The proper English spelling of Sundiata's name is Sunjata, pronounced "soon-jah-ta", approaching the actual pronunciation in the original Mandinka. The name "Sogolon" derives from his mother and "Jata" means "lion". It is the traditional way of praising someone in some West African societies (Gambia, Senegal, Mali and Guinea in particular). The name "Sundiata" praises him through his mother which means ""the lion of Sogolon"" or ""Sogolon's lion"". The name "Jata" derives from "Jara" (lion). Jara and many of its variations such as "jata", "jala" or "jada" are merely regional variations, from Gambia, Guinea or Mali, for instance. Sundiata's name is thus a derivation of his mother's name Sogolon ("Son" or its variation "Sun") and Jata (lion).