Tariq

طَارِق

Boy Arabic /TAH-rik/ #1313 in 2023

Tariq is a boy name of Arabic origin.

Meaning of Tariq

"Morning star, the one who comes at night, who knocks at the door." Surah At-Tariq (86) bears this name and evokes the piercing star. Tariq ibn Ziyad was the Berber general who led the Muslim conquest of Spain in 711 — the Rock of Gibraltar takes its name from him (Jebel Tariq → Gibraltar).

Arabic root: ṭ-r-q — (ط-ر-ق, to knock, to arrive at night)

Regional variants

Carries strong symbolic weight for Berber/Amazigh heritage families. Also familiar in African-American Muslim communities.

Popularity of Tariq

Popularity, 1963–2023

146 births in 2023

1963 2023

6,638 U.S. births recorded from 1963–2023.

Peak year

1998

514 babies

First recorded

1963

60 years of history

Recent trend

Steady

Last 5 yrs vs. prior 5

Variants & nicknames

TarekTarikTareq

Related guide

Arabic Names That Work in English Without Explanation

25 Arabic names that American teachers, doctors, and neighbors pronounce correctly on the first try. For families who want heritage without the daily spelling bee.

Read the full guide →

Famous people named Tariq

Tariq ibn Ziyad (conqueror of Andalusia)
Tariq Trotter (rapper, The Roots)

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About this page

Popularity counts come from the U.S. Social Security Administration's national dataset. Meaning and cultural context drawn from classical sources: Lisan al-Arab, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Qur'an and Sunnah. If you spot an error, please let us know.