tarek has ranked as high as #3593 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.

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 Total Births Boy
2025 22 22
2024 26 26
2023 37 37
2022 35 35
2021 33 33
2020 32 32
2019 28 28
2018 45 45
2017 56 56
2016 48 48
2015 46 46
2014 35 35
2013 38 38
2012 35 35
2011 30 30
2010 34 34
2009 44 44
2008 42 42
2007 33 33
2006 45 45
2005 45 45
2004 40 40
2003 44 44
2002 57 57
2001 46 46
2000 48 48
1999 50 50
1998 59 59
1997 57 57
1996 64 64
1995 52 52
1994 46 46
1993 60 60
1992 62 62
1991 58 58
1990 45 45
1989 46 46
1988 44 44
1987 43 43
1986 37 37
1985 55 55
1984 40 40
1983 20 20
1982 34 34
1981 28 28
1980 36 36
1979 25 25
1978 29 29
1977 27 27
1976 31 31
1975 25 25
1974 23 23
1973 20 20
1972 23 23
1971 21 21
1970 18 18
1969 18 18
1968 15 15
1967 14 14
1966 7 7
1965 11 11
1963 5 5
1962 6 6

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
FL 5
100%