Fatou
Fatou is a Muslim girl name meaning “Short form of Fatima”.
| Meaning | Short form of Fatima |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | West African short form of Arabic Fatima |
| Arabic spelling | فاطمة |
| Pronunciation | FAH-too |
| Arabic root | ف ط م (f-ṭ-m) — to wean |
| Muslim name? | Islamic / Arabic name |
Meaning and origin of Fatou
Fatou is the everyday Wolof, Fula and Mandinka short form of Fāṭima, the name of the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ daughter Fāṭima al-Zahrāʾ. It is so widespread in Senegal and the Gambia that it is often given on its own rather than as a nickname. The full West African form is Fatoumata.
Is Fatou a Muslim name?
Yes. Fatou is a Muslim name, a short form of Fāṭima, the daughter of the Prophet ﷺ.
Where is the name Fatou used?
Extremely common in Senegal, the Gambia, Mali and Guinea.
Gifts with the name Fatou
- Fatou name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Fatou baby gifts (Amazon)
- Islamic baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Fatou
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More girl names like Fatou
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Fatou mean?
Fatou means 'Short form of Fatima'. It comes from West African short form of Arabic Fatima.
Is Fatou a Muslim name?
Yes. Fatou is a Muslim name, a short form of Fāṭima, the daughter of the Prophet ﷺ.
How do you write Fatou in Arabic?
Fatou is written فاطمة in Arabic script.
How do you pronounce Fatou?
Fatou is pronounced FAH-too.