Sundjata

soon-jah-ta

Variation of Sundiata, Mandinka/Malinke, West African

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

Sundjata Origin and Meaning

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

An alternative form of the bright, leonine name Sundiata, Sundjata is associated with 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.

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".

It has been suggested that the history and story of Sundiata/Sundjata 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.