Melek

♂ Boy

Pronounced MEH-lek /ˈmɛ.lɛk/Medium

Meaning: Melek means 'angel' in Turkish, where it is used mainly as a girl's name. The same letters give Hebrew melekh and Arabic malik, 'king'. Both readings are real; here it is used for a boy, and we note the cross-sex lean in Turkish.Low

In 30 seconds: Melek is Turkish for 'angel' — and, in Hebrew and Arabic, 'king' (said 'MEH-lek'). In Turkey it leans to girls, which we note.

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Origin LowTurkish, Hebrew, Arabic

MeaningMelek means 'angel' in Turkish, where it is used mainly as a girl's name. The same letters give Hebrew melekh and Arabic malik, 'king'. Both readings are real; here it is used for a boy, and we note the cross-sex lean in Turkish.

U.S. rank (2024)#13504 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1995

Total births (all-time)≈ 67

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Melek is the Turkish word for 'angel', borrowed from Arabic malak, and it is a familiar girls' name in Turkey. Alongside it stands a second, older thread: Hebrew melekh and Arabic malik, both meaning 'king' — the root behind names such as Malik and Melchior. Used here for a boy, with the Turkish girl lean noted honestly (said 'MEH-lek').

It appears rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, layered, and soft-sounding.

Did you know? Melek carries two meanings at once: 'angel' in Turkish, and 'king' through Hebrew melekh and Arabic malik. In Turkey it is chiefly a girls' name, which we note (said 'MEH-lek').

Overall data confidence 45%

References — Melek — Turkish 'angel' (girls' name there); Hebrew melekh / Arabic malik 'king'

Variations

MalakMalikMelech

Nicknames

MelLek

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Melek…

Malik— the same 'king' root in Arabic

Malachi— the 'my messenger/angel' idea in Hebrew

Emir— a matching Turkish-Arabic title name

Malek— another Arabic name

Maleek— another Arabic name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Melek mean?

Melek means 'angel' in Turkish; the same form means 'king' in Hebrew (melekh) and Arabic (malik). Both readings are real.

How do you pronounce Melek?

It's said MEH-lek /ˈmɛ.lɛk/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Melek a boy or girl name?

Here Melek is used as a boy's name; in Turkey it is chiefly a girls' name meaning 'angel', which we note.

How popular is Melek?

Melek is a rare name for boys in the U.S.