Find out how popular the first name Camara has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Camara by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Camara is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 92% of people named Camara being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 11 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Camara.

The history of the first name Camara

The name Camara has its roots in the Mandinka language spoken by the Mandinka people of West Africa, particularly in present-day Guinea, Senegal, and Mali. It originated as a term meaning "one who is trustworthy" or "one who keeps secrets."

The earliest known reference to the name Camara can be traced back to the 13th century, during the reign of the Mali Empire. Historical accounts mention Camara as a prominent family name among the nobility and warriors of the empire.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Camara was Sundiata Keita, also known as Mari Jata Keita or Sundjata Keita, who lived from circa 1217 to 1255. He was the founder and first emperor of the Mali Empire, celebrated for his military victories and unification of the Mandinka kingdoms.

Another notable figure with the name Camara was Mansa Musa I, who ruled the Mali Empire from 1312 to 1337. He was renowned for his wealth and his famous pilgrimage to Mecca, which brought the Mali Empire to the attention of the wider world.

During the 16th century, the name Camara appeared in Portuguese records from their encounters with the Mandinka people along the West African coast. One such individual was Antão Camara, a Mandinka trader who acted as an interpreter and intermediary between the Portuguese and local populations.

In the 19th century, Samori Ture, also known as Samory Touré or Samori Camara, was a prominent military leader and the founder of the Wassoulou Empire in present-day Guinea. He was born around 1830 and fought against French colonial expansion until his capture in 1898.

Another significant figure with the name Camara was Abdoulaye Camara, a Guinean politician and military officer who played a crucial role in the country's independence movement. He was born in 1919 and served as the first Prime Minister of Guinea after independence in 1958.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Camara was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Camara, please contact us.

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