The first name Tariq
A boy’s name from Arabic meaning “messenger”, “nocturnal visitor”, “morning star”.
Pronounced /tæɹɪk/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Arabic origin
Tariq means “messenger”, “nocturnal visitor”, “morning star” in Arabic.
Borrowed from Arabic طَارِق (ṭāriq, “messenger, nocturnal visitor, or morning star”), from طَرَقَ (ṭaraqa, “to knock, to rap”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 36 boys were named Tariq, making it the 873rd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1998, with 72 births (#334).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Tariq with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Tariq at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 107 boys born in the United States were named Tariq, the 1,599th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1998, when 514 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Famous people named Tariq
12 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Tariq ibn Ziyad8th-century Muslim general, 670–720
- Tariq AliBritish political activist, writer, and historian (born 1943)
- Tariq AnwarBritish film editor, born 1945
- Tariq NiaziField hockey player (1940-2008)
- Tariq TeguiaArgelian film director and screenwriter, born 1966
- Tariq RahmanExpert in sociolinguistic history and language, born 1949
- Tariq KirksayAmerican basketball player, born 1978
- Tariq WoolenAmerican football player (born 1999)
- Tariq Ahmad, Baron Ahmad of WimbledonBritish businessman and politician (born 1968)
- Tariq AnwarGeneral Secretary of AICC for Kerala & Lakshadweep, born 1951
- Tariq ibn Amr7th century Umayyad commander and governor, died 692
- Tariq HannaChef
More Arabic boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Tariq mean?
- Tariq means “messenger”, “nocturnal visitor”, “morning star” in Arabic.
- What is the origin of the name Tariq?
- Borrowed from Arabic طَارِق (ṭāriq, “messenger, nocturnal visitor, or morning star”), from طَرَقَ (ṭaraqa, “to knock, to rap”).
- How popular is the name Tariq?
- In 2025, 36 boys born in England and Wales were named Tariq, ranking 873rd. Its peak was 1998, with 72 births.
- Is Tariq a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 6,885 US babies named Tariq since 1880 were boys.
- When was Tariq most popular?
- 1998 in the United States, when 514 babies were named Tariq, its highest rank at 444th.
- How do you pronounce Tariq?
- Tariq is /tæɹɪk/, 2 syllables.
- Is Tariq also a surname?
- Yes. Tariq is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.