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Fatoumata

♀ Girl

Pronounced fah-too-MAH-tuh /ˌfɑ.tu.ˈmɑ.tə/Medium

Meaning: A West African (Mandinka/Fulani) form of the Arabic Fatima, the name of the Prophet Muhammad's daughter, traditionally glossed "one who abstains" or "captivating"; common in Mali, Senegal, and Guinea.Medium

In 30 seconds: Fatoumata is a West African form of the Arabic name Fatima, borne by the Prophet Muhammad's daughter. It is traditionally glossed 'one who abstains' or 'captivating'.
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Origin MediumWestern African, Arabic
MeaningA West African (Mandinka/Fulani) form of the Arabic Fatima, the name of the Prophet Muhammad's daughter, traditionally glossed "one who abstains" or "captivating"; common in Mali, Senegal, and Guinea.
U.S. rank (2024)#1695 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births120 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,441

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419912024

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

History & Origin

The name carries Fatima into Mandinka and Fulani speech, where it became Fatoumata and spread widely across Mali, Senegal, and Guinea. Its deep significance comes from Fatima, the Prophet Muhammad's daughter, a revered figure in Islam, and the traditional readings of 'one who abstains' or 'captivating' come down with it. So while the spelling is West African, the meaning and prestige are rooted in Arabic.

The name flexes across the region in forms like Fatuma, Fatimata, and Fatimatou, each adapting Fatima to local sound. The Malian singer-songwriter and guitarist Fatoumata Diawara, born 1982 and Grammy-nominated, has carried the name into contemporary world music.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Fatoumata is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 70%
Behind the Name - Fatoumata — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

FatiméFatumaFatimataFatimatouFatime

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Fatoumata Diawara (born 1982)
    Malian singer-songwriter and guitarist, and a Grammy-nominated figure in contemporary West African music. She has also acted in films and collaborated with international artists.

If you like Fatoumata…

Fatima— the Arabic source name that Fatoumata adapts in West Africa
Aminata— a West African girls' name with the same regional sound and '-ata' ending
Mariama— another Arabic-rooted name common across the same West African countries

Frequently Asked

What does the name Fatoumata mean?

Fatoumata is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Western African tradition.

How do you pronounce Fatoumata?

It's commonly said fah-too-MAH-tuh /ˌfɑ.tu.ˈmɑ.tə/.

Is Fatoumata a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Fatoumata is used as a girl name.

How popular is Fatoumata?

In 2024, Fatoumata ranked #1695 in the U.S. for girls, with 120 births recorded.