NomOrigine Background

Last Name Ouladi

What is the origin of the last name Ouladi?

The surname Ouladi is of Berber origin, which is one of the indigenous ethnic groups of North Africa. Specifically, it is a patronymic name derived from the father's first name "Ould" or "Ald" in Arabic, meaning "son of." In this case, the name likely refers to someone being the son of a man named Ali (Ali-di). The Berber people have been inhabiting North Africa for thousands of years and have their own unique language and culture. The Berbers, also known as Amazigh, are the indigenous population of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt's Western Desert regions, Mauritania, and Mali, among other areas.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ouladi

The meaning and origin of the last name Ouladi

The surname Ouladi is of Arabic origin, specifically from North Africa, particularly Morocco. The name derives from the Arabic phrase "ibn Ulad" which means "son of chiefs" or "son of rulers." In many Arabic and Berber families, patronymic surnames like Ouladi were traditionally formed by adding "ibn" (meaning son) before the father's given name. Over time, these names evolved in various forms depending on the region and local dialect. The Ouladi surname is one such example that has been passed down through generations of Moroccan families.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ouladi

The surname Ouladi is predominantly found within the North African region, particularly among populations of Moroccan descent. It is derived from the Berber and Arabic languages, and can be translated as "son of Ould" or "descendant of." This name is a common patronymic in Morocco, where it is often associated with the Hawara tribe, one of the largest and most influential groups in southern Morocco. Additionally, individuals bearing the surname Ouladi can also be found in other Arabic-speaking countries like Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, due to historical migration patterns within North Africa. Outside of the region, there are smaller communities of people with this surname in France and Belgium, where many Moroccan immigrants have settled.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ouladi

The last name Ouladi, also spelled as Oualidi, Ulidi, and Oladi, is of Moroccan origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "wald," meaning "son of." Therefore, Ouladi would translate to "son of Abdallah" in English. Variations in spelling may occur due to differences in transliteration conventions or personal preference. For example, the French-style spelling often replaces the 'd' with a 't', resulting in Olaiti or Ulaty. Similarly, phonetic variations can arise when transcribing Arabic names into the Latin script. In some cases, the name may be shortened to just "Olabi" or "Ulabi." It is essential to consider these variations when conducting research or searching for individuals with this last name.

Famous people with the last name Ouladi

Ould Ali (born 1946) is a Mauritanian politician who served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2009 and again from 2019 to 2020. He was also the president of the National Assembly from 2013 to 2014. Another notable figure with the last name Ould is Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz (born 1956), a former military officer who served as President of Mauritania from 2008 to 2019. He led a successful coup in 2008 and won the presidential election in 2009. In the world of sports, Aminata Oulad Khalifa (born 1994) is a Mauritanian judoka who competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. In academia, Ould Bah (born 1953) is a Mauritanian economist and politician who served as Finance Minister from 2007 to 2008. These individuals have significantly contributed to their respective fields in Mauritania.

Genealogical research on the last name Ouladi

The surname Ouladi originates from Morocco and is a variant of Al-Oualidi, which means "descendant of Oualid," with Oualid being an Arabic given name derived from the word "walad," meaning "son." The Ouladi clan is one of the most prominent tribes in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco. Historically, they were known for their bravery and military skills, serving as allies to the Alaouite dynasty during the Berber revolts against the French colonialists in the early 20th century. The tribe's traditional territory includes the towns and villages of Ifrane, Azrou, Ain Leuh, and Midelt, among others. Today, Ouladi is a common surname among Moroccan immigrants in various parts of the world, reflecting the diaspora of this prominent Moroccan tribe.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 30 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Ouladshanbe (Last name)

surnames > ouladshanbe

The last name "Ouladshanbe" is of Arabic origin. It translates to "children of Saturday" in Persian and is commonly used in Muslim cultures to denote descent from a family or ances...

Oulahen (Last name)

surnames > oulahen

The surname Oulahen is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Ó hUallacháin," which means "descendant of Uallachán." The name Uallachán itself is a diminutive for...

Oulai (Last name)

surnames > oulai

The last name "Oulai" is of West African origin. It is particularly found in the Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire), which is a country in West Africa. The surname Oulai is commonly assoc...

Oulamara (Last name)

surnames > oulamara

The last name "Oulamara" is of Algerian origin. It is derived from the Amazigh (Berber) language, specifically from the Tamazight dialect spoken by the Kabyle people of Algeria. Th...

Oularbi (Last name)

surnames > oularbi

The surname Oularbi is of Berber origin, which is one of the indigenous populations of North Africa, primarily in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. The name likely derives from a plac...

Oulare (Last name)

surnames > oulare

The surname Oulare is of Guinean origin. It is derived from the Fulani language spoken in Guinea and is a common surname among the Fulani people in the country.

Ould (Last name)

surnames > ould

The surname "Ould" is a patronymic derived from the Arabic word "Walid," which means noble, illustrious, or renowned. It is primarily found among the Berber and Arab populations of...

Ould boukattine (Last name)

surnames > ould-boukattine

The last name "ould Boukattine" is of Arabic origin. The prefix "ould" means "son of" in Arabic, and the surname "Boukattine" is most likely derived from a place name or a nickname...

Ould chagrane (Last name)

surnames > ould-chagrane

The last name Ould Chagrane originates from the Arabic language. "Ould" means "son of" or "descendant of" in Arabic, while "Chagrane" likely refers to a specific tribe or clan in t...

Ould mouhameden (Last name)

surnames > ould-mouhameden

The last name "ould mouhameden" is of Arabic origin. The prefix "ould" means "son of" in Arabic, and "mouhameden" likely refers to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Therefore, the last...

Ould-ahmed (Last name)

surnames > ould-ahmed

The last name Ould Ahmed is believed to have originated from North Africa, specifically from Mauritania and Algeria. It is a traditional Arabic name that typically indicates descen...

Ould-dris (Last name)

surnames > ould-dris

The last name "Ould Dris" is of Arabic origin. "Ould" is a common prefix in Arabic last names that means "son of," while "Dris" is a given name of Arabic origin meaning "to teach" ...

Ould-driss (Last name)

surnames > ould-driss

The surname Ould-Driss is of Berber origin and belongs to the Arabic-speaking world. It is a Maghrebi (North African) name that is common among the Tuareg and Moor communities in A...

Ould-hamou (Last name)

surnames > ould-hamou

The surname "Ould Hamou" is of Arabic and Berber origin, common among the Moorish communities in North Africa, particularly in Morocco. The name often indicates a family or tribe, ...

Ould-jiddou (Last name)

surnames > ould-jiddou

The surname Ould-Jiddou is most commonly associated with the Moorish people of North Africa, specifically the nomadic Berber tribes in the Sahara Desert. This name is a part of the...