Malique
Primarily a boy's name of Arabic origin with 1,941 recorded births. Also given to 11 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Malique sits in the still in active use zone of American naming: first recorded in 1989, peaking in 1998, with 1,941 total births across its history.
The open, approachable quality of its ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
In the most recent SSA release, Malique ranks #4376 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Malique is a boy's and girl's baby name of Arabic origin, a variant spelling of Malik, meaning 'king, master, sovereign' — from the Arabic root malaka (to own, to reign). Al-Malik is one of the 99 names of God in Islam, the absolute Sovereign of all creation.
Malique is used in African American and Muslim communities, where the Malik/Malique spelling variants each have their devoted followings. With nearly 1,940 recorded births, Malique has established real standing as a name that carries royal meaning and Islamic theological depth with a spelling that feels distinctive and modern. The -ique ending adds a subtle French flair to the Arabic root.
EtymologyShow more
Malique appeared in SSA records in 1989, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Arabic roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
Malique’s 1,941 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Malique was #1776 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #4376, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 111 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 371 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 792 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 661 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 6 | — |
The Story of Malique
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 1998, Malique is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Malique are most likely born between 1989 and 2008.
How rare is Malique?
Only about 1 in every 150,000 babies born in 2024 was named Malique — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1989, peaked in the 2000s with 792 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Malique by the numbers
- Would fill 40 school buses
- Meeting one Malique per day would take 5.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(36 years, 1989–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 | #4376 |
| 2023 | 15 | #6108 |
| 2022 | 20 | #4958 |
| 2021 | 26 | #4086 |
| 2020 | 26 | #3982 |
| 2019 | 37 | #3172 |
| 2018 | 25 | #4170 |
| 2017 | 28 | #3855 |
| 2016 | 27 | #3945 |
| 2015 | 32 | #3482 |
| 2014 | 30 | #3583 |
| 2013 | 49 | #2509 |
| 2012 | 46 | #2659 |
| 2011 | 41 | #2881 |
| 2010 | 56 | #2310 |
| 2009 | 59 | #2244 |
| 2008 | 61 | #2199 |
| 2007 | 66 | #2084 |
| 2006 | 68 | #1985 |
| 2005 | 85 | #1612 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Malique as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Malique has also been given to 11 girls in the U.S. since 1996.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malique a boy's or girl's name?
When was Malique most popular?
How popular is the name Malique?
Can Malique be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1989–2024