African Names

African names are used on the continent of Africa, covering a wide number of languages. See also about African names.
gender
usage
Oumarou m Western African
Form of Umar used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Oumou f Western African
Form of Umm used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Ousmane m Western African
Form of Uthman 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.
Rabiu m Hausa
From Arabic رابع (rabi') meaning "fourth", sometimes added to a given name to indicate the fourth sibling bearing it.
Rajabu m Swahili
Swahili form of Rajab.
Rakiya f Hausa
Hausa form of Ruqayyah.
Ramadhani m Swahili
Swahili form of Ramadan.
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).
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.
Salisu m Hausa
From Arabic ثالث (thalith) meaning "third", sometimes added to a shared given name to indicate the third sibling bearing it.
Samuel m English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Romanian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Jewish, Amharic, Biblical
From the Hebrew name שְׁמוּאֵל (Shemu'el) meaning "name of God", from the roots שֵׁם (shem) meaning "name" and אֵל ('el) meaning "God". Other interpretations have the first root being שָׁמַע (shama') meaning "to hear" leading to a meaning of "God has heard". As told in the Books of Samuel in the Old Testament, Samuel was the last of the ruling judges. He led the Israelites during a period of domination by the Philistines, who were ultimately defeated in battle at Mizpah. Later he anointed Saul to be the first king of Israel, and even later anointed his successor David.... [more]
Samwel m Eastern African
Form of Samuel used in Tanzania and Kenya.
Sandile m Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "we increased" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele, from anda "to increase".
Sani 2 m Hausa
From Arabic ثان (thani) meaning "second". If two or more siblings share the same given name, this name may be appended to that of the second.
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.
Sefu m Swahili
Possibly a Swahili form of Saif.
Segun m Yoruba
Means "conquer" in Yoruba, also a short form of Olusegun or Oluwasegun.
Sekai f Shona
From Shona seka meaning "laugh".
Sekani m Tumbuka
Means "laugh" in Tumbuka.
Sethunya f Tswana
Means "bloom, flower" in Tswana, derived from thunya "to bloom".
Seydou m Western African
Form of Sa'id used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Seynabou f Western African
Form of Zaynab used in parts of West Africa (mostly Senegal).
Shabani m Swahili
Swahili form of Shaban.
Shehu m Hausa
From Arabic شيخ (shaykh) meaning "elder, chief, sheikh", a title of Usman dan Fodio (1754-1817), the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate.
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.
Sibusiso m Zulu, Swazi, Ndebele
Means "blessed" in Zulu, Swazi and Ndebele, from busisa "to bless".
Sidiki m Western African
Form of Siddiq typical of West Africa.
Sifiso m Zulu
Means "wish" in Zulu.
Simba 1 m Shona
Means "power, strength" in Shona.
Simba 2 m Swahili
Means "lion" in Swahili. This is the name of the main character in the Disney movie The Lion King (1994), about a lion cub who exiles himself after his father is murdered.
Simisola f Yoruba
Means "rest in wealth" in Yoruba.
Simiyu m Luhya
Means "born during the dry season" in Luhya.
Sipho m Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "gift" from Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele isipho.
Siphosethu m & f Zulu, Xhosa
Means "our gift" in Zulu and Xhosa.
Sisay m Amharic
Means "good omen" in Amharic.
Sithembile f & m Zulu
Means "we trust" in Zulu.
Siyabonga m Zulu, Ndebele
Means "we thank you" in Zulu and Ndebele.
Sizwe m Xhosa
Means "nation" in Xhosa.
Souleymane m Western African
Form of Sulayman used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Ssanyu f Ganda
Means "joy" in Luganda.
Subira f Swahili
Means "patience" in Swahili.
Tadala f Chewa
Means "we have been blessed" in Chewa.
Tadesse m Amharic
Means "revived" in Amharic.
Tafadzwa m & f Shona
Means "we are pleased" in Shona, from fadza meaning "please, make happy".
Tafari m Amharic (Rare)
Possibly means "he who inspires awe" in Amharic. This name was borne by Lij Tafari Makonnen (1892-1975), also known as Haile Selassie, the last emperor of Ethiopia. Rastafarians (Ras Tafari meaning "king Tafari") revere him as the earthly incarnation of God.
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".
Tamrat m Amharic
Means "miracle" in Amharic.
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.
Tariku m Amharic
Means "his history, his story" in Amharic.
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.
Tau m Tswana, Sotho
Means "lion" in Tswana and Sotho. Tau was the name of the last ruler of the Rolong in South Africa (18th century).
Taurai m & f Shona
From Shona taura meaning "speak".
Tebogo f & m Tswana
Means "gratitude, thanks" in Tswana.
Teboho m Sotho
Means "gratitude" in Sotho.
Temitope f & m Yoruba
Means "mine is worthy of gratitude" in Yoruba.
Tendai m & f Shona
From Shona tenda meaning "be thankful, thank".
Tesfaye m Amharic
From Amharic ተስፋ (tasfa) meaning "hope".
Tewodros m Amharic
Amharic form of Theodore.
Thabang m & f Tswana
Means "be happy" in Tswana.
Thabani m Zulu, Ndebele
Means "be happy" in Zulu and Ndebele.
Thabo m Sotho, Tswana
Means "joy, happiness" in Sotho and 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.
Themba m Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "trust, hope" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.
Thiziri f Berber
Variant of Tiziri.
Thoko m & f Chewa
Short form of Thokozani.
Thokozani m & f Chewa
Means "thank" in Chewa.
Thulani m Zulu
Means "be quiet, be peaceful" in Zulu.
Thulile f Zulu
Means "quiet, peaceful" in Zulu.
Tichaona m Shona
Means "we will see" from Shona ticha "we will" and ona "see".
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.
Tjaart m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Tjaard.
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.
Tunde m Yoruba
Means "return, come again" in Yoruba, also a short form of names containing that element.
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.
Ugochukwu m Igbo
Means "eagle of God" in Igbo.
Uhuru m Swahili
Means "freedom" in Swahili.
Uju f Igbo
Means "fullness, plenty" in Igbo.
Umar m Arabic, Urdu, Uzbek, Tajik, Kyrgyz, Indonesian, Hausa
Means "populous, flourishing", derived from Arabic عمر ('umr) meaning "life". Umar was a companion and strong supporter of the Prophet Muhammad who became the second caliph of the Muslims. He is considered to be one of the great founders of the Muslim state. The name was also borne by a 12th-century poet from Persia, Umar Khayyam.
Umaru m Hausa
Hausa variant of Umar.
Umukoro m Urhobo
Means "young man" in Urhobo.
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.
Usman m Urdu, Indonesian, Hausa
Urdu, Indonesian and Hausa form of Uthman.
Uzochi m & f Igbo
Means "way of God" in Igbo.
Uzoma m & f Igbo
Means "good way" in Igbo.
Wafula m Luhya
Means "born during the rainy season", from Luhya ifula meaning "rainy season".
Wairimu f Kikuyu
From Kikuyu irimũ meaning "ogre, giant". In the Kikuyu origin legend Wairimu is of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi.
Wamalwa m Luhya
Means "born during the brewing season" in Luhya.
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.
Wanjala m Luhya
Means "born during famine", from Luhya injala meaning "hunger, famine".
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.
Wanyonyi m Luhya
Means "born during the weeding season", from Luhya enyonyi meaning "weeds".
Wasswa m Ganda
Means "first of twins" in Luganda.
Wekesa m Luhya
Means "born during harvest" in Luhya.
Werknesh f Amharic
Alternate transcription of Amharic ወርቅነሽ (see Worknesh).
Wongani m & f Chewa
Means "be thankful" in Chewa.
Workneh m Amharic
Means "you are gold", from Amharic ወርቅ (warq) meaning "gold".
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.
Xasan m Somali
Somali form of Hasan.
Xolani m Zulu
Means "peace" in Zulu.
Yaa f Akan
Means "born on Thursday" in Akan.
Yacouba m Western African
Form of Yaqub used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Yaƙubu m Hausa
Hausa form of Yaqub.
Yalwa f & m Hausa
Means "abundance" in Hausa.
Yamikani m & f Chewa
Means "be grateful, praise" in Chewa.
Yao m Ewe
Ewe form of Yaw.
Yared m Biblical Hebrew, Ethiopian
Hebrew form of Jared. This form is also used in Ethiopia. It was borne by a semi-legendary 6th-century Ethiopian musician who is considered a saint in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Yaw m Akan
Means "born on Thursday" in Akan.
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".
Yishak m Amharic
Amharic form of Isaac.
Yohannes m Amharic
Amharic form of John.
Yuusuf m Somali
Somali form of Yosef (see Joseph).
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.
Zephania m Southern African, Eastern African
Variant of Zephaniah. This form of the name appears to be used in Southern and Eastern Africa.
Zikomo m & f Chewa
Means "thank you, greeting" in Chewa.
Ziri m Berber
Means "moonlight" in Tamazight.
Zodwa f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Short form of Ntombizodwa.
Zola 2 f & m Xhosa
From the Xhosa root -zola meaning "calm".
Zuberi m Swahili
Swahili form of Zubair.
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.