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Sundiata
Pronounced soon-dee-AH-tuh /ˌsʊndiˈɑtə/Low
Meaning: Sundiata honors Sundiata Keita, the thirteenth-century founder of the Mali Empire and hero of the Mandinka Epic of Sundiata. His name, also spelled Sunjata, is often glossed 'the hungering lion.' It is adopted chiefly as a West African heritage and tribute name.Low
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
Sundiata is a West African heritage name honoring Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire and hero of the Mandinka epic that bears his name. Often read as 'the hungering lion,' it was embraced by African American families from the nineteen-seventies as a name of pride and history.
It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about sixteen boys a year at its peak around 1971, chosen chiefly as a tribute name. A boy named Sundiata then is in his fifties today.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Sundiata Keita (c. 1217-1255)Founder of the Mali Empire and hero of the Mandinka Epic of Sundiata; traditionally called 'the hungering lion.'
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Sundiata mean?
It is a heritage name honoring Sundiata Keita, founder of the Mali Empire; his name is often glossed 'the hungering lion.'
How do you pronounce Sundiata?
It is said soon-dee-AH-tuh /ˌsʊndiˈɑtə/ - four syllables.
Is Sundiata a boy or girl name?
Sundiata is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Sundiata?
It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about sixteen boys a year at its peak in the nineteen-seventies.