African Submitted Names

African names are used on the continent of Africa, covering a wide number of languages. See also about African names.
gender
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Nuname m African, Ewe
Means Gift. Used by the Ewe tribe of Ghana, Togo and Benin of West Africa.
Nṱungufhadzeni m & f Venda
Means "make me sad" in Tshivenda.
Nunurai m & f Shona
Means "rescue" or "save us" in Shona.
Nuong f Western African, Dagarti
Means "sweet; bloom" in Dagarti, spoken in Ghana.
Nusesi m & f Ewe
Means "the powerful hand" in Ewe.
Nusetor m Ewe
The Mighty One
Nuusiku f Ovambo
Feminine form of Uusiku.
Nuux m Somali
Somali form of Noah 1.
Nwaaku f Igbo
Means "child of wealth" in Igbo.
Nwaamaka f Igbo (Rare)
Allegedly means "child is good".
Nwaanyiabia f Igbo
Means "a woman has come" in Igbo.
Nwabudike m African, Swahili
A name in the Swahili language, which means "the son is the father's power," or "the strength of a father comes from his son."... [more]
Nwabueze m Igbo
Means "child is king" in Igbo.
Nwabugo f Igbo
Means "child is glory" in Igbo.
Nwachukwu m Igbo
Means "child of God" in Igbo.
Nwakaego f Igbo
Means "child surpasses money" in Igbo.
Nwakanma f Igbo
This feminine name means "Child is better" in Igbo.
Nwakauba m & f Igbo
Means "a child is more valuable than wealth" in Igbo.
Nwankasiobi m & f Igbo
Means "child of consolation" in Igbo.
Nwankwo m Igbo
Means "born on Nkwo market day" in Igbo. Nwankwo Obiora is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Académica de Coimbra as a defensive midfielder.
Nwaokocha m Igbo
Means "son of a fair man" in Igbo.
N'wayitelo f Tsonga
Means "smile" in Xitsonga.
Nwinuamene m & f Ogoni
Child bring riches/wealth
Nwoye m African
Very uncommon, but mostly used by the Igbo people. Means "boy born on Orie" to the Igbo people. A less popular meaning it's thought to have is: "His mother's pride"
Nwoyi m & f Western African, Yakö
Means "he/she knows" in Yakö language.
Nxalati f Tsonga
Means "happiness" in Xitsonga.
Nǃxau m Khoekhoe
Meaning unknown. Notable bearer of this name is Nǃxau ǂToma, a Namibian bush farmer and actor (1944-2003).... [more]
Nyabeel f Nuer
Means "girl of the corn" in Nuer.
Nyaboke f Gusii
From Ekegusii oboke "honey"
Nyadzayo m & f Shona
Zimbabwean
Nyagũra f Kikuyu
Means "the one who buys" in Kikuyu.
Nyakallo f & m Sotho
Means "joy" in Sotho.
Nyakeru f Kikuyu (Rare)
Yours means someone in the ancestry or kin of those who had lighter complexion "nyamweru" was your first or in some cases little one from the wilderness for the wilderness is known as "werú"
Nyakwêzi f Kiga
Short form of Nyinakwezi.
Nyaliep f Nuer, African Mythology
Nuer Goddess of the River.
Nyam m Afizere
Means "deer" in Afizere.
Nyamayarwo m & f Nyoro
This name means ‘meat for Death’, indicating the worst of luck.
Nyambeni f & m Venda
Means "speak about me" in Tshivenda.
Nyambugi f Kikuyu
Means "the one with bells as anklets" in Kikuyu.
Nyame m Akan
The name of the sky god for the Akan people. Meaning "he who knows and sees everything".
Nyaméama f Akan
Means "premature" in Akan.
Nyamekyε m & f Akan
Means "God's gift" in Akan.
Nyamewa f Akan
Means "creation" in Akan.
Nyamihanda f Kiga
Means "mother of paths" in Rukiga.
Nyamiti f Kaguru
Means "medicine" in Chikaguru.
Nyampweji f Lunda
Means "streams of tears" in Lunda.
Nyanjúra f Kiga
Means "mother of rain" in Rukiga.
Nyankómàgó f Akan
The name traditionally given to the child born after Tawia.
Nyanza m & f Chewa
Means "lake" in Chewa.
Nyapal f Nuer
Nyapal is the mean of let's pray ... [more]
Nyaradzai f Shona
Means "console" in Shona.
Nyaradzo f Shona
Means "peacemaker" or "comforter" in Shona.
Nyaring f Dinka
Literally "running" in Dinka. It could be given to a baby whose mother was running (or getting out) while the labour started.
Nyaruai f Kikuyu (Rare)
More curious to know what ruai means with that you can get to know the name for it means one who comes from 'the ruai'
Nyasha f Shona
Means "merciful" in Shona.
Nyashadzashe m & f Shona
its from zimbabwe and is in the shona language it means Gods grace
Nyashanu m & f Shona
Meaning "the fifth one". It was also the name of a Shona historical figure and King, Nyashanu, who was the ruler of a Shona people known as the Hera.
Nyasi f Swahili
Means "grass" in Swahili.
Nyawĩra f Kikuyu
Means "the hardworking one" in Kikuyu.
Nyeedeh m African (Rare)
From the bassa african word meaning "blessing."
Nyeleti f Tsonga, Southern African
Means "star" in Xitsonga.
Nyemera f African
Bantu names by the Bagwere a tribe found in Uganda East Africa.
Nyemwererai f Shona
Means "smile" in Shona.
Nyemya m African
Swahili Kenya-Tanzania East Africa
Nyenganyenga f Shona
Means "swallow" in Shona.
Nyengeterai f Shona
Means "pray for" in Shona.
Nyeredzi m & f Shona
It means "star".
Nygeisza f African
''colourful''
Nyika f Shona
Means "unity" in Shona.
Nyikiwa m & f Tsonga
Means "given" in Xitsonga.
Nyiko f & m Tsonga
Means "gift" in Tsonga.
Nyimak f Northern African
Means "little fire" in a Sudanese language.
Nyimbo m & f Chewa
Means "melody" in Chewa.
Nyimenka f Nigerian
Nyimenka is used in Nigeria, particularly in Eleme, and means 'good mother.'
Nyina f Akan
From the Akan onyina meaning "kapok tree".
Nyinakwezi f Kiga
Means "mother of the moon" in Rukiga.
Nyirej f Northern African
Means "little fish" in a Sudanese language.
Nyoka f & m Literature, African American, Swahili
A name created by Edgar Rice Burroughs for his novel Nyoka The Jungle Girl. ... [more]
Nyokabi f Kikuyu (Archaic)
Kikuyus call the maasai "ukabi" this was for girls born from this intermarriage meaning she who came from maasai land
Nyoni f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "bird".
Nyota f Swahili, Lingala
Derived from Swahili and Lingala nyota meaning "star".
Nyuki f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "bee".
Nzaya f Kongo
knowledge
Nzembo m & f Lingala
Means "song" in Lingala.
Nzero m Shona
Meaning “wisdom; insight; sagacity”, it corresponds with the name Njere.
Nzeru m & f Chewa
Means "wisdom" in Chewa.
Nzuzi m & f Kongo
Means "second born twin" in Kikongo.
Oabile m Tswana
Means "He (God) gave" in Tswana.
Oabona m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) sees" in Tswana.
Oagile m Tswana
Means "He (God) built" in Tswana.
Oaitse m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) knows" in Tswana.
Oarabile m & f Tswana
Means "he (god) has answered" in Tswana.
Oasetso m Sotho
Means "child of tradition".
Oba m & f Yoruba, Yoruba Mythology
Means "king, ruler" in Yoruba. It can refer to Obaluaye, a spirit associated with infectious disease and healing.
Obafemi m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the king loves me" in Yoruba.
Obasenwoyi f & m Western African, Yakö
Means "God knows" in Yakö from obase meaning "God" and nwoyi meaning "he/she knows".
Obasi m Jagham, Kenyang
Derived from ò-βàsì meaning "God" in Jagham, Kenyang and various Ekoid languages.
Obax f Somali
It means “as delicate and beautiful as a flower” in Somali.
Obera m Luo
"handsome"
Obey m Igbo
From “obe” meaning “cross”.
Obiajulu m Igbo
Obiajulu is an Igbo name; and it simply means my heart has cool down.
Obianuju f Igbo
Means "born at the time of plenty" in Igbo.
Obichukwu m Igbo, Nigerian
"Heart of God," which could be the same as OBINNA.... [more]
Obinze m Igbo, Literature
The love interest of Ifemelu in 'Americanah' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Obioma f & m African, Igbo, Nigerian
Grace, Goodness, Favor. Literally - "Good Heart"
Obiora m Igbo
Means "the mind of the people" in Igbo.
Obong m Efik
Means "God" in Efik.
Obumneke m & f Igbo
Meaning: "Am I The Creator?"... [more]
Obumneme m & f Igbo
Means "am I the one causing it?" in Igbo.
Oburu m Luo
"born during a funeral"
Ochola m Luo
"birthed after the death of the father"
Ockie m Afrikaans
Short form of Ockert.
Ocogbe m & f Agatu
Means "God is great" in Agatu.
Ocogbolan m & f Agatu
Means "God does not sleep" in Agatu.
Ocoje m & f Agatu
Means "God knows" in Agatu.
Ocolodah m & f Agatu
Means "God has authority" in Agatu.
Ocolohili m & f Agatu
Means "God is wise" in Agatu.
Ocolongwa m & f Agatu
Means "to God be thanks" in Agatu.
Odafin m Yoruba (?)
Literally meaning 'lawmaker' or 'the establisher of laws'.
Odayi m Ijaw (Anglicized)
Means "of his father" in Ijaw.
Odera m & f Nigerian
Nigerian name meaning "fate, fortune, destiny".
Odinakachukwu m & f Igbo
Means "it's in the hand of God" in Igbo, from o "it's", di "in", na "the", aka "hand" (compare Akachi) and Chukwu "God".
Odion m Western African, Esan
Means "the elder twin" in Esan.
Odirachukwunma m & f Igbo
Means "once it pleases God" in Igbo.
Odo m & f Efik
Odongo m Luo
"second born of twins"
Odu m & f Yoruba
A name from the Yoruba language of Nigeria, possibly meaning "womb" but more likely meaning "mystery", in particular to refer to the sacred mystery of God. ... [more]
Odum m Akan
Means "mahogany" in Akan.
Oduola m Yoruba
The name belongs to an (oracle priest), Ifa the oracle has brought big wealth.
Oduor m Luo
Means "born in the middle of the night" in Luo.
Oduwa m Western African, Edo
Means "road to wealth" in Edo.
Oduwa f & m Yoruba
Means "rainbow" in Yoruba.
Ofeibea f African
The name Ofeibea is borne by the journalist Ofeibea Quist-Arcton from Ghana.
Ofonime m & f Efik
Means "it's good to be patient" in Efik.
Oforiwaa f Akan
One who is Royal
Ofu m Idoma
Means "power, strength" in Idoma.
Ofure m & f African, Esan, Nigerian
Means "peace, it is well" in Esan.
Ogbagzy m Ge'ez
Means "protection of our Lord" in Ge'ez.
Ogbodo m & f Igbo
Ogbodo is an ancient name. It is used/ popularly heard in the Eastern part of Nigeria. ... [more]
Ogbotubo f & m Ijaw
Means "child of the soil" in Ijaw.
Ogezimo m & f Ijaw
Means "born during a festival" in Ijaw.
Oghenegaren m & f Western African, Urhobo
Means "God is great" in Urhobo.
Ogheneoboakpororo m Isoko, Urhobo, Nigerian
Its origin is isoko and uhrobo, in Delta state, Nigeria. ... [more]
Oghenevwemu m & f Urhobo
Means "God owns all things" in Urhobo.
Ogola f & m Ijaw
Means "judgement" in Ijaw.
Ogonoebi m Ijaw
Means "the sky is beautiful" or "heaven is beautiful" in Ijaw.
Ogotseng m Tswana
Means "make it" in Setswana.
Ohejitahi m & f Igede
Means "God with us" in Igede, spoken in Nigeria.
Ohenwam f & m Igede
Means "God is my satisfaction" or "God has satisfied me" in Igede, spoken in Nigeria.
Ohuntuntun m & f Yoruba
Yoruba by Ibironke
Oilonye m & f Agatu
Means "a child is sweet" in Agatu.
Oiwehi m & f Agatu
Means "A child is a gift" in Agatu.
Oiwodu m & f Agatu
Means "a child is wealth" in Agatu.
Ojamalia f Nigerian
anambara
Ojifyoi m & f Agatu
Means "What is more than a child?" in Agatu.
Ojilima f Idoma
Means "honour, respect" in Idoma.
Ojo m African, Yoruba
This name is given when a child is born with the umbilical cord around their neck.
Ojonubi f & m African
Ojonubi is an Igala Nigerian name. The Igala ethnic group is one of the large ethnic groups in Nigeria.... [more]
Ojwang m Luo
"survived despite being neglected"
Oke m & f Yoruba
Means "child born inside an unbroken membrane."
Okech m Luo
"birthed during a famine"
Okechwukwu m Igbo
Means "God's share" in Igbo.
Okello m Luo
"born after twins or third born of triplets"
Okenna m Igbo
derived from the combination of two words of the Igbo origin,"OKE" and "NNA" literally meaning "GREAT" and "FATHER".... [more]
Okeyo m Luo
"birthed during harvesting time"
Oki m Ijaw
Shark
Okieriete m Nigerian
This is the name of Okieriete Onaodowan, who plays Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in the broadway show Hamilton.
Okon m Efik
Means "born at night" in Efik.
Okoth m Luo
Means "born during the rainy sea" in Luo.
Okoye m Igbo (Archaic, ?)
This name originates from the Igbo tribe in Western Africa.... [more]
Okpara m Igbo
Firstborn son
Oku m & f Efik
Means Priest
Okwan m Akan
Means "on the road" in Akan.
Okwuchukuw m Igbo
Means "God's word" in Igbo.
Olabisi f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "joy is multiplied" or "salvation increases" in Yoruba, composed of the element õlà "salvation, that which saves, cause of salvation" combined with bi-si "to multiply, increase, replenish"... [more]
Olabowale f Yoruba
Means "wealth has come home" in Yoruba.
Oladapo m Yoruba
Means "wealth has been mixed together" in Yoruba.
Oladeji m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "wealth has doubled" in Yoruba.
Oladele m Western African, Yoruba
Means "wealth has come home" in Yoruba.
Oladepe f Yoruba
Means "complete wealth has come" in Yoruba.
Oladigbolu m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth has collapsed on me" in Yoruba.
Oladigbolu f & m Yoruba
First of the most-loyal governing antonym of the native black jew. The name was bestow to the only first kin of orunmila
Oladiipo m & f Yoruba
Means "honour is multiplied" in Yoruba.
Oladipupo m Yoruba
"Abundant Happiness" as told to me by a Nigerian immigrant I met named Oladipupo.
Olaedo f & m Igbo
Interpretation: "Ola edo" means a yellowish precious metal, a jewel; it is Igbo for "gold." Hence a child so name is adjudged "precious" and "golden."
Olaide m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth rolled in" in Yoruba.
Olajide m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "wealth arose" or "wealth has awakened".
Olamigoke m Yoruba
Means "my wealth has increased" in Yoruba.
Olaniran m Yoruba
Means "nobility (or wealth) has pedigree" in Yoruba.
Olaniyan m Yoruba, African
means "honors surround me"
Olaoluwa m & f Yoruba (Modern)
Means "the grace of God" or "the wealth of God" in Yoruba.
Olariche f African
Comes from the language of Nigerians. (igbo)... [more]
Olaseni m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth is achievable" in Yoruba.
Olasinbo m Yoruba
Means "wealth is on the way" in Yoruba.
Olasunkanmi m & f Yoruba
Means "God is by my side" in Yoruba.
Olatayo m & f Yoruba
Means "happiness" in Yoruba.
Olatokunbo m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth or nobility returns from overseas" in Yoruba. It is typically given to a child born abroad and later brought home.
Olatunde m Yoruba
Means "honour returns" or "wealth returns" in Yoruba.
Olaudah m History, Igbo (Anglicized, ?), Afro-American (Slavery-era)
Possibly a form of the Igbo name Olaedo. This was borne by former slave, anti-slavery campaigner and autobiographer Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797), the son of a West African village chief.
Olayide f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "wealth rolled in" in Yoruba.
Olekamma f Igbo
Means "how many are better?" in Igbo.
Olekina m & f Eastern African, Maasai
Best known as the given name of a Maasai Politician from Kenya.
Olekwugoco m & f Agatu
Means "will of God" in Agatu.
Olerato f Tswana (Rare)
Means "you are love" in Tswana.
Olisa m Igbo
Igbo form of Oscar.
Olisaemeka m African
Olisaemeka is an Igbo african name.It is a combination of Emeka(Great Deeds) and Olisa(God).Hence;Olisaemeka means God has done a great deed.
Olivine f English (Rare), French (Rare), Jamaican Patois, Central African
Diminutive or elaborated form of Olive, or directly from the English and French word olivine that denotes a type of gemstone, whose name ultimately goes back to Latin oliva "olive" (so named in the late 18th century for its olive green color).
Oloff m Afrikaans
Variant of Olof.
Oloruntuba m Yoruba
Means "God is a king" in Yoruba.
Olorunyomi m & f Yoruba
Means "God has saved me" in Yoruba.
Olotu m Idoma
Means "very courageous" in Idoma.
Olotu m Ijaw
Means "champion" in Ijaw.
Oluale m Yoruba
Variant spelling of Oluwale.
Oluchukwu m & f Igbo
It means "God's handiwork".
Oludare m & f Yoruba
Means "God has not forsaken" in Yoruba.
Oludotun m & f Yoruba
Means "God becomes new" in Yoruba.
Olufela m Yoruba, Nigerian
Yoruba name meaning "God expands wealth." Famous bearers include musician Fela Kuti.
Olujide m Western African, Yoruba
Means "the prominent one, the leader" in Yoruba.
Olukemi f Nigerian
Olukemi means 'God will take care ' it is possibly of Nigerian origin.
Olumuyiwa m Yoruba
Means "God has brought this" in Yoruba.
Oluoch m Luo
Oluoch came from the word luoch that means mist. If the the baby boy is born during the cold weather with mist he is called Oluoch. That means Oluoch is mist.
Oluranti m & f Yoruba
Means "the Lord remembers" in Yoruba.
Oluremi f Yoruba
Means "the lord consoles me" in Yoruba.
Oluseyi m & f Yoruba
Means "God has done this" in Yoruba.
Oluwadamilare f Yoruba
Means "God has justified me" in Yoruba.
Oluwadamilola f & m Yoruba
Possibly means "God has rewarded me with wealth" in Yoruba.
Oluwadarasimi m & f Yoruba
God is good to me
Oluwademilade m & f Yoruba
Means "God has crowned me" in Yoruba.
Oluwademilola f & m Yoruba
God crowns me with wealth
Oluwadurotimi f Yoruba
Means "God will stand by me" in Yoruba.
Oluwafemisola m Yoruba
This is borne by Nigerian actor, speaker and singer Oluwafemisola "Femi" Jacobs.
Oluwafeyisayo m & f Yoruba
Means "God has turned this gift into joy" in Yoruba.
Oluwafisayo m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God has added to my joy" in Yoruba.
Oluwagbemileke f Yoruba
Means "God lifted me high" in Yoruba.
Oluwagbotemi f Yoruba
Means "God has heard my prayers" in Yoruba.
Oluwajoba f & m Yoruba
Means "God reigns" in Yoruba.
Oluwakemi f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God cares for me" in Yoruba.
Oluwale m Yoruba
Means "my God has come home" in Yoruba.
Oluwamayowa m Yoruba
Means "the lord brought joy" in Yoruba.
Oluwamuyiwa m Yoruba
Means "the lord brought joy" in Yoruba.
Oluwandara f Yoruba
Means "God has done wonders" in Yoruba.
Oluwande m Yoruba
Means "God has searched for and visited me" in Yoruba.
Oluwanifesimi m & f Yoruba
Nigerian, Yoruban. Meaning: `God loves me`.
Oluwaobafemi m Yoruba
God the king loves me... [more]
Oluwapamilerin m & f Yoruba
Means "the lord has made me laugh" in Yoruba.
Oluwaranti f & m Yoruba
Means "God remembers" in Yoruba.
Oluwarantimi m & f Yoruba
Means "God remembers me" in Yoruba.
Oluwaremilekun m & f Yoruba
Means "God has dried my tears" in Yoruba.
Oluwarotimi m & f Yoruba
Means "the Lord stays with me" in Yoruba.
Oluwaseun m & f Yoruba
Means "the Lord has made it" in Yoruba.
Oluwaseyanu m & f African
GOD has done a miracle
Oluwaseyitan f Yoruba
Means "the lord did this all" in Yoruba.
Oluwasogo m & f Yoruba
Means "God makes glory" in Yoruba.
Oluwasola f & m Yoruba
Means "God brought prosperity" in Yoruba.
Oluwasolafunmi m & f Yoruba
Means "God has made wealth for me" in Yoruba.
Oluwateniola m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God spread the mat (or rug) of wealth" in Yoruba.
Oluwatimileyin m & f Yoruba
The name OLUWATIMILEYIN is of Yoruba language Origin in Nigeria which means "God Supported me".Children in Nigeria are widely named Oluwatimileyin because of the Cultural believe that the name holds a Prayer with it "God supported me" or "God, support me".
Oluwatobi m & f Yoruba
Means "God is great" in Yoruba.
Oluwatobiloba f & m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the lord is great as king" in Yoruba.
Oluwatomi m & f Yoruba
Means "God is enough for me" in Yoruba.
Oluwatomiwa m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God searched for me" in Yoruba.
Oluwatoni m & f Yoruba (Modern, Archaic)
Means "the lord is worth having" in Yoruba.
Oluwatoniloba f Yoruba
Means "God is good to have a king" in Yoruba. This is the full given name of the winner of "Germany's Next Top Model" 2018, Oluwatoniloba Dreher-Adnuga.
Oluwatosin m & f Yoruba
Means "God is worth worshiping" in Yoruba.
Oluwatoyosi f & m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "God is worthy to rejoice unto" in Yoruba.
Oluwayemi f Yoruba
Means "I am deserving of God" in Yoruba.
Oluyemi m Yoruba (Rare)
Means "The lord is worthy of me" in Yoruba.
Oluyinka m & f Yoruba
This is a name use by the Abeokuta's family meaning " I'm surrounded by God".
Olwethu f & m South African, Zulu
Means 'ours' in Zulu.
Omanukwue m & f Igbo
Means "let the one who knows speak" in Igbo.
Omatla m Sotho
You are strong