malik

Malik is a given name and surname of Arabic origin. It derives from the word malik, meaning “king,” “sovereign,” or “owner,” and it is used across Muslim and non-Muslim communities as a personal name. In Islamic theology, Al-Malik (The King) is one of the 99 names of God. The term has also historically functioned as a title for rulers or local authorities in parts of the Arab world and South Asia.

The name has several transliterations, including Malek, Malik, Melik, Malick, and Makhlouf in different languages and regions. It is common in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and among diasporic communities in Europe and the Americas.

As a surname, Malik is widespread in South Asia and among people of Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi descent, as well as in Africa and the Caribbean, reflecting historical and contemporary movements. The name is also used independently in various cultures and as part of compound names.

Notable people with Malik as a given name or surname include the English-Irish singer Zayn Malik, the American poet and actor Malik Youssef, and Malik Obama, the half-brother of U.S. president Barack Obama. The surname is also borne by various public figures across entertainment, sports, and politics.