Tarek
Meaningmorning star, night visitor · Arabic
Tarek is an Arabic boy name meaning “morning star, night visitor”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationTarek peaked in 1985, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Tarek you'd meet today is about 40 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Tarek would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 77,519 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryTarek first shows up in US birth records in 1962, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 63 years since.
US births per million boys, 1962–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Tarek
Tarek is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “morning star, night visitor”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It hit its peak in the 1980s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic boy names
- Boy name: Caleb · dog, faithful
- Boy name: Silas · of the forest
- Boy name: Aaron · possibly exalted
- Boy name: Amir · prince, commander
- Boy name: Xavier · new house
- Boy name: Jasper · treasurer
- Boy name: Muhammad · praised
- Boy name: Omar · flourishing, long-lived
Questions about the name Tarek
What does the name Tarek mean?
Tarek means “morning star, night visitor” and comes from Arabic. Names built around “star” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Dhruv (“steadfast, pole star”), Tariq (“morning star”), Star (“star”) and Astro (“star”).
What is the origin of the name Tarek?
Tarek is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Silas (“of the forest”), Aaron (“possibly exalted”) and Amir (“prince, commander”).
Is Tarek a boy or girl name?
Tarek is a boy name. In 2025, 22 US boys were named Tarek.
How popular is the name Tarek?
Tarek ranked #4,539 for US boys in 2025, given to 22 babies. Its best year was 1985, when it reached #1,290. Over the last five years it has slipped 1,121 places.
What names are similar to Tarek?
If you like Tarek, you might also like Dhruv, Tariq, Star and Astro.
What should I know before naming my baby Tarek?
Tarek is an Arabic boy name meaning “morning star, night visitor”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.