Holding steady, #4,539 for boys today.
Popularity of Malick since 1991
Babies named Malick per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 119 |
| 2000s | 206 |
| 2010s | 194 |
| 2020s | 107 |
Meaning & origin
Malick, a variant of Malik, entered the U.S. naming data in 1991 and has seen modest but consistent usage, ranking 4,539 in 2025 with an incidence of about 1 in 77,640 newborns. Its peak year was 1997, and it maintains a stable trajectory. New York was the top state for the name, reflecting its appeal in communities with West African and Muslim heritage. The name's regal meaning and cross-cultural resonance have given it a steady, if niche, presence in American naming practices.
Malick is a variant transcription of the Arabic name Malik, derived from the Arabic root م ل ك (m-l-k) meaning 'to possess' or 'to own', and directly translating to 'king' or 'sovereign'. It is widely used across the Muslim world, especially in West Africa, where it is often chosen for its regal connotations and association with divine attributes in Islam (e.g., Al-Malik, 'The King', one of the 99 names of Allah). The name gained visibility in the West through notable figures such as the Senegalese film director Malick Sidibé.
Where Malick is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Malick” around the world
Where Malick lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
55
babies in 2024
Quebec
9
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mal, Lee
Sibling names for Malick
Names that share Malick's style, for a brother or sister.
