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Mariama

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-ree-AH-muh /ˌmɑː.riˈɑː.mə/High

Meaning: beloved, wished-for childHigh

In 30 seconds: Mariama is the West African form of Maryam (Mary/Miriam) meaning beloved. One of the most popular names across Muslim West Africa, honoring the mother of Jesus in Islam and Christianity.
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Origin HighArabic, West African
Meaningbeloved, wished-for child
U.S. rank (2024)#2369 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births77 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,099

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419712024

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

History & Origin

Mariama is the West African Mandé and Wolof form of Maryam, meaning beloved or wished-for child. It is the most common form of the name across Senegal, Guinea, and Mali.

Mariama is one of the most popular names in West Africa and appears frequently in the Senegalese diaspora.

Did you know? In the Quran, Maryam (Mary) is the only woman mentioned by name and has an entire chapter (Surah 19) dedicated to her — making Mariama a name of extraordinary spiritual importance.
Overall data confidence 88%
Wehr, Arabic-English Dictionary — reference for MariamaBehind the Name: Maryam — name etymology referenceWest African Name Studies — reference for Mariama

Variations

MaryamMariamMiriamMarie

Nicknames

MariAma

Famous Bearers

  • ★Mariama Bâ (1929–1981)
    Senegalese novelist and feminist, author of the acclaimed epistolary novel So Long a Letter (1979).

If you like Mariama…

Maryam— direct Arabic form of same name
Amina— most important Arabic feminine name of same heritage
Fatoumata— West African form of a revered Islamic name
Aminata— West African elaboration of another revered name
Kadiatou— West African form of Khadijah of similar heritage

Frequently Asked

What does Mariama mean?

Mariama means beloved or wished-for child, as the West African form of Maryam from Hebrew Miriam.

How do you pronounce Mariama?

Mariama is pronounced mah-ree-AH-muh (/ˌmɑː.riˈɑː.mə/), with four syllables.

Is Mariama a girl's name?

Yes, Mariama is an exclusively feminine name.

How popular is the name Mariama?

Mariama is one of the most popular girls' names in Senegal, Guinea, Mali, and the West African diaspora.