Sékou

Sékou is a male given name widely used in West Africa, particularly in Guinea, with other spellings such as Sekou, Sékou, and Seykou. It is common among Mandé- and Fula-speaking communities and across Guinea, Mali, Senegal, and neighboring regions. The name is typically given to boys at birth and has become widely recognized beyond local communities.

The most prominent bearer of the name is Sékou Touré (1922–1984), a Guinean revolutionary and politician who led Guinea to independence from France and served as the country’s first president from 1958 until his death in 1984. Touré’s leadership helped shape Guinea’s early post-colonial trajectory and remains a reference point in studies of African decolonization and governance.

Beyond Touré, the name Sékou appears in various West African contexts, including as part of longer compound names such as Sékouba, which are common in the region. The name’s continued use across generations reflects West African naming practices in which given names often carry cultural or historical significance and serve as markers of identity within communities.