Fatou: Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

At a Glance: Name: Fatou – Meaning: rooted in a word for weaning, traditionally read as 'one who abstains' – Origin: Arabic (via West African usage) – Gender: Girl


Fatou is an Arabic (via West African usage) girl's name meaning “rooted in a word for weaning, traditionally read as 'one who abstains'”. It appears in 2 of our baby name lists.

Meaning & Origin of Fatou

Meaning: Rooted in a word for weaning, traditionally read as 'one who abstains'.

Origin: Arabic (via West African usage).

A common claim: Described as meaning 'weaned, one who endures,' or sometimes 'captivating.' Actually: Fatou doesn't come from a word meaning 'captivating' or 'endures' — its Arabic root is about weaning, traditionally understood as 'one who abstains.'

Popularity of Fatou

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1991–2024.

Lists That Include Fatou

Similar Names

Jabari · Kaito · Fatoumata · Fanta · Kadiatou · Coumba

More Baby Name Inspiration