Declining since 2022, #4,067 for girls today.
Popularity of Melek since 1987
Babies named Melek per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 12 |
| 2000s | 56 | 12 |
| 2010s | 158 | 24 |
| 2020s | 359 | 19 |
Meaning & origin
Melek is a name that entered U.S. records in 1987, and by 2025 it ranked 4,067 with a 1-in-45,922 frequency. Its peak year was 2022, though it has been declining since then. The name is most common in Texas and California, reflecting communities with Turkish and Arabic heritage. Melek combines a soft, melodic sound with a strong symbolic meaning, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with cross-cultural appeal.
Melek is a Turkish form derived from Arabic malak (angel). In Arabic, the word for angel is malak (with short a), while malik (with long a) means king. The name has been used in Turkey and among Turkic and Arabic speaking populations, often as a feminine given name. Its use in the United States has been sporadic since the late 1980s.
Where Melek is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Melek” around the world
Where Melek lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
60
babies in 2024
Ireland
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Sibling names for Melek
Names that share Melek's style, for a brother or sister.
