Eastern African names include those from Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. See also about African names.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
CilmimSomali A name that derives from the word cilmi which means "knowledge" or "learning."
CiokarainefEastern African A famous bearer of the name was the Kenyan Meru human rights activist and female diviner Ciokaraine from Igembe, Kenya. She was a fierce supporter of women's rights and is known for having offered up her son's life in order to prevent a famine during the Mau Mau Uprising.
DagimmOromo Means 'again' or 'the second (junior)' in Oromiffa.
DagmmAmharic It's from Amharic language and Geez which is ancient ethiopian language which is dated 3000 years with Hebrew origins, it means Twice or repeated . Usually given when you look like your parents
DaudimSwahili Daudi is an altered form of Daud, an Arabic name, which also is an altered form of the Hebrew name David, which means "beloved" or "uncle."
DiricmSomali A name that comes from the Somali word diric which means "bold; fearless or daring." The name connotes courage or heroism. Outside of Somalia, a Somali person may spell the name as DIRI.
EjigayehufAmharic, Ethiopian Means "I have seen a lot good/better" in Amharic. This was the name of a famous singer Ejigayehu Shibabaw, better known as Gigi.
EliellafEastern African Eliella is a feminine name used mainly in the Kirundi language throughout Burundi likely due to the linguistic influences of German & Belgian colonization from the 1890's-1960's.
EstomihimEastern African, Indonesian The name is derived from the name of the sunday 50 days before easter. The Latin words Esto mihi are the first two words of Psalm 31:3 and mean "Thou art to me".
EzanamEthiopian Ezana or Ezanas (c.303– c.350 CE/AD) was king of Aksum, now Ethiopia. Ezana was the first monarch of the Kingdom of Aksum to embrace Christianity. Ezana is a Geʽez (an ancient Ethiopian Semitic language) name of unknown meaning... [more]
FwayamLuo Originated amongst the LUO tribe in Kenya, East Africa. It is said to mean "Not serious" or "Taking things for Granted". It is also used by the Luhyas in Western province Kenya. But is common in the Nyaurang' Clan of Ugenya in Siaya County... [more]
GabrafEthiopian Ethiopian girl's name, meaning "The gift of offering"
HailemGe'ez, Amharic, Ethiopian Means "power, force, strength" in Ge'ez and Amharic. This was the Ge'ez (baptismal) name of Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie (1892-1975), who was born as Tafari Makonnen.
HakizimanamRwandan, Rundi, African Mythology (Modern) A name which means "God saves everything," imana being the name of the original Rwandan/Burundian deity and now the modern word for God in all monotheistic usages within Rwanda and Burundi.
HiyabelfEthiopian, Tigrinya (?) According to Nameberry, it means "gift of God" from the Tigrinya element hiyab meaning "gift" and Hebrew אֵל ('el) meaning "God".
HoodofSomali This name comes from the Somali word hoodo which means "luck, fortunate." Somalis outside of Somalia may spell the name as Hodo.
IbraahinmSomali (Archaic) Somali form of Abraham, now perhaps archaic. This name was borne by Ibraahin Adeer (ruled late 17th century to mid-18th century), the first sultan of the Sultanate of the Geledi, a Somali kingdom that ruled parts of the Horn of Africa from the late 17th century to 1910.
JaamacmSomali, Muslim Somali transcription of the Arabic word جامع (jāmaʿa) meaning "mosque". This name has the same roots ج-م-ع (j-m-ʿ) of the Islamic day of prayers, coinciding with "Friday".
JawaahirfSomali Somali form of Jawahir. One bearer is Somali-American model Jawaahir Axmed (born 1991), better known by her Americanized name of Jawahir Ahmed.