Malek

Malek is a masculine given name and surname of Arabic origin. It derives from Malik, meaning "king" or "ruler," and has been adopted by various communities across the Arab world and in the broader Muslim diaspora. The name appears with several transliteration variants, including Malik, Malick, Melek, and Malek.

As a given name, Malek is common in the Middle East and North Africa; as a surname, it is found across countries with Arabic linguistic influence and in immigrant communities worldwide.

Notable people with the surname Malek include Rami Malek (born 1981), an American actor who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018); Malek Bennabi (1905–1973), an Algerian philosopher and writer known for his theories on civilization and social reform; and Malek Jandali (born 1968), a Syrian-American composer and pianist who has composed symphonic works and engaged in intercultural dialogue.

Related names include Malik, a common transliteration of the same root, and Melek, which appears in Turkish and other languages as a variant form.