Sundiata

soon-jah-ta; soon-dee-ah-tuh

Mandinka/Malinke, West African

"Sogolon's lion, lion king, lion prince"

Sundiata Origin and Meaning

The name Sundiata is a boy's name meaning "Sogolon's lion, lion king, lion prince".

A grand, bright, and powerful feeling name, Sundiata was notably borne by Sundiata Keita, the 13th century founder and prince of the Mali Empire in Western Africa. He is remembered and celebrated in the Epic of Sundiata which is still taught today.

Also appearing as Sundjata, the name is believed to mean "lion prince", or "Sogolon's lion", relating it to bravery and strength. It was adapted from the prince's mother's name (Sogolon → sun) and from the word jara meaning "lion". Said as soon-jah-ta in Mandinka, it might be pronounced slightly differently elsewhere.

Other notable bearers of the name are basketball player Sundiata Gaines and the footballer Sundiata Anderson. It has also been suggested that the history and story of Sundiata was at least partly the inspiration behind Disney's The Lion King, although Disney say this is coincidental and it was inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet instead.