UK boy's name
Amadu
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "the trustworthy one".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Amadu is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Amadu popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4527, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 8 births.
This profile covers 23 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2004 to 2009. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 23 living people in the UK are called Amadu. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Amadu ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales in 2009, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 8 boys were registered as Amadu.
- • About 23 living people in the UK are estimated to have Amadu as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4527
2009
Births in 2009
3
Latest year
Peak year
2007
8 births
Estimated living
23
2026
Meaning
What does Amadu mean?
The given name Amadu has its origins in the Mandinka language, spoken by the Mandinka people of West Africa. The name is derived from the Arabic name "Ahmad" or "Muhammad," which means "the praised one" or "the one who is praiseworthy."
Historically, the Mandinka people were a prominent ethnic group within the Mali Empire, which flourished in West Africa from the 13th to the 17th century. The name Amadu was likely introduced to the region during the spread of Islam and was adopted by the Mandinka people, who embraced the religion and incorporated Arabic names into their culture.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Amadu can be found in the Epic of Sundiata, a famous Mandinka oral tradition that dates back to the 13th century. The epic tells the story of Sundiata Keita, the legendary founder of the Mali Empire, and mentions several individuals with the name Amadu, suggesting its widespread use during that time period.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Amadu. Among them is Amadu Bamba (1853-1927), a Senegalese Muslim religious leader and the founder of the Mouride Brotherhood, one of the most influential Sufi orders in West Africa. Another prominent individual was Amadu Gassama (1915-1983), a Malian politician and diplomat who served as the first Prime Minister of Mali after the country's independence from France in 1960.
In the realm of literature, Amadu Hampâté Bâ (1901-1991) was a renowned Malian writer, ethnologist, and historian who played a crucial role in preserving the oral traditions and cultural heritage of the Fulani people. His works, such as "The Fortunes of Wangrin" and "The Wonderful Adventures of Nalla and Damisen," have become classics in African literature.
In the world of sports, Amadu Massire Diallo (1975-) is a former Guinean football player who represented his country in several international tournaments and played professionally in various European leagues.
Amadu Camara (1972-) is another notable figure, a Gambian politician and former Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs in his country, known for his efforts to promote economic development and fight corruption.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the name Amadu, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and significance within the Mandinka and broader West African communities.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Amadu over time
The chart below shows babies named Amadu registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2009. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Amadu, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2009, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Amadu by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Amadu was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3310 | 23 | 5 |
Related
Names similar to Amadu
- Alfie 86,546
- Alexander 85,525
- Adam 71,855
- Archie 59,965
- Arthur 43,586
- Aaron 36,366
- Alex 32,729
- Andrew 20,169
- Arlo 19,061
- Aidan 16,776
- Albie 16,017
- Albert 15,809
FAQ
Amadu: questions and answers
How popular is the name Amadu in the UK right now?
In 2009, Amadu was ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Amadu most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 8 babies registered as Amadu in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Amadu?
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "the trustworthy one".
How many people are called Amadu in the UK?
A total of 23 babies have been registered as Amadu across the 5 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.