Adama is a unisex given name of West African origin, particularly common in countries like Senegal and Mali. The name has a rich history rooted in the Mandinka culture.
In the Mandinka language, "Adam" means "the first man," referring to Adam, the first human being according to Abrahamic religions. Therefore, Adama is often understood as a variant of Adam, symbolizing strength, nobility, and leadership. It's also worth noting that in some cultures, the name Adama is given to a child born on Friday, as "Adama" means "born on Friday."
Historically, notable individuals named Adama include Adama Barrow, the current president of Gambia, and Adama Diomande, an Ivorian footballer. However, the use of Adama as a given name is not limited to West Africa; it can be found in various parts of the world today.
In terms of popularity, while Adama may not rank among the most common names globally, it has gained traction internationally, particularly in France and other European countries with significant African immigrant populations. It's also considered unisex, though it's more commonly given to boys.
In summary, Adama is a powerful and meaningful name with deep roots in West African culture. Its significance lies in its association with the first man, symbolizing strength, leadership, and nobility. With its unique origin story and international appeal, Adama continues to be chosen by parents looking for distinctive names for their children.
The name Adama has seen a varied number of births each year in the United States since 1978. The highest birth years were 2022 and 2023 with 16 and 15 births respectively, indicating that Adama is currently quite popular as a baby boy's name. Conversely, there have been some years where Adama was less common, such as in 1978 with only 6 births recorded.
Over the past four decades, there has been a general upward trend in the number of babies named Adama. The total number of births for this name since 1978 is 413, which reflects its consistent presence and appeal among parents choosing names for their newborn sons.