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

Diabaté, 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 Diabaté surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Diabaté in America

Diabaté is the 68122nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Diabaté surname appeared 289 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 Diabaté.

We can also compare 2010 data for Diabaté to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Diabaté

The surname DIABATE originated in the West African country of Mali. It is believed to have emerged during the 13th century, derived from the Mandinka language spoken in the region. The name is thought to be linked to the Mandinka word "diabatö," which translates to "griot" or "storyteller."

In the ancient Mali Empire, griots played a crucial role as oral historians, storytellers, and entertainers. They were responsible for preserving and transmitting the rich cultural traditions and histories of their communities through music, poetry, and oral narratives passed down from generation to generation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the DIABATE name can be found in the "Tarikh al-Fattan" (Chronicle of the Seeker), a 17th-century manuscript written by Mahmoud Kati, a renowned scholar from Timbuktu. This historical text mentions several DIABATE families who held prominent positions as griots in the courts of various Mali rulers.

During the 14th century, a notable DIABATE griot named Balla Faséké became renowned for his mastery of the kora, a West African stringed instrument, and his exceptional storytelling abilities. He served in the court of the legendary Mansa Musa, the influential ruler of the Mali Empire, and accompanied him on his famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324.

Another prominent figure bearing the DIABATE name was Mamadou Diabate, a celebrated kora player and griot from the 19th century. Born in 1835, he was renowned for his vast repertoire of ancient epic tales and his virtuosity on the kora. Mamadou Diabate's performances were highly sought after by nobles and commoners alike, and he played an instrumental role in preserving the oral traditions of the Mandinka people.

In the 20th century, Lamine Diabate, born in 1940, achieved international fame as a griot and kora master. He was recognized for his efforts in promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Mali through his music and storytelling. Lamine Diabate's performances at various festivals and concerts around the world helped introduce the Mandinka griot tradition to a global audience.

The DIABATE surname is also closely associated with the town of Kita in western Mali, which has been a hub for griots and storytellers for centuries. Many prominent DIABATE families trace their lineage back to this region, where the art of griotism has been passed down through generations.

While the DIABATE name has its roots in the Mandinka culture of Mali, it has since spread to other parts of West Africa and beyond, with descendants of Malian griots carrying on the rich cultural traditions and storytelling legacies associated with this illustrious surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Diabaté

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

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 Diabaté 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Diabaté has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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