Diarra is a French translation of the clan name Jara used in West Africa, as a hangover from the French colonial empire in that region. It originates from the Bambara language word jara, meaning lion, synonymous with waraba. It is frequently used with reference to the 18th to early 19th-century Bambara Empire in Ségou, Mali, which was ruled successively by Ngolo Diarra, his son Mansong (or Monzon) Diarra, and then his son Da Diarra. The clan name (or patronym) Jara/Diarra is related to another clan name, Koné, and is heard in many of the chronicles that have been handed down orally. Both are frequently praised together in song, signifying bravery and fearlessness. The name Diarra, now a surname, is traditionally found mostly in Mali, but also Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea and Senegal. Today, it has also spread around the world, notably in France and Spain. Today, it is also used as a given name. Diarra may refer to: Surname Abdel Diarra (full name Abdel Rahamane Diarra Khalil; born 1994), Ivorian footballer Abdoulaye Diarra (born 1987), Ivorian footballer Abdoulaye Diarra (footballer, born 1994), Malian international footballer who plays for Maghreb de Fès Aboubacar Diarra (born 1993), Malian footballer, played in Egypt Adama Traoré Diarra (born 1996), known as Adama, Spanish footballer, plays for Wolverhampton, brother of Mohamed Traoré Diarra Ali Diarra (born 1988), Ivorian footballer Alou Diarra (born 1981), French international footballer, World Cup 2006 player Alpha Mandé Diarra (born 1954), Malian author Arouna Diarra, member of the American folk musical group Rising Appalachia Binta Diarra (born 1994), Malian footballer, plays for the national women's team Boubacar Diarra (disambiguation), several people, including: Boubacar Diarra (footballer, born 1979) (born 1979), retired Malian footballer Boubacar Diarra (footballer, born 1994), current footballer who plays for Neroca F.C. Boubakary Diarra (born 1993), French-born footballer who has represented Mali at youth level Brahima Diarra (born 2003), French footballer, plays for Huddersfield Town Cartier Diarra (born 1998), American basketball player Cheick Diarra (disambiguation), several people Cheikh-Alan Diarra (born 1993), French professional footballer Diadié Diarra (born 1991), French footballer Djigui Diarra (born 1995), Malian footballer who plays for Tanzanian club Young Africans Dramane Diarra (born 1980), French basketball player Drissa Diarra (disambiguation), several people Elea-Mariama Diarra (born 1990), French athlete Fatim Diarra (born 1986), Finnish politician Fatoumata Diarra (disambiguation), several people Habib Diarra (born 2004), Senegalese footballer, plays for Strasbourg, France Harouna Diarra (born 1978), Malian former