Rising since 1990, #1,753 for boys today.
Popularity of Mamadou since 1990
Babies named Mamadou per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 204 |
| 2000s | 654 |
| 2010s | 630 |
| 2020s | 436 |
Meaning & origin
First recorded in U.S. data in 1990, Mamadou has risen steadily ever since, reaching a peak rank of 1,753 in 2025. That year, roughly 1 in 18,566 newborn boys received the name, reflecting growing West African diaspora communities. The name is most common in New York, Ohio, and Washington. While still rare overall, its upward trajectory since the 1990s signals increasing visibility. Parents choosing Mamadou often honor religious tradition while embracing a distinctive name with a clear cultural heritage.
Mamadou is a West African variant of the Arabic name Muhammad, derived from the root ḥ-m-d meaning 'to praise.' It is widely used among Muslim families in Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and other parts of the region, often given in honor of the Islamic prophet. The name was introduced to the United States primarily through immigration from West Africa beginning in the late 20th century.
Where Mamadou is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Mamadou” around the world
Where Mamadou lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
315
babies in 2024
Quebec
10
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mama, Dou, Mads
Sibling names for Mamadou
Names that share Mamadou's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Aissata, Fatoumata, Aminata, Khadija, Mariama, Aissatou, Binta, Bintou, Diarra, Fatou, Kadiatou, Oumou, Coumba, Fatimata, Fatumata, Hadja, Isatou, Marieme, Ndeye, Ramatoulaye, Salimata, Seynabou, Sokhna, Ramata, Astou, Djeneba, Mariame, Rokhaya, Safiatou, Salimatou
Brothers: Abdoulaye, Ibrahima, Ousmane, Souleymane, Cheikh, Abdoul, Aboubacar, Amadou, Boubacar, Diallo, Keita, Mahamadou, Thierno, Cheick, Ebrima, Elhadj, Elhadji, Jawara, Kunta, Lamin, Serigne, Youssouf, Ahmadou, Alassane, Alieu, Alioune, Babacar, Daouda, Fallou, Pape, Saliou, Seydina, Seydou
