Aoua

Aoua is a Malian variation of Eve - the original woman’s name - which is fitting for a name so closely connected to Mali's first female parliamentarian.

Aoua Keita’s father insisted on giving her the best education he could - which was unusual anywhere in the early 20th century, but particularly so in Mali. As a midwife, Aoua devoted herself to delivering women the best pre- and post-natal care she could offer, but her feminist credentials skyrocketed after she entered politics. In 1960 she became the only woman elected to Mali’s new National Assembly and was the only woman within the party leadership.

Along with such an impressive namesake, Aoua is one of those unique baby names that consists of only vowels.

Pronounced AH-wah.