talib

Talib is a masculine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "seeker" or "student." It derives from the Arabic root talab, meaning to seek or request, and appears in phrases such as talib al-'ilm, meaning "seeker of knowledge." In Arabic and many Muslim-majority cultures, talib is used as a descriptor for a learner and has been found in both classical and contemporary contexts, including religious and secular education.

As a personal name, Talib is common across the Arab world as well as in Iran, South Asia, and diaspora communities, often transliterated as Talib, Talib, or Talip. It carries connotations of diligence, learning, and the pursuit of knowledge. In various cultures, naming practices reflect the aspiration that a child grow into a thoughtful and studious individual.

The word also enters modern usage via the term Taliban, a Pashto plural meaning "students" or "seekers of knowledge." The organization adopted this name to reflect its self-identity as students or followers of a particular interpretation of Islamic law, particularly during its rise in Afghanistan in the late 20th century. The name thus links a traditional sense of scholarly pursuit with a political movement, though the two are distinct in meaning and context.

Notable individuals with the given name include the American rapper Talib Kweli. In Turkish, a related given name is Talip. The term remains a common element in discussions of Arabic-derived names, onomastics, and cultural naming practices.