Browse Names

Nana 4 m & f Akan
From an Akan word used as a title of a monarch.

Nanjala f Luhya
Feminine form of Wanjala.

Nasimiyu f Luhya
Feminine form of Simiyu.

Ndidi f & m Igbo
Means "patience" in Igbo.

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

Nekesa f Luhya
Feminine form of Wekesa.

Neo 1 f & m Tswana
Means "gift" in Tswana, a derivative of naya "to give".

Netsai f Shona
From Shona netsa meaning "trouble, annoy, bother".

Ngozi f Igbo
Means "blessing" in Igbo.

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

Njeri f Kikuyu
Means "travelling one" in Kikuyu. Njeri (or Wanjeri) is the name of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Njinga m & f Mbundu
Possibly from a Bantu root meaning "to twist, to wrap" (kujinga in Kimbundu), alluding to the wrapping of the umbilical cord around the neck of the newborn. This name was borne by kings and queens of the African kingdoms of Ndongo and Kongo, notably a 17th-century queen of Ndongo who resisted the Portuguese.

Nkazimulo m & f Zulu
Means "glory, brightness" in Zulu.

Nkechi f Igbo
Short form of Nkechinyere.

Nkechinyere f Igbo
Means "this which God gave" in Igbo.

Nkemdilim f Igbo
Means "that which is mine belongs to me" in Igbo.

Nkiru f Igbo
Short form of Nkiruka.

Nkiruka f Igbo
Means "that to come is greater" in Igbo.

Nkosazana f Xhosa
Means "princess" in Xhosa.

Nkruma m & f Akan
Means "ninth born child" in Akan.

Nneka f Igbo
Means "mother is greater" in Igbo.

Nnenna f Igbo
Means "father's mother" in Igbo. This name is given in honour of the child's paternal grandmother.

Nnenne f Igbo
Means "mother's mother" in Igbo. This name is given in honour of the child's maternal grandmother.

Nolene f Afrikaans
Elaborated form of Nola, most commonly found in South Africa.

Nomusa f Ndebele
Means "merciful" in Ndebele.

Nonhle f Xhosa
From the Xhosa feminine prefix no- combined with hle "beautiful".

Nontle f Xhosa
Variant of Nonhle.

Nosipho f Zulu, Xhosa
From the Zulu and Xhosa feminine prefix no- combined with isipho "gift".

Nosizwe f Xhosa
From the Xhosa feminine prefix no- combined with isizwe "nation".

Noxolo f Xhosa, Ndebele
From the Xhosa and Ndebele feminine prefix no- combined with uxolo "peace".

Nqobile f & m Zulu
Means "they conquered" in Zulu, from nqoba "to conquer".

Nsia m & f Akan
Means "sixth born child" in Akan.

Nsonowa m & f Akan
Means "seventh born child" in Akan.

Nthanda m & f Tumbuka
Means "star" in Tumbuka.

Ntombi f Zulu
Means "girl" in Zulu.

Ntombifuthi f Zulu
Means "a girl again" in Zulu.

Ntombizodwa f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "only girls", from Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele intombi "girl" and zodwa "only".

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

Nwanneka f Igbo
Means "sibling is greater" in Igbo.

Nyambura f Kikuyu
From Kikuyu mbura meaning "rain". This is the name of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Nyarai f Shona
From Shona nyara meaning "be shy, be quiet, be humble".

Nzinga m & f Mbundu
Variant of Njinga.

Obi m & f Igbo
Means "heart" in Igbo.

Ogechi f Igbo
Means "God's time" in Igbo.

Ogechukwu f Igbo
Means "God's time" in Igbo (a variant of Ogechi using Chukwu as the second element).

Ogechukwukamma f Igbo (Rare)
Means "God's time is greater" in Igbo.

Oghenekaro m & f Urhobo
Means "God first" in Urhobo.

Oghenekevwe m & f Urhobo
Means "God provided for me" in Urhobo.

Oghenero m & f Urhobo
Means "God exists" in Urhobo.

Ogochukwu f & m Igbo
Means "favour of God" in Igbo.

Okuhle f & m Zulu, Xhosa
Means "that which is beautiful, that which is good" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Ola 3 m & f Yoruba
From Yoruba ọlà meaning "wealth" or the related ọlá meaning "honour, respect". It is also a short form of names containing those elements.

Olamide m & f Yoruba
Means "my wealth has arrived" in Yoruba.

Olayinka f & m Yoruba
Means "wealth surrounds me" in Yoruba.

Olubunmi f Yoruba
Means "God gives to me" in Yoruba.

Oluchi f Igbo
Means "work of God" in Igbo.

Olufunke f Yoruba
Means "God gives care" in Yoruba.

Olufunmilayo f Yoruba
Means "God gives me joy" in Yoruba.

Olufunmilola f Yoruba
Means "God gives me wealth" in Yoruba.

Olusola m & f Yoruba
Means "God makes wealth" in Yoruba.

Oluwafunmilayo f Yoruba
Variant of Olufunmilayo.

Oluwakanyinsola f Yoruba (Rare)
Means "God has dropped honey into wealth" in Yoruba.

Oluwaseun m & f Yoruba
Means "God, thank you" in Yoruba.

Oluwaseyi f & m Yoruba
Means "God made this" in Yoruba.

Oluwatoyin f & m Yoruba
Means "God is worthy of praise" in Yoruba.

Oluwayemisi f Yoruba
Means "God honours me" in Yoruba.

Omobolanle f Yoruba
Means "child finds wealth at home" in Yoruba.

Omolara f Yoruba
Means "child is family" in Yoruba.

Omphile f & m Tswana, Sotho
Means "he has given" in Tswana and Sotho.

Onalerona f & m Tswana, Sotho
Means "he is with us" in Tswana and Sotho.

Oni f & m Yoruba
Means "today" in Yoruba.

Onyeka m & f Igbo
Short form of Onyekachi.

Onyekachi m & f Igbo
Means "who is greater than God?" in Igbo.

Onyekachukwu m & f Igbo
Means "who is greater than God?" in Igbo (a variant of Onyekachi using Chukwu as the second element).

Onyinye f Igbo
Means "gift" in Igbo.

Onyinyechi f Igbo
Means "gift from God" in Igbo.

Opeyemi f & m Yoruba
Means "gratitude is suitable for me" in Yoruba.

Otobong m & f Ibibio
Means "from God" in Ibibio.

Oumou f Western African
Form of Umm used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.

Oyibo m & f Urhobo
Means "white" in Urhobo.

Palesa f Sotho
Means "flower" in Sotho.

Pemphero m & f Chewa
Means "prayer" in Chewa.

Pendo f Swahili
Variant of Upendo.

Penjani m & f Tumbuka
Means "seek for, look for" in Tumbuka.

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

Pilirani m & f Chewa
Means "persevere, endure" in Chewa.

Proscovia f Eastern African
Meaning uncertain, possibly related to Praskovya. It is mainly used in Uganda.

Prossy f Eastern African
Diminutive of Proscovia, mainly used in Uganda.

Puleng f Sotho
Means "in the rain" in Sotho.

Rakiya f Hausa
Hausa form of Ruqayyah.

Refilwe m & f Tswana
Means "we were given" in Tswana, derived from filwe "given".

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

Retha f Afrikaans, English
Short form of Margaretha.

Rethabile f & m Sotho
Means "we are happy" in Sotho.

Rudo m & f Shona
Means "love" in Shona.

Rufaro f Shona
Means "happiness" in Shona.

Rumbidzai f Shona
From Shona rumbidza meaning "praise".

Rutendo f & m Shona
Means "thankfulness" in Shona.

Safiya f Hausa, Kazakh, Arabic
Hausa and Kazakh form of Safiyyah. It is also an alternate transcription of the Arabic name.

Salamatu f Western African
Form of Salama used in West Africa.

Sauda f Swahili
Meaning uncertain, possibly a variant of Sawda.

Saynab f Somali
Somali form of Zaynab.

Scovia f Eastern African
Short form of Proscovia, mainly used in Uganda.

Seble f Amharic
Means "harvest" in Amharic.

Sekai f Shona
From Shona seka meaning "laugh".

Sethunya f Tswana
Means "bloom, flower" in Tswana, derived from thunya "to bloom".

Seynabou f Western African
Form of Zaynab used in parts of West Africa (mostly Senegal).

Sibonakaliso m & f Zulu
From Zulu isibonakaliso meaning "sign, token, proof".

Sibongile f Zulu, Ndebele
Means "we are thankful" in Zulu and Ndebele, from bonga "to thank".

Sibusisiwe f Ndebele
Means "we are blessed" in Ndebele.

Simisola f Yoruba
Means "rest in wealth" in Yoruba.

Siphosethu m & f Zulu, Xhosa
Means "our gift" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Sithembile f & m Zulu
Means "we trust" in Zulu.

Ssanyu f Ganda
Means "joy" in Luganda.

Subira f Swahili
Means "patience" in Swahili.

Tadala f Chewa
Means "we have been blessed" in Chewa.

Tafadzwa m & f Shona
Means "we are pleased" in Shona, from fadza meaning "please, make happy".

Taiwo m & f Yoruba
Means "taste the world, taste life" in Yoruba.

Tajddigt f Berber
Means "flower" in Tamazight.

Tajeǧǧigt f Berber
Kabyle variant of Tajddigt.

Taklit f Berber
Feminine form of Akli.

Takondwa m & f Chewa
Means "we are glad" in Chewa.

Talatu f Hausa
From Hausa Talata meaning "Tuesday" (of Arabic origin).

Tamandani m & f Chewa
Means "exalt, praise" in Chewa.

Tambudzai f Shona
From Shona tambudza meaning "make trouble, frustrate".

Tanina f Berber
From the name of a legendary bird, similar to an eagle or a phoenix.

Taonga f & m Tumbuka
Means "we are thankful" in Tumbuka.

Tapiwa f Shona
Means "given" in Shona.

Tariro f Shona
Means "hope" in Shona.

Tatenda m & f Shona
Means "thank you" in Shona, from tenda meaning "thank".

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

Taurai m & f Shona
From Shona taura meaning "speak".

Tebogo f & m Tswana
Means "gratitude, thanks" in Tswana.

Temitope f & m Yoruba
Means "mine is worthy of gratitude" in Yoruba.

Tendai m & f Shona
From Shona tenda meaning "be thankful, thank".

Thabang m & f Tswana
Means "be happy" in Tswana.

Thandeka f Zulu, Ndebele
Means "loved" in Zulu and Ndebele.

Thandi f Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
Short form of Thandiwe.

Thandiwe f Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
Means "loving one" in Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele, from thanda "to love".

Thando m & f Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
From Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele thanda meaning "to love".

Thanina f Berber
Variant of Tanina.

Thato m & f Sotho, Tswana
Means "will, desire" in Sotho and Tswana.

Thema f Akan
Means "queen" in Akan.

Thiziri f Berber
Variant of Tiziri.

Thoko m & f Chewa
Short form of Thokozani.

Thokozani m & f Chewa
Means "thank" in Chewa.

Thulile f Zulu
Means "quiet, peaceful" in Zulu.

Tidir f Berber
Feminine form of Idir.

Tifawt f Berber
Means "light" in Tamazight.

Tinashe m & f Shona
Means "we are with God", from Shona ti "we", na "with" and ishe "lord, God".

Tionge f & m Chewa, Tumbuka
Means "we thank" in Chewa and Tumbuka.

Titilayo f Yoruba
Means "eternal happiness" in Yoruba.

Titrit f Berber
Feminine form of Itri.

Tiwonge f & m Chewa
Variant of Tionge.

Tiyamike f & m Chewa
Means "we praise" in Chewa.

Tiziri f Berber
Feminine form of Ziri.

Tochukwu m & f Igbo
Means "praise God" in Igbo.

Toyin f & m Yoruba
Means "worthy of praise" in Yoruba, also a short form of Oluwatoyin.

Tshepo m & f Sotho, Tswana
Means "hope" in Sotho and Tswana.

Tsholofelo f Tswana
Means "hope, expectation" in Tswana.

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

Tumelo m & f Sotho, Tswana
Means "faith" in Sotho and Tswana.

Uche m & f Igbo
Means "wisdom, sense, mind" in Igbo.

Uchenna m & f Igbo
Means "wisdom of the father, sense of the father" in Igbo.

Udo 2 m & f Igbo
Means "peace" in Igbo.

Uduak m & f Ibibio
Means "will, desire" in Ibibio.

Uduakobong m & f Ibibio
Means "God's will" in Ibibio.

Ufuoma m & f Urhobo
Means "peace of mind" in Urhobo.

Ugochi f Igbo
Means "eagle of God" in Igbo, from ùgó meaning "eagle, honour" and Chi 2, referring to God.

Uju f Igbo
Means "fullness, plenty" in Igbo.

Unathi m & f Xhosa
Means "he or she is with us" in Xhosa, from the prefix u- meaning "he, she" and nathi meaning "with us".

Upendo f Swahili
Means "love" in Swahili.

Uzochi m & f Igbo
Means "way of God" in Igbo.

Uzoma m & f Igbo
Means "good way" in Igbo.

Wairimu f Kikuyu
From Kikuyu irimũ meaning "ogre, giant". In the Kikuyu origin legend Wairimu is of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi.

Wambui f Kikuyu
Means "zebra" in Kikuyu. This is one of Mumbi's nine daughters in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Wanangwa m & f Tumbuka
Means "freedom" in Tumbuka.

Wangari f Kikuyu
From Kikuyu ngarĩ meaning "leopard". In the Kikuyu origin legend this is the name of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi.

Wangui f Kikuyu
From Kikuyu ngũi meaning "song leader". This is one of Mumbi's nine daughters in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Wanjiku f Kikuyu
Meaning unknown. This is one of Mumbi's nine daughters in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Wanjiru f Kikuyu
Possibly from Kikuyu njĩra meaning "way, path". In the Kikuyu origin legend this is the name of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi.

Werknesh f Amharic
Alternate transcription of Amharic ወርቅነሽ (see Worknesh).

Wongani m & f Chewa
Means "be thankful" in Chewa.

Worknesh f Amharic
Feminine form of Workneh.

Xaawo f Somali
Somali form of Eve.

Xafsa f Somali
Somali form of Hafsa.

Xaliima f Somali
Somali form of Halimah.

Yaa f Akan
Means "born on Thursday" in Akan.

Yalwa f & m Hausa
Means "abundance" in Hausa.

Yamikani m & f Chewa
Means "be grateful, praise" in Chewa.

Yejide f Yoruba
Means "mother has awakened" in Yoruba.

Yetunde f Yoruba
Means "mother has come again" in Yoruba.

Yewande f Yoruba
Means "mother has found me" in Yoruba.

Yewubdar f Amharic
Means "beautiful beyond limits" from Amharic ውብ (wb) meaning "beautiful" and ዳር (dar) meaning "limit, horizon, frontier, shore".

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

Zanokuhle f & m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "come with goodness" in Zulu and Xhosa, from the roots za "to come, to approach" and hle "beautiful, good".

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

Zikomo m & f Chewa
Means "thank you, greeting" in Chewa.

Zodwa f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Short form of Ntombizodwa.

Zola 2 f & m Xhosa
From the Xhosa root -zola meaning "calm".

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.