Our Malian name database contains 357 Malian surnames and 2.303 Malian first names categorized by gender and frequency. After payment you can download the Malian name database in CSV, SQL or JSON format. Africa is very poor organised and has no open data initiatives. The list of names from countries like Mali are very limited to the names we know from other countries. The Malian names are validated using official governmental databases we received in other countries which contained Malian names as well. To create the Malian name database we used 7.823 validated Malian social media profiles. We have a detailed explanation of our methodology and illustrate our approach with several examples.

Popular Malian surnames

This table show popular Malian surnames. In Mali, surnames are typically passed down through the father's line. This means that a child will take on their father's surname as their own. In some cases, a child may also take on their mother's surname as a second or middle name. However, this is not as common. Additionally, some individuals may choose to adopt a new surname upon marriage or for other personal reasons. Overall, the use of surnames in Mali is similar to many other cultures, with the main focus being on patrilineal descent.

Surname Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Traore 366 4.7% Ivorian French Guinean
Coulibaly 271 3.5% Ivorian French Senegalese
Diarra 238 3.0% Ivorian French Senegalese
Maiga 192 2.5% Nigerien French Ivorian
Keita 190 2.4% Guinean French Senegalese
Diallo 188 2.4% Guinean Senegalese French
Koné 158 2.0% Ivorian French American
Toure 148 1.9% Senegalese French Guinean
Dembélé 132 1.7% French Ivorian Belgian
Cissé 125 1.6% Senegalese Guinean French
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 7.823 Malian social media profiles.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this surname also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Malian first names

In Mali, parents typically choose a first name for their child based on cultural and religious significance. The name may be chosen to honor a family member or ancestor, or to reflect the child's personality or future aspirations. Some parents may also consult with a spiritual leader or elder to select a name that has special meaning or is believed to bring good luck to the child.

Popular Malian male names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Mohamed 218 3.5% Egyptian Dutch Algerian
Moussa 194 3.1% Senegalese French Guinean
Mamadou 167 2.7% Senegalese French Guinean
Abdoulaye 138 2.2% Senegalese Guinean French
Oumar 128 2.1% Senegalese Guinean French
Amadou 118 1.9% Senegalese Guinean French
Ousmane 112 1.8% Senegalese Guinean French
Mahamadou 106 1.7% Nigerien French Ivorian
Ibrahim 105 1.7% Turkish Egyptian Nigerian
Boubacar 96 1.6% Senegalese Guinean French
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 7.823 Malian social media profiles from which 6.192 (79%) is male.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Popular Malian female names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Adama 91 5.6% Senegalese Ivorian French
Diarra 66 4.0% Ivorian French Senegalese
Maïga 38 2.3% Ivorian Burkinabe Nigerien
Mariam 32 2.0% Egyptian American British
Fatoumata 30 1.8% French Senegalese Guinean
Kone 29 1.8% Ivorian French Burkinabe
Aissata 23 1.4% French Guinean Senegalese
Aminata 18 1.1% Senegalese French American
Sylla 17 1.0% Ivorian Guinean French
Hawa 15 0.9% American French Guinean
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 7.823 Malian social media profiles from which 1.631 (21%) is female.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.