Declining since 2002, #10,107 for girls today.
Popularity of Isatou since 1991
Babies named Isatou per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 62 |
| 2000s | 136 |
| 2010s | 91 |
| 2020s | 46 |
Meaning & origin
Isatou first entered U.S. records in 1991, reflecting immigration from West Africa. Its peak usage came in 2003, when it ranked highest among recorded years. Since 2002, its frequency has been on a gradual decline, consistent with many regionally specific names that do not cross over broadly into mainstream American naming. Although it has not clustered in any particular state, Isatou remains a culturally meaningful choice for families with Gambian or Senegalese heritage. The name's trajectory illustrates how diaspora communities sustain traditional names even as broader adoption remains modest.
Isatou is a name commonly used among the Mandinka and other ethnic groups in The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea. It is widely considered a variant of Aisatu, itself a West African adaptation of the Arabic name Aisha, meaning 'alive' or 'living'. The name has been borne by prominent Gambian figures, contributing to its regional popularity. Historically associated with the Islamic tradition, it gained broader recognition in the English-speaking world through immigration and cultural exchanges.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Isa, Satu, Tou
Variants: Aisatu, Isatu, Isatuta
Sibling names for Isatou
Names that share Isatou's style, for a brother or sister.
