Find out how popular the last name Amadou is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Amadou.

Amadou, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Amadou surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Amadou in America

Amadou is the 101247th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Amadou surname appeared 178 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Amadou.

The history of the last name Amadou

The surname Amadou originated in West Africa, specifically in the Senegal region, and it has been traced back to the early 16th century. The name is derived from the Wolof language, which is spoken in Senegal, and it is believed to be a variant of the name "Ahmadou," which means "one who is highly praised" or "the praised one."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Amadou appears in a 16th-century manuscript that details the history of the Wolof people. This manuscript mentions an influential figure named Amadou Ndiaye, who was a prominent leader and warrior during that time period. The name Amadou was also found in several other historical records from the region, including local chronicles and genealogical records.

In the 17th century, the name Amadou began to spread beyond the borders of Senegal as a result of the transatlantic slave trade. Many Africans with the surname Amadou were forcibly taken to the Americas, and their descendants can be found in various parts of the Caribbean and the United States.

One notable figure with the surname Amadou was Amadou Bamba (1853-1927), a Senegalese Muslim religious leader and the founder of the Mouride Brotherhood, a prominent Sufi order in West Africa. Bamba played a significant role in promoting education and peaceful resistance against French colonial rule in Senegal.

Another prominent individual with the name Amadou was Amadou Hampâté Bâ (1901-1991), a Malian writer, ethnologist, and historian. He was known for his efforts in preserving and promoting the oral traditions and cultural heritage of the Fulani people in West Africa.

In the literary world, Amadou Koné (1953-2002) was a notable Ivorian writer and playwright. His works often explored themes of tradition, modernity, and the struggles of urban life in West Africa.

Amadou Diallo (1975-1999) was a Guinean immigrant who was tragically shot and killed by police officers in New York City in 1999. His case sparked widespread outrage and highlighted issues of racial profiling and excessive force by law enforcement.

In the realm of sports, Amadou Gallo Fall (born 1976) is a former Senegalese professional basketball player who played in the NBA for several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks.

While the surname Amadou has its roots in West Africa, particularly in Senegal, it has since been carried across continents and has become a part of various cultural and historical narratives around the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Amadou

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Amadou.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Amadou was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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