Koyaté

Koyaté is a West African surname used among Mande-speaking communities, particularly in Mali, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. The spelling with accent, Koyaté, is one of several transliterations of the name, with common variants including Kouyaté, Kouyate, and Koyate. The variation reflects differences in transcription from Mandé languages and the influence of French orthography in francophone West Africa.

In onomastic terms, Koyaté belongs to a family-naming tradition in which surnames denote lineage or clan affiliation. The precise origin and meaning of the root name vary by community, and there is no single agreed-upon etymology across all groups that use the name. The surname is widely found in both rural and urban settings and has spread to the African diaspora, notably in France, where many West African communities maintain extended families with such names.

As with related Mandé surnames, Koyaté is typically passed patrilineally, and the spelling can change in different countries or over time due to colonial-era administrative practices and migration. The name is common enough to appear across diverse occupations, including arts, sports, education, and public life.

For related forms, see Kouyaté and Kouyate, which are closely related transliterations of the same ancestral name.