Is Tarik a boy's or girl's name?

Tarik is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 11 recorded births.

When was Tarik most popular?

Tarik reached its peak popularity in 1996 with 164 births that year. It is currently ranked #3377 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Tarik?

Tarik is currently ranked #3377 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 4,145 babies since 1958.

Tarik

A Arabic name gently fading from the charts.

Boy's name| Also girlsArabicDeclining

#3377▼ 45in 2024

Meaning & Origin

a male given name from Arabic

Tarik is a boy's and girl's baby name of Arabic origin, from the Arabic Tariq meaning 'one who knocks at the door' or, poetically, 'the morning star' — because a traveler knocks on doors at dawn.

Tariq ibn Ziyad was the legendary Berber general who led the Moorish conquest of Visigothic Hispania in 711 CE — giving his name to Gibraltar (from Jabal al-Tariq, 'mountain of Tariq'). A name with real historical weight, worn by athletes, scholars, and artists across the Muslim world.

Compare Tarik with another name

Popularity Over Time

Tarik was #1697 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #3377, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Tarik
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	188	#3210	▼
2010s	498	#2586	▼
2000s	743	#1799	▼
1990s	1,199	#1045	▲
1980s	637	#1214	▼
1970s	764	#1039	▲
1960s	106	#2803	▲
1950s	10	#4483	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(66 years, 1958–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Tarik
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	35	#3377	-1 (-2.8%)
2023	36	#3332	+1 (2.9%)
2022	35	#3403	-10 (-22.2%)
2021	45	#2813	+8 (21.6%)
2020	37	#3126	-16 (-30.2%)
2019	53	#2521	+21 (65.6%)
2018	32	#3512	-33 (-50.8%)
2017	65	#2127	+13 (25.0%)
2016	52	#2472	+1 (2.0%)
2015	51	#2481	-1 (-1.9%)
2014	52	#2457	+7 (15.6%)
2013	45	#2663	-6 (-11.8%)
2012	51	#2481	0
2011	51	#2475	+5 (10.9%)
2010	46	#2675	-6 (-11.5%)
2009	52	#2480	-13 (-20.0%)
2008	65	#2120	-7 (-9.7%)
2007	72	#1971	-14 (-16.3%)
2006	86	#1666	+6 (7.5%)
2005	80	#1690	+4 (5.3%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Tarik as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Tarik has also been given to 11 girls in the U.S. since 1976.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1976

Peak year

Compare Tarik as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Tarik be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Tarik is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #3377. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1958–2024) · Methodology