UK boy's name
Souleymane
A masculine Arabic name meaning "man of peace" or "peaceful".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Souleymane is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Souleymane popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4270, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 4 births.
This profile covers 24 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 2007 to 2024. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 24 living people in the UK are called Souleymane. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Souleymane ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 4 boys were registered as Souleymane.
- • About 24 living people in the UK are estimated to have Souleymane as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4270
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
2008
4 births
Estimated living
24
2026
Meaning
What does Souleymane mean?
The name Souleymane is of Arabic origin, derived from the Arabic name Sulaiman, which is a variation of the Hebrew name Solomon. The name Sulaiman is ultimately derived from the root word "Salaam," meaning "peace."
Souleymane is a common name in various West African countries, particularly in Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire, where it has been used for centuries. The name's popularity in these regions can be attributed to the spread of Islam and the influence of Arabic culture.
The name Souleymane has a long and rich history, dating back to ancient times. In the Quran, Sulaiman (the Arabic variant) is mentioned as a prominent prophet and ruler who was blessed with wisdom, wealth, and the ability to communicate with animals and control the winds.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Souleymane was Souleymane Kanté, a renowned Malian writer, and philosopher who lived from 1922 to 1987. He was a significant figure in the literary and intellectual circles of West Africa and made notable contributions to the study of African oral traditions.
Another notable figure was Souleymane Drame, a Senegalese politician who served as the Prime Minister of Senegal from 1957 to 1962. He played a crucial role in the country's transition to independence from French colonial rule.
In the realm of sports, Souleymane Camara was a Senegalese footballer who represented his country at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He played as a striker for various clubs, including Montpellier HSC and Al-Nassr FC, between 1997 and 2010.
Souleymane Diawara, born in 1982, is a former professional basketball player from Mali. He played in the NBA for teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers and the Charlotte Bobcats, and was known for his defensive skills and rebounding abilities.
Souleymane Bamba, born in 1984, is a renowned Ivorian filmmaker and director. His films, such as "Bronx Princess" and "Rabah," have won critical acclaim and have been screened at various international film festivals, highlighting the diverse experiences of African communities.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Souleymane over time
The chart below shows babies named Souleymane registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2007 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Souleymane, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Souleymane by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Souleymane 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4289 | 11 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4757 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4010 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Souleymane
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Souleymane: questions and answers
How popular is the name Souleymane in the UK right now?
In 2024, Souleymane was ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Souleymane most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 4 babies registered as Souleymane in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Souleymane?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "man of peace" or "peaceful".
How many people are called Souleymane in the UK?
A total of 24 babies have been registered as Souleymane across the 7 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.