Coumba
An African name of Senegalese or Gambian origin meaning "girl born on Wednesday".
Name Census estimates that about 212 living Americans carry the first name Coumba. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Coumba today is around 14 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Coumba births was 2014 (15 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Coumba. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
212
~ 1 in 1,616,766 Americans
Peak year
2014
15 babies that year
Average age
14
years old
2024 SSA rank
#9,664
Tracked since 1999
Popularity
Coumba: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Coumba from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 86 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Coumba remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Coumba by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Coumba during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Coumbas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Coumba
The name Coumba originates from the Wolof language spoken in Senegal, West Africa. It is derived from the word "kumba," which means "woman" or "young girl" in Wolof. The Wolof people are an ethnic group predominantly found in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania, with a long and rich cultural history dating back several centuries.
Coumba is a traditional Wolof name that has been used for generations within the Wolof community. It is believed to have its roots in the pre-colonial era, before the arrival of European influences in the region. The name carries a sense of respect and admiration for the feminine spirit, celebrating the strength and resilience of Wolof women.
Early records of the name Coumba can be found in oral traditions, folktales, and songs passed down through generations of Wolof families. It has been mentioned in ancient Wolof poetry and proverbs, reflecting the importance placed on names and their symbolic meanings within the culture.
Throughout history, several notable Wolof women have borne the name Coumba. One prominent figure was Coumba Ndoye (1848-1923), a renowned griotte (female poet and singer) who played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting Wolof oral traditions. Her poetic works and performances were highly respected and celebrated within the Wolof community.
Another influential Coumba was Coumba Gaye (1902-1996), a pioneering Senegalese educator and activist. She dedicated her life to promoting education and empowering women, establishing several schools and advocating for gender equality. Her efforts paved the way for future generations of Senegalese women to pursue education and achieve greater opportunities.
In the realm of literature, Coumba Dème (1938-2009) was a celebrated Senegalese writer and poet. Her works, written in both French and Wolof, explored themes of identity, culture, and the experiences of Wolof women. She was a influential voice in the Négritude literary movement and was recognized with numerous awards for her contributions to African literature.
Coumba Samb (born 1951) is a renowned Senegalese painter and sculptor, renowned for her vibrant and expressive artworks that depict various aspects of Wolof culture and daily life. Her works have been exhibited internationally and are celebrated for their unique style and representation of African identity.
In the world of sports, Coumba Cissé (born 1973) is a former Senegalese basketball player who represented her country in several international competitions. She was a key player in the Senegalese national team and is remembered for her exceptional skills and dedication to the sport.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Coumba throughout history, each leaving a lasting impact in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of Wolof culture and heritage.
People
Coumba + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Coumba as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Coumba: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Coumba?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 212 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Coumba going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,616,766 US residents.
Is Coumba a common name?
We classify Coumba as "Very Rare". It ranks above 75% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 214 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Coumba most popular?
The single biggest year for Coumba was 2014, when 15 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Coumba is about 14 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Coumba a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Coumba in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.