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.
JokmDinka, African Mythology Jok is the Supreme God in Lango, Dinka and Alur Mythologies. In A Dictionary of African Mythology, Jok, the supreme being, is described like moving air; he is omnipresent, like the wind, but is never seen, though his presence may be felt in whirlwinds or eddies of air, in rocks and hills, in springs and pools of water, and he is especially connected with rainmaking... [more]
KaarifEastern African (Rare), Ameru The name kaari is a name popular used among the Ameru (Meru) community of Kenya. The name is given to a child named after a younger sister of one of the parents. It is especially given by the grandparents... [more]
Kaarr-ofSidamo Means "space between upper incisors" in Sidama, this is traditionally held to be a sign of beauty.
KatavimAfrican Mythology, Nyamwezi A demonic being in the popular belief of the Nyamwezi people of Tanzania. He is reputed to be the chief of the water-spirits, but he also haunts the barren lands and deserts.
KiapomSwahili Swahili masculine name meaning "oath".
KibafupiafSwahili The name originates from the Swahili words Kibali "acceptance" and Fupi "low". The combination of words combine to make the phrase, "to accept being low", referencing the people in Swahili countries who are poor or lack education... [more]
KigothomKikuyu Kukuyu name meaning Father of many children
Kijanam & fSwahili, African American (Modern) Means "young person" in Swahili. This is the nickname of American football player Kenneth Leonard 'Ki-Jana' Carter (1973-), given to him by his mother, who was inspired by a minor character in the movie Shaft in Africa (1973).
KimanafEnglish, Eastern African Possibly an invented name, an elaboration of Kim with the name suffix -Ana, or a feminine form of Kimani, or from the name of the town in Kenya.... [more]
KiwanukamGanda, African Mythology Kiwanuka is the hammer wielding God of Thunder and Lightning in Ganda Mythology. His name means “someone who was born on a Thursday”.
KiwarafSwahili Swahili feminine name meaning "savannah".
KovumSwahili It's Kiswahili for "Scar" and possibly, and is used in the Lion King 2. Kovu was chosen by Scar to become King before Simba returned to Pride Rock. Kovu's Mother Zira almost let Simab kill him when he was just a cub when they were caught in the Pridelands, but Simba told her to take him and leave before departing with his own daughter Kiara... [more]
KwothmAfrican, Nuer The supreme god of the Nuer (South Sudan) who manifests himself in natural phenomena. They believe he is benign god who protects the poor and the unhappy.
KyóbutúngifKiga Means "something that brings wealth" in Rukiga.
KyómugishafKiga Means "something that brings luck" in Rukiga.
LainifSwahili Means "fine, soft, smooth" in Swahili.
LamessamOromo It is spoken by the Oromo people in Ethiopia. The meaning of the name come from Lama; which means two. And Lamessa means "the second." It is a name given to a person that comes next to the first born: male or female in the family.
LibanmArabic, Somali The name Liban, meaning persevere in ancient arabic is prodominatley used in the northern region of Somalia (now Somaliland). Usually given to boys who are seen as handsome at birth.
Machandam & fNyoro Machanda is the Bunyoro month where sesame seeds are planted and sown.
MacharmDinka Means "black bull" in Dinka. Black bulls are the second most important for sacrifices.
MadahafSwahili Swahili feminine name meaning "grace".
MadhilmDinka Means "born on the way" in Dinka. This name is given to a male that’s born on the way, for example while the mother is traveling and gives birth on the way to her destination.
MakuumSwahili This name means Great in Swahili. Known for the crocodile leader in The Lion Guard, also a name for the Swahili people. It is a male name.
MalabofSomali From the Somali malab meaning "honey".
MarialmDinka This is a historical name of "Dinka" people in South Sudan in Africa. The meaning refers to a mixture of beautiful colors of black and white type of a bull. Is a name given to a male child after his mother's bride price was inform of such colored bull... [more]
Mediusf & mEnglish (African), Eastern African Borrowed from Latin medius meaning "middle; half; moderate; indifferent." It is mostly used in Uganda where, compared to other surrounding countries, it is usually feminine in usage.
MenelikmGe'ez, Amharic Means "son of the wise man" in Ge'ez and Amharic. According to the legend Menelik was the first emperor of Ethiopia. In the 10th century BC, he is said to have inaugurated the Solomonic dynasty of Ethiopia, so named because Menelik I is supposed to be the son of the biblical King Solomon of ancient Israel and Makeda, the Ethiopian Queen of Sheba.