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Aminata

♀ Girl

Pronounced ah-mee-NAH-tah /ˌɑː.miˈnɑː.tɑː/High

Meaning: trustworthy, faithful, honestHigh

In 30 seconds: Aminata is a West African elaboration of the Arabic Amina meaning trustworthy. It is the name of the Prophet Muhammad's mother and is deeply honored across Muslim West Africa.
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Origin HighArabic, West African
Meaningtrustworthy, faithful, honest
U.S. rank (2024)#2298 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births80 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,241

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201519742024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Aminata is the West African elaborated form of Amina, from the Arabic amana meaning trustworthiness. Amina bint Wahb was the mother of the Prophet Muhammad, making Amina and its variants deeply honored names in Islam.

Aminata is widely used in Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and across Muslim West Africa. It gained international visibility through author Aminata Sow Fall and Sierra Leonean writer Aminatta Forna.

Did you know? Aminata Sow Fall of Senegal is often called the mother of African literature in French — her 1979 novel La Grève des bàttu pioneered African postcolonial fiction, showing the name is associated with cultural trailblazers.
Overall data confidence 90%
Wehr, Arabic-English Dictionary — reference for AminataBehind the Name: Amina — name etymology referenceWest African Name Studies — reference for Aminata

Variations

AminaAminahAminatou

Nicknames

AmiMinaNata

Famous Bearers

  • ★Aminata Sow Fall (1941–present)
    Senegalese author, a pioneering figure of francophone African literature, best known for The Beggars' Strike.

If you like Aminata…

Amina— base form of the same name
Fatoumata— West African elaboration of Fatima of similar structure
Mariama— West African form of Maryam of similar length
Kadiatou— West African feminine name of similar sound and structure
Aissatou— West African form of Aisha of similar four-syllable pattern

Frequently Asked

What does Aminata mean?

Aminata means trustworthy, faithful, and honest, as the West African elaboration of the Arabic Amina.

How do you pronounce Aminata?

Aminata is pronounced ah-mee-NAH-tah (/ˌɑː.miˈnɑː.tɑː/), with four syllables.

Is Aminata a girl's name?

Yes, Aminata is an exclusively feminine name widely used in West Africa.

How popular is the name Aminata?

Aminata is very popular in Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and Muslim communities across West Africa.