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Home › Baby Names Directory › Isatou

Isatou

♀ Girl

Pronounced ee-sah-TOO /iː.sɑːˈtuː/Medium

Meaning: The Gambian and Senegalese form of Aisha, a name from the Arabic 'a'isha, 'alive, living' — borne by a wife of the Prophet Muhammad. Local speech and French-influenced spelling gave it the -tou ending heard across Mandinka and Wolof communities.Medium

In 30 seconds: The West African form of Aisha, 'alive; living' — used across Gambia and Senegal (said 'ee-sah-TOO').
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Origin MediumMandinka, Arabic
MeaningThe Gambian and Senegalese form of Aisha, a name from the Arabic 'a'isha, 'alive, living' — borne by a wife of the Prophet Muhammad. Local speech and French-influenced spelling gave it the -tou ending heard across Mandinka and Wolof communities.
U.S. rank (2024)#16180 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2003
Total births (all-time)≈ 326

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200319912024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Isatou is the West African form of Aisha, from the Arabic 'a'isha, 'alive, living' — the name of a wife of the Prophet Muhammad, and one of the most widely given names in the Muslim world. In the Gambia and Senegal it has taken this local shape and become one of the commonest girls' names there. It reaches the U.S. with West African families (said 'ee-sah-TOO').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S. Rare here, very familiar in the Gambia.

Did you know? Isatou is Aisha as spoken in the Gambia and Senegal — the same name, reshaped by Mandinka and Wolof speech and French spelling. Its -tou close is shared with Aissatou, Fatoumata and Hadiatou.
Overall data confidence 65%
References — Isatou — Gambian/Mandinka form of Aisha; Arabic 'alive'

Variations

AissatouAishaIsata

Nicknames

IsaSatoIsha

Famous Bearers

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If you like Isatou…

Aissatou— a like West African form of the same name
Aisha— the Arabic name behind it
Fatoumata— a like Mandinka girl's name
Mariama— a like West African pick

Explore names like Isatou

By themeheritagewest-africanarabic-rootmandinka

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Isatou mean?

Isatou is the West African form of Aisha, from the Arabic for 'alive, living.'

How do you pronounce Isatou?

It's said ee-sah-TOO /iː.sɑːˈtuː/ — three syllables, stress on the last.

Is Isatou a boy or girl name?

Isatou is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Isatou?

Isatou is a very rare name for girls in the U.S., though very common in the Gambia.

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