Find out how popular the first name Lamin has been for the last 47 years (from 1977 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lamin by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Lamin is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Lamin.

The history of the first name Lamin

The name Lamin has its origins in the Wolof language, spoken primarily in Senegal and Gambia. It is derived from the Wolof word "lam," which means "to precede" or "to go before." The name likely emerged as early as the 13th century, during the flourishing of the Wolof Empire in West Africa.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Lamin can be found in the Epic of Sundiata, a medieval oral tradition that recounts the story of the founder of the Mali Empire. In this epic, Lamin is mentioned as one of the griots, or oral historians, who preserved the history and traditions of the Mandinka people.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Lamin. One of the earliest was Lamin Khayr, a 16th-century Wolof military leader and diplomat who played a crucial role in the expansion of the Wolof Empire under the reign of Damel (King) Amari Ngoone.

Another prominent figure was Lamin Sané, a 19th-century Senegalese scholar and Islamic teacher who established several Quranic schools and played a significant role in the spread of Islamic education in the region. He was born in 1835 and died in 1887.

In the 20th century, Lamin Diack, born in 1933, was a Senegalese businessman and former president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). He served as the IAAF president from 1999 to 2015 and was instrumental in the global development of athletics.

Lamin Keita, born in 1961, is a Guinean politician who served as the Prime Minister of Guinea from 2010 to 2012. He played a crucial role in the transition to democracy in Guinea after years of authoritarian rule.

Lamin Sanneh, born in 1942, is a Gambian-American historian and scholar of Islam and Christianity. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the study of religious and cultural interactions in Africa and the African diaspora.

It is worth noting that while the name Lamin has its roots in the Wolof language and culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and is now used in various parts of Africa and the world, particularly among Muslim communities.

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 Lamin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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