Barack (name) explained

Barack, also spelled Barak or Baraq, is a given name of Arabic origin. From the Semitic root B-R-K, it means "blessed" and is most commonly used in its feminine form Baraka(h).

The Semitic root B-R-K has the original meaning of "to kneel down", with a secondary meaning "to bless".^[1]

In Islamic mysticism, Barakah (ar|بركة ) is a concept of spiritual presence or revelation.The cognate Hebrew term is Berakhah (Hebrew: rtl=yes|בְּרָכָה) "benediction, blessing" which is related to the Biblical Hebrew given name Baruch . It can also be derived from the root B-R-Q (he|ב־ר־ק; ar|ب-ر-ق ), meaning "lightning".

The Arabic masculine given name Mubarak is the Arabic stem III passive participle, (Arabic: مبارك), meaning "blessed (one)".

The name is cognate with the Amharic given name ብሩክ ("Biruk").

People with the given name

• Barack Adama (born 1985), a French rapper
• Barack Obama (born 1961), former US president
• Barack Obama Sr. (1936–1982), father of Barack Obama and Kenyan economist

People with the surname

• Ghiyas-ud-din Baraq (1266–1271), a Khan of the Chagatai Khanate
• Moisés Barack (1943–2024), a Peruvian footballer

Fictional characters

• The protagonist of Barack the Barbarian, a comic book series

See also

• Arabic name
  • Barak (given name)
• Barak (surname)
• Burak (name)
• Burack
  • Mubarak (name)

Notes and References

1. Book: Murtonen , Aimo . Hebrew in its West Semitic setting: a comparative survey of non-Masoretic Hebrew dialects and traditions. Hospers. J.H.. 1986. E.J. Brill. Leiden. 9789004088993.