Mamadou is of West African origin, specifically from Senegal and The Gambia, where it is a traditional name given to male children. It is derived from the Arabic word "Mohammed," which means "praiseworthy" or "laudable." Mamadou is often shortened to Mam or Doudou, which are also used as independent names in some West African countries.
"The name Mamadou experienced a steady increase in popularity between 1990 and 2008, peaking at 83 births in 2003. However, since then, the number of births with this name has fluctuated, ranging from 48 to 75 per year. As of 2023, a total of 1723 children have been named Mamadou."