Toure
A boy's name of French origin with 420 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from French.
Toure is a boy's baby name of West African origin, from the Mandinka and Fulani peoples, meaning 'lion' — the Touré clan is one of the great noble clans of West Africa, with the lion as their traditional symbol of power and kingship.
The Touré surname is found across West Africa — carried by the legendary Samori Touré, founder of the Wassoulou Empire who resisted French colonization; Ahmed Sékou Touré, first President of Guinea; and Kanye West's mother, Donda C. West (née Donda Sheeri Touré). As a given name, it carries extraordinary West African royal heritage.
EtymologyShow more
Toure is cataloged under the French naming tradition. French names blend Latin roots with Norman, Frankish, and Gallic influences, often lending an air of elegance and formality.
In the U.S., Toure has been recorded as a boy's name since 1965, with 420 total births. Browse the French names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Toure was #9853 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #12170, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 16 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 42 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 93 | — |
| 1990s | 102 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 73 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 84 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 10 | — |
The Story of Toure
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2008, Toure is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Toure are most likely born between 1998 and 2018.
How rare is Toure?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Toure — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1965, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1990s with 102 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Toure by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Toure per day would take 1.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(48 years, 1965–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #12170 |
| 2021 | 10 | #8099 |
| 2019 | 10 | #8151 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10639 |
| 2016 | 6 | #12034 |
| 2014 | 6 | #11979 |
| 2012 | 5 | #14037 |
| 2010 | 8 | #9592 |
| 2009 | 6 | #12339 |
| 2008 | 18 | #5231 |
| 2007 | 12 | #7040 |
| 2006 | 10 | #7948 |
| 2005 | 13 | #6182 |
| 2004 | 7 | #9853 |
| 2002 | 12 | #6052 |
| 2001 | 6 | #10435 |
| 2000 | 9 | #7352 |
| 1999 | 14 | #5008 |
| 1998 | 7 | #8392 |
| 1997 | 7 | #8039 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Toure a boy's or girl's name?
When was Toure most popular?
How popular is the name Toure?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1965–2024