Modou
Meaningpraised one · Wolof
Modou is an African boy name meaning “praised one”, with Wolof roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationModou is having its moment right now. Most Modous are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Modou would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 169,492 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryModou first shows up in US birth records in 2003, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
US births per million boys, 2003–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Modou
Modou is a boy name of African origin meaning “praised one”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:African names
More African boy names
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Boy name: Omari · long-lived
- Boy name: Ermias · form of Jeremiah
- Boy name: Jabari · brave, fearless
- Boy name: Paulo · small
- Unisex name: Amani · peace
Questions about the name Modou
What does the name Modou mean?
Modou means “praised one” and comes from Wolof. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Jude (“praised”), Judah (“praised”), Muhammad (“praised”) and Mohamed (“praised”).
What is the origin of the name Modou?
Modou is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Wolof. Other African names to consider are Cairo (“the victorious”), Asa (“healer”), Zaire (“river”) and Omari (“long-lived”).
Is Modou a boy or girl name?
Modou is a boy name. In 2025, 10 US boys were named Modou.
How popular is the name Modou?
Modou ranked #7,679 for US boys in 2025, given to 10 babies. That's its best rank ever: the name is at the height of its popularity right now.
What names are similar to Modou?
If you like Modou, you might also like Jude, Judah, Muhammad and Mohamed.
What should I know before naming my baby Modou?
Modou is an African boy name meaning “praised one”, with Wolof roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.