Sabali
A feminine name of African origin meaning "to open up".
Name Census estimates that about 57 living Americans carry the first name Sabali. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 59.6% of registrations being female. The average person named Sabali today is around 6 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Sabali births was 2021 (17 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Sabali. 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.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Sabali. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
57
~ 1 in 6,013,234 Americans
Peak year
2021
17 babies that year
Average age
6
years old
2022 SSA rank
#10,642
Tracked since 2017
Gender
Gender distribution for Sabali
Sabali is one of the more evenly split names in the SSA data. Of the 57 total registrations, 23 (40.4%) were male and 34 (59.6%) were female.
Sabali as a male name
- Ranked #10,642 in 2022
- 7 male births in 2022
- Peak: 2021 (11 births)
Sabali as a female name
- Ranked #17,304 in 2022
- 5 female births in 2022
- Peak: 2017 (9 births)
Popularity
Sabali: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Sabali from the 2010s through to the 2020s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 42 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sabali 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 Sabali during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Sabali
The given name Sabali has its origins in the West African region, specifically among the Mandinka people of Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. The name can be traced back to the 13th century during the reign of the Mali Empire, one of the richest and most influential empires in West African history.
Sabali is derived from the Mandinka word "sàbali," which means "patience" or "perseverance." It reflects the cultural values and virtues held in high regard by the Mandinka people, emphasizing the importance of resilience, endurance, and steadfastness in the face of adversity.
While the name does not appear to have any direct references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is deeply rooted in the oral traditions and storytelling practices of the Mandinka culture. Many legendary tales and proverbs extol the virtues of patience and perseverance, which were considered essential qualities for navigating the challenges of daily life in the region.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Sabali can be found in the historical records of the Kaabu Empire, a Mandinka kingdom that flourished in modern-day Senegal and Guinea-Bissau during the 16th and 17th centuries. Sabali Mané, a renowned warrior and leader from that era, is believed to have carried this name as a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience on the battlefield.
Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Sabali, including Sabali Sory Kanté (1922-1987), a celebrated Malian griot and musician who played a significant role in preserving and popularizing the rich musical traditions of West Africa. Another prominent figure was Sabali Kante (1910-1987), a Guinean politician and diplomat who served as the first Permanent Representative of Guinea to the United Nations.
In the realm of literature, Sabali Janneh (1929-2016) was a Gambian writer and educator known for her contributions to the preservation of Mandinka folktales and oral traditions. Her works provided valuable insights into the cultural heritage and storytelling practices of the Mandinka people.
Furthermore, Sabali Dakowa (1920-2003) was a renowned Senegalese artist and sculptor whose works celebrated the vibrant traditions and cultural expressions of the Mandinka and other West African communities. His sculptures can be found in various museums and galleries around the world.
It is worth noting that while the name Sabali has its roots in West Africa, it has since transcended cultural boundaries and can be found among people of various backgrounds and nationalities, reflecting the global reach and appreciation for the virtues it embodies.
People
Sabali + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Sabali as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Sabali: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Sabali?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 57 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Sabali 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 6,013,234 US residents.
Is Sabali a common name?
We classify Sabali as "Very Rare". It ranks above 56.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 57 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Sabali most popular?
The single biggest year for Sabali was 2021, when 17 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Sabali is about 6 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Sabali a female name?
Yes, 59.6% of people registered as Sabali 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.