Behind the Name: African Names

African names are used in various places on the continent of Africa. See also about African names.

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There are 314 names matching your criteria.

ABENA f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Tuesday" in Akan.

ABENI f Western African, Yoruba
Means "we asked for her, and behold, we got her" in Yoruba.

ABERASH f Eastern African, Amharic
Possibly means "giving off light" in Amharic.

ABIDEMI m Western African, Yoruba
Means "born during father's absence" in Yoruba.

ABIMBOLA m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "born wealthy" in Yoruba.

ABIODUN m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "born on a festival" in Yoruba.

ABIOYE m Western African, Yoruba
Means "born into royalty" in Yoruba.

ABOUBACAR m Western African
Form of ABU BAKR used in western Africa.

ACHIENG f Eastern African, Luo
Feminine form of OCHIENG

ADAEZE f Western African, Igbo
Means "king's daughter" in Igbo.

ADANNA f Western African, Igbo
Means "father's daughter" in Igbo.

ADANNAYA f Western African, Igbo
Means "her father's daughter" in Igbo.

ADEBOWALE m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "my crown has come home" in Yoruba.

ADEGOKE m Western African, Yoruba
Means "the crown has been exalted" in Yoruba.

ADETOKUNBO m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "the crown came from over the sea" in Yoruba.

ADHIAMBO f Eastern African, Luo
Feminine form of ODHIAMBO

ADISA m Western African, Yoruba
Means "one who is clear" in Yoruba.

ADJOA f Western African, Akan
Variant of ADWOA

ADWOA f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Monday" in Akan.

AFIA f Western African, Akan
Variant of AFUA

AFOLABI m Western African, Yoruba
Means "born into wealth" in Yoruba.

AFUA f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Friday" in Akan.

AKACHI m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "the hand of God" in Igbo.

AKINYI f Eastern African, Luo
Means "born in the morning" in Luo.

AKOSUA f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.

AKUA f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Wednesday" in Akan.

AKUCHI m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "wealth from God" in Igbo.

ALABA f Western African, Yoruba
Means "second child after twins" in Yoruba.

AMA f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Saturday" in Akan.

AMADI (1) m Western African, Igbo
Means "free man" in Igbo.

AMADI (2) m Western African, Yoruba
Means "seemed destined to die at birth" in Yoruba.

AMAKA f Western African, Igbo
Short form of CHIAMAKA

AMARA f Western African, Igbo
Means "grace" in Igbo.

AMARACHI f Western African, Igbo
Means "God's grace" in Igbo.

AMEQRAN m Northern African, Berber
Means "eldest" in Tamazight.

ANAN (1) m & f Western African, Akan
Means "fourth born child" in Akan.

ANDILE m Southern African, Zulu
Means "they have extended" in Zulu.

AÑULI f Western African, Igbo
Means "joy" in Igbo.

ASHA (2) f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "life" in Swahili, related to 'AISHA.

ATIENO f Eastern African, Luo
Feminine form of OTIENO

AWITI f Eastern African, Luo
Means "thrown away" in Luo, possibly used for a child born prematurely.

AWOTWI m & f Western African, Akan
Means "eighth born child" in Akan.

AYO f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "joy" in Yoruba.

AYODELE m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "joy has come home" in Yoruba.

AYOKUNLE m Western African, Yoruba
Means "joy has filled the home" in Yoruba.

AYOMIDE f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "my joy has arrived" in Yoruba.

AYOTUNDE m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "joy has returned" in Yoruba.

AZUBUIKE m Western African, Igbo
Means "the past is your strength" or "your back is your strength" in Igbo.

BAAKO m & f Western African, Akan
Means "first born child" in Akan.

BABAJIDE m Western African, Yoruba
Means "father has returned" in Yoruba.

BABATUNDE m Western African, Yoruba
Means "father has returned" in Yoruba.

BABIRYE f Eastern African, Ganda
Means "first of twins" in Luganda.

BAMIDELE m Western African, Yoruba
Means "follow me home" in Yoruba.

BERKO m Western African, Akan
Means "first born" in Akan.

BOIPELO m & f Southern African, Tswana
Means "proud" in Tswana.

BOITUMELO f & m Southern African, Tswana
Means "joy" in Tswana.

BOLANLE f Western African, Yoruba
Means "finds wealth at home" in Yoruba.

BONGANI m Southern African, Zulu
Means "be grateful" in Zulu.

BOSEDE m Western African, Yoruba
Means "born on Sunday" in Yoruba.

CHAUSIKU f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "born at night" in Swahili.

CHI (2) m & f Mythology, Western African, Igbo
Means "god, spirtual being" in Igbo, referring to the personal spiritual guardian that each person is believed to have... [more]

CHIAMAKA f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is beautiful" in Igbo.

CHIBUEZE m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is the king" in Igbo.

CHIBUIKE m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is strength" in Igbo.

CHIBUZO m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God lead the way" in Igbo.

CHICHI f Western African, Igbo
Diminutive of Igbo names beginning with the element Chi meaning "God".

CHIDI m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God exists" in Igbo... [more]

CHIDIEBERE m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is merciful" in Igbo.

CHIDIEBUBE m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is glorious" in Igbo.

CHIDIEGWU m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is wonderful" in Igbo.

CHIDIKE m Western African, Igbo
Means "God is strong" in Igbo.

CHIDIMMA f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is good" in Igbo.

CHIDUBEM m Western African, Igbo
Means "guided by God" in Igbo.

CHIEMEKA m Western African, Igbo
Means "God has performed great deeds" in Igbo.

CHIJINDUM m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God holds my life" in Igbo.

CHIKA (1) f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is the greatest" in Igbo.

CHIKE m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God's power" in Igbo.

CHIKELU m & f Western African, Igbo
Variant of CHIKERE

CHIKERE m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God created" in Igbo.

CHIMA m Western African, Igbo
Means "God knows" in Igbo.

CHINASA f Western African, Igbo
Means "God answers" in Igbo.

CHINEDU m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God leads" in Igbo.

CHINONSO m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is nearby" in Igbo.

CHINWE m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God owns" in Igbo... [more]

CHINWEIKE m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God owns power" in Igbo.

CHINWENDU m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God owns life" in Igbo.

CHINWEUBA m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God owns wealth" in Igbo.

CHINYELU f Western African, Igbo
Variant of CHINYERE

CHINYERE f Western African, Igbo
Means "God gave" in Igbo.

CHIOMA f & m Western African, Igbo
Means "good God" in Igbo.

CHIPO f Southern African, Shona
Means "gift" in Shona.

CHIUMBO m Eastern African, Mwera
Means "small" in Mwera.

CHIZOBA m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God protect us" in Igbo.

CHUKS m Western African, Igbo
Diminutive of Igbo names beginning with the element Chukwu meaning "God".

CHUKWUDI m Western African, Igbo
Variant of CHIDI, using Chukwu as the first element, which is the extended form of Chi meaning "God".

CHUKWUEMEKA m Western African, Igbo
Means "God has done something great" in Igbo.

CHUKWUMA m Western African, Igbo
Variant of CHIMA, using Chukwu as the first element, which is the extended form of Chi meaning "God".

DADA f Western African, Yoruba
Means "curly hair" in Yoruba.

DAKARAI m Southern African, Shona
Means "rejoice" in Shona.

DAYO f Western African, Yoruba
Means "joy arrives" in Yoruba.

DESTA f & m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "joy" in Amharic.

DIKELEDI f Southern African, Tswana
Means "tears" in Tswana.

DUBAKU m & f Western African, Akan
Means "eleventh born child" in Akan.

DUMISANI m & f Southern African, Zulu
Means "give praise" in Zulu.

EBELE f Western African, Igbo
Means "mercy, kindness" in Igbo.

EFUA f Western African, Akan
Variant of AFUA

EKENE m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "praise" in Igbo.

EKENEDILICHUKWU m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "all praise to God" in Igbo.

EKUA f Western African, Akan
Variant of AKUA

EKUNDAYO f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "sorrow becomes joy" in Yoruba.

EKWUEME m Western African, Igbo
Means "he says, he does" in Igbo.

EMEKA m Western African, Igbo
Means "great deeds" in Igbo... [more]

EMEM m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "peace" in Ibibio.

ENIOLA f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "person of wealth" in Yoruba.

ENITAN m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "person of story" in Yoruba.

ENU m & f Western African, Akan
Means "fifth born child" in Akan.

ENYINNAYA m Western African, Igbo
Means "his father's friend" in Igbo.

ESHE f Eastern African, Swahili
Variant of ASHA (2)

ESI f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.

FARAI m & f Southern African, Shona
Means "rejoice" in Shona.

FARAJI m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "consolation" in Swahili.

FEMI m Western African, Yoruba
Short form of OLUFEMI

FOLAMI m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "respect and honour me" in Yoruba.

FUMNANYA f Western African, Igbo
Means "love me" in Igbo.

FUNANYA f Western African, Igbo
Means "love" in Igbo.

FUNGAI m & f Southern African, Shona
Means "think" in Shona.

FURAHA f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "joy, happiness" in Swahili.

GBEMISOLA f Western African, Yoruba
Means "carry me into wealth" in Yoruba.

GWANDOYA m Eastern African, Ganda
Means "met with misery" in Luganda.

HLENGIWE f Southern African, Zulu
Means "nursed" in Zulu.

IBRAHIMA m Western African
Form of IBRAHIM used in some parts of western Africa.

IDIR m Northern African, Berber
Means "alive" in Tamazight.

IDOWU m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "born after twins" in Yoruba.

IFE f Western African, Yoruba
Means "love" in Yoruba.

IGE f Western African, Yoruba
Means "born feet first" in Yoruba.

IKENNA m Western African, Igbo
Means "father's power" in Igbo.

IMAMU m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "spiritual leader" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic إمام (Imam).

IMANI f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "faith" in Swahili.

IME m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "patience" in Ibibio.

ISINGOMA m Eastern African, Ganda
Means "first of twins" in Luganda.

ITUMELENG m & f Southern African, Tswana
Means "joy" in Tswana.

JELANI m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "mighty" in Swahili.

JENGO m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "building" in Swahili.

JUMAANE m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "born on Tuesday" in Swahili.

KAGISO f Southern African, Tswana
Means "peace" in Tswana.

KAMARIA f Eastern African, Swahili
Swahili name, likely related to QAMAR.

KATLEGO m & f Southern African, Tswana
Means "success" in Tswana.

KATO m Eastern African, Ganda
Means "second of twins" in Luganda.

KAYIN (1) m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "celebrated child" in Yoruba.

KAYODE m Western African, Yoruba
Means "he brought joy" in Yoruba.

KEFILWE m & f Southern African, Tswana
Means "I was given" in Tswana.

KGOSI m Southern African, Tswana
Means "king, chief" in Tswana.

KHAMISI m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "born on Thursday" in Swahili.

KIBWE m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "blessed" in Swahili.

KIRABO m & f Eastern African, Ganda
Means "gift" in Luganda.

KOBINA m Western African, Akan
Variant of KWABENA

KOFI m Western African, Akan
Means "born on Friday" in Akan.

KOJO m Western African, Akan
Variant of KWADWO

KUNTO f Western African, Akan
Means "third child" in Akan.

KWABENA m Western African, Akan
Means "born on Tuesday" in Akan.

KWADWO m Western African, Akan
Means "born on Monday" in Akan.

KWAKU m Western African, Akan
Means "born on Wednesday" in Akan.

KWAME m Western African, Akan
Means "born on Saturday" in Akan.

KWASI m Western African, Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.

KWEKU m Western African, Akan
Variant of KWAKU

KWESI m Western African, Akan
Variant of KWASI

LANRE m Western African, Yoruba
Short form of OLANREWAJU

LEKAN m Western African, Yoruba
Short form of OLAMILEKAN

LERATO f Southern African, Sotho
Means "love" in Sotho.

LESEDI f Southern African, Tswana
Means "light" in Tswana.

LINDIWE f Southern African, Zulu
Means "have waited" in Zulu.

LUMUSI f Western African, Ewe
Means "born face down" in Ewe.

LUNGILE f Southern African, Zulu
Means "the good one" in Zulu.

MAKENA f & m Eastern African, Kikuyu
Means "happy one" in Kikuyu.

MAMADOU m Western African
Form of MUHAMMAD used in western Africa.

MANYARA f Southern African, Shona
Means "you have been humbled" in Shona.

MARJANI f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "coral" in Swahili, originally a borrowing from Arabic.

MASAMBA m Eastern African, Yao
Means "leaves, vegetables" in Yao.

MASEGO f Southern African, Tswana
Means "blessings" in Tswana.

MASOZI m & f Southern African, Tumbuka
Means "tears" in Tumbuka.

MBALI f Southern African, Zulu
Means "flower" in Zulu.

MCHUMBA f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "sweetheart" in Swahili.

MELISIZWE m Southern African, Xhosa
Means "leader of the nation" in Xhosa.

MIREMBE f Eastern African, Ganda
Means "peace" in Luganda.

MOJISOLA f Western African, Yoruba
Means "wake up to wealth" in Yoruba.

MONIFA f Western African, Yoruba
Means "I am lucky" in Yoruba.

MOSI m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "first (child)" in Swahili.

MUDIWA f & m Southern African, Shona
Means "beloved" in Shona.

MUNASHE m & f Southern African, Shona
Means "with God" in Shona.

MWANAJUMA f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "born on Friday" in Swahili.

MWENYE m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "owner, lord" in Swahili.

NAKATO f Eastern African, Ganda
Means "second of twins" in Luganda.

NDIDI m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "patience" in Igbo.

NEO (1) f & m Southern African, Tswana
Means "gift" in Tswana.

NGOZI f & m Western African, Igbo
Means "blessing" in Igbo.

NIA (2) f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "purpose" in Swahili.

NKECHI f Western African, Igbo
Short form of NKECHINYERE

NKECHINYERE f Western African, Igbo
Means "what God has given" or "gift of God" in Igbo.

NKEMDILIM m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "let mine be mine" in Igbo.

NKIRU f Western African, Igbo
Short form of NKIRUKA

NKIRUKA f Western African, Igbo
Means "the best is still to come" in Igbo.

NKOSANA m Southern African, Xhosa
Means "prince" in Xhosa.

NKOSAZANA f Southern African, Xhosa
Means "princess" in Xhosa.

NKRUMA m & f Western African, Akan
Means "ninth born child" in Akan.

NNAMDI m Western African, Igbo
Means "my father is alive" in Igbo... [more]

NNEKA f Western African, Igbo
Means "my mother is supreme" in Igbo.

NNENNA f Western African, Igbo
Means "father's mother" in Igbo... [more]

NNENNE f Western African, Igbo
Means "mother's mother" in Igbo... [more]

NOMUSA f Southern African, Ndebele
Means "merciful" in Ndebele.

NONTLE f Southern African, Xhosa
Means "mother of beauty" in Xhosa.

NOSIPHO f Southern African, Zulu
Means "mother of a gift" in Zulu.

NOSIZWE f Southern African, Xhosa
Means "mother of the nation" in Xhosa.

NSIA m & f Western African, Akan
Means "sixth born child" in Akan.

NSONOWA m & f Western African, Akan
Means "seventh born child" in Akan.

NTHANDA m & f Southern African, Tumbuka
Means "star" in Tumbuka.

NTOMBI f Southern African, Zulu
Means "lady" in Zulu.

NURU f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "light" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic نور (nur).

NWANNEKA f Western African, Igbo
Means "my siblings are supreme" in Igbo.

NYAH f Eastern African, Swahili
Variant of NIA (2)

NYARAI f Southern African, Shona
Means "be humble" in Shona.

OBI m Western African, Igbo
Means "heart" in Igbo.

OCHIENG m Eastern African, Luo
Means "born when the sun shines", derived from Luo chieng meaning "sun".

ODHIAMBO m Eastern African, Luo
Means "born in the evening" in Luo.

OGECHI f Western African, Igbo
Short form of OGECHUKWUKAMA

OGECHUKWUKAMA f Western African, Igbo
Means "God's time is the best" in Igbo.

OLABODE m Western African, Yoruba
Means "wealth returns" in Yoruba.

OLAMIDE f Western African, Yoruba
Means "my wealth has arrived" in Yoruba.

OLAMILEKAN m Western African, Yoruba
Means "my wealth is increased" in Yoruba.

OLANREWAJU m Western African, Yoruba
Means "my wealth is the future" or "my wealth is moving forward" in Yoruba.

OLAYINKA f Western African, Yoruba
Means "wealth surrounds me" in Yoruba.

OLUBUNMI f Western African, Yoruba
Means "gift of God" in Yoruba.

OLUCHI m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God's work" in Igbo.

OLUFEMI m Western African, Yoruba
Means "God loves me" in Yoruba.

OLUFUNKE m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God has cared for" in Yoruba.

OLUFUNMILAYO f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "God gave me joy" in Yoruba.

OLUFUNMILOLA f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "God gives me wealth" in Yoruba.

OLUJIMI m Western African, Yoruba
Means "given by God" in Yoruba.

OLUKAYODE m Western African, Yoruba
Means "God brings happiness" in Yoruba.

OLUMIDE m Western African, Yoruba
Means "God has come" in Yoruba.

OLUWAFUNMILAYO f & m Western African, Yoruba
Variant of OLUFUNMILAYO

OLUWAKANYINSOLA m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God has added sweetness to my wealth" in Yoruba.

OLUWASEGUN m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God has been victorious" in Yoruba.

OLUWASEUN m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "we thank God" in Yoruba.

OLUWASEYI f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "God made this" in Yoruba.

OLUWATOYIN m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God is worthy to be praised" in Yoruba.

OLUWAYEMISI f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "God honours me" in Yoruba.

OMOBOLANLE f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "a child who met wealth at home" in Yoruba.

OMOLARA f Western African, Yoruba
Means "a child is family" in Yoruba.

ONI f Western African, Yoruba
Possibly means "born in sacred abode" in Yoruba.

ONYEKA f Western African, Igbo
Short form of ONYEKACHI

ONYEKACHI f & m Western African, Igbo
Means "who is greater than God?" in Igbo.

ONYEKACHUKWU m & f Western African, Igbo
Variant of ONYEKACHI, using Chukwu as the last element, which is the extended form of Chi meaning "God".

OPEYEMI m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "I should give praise" in Yoruba.

OTIENO m Eastern African, Luo
Means "born at night" in Luo.

PAKI m Southern African, Xhosa
Means "witness" in Xhosa.

REFILWE m & f Southern African, Tswana
Means "we were given" in Tswana.

RUDO m & f Southern African, Shona
Means "love" in Shona.

RUFARO f Southern African, Shona
Means "happiness" in Shona.

RUMBIDZAI f Southern African, Shona
Means "praise" in Shona.

RUTENDO f & m Southern African, Shona
Means "faith" in Shona.

SANAA f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "art" in Swahili.

SAUDA f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "dark complexion" in Swahili.

SEFU m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "sword" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic سيف (sayf).

SEKAI f Southern African, Shona
Means "be humourous" in Shona.

SETHUNYA f Southern African, Tswana
Means "bloom, flower" in Tswana.

SIBONAKALISO f Southern African, Zulu
Means "sign" in Zulu.

SIMBA m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "lion" in Swahili.

SIMISOLA f Western African, Yoruba
Means "rest in wealth" in Yoruba.

SIPHO m Southern African, Xhosa
Means "gift" in Xhosa.

SITHEMBILE f & m Southern African, Zulu
Means "we trust" in Zulu.

SIZWE m Southern African, Xhosa
Means "nation" in Xhosa.

SSANYU f Eastern African, Ganda
Means "joy" in Luganda.

SUBIRA f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "patience" in Swahili.

TAFADZWA m & f Southern African, Shona
Means "we are pleased" in Shona.

TAFARI m Eastern African, Amharic
Possibly means "he who inspires awe" in Amharic... [more]

TAJEDDIGT f Northern African, Berber
Means "flower" in Tamazight.

TAONGA f & m Southern African, Tumbuka
Means "we are thankful" in Tumbuka.

TAPIWA f Southern African, Shona
Means "given" in Shona.

TARIRO f Southern African, Shona
Means "hope" in Shona.

TATENDA m & f Southern African, Shona
Means "thank you" in Shona.

TAU m Southern African, Tswana, Sotho
Means "lion" in Tswana and Sotho... [more]

TEMITOPE f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "enough to give thanks" in Yoruba.

TENDAI m & f Southern African, Shona
Means "be thankful" in Shona.

TENDAJI m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "makes things happen" in Swahili.

TEWODROS m Eastern African, Amharic
Amharic form of THEODORE

THABO m Southern African, Tswana
Means "joy" in Tswana.

THANDIWE f Southern African, Xhosa
Means "loving one" in Xhosa.

THEMA f Western African, Akan
Means "queen" in Akan.

THEMBA m & f Southern African, Zulu
Means "trust" in Zulu.

THULANI m Southern African, Zulu
Means "be quiet, be comforted" in Zulu.

THULILE f Southern African, Zulu
Means "is quiet" in Zulu.

TICHAONA m Southern African, Shona
Means "we will see" in Shona.

TINASHE m & f Southern African, Shona
Means "God is with us" in Shona.

TITILAYO f Western African, Yoruba
Means "eternal happiness" in Yoruba.

TITRIT f Northern African, Berber
Means "star" in Tamazight.

TSHOLOFELO f Southern African, Tswana
Means "hope" in Tswana.

TUMELO m & f Southern African, Sotho, Tswana
Means "faith" in Sotho and Tswana.

UDO (2) f & m Western African, Igbo
Means "peace" in Igbo.

UDUAK m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "will, desire" in Ibibio.

UNATHI m & f Southern African, Xhosa
Means "God is with us" in Xhosa.

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NAVIGATION
Abena ⇔ Unathi
Uzochi ⇔ Zuri

GENDER
  All
  Masculine
  Feminine
  Unisex