Senghor (surname)

Senghor is a West African surname, most notably associated with Léopold Sédar Senghor, the first president of Senegal (1960-1980), a poet, philosopher, and one of the major proponents of Négritude. The surname is common in Senegal, reflecting its origin in the Serer people and language. Its etymological roots are likely within the Serer language, although a precise definitive translation is not universally agreed upon.

The prevalence of the Senghor surname in Senegal and among the Senegalese diaspora makes it a recognizable marker of Senegalese identity and heritage. The association with Léopold Sédar Senghor also lends the name significant cultural and historical weight, particularly within post-colonial African literature and political thought.