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Salimatou

♀ Girl

Pronounced sah-lee-mah-TOO /sɑ.li.mɑˈtu/Medium

Meaning: Salimatou is a West African (notably Guinean, Malian, Senegalese and Ivorian) form of Salima/Salimata, from the Arabic root s-l-m, 'safe, sound, unharmed, whole' - the same root behind Salam and Salim. The -tou/-ta ending is a common West African name-forming suffix.Medium

In 30 seconds: Salimatou is a West African form of Salima, from Arabic salim - 'safe, sound, whole' (said 'sah-lee-mah-TOO').

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Origin MediumArabic, West African

MeaningSalimatou is a West African (notably Guinean, Malian, Senegalese and Ivorian) form of Salima/Salimata, from the Arabic root s-l-m, 'safe, sound, unharmed, whole' - the same root behind Salam and Salim. The -tou/-ta ending is a common West African name-forming suffix.

U.S. rank (2022)#17324 ↘ Falling

2022 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2010

Total births (all-time)≈ 113

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Salimatou is a West African form of the Arabic name Salima, from the root s-l-m, 'safe, sound, whole' - the root that also gives salam, 'peace'. It is widely borne in Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and neighbouring countries, where the -tou (or -ta) suffix shapes many women's names. In the U.S. it is carried mostly by families of West African heritage (said 'sah-lee-mah-TOO').

It is very rare and newly emerging for girls in the U.S. Rare here, long-established in West Africa.

Did you know? Salimatou carries the Arabic root s-l-m - the same root that gives salam, 'peace' - reshaped by West African naming with its familiar -tou ending. It means 'safe, sound, whole' (said 'sah-lee-mah-TOO').

Overall data confidence 62%

References - Salimatou — West African form of Salima; Arabic root s-l-m 'safe, sound'.

Variations

SalimataSalimaSelimatou

Nicknames

SaliSalimaSal

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If you like Salimatou…

Aminata— a like West African name with the same shape

Fatoumata— shares the West African -ma/-ta pattern

Halima— a fellow Arabic-root name used across West Africa

Mariama— a like flowing four-beat West African pick

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By themerare traditional west-african arabic-root

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Salimatou mean?

Salimatou means 'safe, sound, whole'. It is a West African form of Salima, from the Arabic root s-l-m.

How do you pronounce Salimatou?

It's said sah-lee-mah-TOO /sɑ.li.mɑˈtu/ - four syllables, stress on the last.

Is Salimatou a boy or girl name?

Salimatou is a girl's name.

How popular is Salimatou?

Salimatou is very rare and newly emerging in the U.S., though well established in West Africa.