Malik is a name of Arabic origin, meaning "king" in English. It has been used historically as a title for Muslim rulers and kings, dating back to the Islamic Golden Age during the caliphate period.
The name Malik is derived from the Arabic root verb "malaka," which means "to possess" or "to rule." In an Islamic context, it refers to Allah's attribute of being the King of Kings, and thus, the name Malik has been bestowed upon many notable figures throughout history, including religious leaders, scholars, and warriors.
The use of the name Malik can be traced back to the early days of Islam. The second caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, had a son named Malik. Additionally, Malik ibn Anas, an Islamic scholar from Medina during the 8th century, was one of the most influential figures in the development of Islamic jurisprudence.
Today, Malik is still popular as a given name for boys among Muslim families worldwide. It has also gained recognition beyond Islamic communities due to its strong and regal connotations. Some notable people with the name Malik include Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim, American rapper Malaki, and French footballer Malick Evouna.
The name Mali experienced a significant increase in popularity from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, with a notable spike in 2003 (55 births) and 2008 (65 births). However, it has since seen fluctuations, with a decline in recent years (45 births in 2022, 59 births in 2023). Overall, there have been a total of 1325 births named Mali from 1967 to 2023.