Browse Names - Behind the Name

Asha 2 f Swahili
From Swahili ishi meaning "live, exist".

Bahati f & m Swahili
Means "luck, good fortune" in Swahili.

Chausiku f Swahili
Means "born at night" in Swahili.

Furaha f Swahili
Means "joy, happiness" in Swahili (ultimately of Arabic origin).

Hadija f Swahili
Swahili form of Khadija.

Imani f & m Swahili, African American
Means "faith" in Swahili, ultimately of Arabic origin.

Malaika f Swahili
Means "angel" in Swahili, derived from Arabic ملك (malak).

Mariamu f Swahili
Swahili form of Miriam.

Mosi f & m Swahili
Means "first (child)" in Swahili.

Mwanahamisi f Swahili
Means "child born on Thursday" in Swahili.

Mwanahawa f Swahili
Combination of Swahili mwana meaning "child" and the name Hawa.

Mwanaidi f Swahili
Means "child born during the festival" in Swahili.

Mwanaisha f Swahili
Combination of Swahili mwana meaning "child" and the name Aisha.

Mwanajuma f Swahili
Means "child born on Friday" in Swahili.

Nala 2 f Popular Culture
The name of a lion in the animated movie The Lion King (1994). Though many sources claim it means "gift" or "beloved" in Swahili, it does not appear to have a meaning in that language.

Neema f Swahili
Means "divine grace" in Swahili, from Arabic نعمة (ni'mah) meaning "blessing".

Nia 2 f Swahili, African American
Means "purpose, aim" in Swahili.

Nuru f Swahili
Means "light" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic نور (nur).

Pili 2 f Swahili
Means "second (child)" in Swahili.

Rehema f Swahili
Means "mercy, compassion" in Swahili, from Arabic رحمة (rahmah).

Subira f Swahili
Means "patience" in Swahili.

Tanisha f African American
Popularized by the African-American actress Ta-Tanisha (1953-), born Shirley Cummings. The name spiked in popularity in the early 1970s, when she was featured on the television series Room 222. She apparently took her stage name from Swahili tatanisha meaning "puzzle, tangle, confuse". The name probably resonated with parents because of its similarity to other names such as Tamika and Natasha.

Tatu 2 f Swahili
Means "third (child)" in Swahili.

Tumaini f & m Swahili
Means "wish, hope" in Swahili.

Upendo f Swahili
Means "love" in Swahili.

Zainabu f Swahili, Hausa
Swahili and Hausa form of Zaynab.

Zawadi f & m Swahili
Means "gift" in Swahili.

Zuhura f Swahili, Dhivehi
Means "Venus (planet)" in Swahili and Dhivehi. Both are borrowed from Arabic الزهرة (al-Zuharah), derived from the root زهر (zahara) meaning "to shine".

Zuri f Swahili
Means "beautiful" in Swahili.

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