Amadou

A boy's name of Arabic origin with 1,177 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's name#2869 in 2024Rising fast

Meaning & Origin

a male given name, widely used in Islamic West Africa

Amadou is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, the West African form of Muhammad, widely used across Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and other Francophone African nations. It carries the spiritual significance of the Prophet's name in a melodic, regionally distinctive form.

Renowned Malian musician Amadou Bagayoko, of the duo Amadou & Mariam, has brought the name international recognition, giving it a warm cultural cachet.

EtymologyShow more

Amadou is cataloged under the Arabic naming tradition. Arabic names frequently carry layered meanings tied to virtue, beauty, or devotion — a naming tradition where the meaning of a name is considered deeply important.

In the U.S., Amadou has been recorded as a boy's name since 1992, with 1,177 total births. Browse the Arabic names hub on this site to explore the broader family.

At a Glance

1,177

Total births

Since 1992

2008

Peak

59 births

1992

First recorded

33 years of data

Compare Amadou with another name

Popularity Over Time

Amadou was #2284 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2869, but its charm endures.

First appeared: 1992Peak: 2008 (59 births)Current: #2869

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Amadou
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	189	#3191	▼
2010s	430	#2821	—
2000s	442	#2544	▲
1990s	116	#5156	—

The Story of Amadou

A Gen Z name

Peaking in 2008, Amadou is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Amadou are most likely born between 1998 and 2018.

How rare is Amadou?

Only about 1 in every 81,818 babies born in 2024 was named Amadou — a truly uncommon choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1992, peaked in the 2000s with 442 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.

Amadou by the numbers

Would fill 25 school buses
Meeting one Amadou per day would take 3.2 years

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(33 years, 1992–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Amadou
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	44	#2869	+5 (12.8%)
2023	39	#3118	-4 (-9.3%)
2022	43	#2919	+16 (59.3%)
2021	27	#3913	-9 (-25.0%)
2020	36	#3137	-11 (-23.4%)
2019	47	#2697	+16 (51.6%)
2018	31	#3532	-10 (-24.4%)
2017	41	#2892	+4 (10.8%)
2016	37	#3110	-20 (-35.1%)
2015	57	#2302	+16 (39.0%)
2014	41	#2848	-3 (-6.8%)
2013	44	#2668	-1 (-2.2%)
2012	45	#2677	+2 (4.7%)
2011	43	#2752	-1 (-2.3%)
2010	44	#2734	-5 (-10.2%)
2009	49	#2561	-10 (-16.9%)
2008	59	#2237	+7 (13.5%)
2007	52	#2446	+9 (20.9%)
2006	43	#2699	+5 (13.2%)
2005	38	#2804	-12 (-24.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amadou a boy's or girl's name?

Amadou is primarily a boy's name.

When was Amadou most popular?

Amadou reached its peak popularity in 2008 with 59 births that year. It is currently ranked #2869 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Amadou?

Amadou is currently ranked #2869 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 1,177 babies since 1992.

Explore More

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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1992–2024