Tarik

♂ Boy

Pronounced TAH-rik /ˈtɑ.rɪk/High

Meaning: Variant of Tariq — the night visitor, the morning star of Surah At-Tariq — from the Arabic root 'to knock'High

In 30 seconds: The star that knocks at night: Tarik is the Quran's at-Tariq, the piercing morning star — and the conqueror whose mountain became Gibraltar. Celestial and historical at once.

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Origin HighArabic

MeaningVariant of Tariq — the night visitor, the morning star of Surah At-Tariq — from the Arabic root 'to knock'

U.S. rank (2025)#3304 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births36 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1996

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,181

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

Tarik is a common transliteration of Tariq — from the Arabic root 'to knock', naming the night arrival and, in Surah At-Tariq, the piercing morning star. Tariq ibn Ziyad's landing at the rock that became Gibraltar gave it imperial geography; Bosnia, Turkey, and the Maghreb favor the k-spelling.

American bearers include broadcaster Ahmad Rashad-era athletes and NBA's Tariks; the name remains uncommon, cosmic, and easy to carry.

Did you know? Gibraltar is 'Jabal Tariq' — Tariq's mountain — frozen into European geography since the commander Tariq ibn Ziyad landed there in 711.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Tariq — etymology

Variations

TariqTarekTarık

Nicknames

TarRiki

Famous Bearers

★Tariq ibn Ziyad (670–720)
Commander whose landing at Gibraltar (Jabal Tariq) began the Muslim era in Iberia (standard spelling of the name).

If you like Tarik…

Tariq— the standard transliteration of the same star

Malik— a fellow Arabic classic at ease in America

Amir— the companion two-syllable staple

Idris— another Quranic name with Western traction

Explore names like Tarik

By themearabic celestial historical

By meaningStar Dawn / Morning

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Tarik mean?

Tarik is a form of Tariq, Arabic for the night visitor and the piercing morning star of Surah At-Tariq.

How do you pronounce Tarik?

It's said TAH-rik /ˈtɑ.rɪk/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Tarik a boy or girl name?

Tarik is a boy's name.

How popular is Tarik?

Tarik is an uncommon name in the U.S.