Browse Names

This is a list of names in which the gender is feminine; and the usage is African.
gender
usage
Aamina f Arabic, Eastern African, Somali
Alternate transcription of Arabic آمنة (see Aminah 1), as well as the Somali form.
Abeba f Eastern African, Amharic
Means "flower" in Amharic.
Abena f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Tuesday" in Akan.
Abeni f Western African, Yoruba
Means "we prayed and we received" in Yoruba.
Aberash f Eastern African, Amharic
Means "giving off light, shining" in Amharic.
Abidemi m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "born in my absence" in Yoruba. It is typically given to children born when the father is away.
Abimbola f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "born to me with wealth" in Yoruba.
Abiodun m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "born on a festival" in Yoruba.
Abiola f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "born into wealth" in Yoruba.
Abioye m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "born into royalty" in Yoruba.
Abosede f Western African, Yoruba
Means "comes with the start of the week" in Yoruba, given when the child is born on Sunday.
Achieng f Eastern African, Luo
Feminine form of Ochieng.
Adaeze f Western African, Igbo
Means "eldest daughter of the king" in Igbo.
Adanna f Western African, Igbo
Means "eldest daughter of the father" in Igbo.
Adannaya f Western African, Igbo
Means "eldest daughter of her father" in Igbo.
Ade 1 m & f Western African, Yoruba
From Yoruba adé meaning "crown", also a short form of other names beginning with this element.
Adebola m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "the crown meets wealth" in Yoruba.
Adebowale m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "the crown has returned home" in Yoruba.
Adedayo m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "the crown becomes joy" in Yoruba.
Adenike f Western African, Yoruba
Means "the crown is to be cared for" in Yoruba.
Adeola f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "the crown of wealth" in Yoruba. It is also a surname.
Adetokunbo m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "the crown returns from over the sea" in Yoruba.
Adhiambo f Eastern African, Luo
Feminine form of Odhiambo.
Adisa m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "bundled up and set to dry" in Yoruba.
Adwoa f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Monday" in Akan.
Adzo f Western African, Ewe
Ewe form of Adwoa.
Afi f Western African, Ewe
Ewe form of Afua.
Afua f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Friday" in Akan.
Aïchatou f Western African
Form of Aisha used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Aisha f Arabic, Urdu, Western African, Eastern African, Hausa, Swahili, Kazakh, African American
Means "living, alive" in Arabic. This was the name of Muhammad's third wife, the daughter of Abu Bakr. Some time after Muhammad's death she went to war against Ali, the fourth caliph, but was defeated. Her name is used more by Sunni Muslims and less by Shias.... [more]
Aishatu f Western African, Hausa
Hausa variant of Aisha.
Aïssa f Western African
Form of Aisha used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Aïssatou f Western African
Form of Aisha used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
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.
Akpofure m & f Western African, Urhobo
Means "life is peaceful" in Urhobo.
Aku 2 f Western African, Ewe
Ewe form of Akua.
Akua f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Wednesday" in Akan.
Akuchi f & m Western African, Igbo
Means "wealth from God" in Igbo.
Alaba f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "second child after twins" in Yoruba.
Alemayehu m & f Eastern African, Amharic
Means "I have seen the world" in Amharic.
Alheri f Western African, Hausa
Means "the charitable, the good" in Hausa, from Arabic خير (khayr).
Alinafe f & m Southern African, Chewa
Means "he or she is with us" in Chewa.
Ama f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Saturday" in Akan.
Amahle m & f Southern African, Zulu
Means "the beautiful ones" in Zulu.
Amara f Western African, Igbo
Means "grace" in Igbo.
Amarachi f Western African, Igbo
Means "God's grace" in Igbo.
Amina f Arabic, Bosnian, Tatar, Kazakh, Eastern African, Western African, Swahili, Hausa
Alternate transcription of Arabic Aminah 1 or Aminah 2, as well as the form in several other languages.
Aminata f Western African
Form of Aminah 1 used in western Africa.
Aminatou f Western African
Form of Aminah 1 used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Amondi f Eastern African, Luo
Feminine form of Omondi.
Anan 1 m & f Western African, Akan
Means "fourth born child" in Akan.
Andile m & f Southern African, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "they have increased" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.
Anuli f Western African, Igbo
Means "joy" in Igbo.
Asabe f Western African, Hausa
From Hausa Asabar meaning "Saturday" (of Arabic origin).
Asha 2 f Eastern African, Swahili
From Swahili ishi meaning "live, exist".
Ashura f Eastern African, Swahili
From the name of an Islamic holy day that commemorates the death of Husayn ibn Ali. It is so named because it falls on the tenth day of Muharram, deriving from Arabic عشرة ('asharah) meaning "ten".
Asma'u f Western African, Hausa
Hausa form of Asma.
Atieno f Eastern African, Luo
Feminine form of Otieno.
Awa f Western African
Form of Hawa typical of western Africa.
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.
Ayaan 2 f Eastern African, Somali
Means "good luck" in Somali.
Ayanda m & f Southern African, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "they are increasing" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.
Ayo f & m Western African, Yoruba
From Yoruba ayọ̀ meaning "joy", or a short form of other names containing this element.
Ayodele m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "joy has come 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 come again" in Yoruba.
Baako m & f Western African, Akan
Means "first born child" in Akan.
Babirye f Eastern African, Ganda
Means "first of twins" in Luganda.
Bahati f & m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "luck, good fortune" in Swahili.
Bamidele m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "follow me home" in Yoruba.
Bandile m & f Southern African, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "they have increased" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.
Berhane m & f Eastern African, Amharic
Means "my light" in Amharic.
Boipelo m & f Southern African, Tswana
Means "joy, rejoicing" in Tswana, from ipela meaning "to rejoice".
Boitumelo f & m Southern African, Tswana
Means "joy" in Tswana, from itumela meaning "to be happy".
Bolanle f Western African, Yoruba
Means "find wealth at home" in Yoruba.
Bonolo f Southern African, Sotho
Means "ease" in Sotho.
Bontu f Eastern African, Oromo
Means "proud" in Oromo.
Buhle f & m Southern African, Xhosa, Ndebele
From Xhosa and Ndebele buhle "beautiful, handsome", from the root hle.
Bukola f Western African, Yoruba
Means "add to wealth" in Yoruba.
Businge m & f Eastern African, Kiga
Means "peace" in Rukiga.
Charlize f Southern African, Afrikaans
Feminine form of Charles using the popular Afrikaans name suffix ize. This name was popularized by South African actress Charlize Theron (1975-), who was named after her father Charles.
Chausiku f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "born at night" in Swahili.
Chi 2 m & f African Mythology, Western African, Igbo
Means "god, spiritual being" in Igbo, referring to the personal spiritual guardian that each person is believed to have. Christian Igbo people use it as a name for the personal Christian god (as opposed to the omnipresent Chukwu, though the names are used synonymously in some contexts). This can also be a short form of the many Igbo names that begin with this element.
Chiamaka f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is more beautiful" in Igbo.
Chibuzo m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is the way" in Igbo.
Chichi f Western African, Igbo
Diminutive of Chi 2.
Chidi m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God exists" in Igbo, derived from Chi 2, referring to God, and dị meaning "is". It is also a short form of Igbo names beginning with Chidi.
Chidiebere m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is merciful" in Igbo.
Chidiebube m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is wonderful" in Igbo.
Chidimma f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is good" in Igbo.
Chidubem m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is guiding me" in Igbo.
Chiemeka m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God did a greater deed" in Igbo.
Chifundo m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "mercy" in Chewa.
Chifuniro m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "will, wish" in Chewa.
Chigozie m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God bless" in Igbo.
Chijindum m & f Western African (Rare), Igbo (Rare)
Means "God holds my life" in Igbo.
Chika 1 f & m Western African, Igbo
Means "God is greater" in Igbo.
Chikere m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God created" in Igbo.
Chikondi m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "love" in Chewa.
Chikumbutso m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "memory" in Chewa.
Chima m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God knows" in Igbo, derived from Chi 2, referring to God, and meaning "know".
Chimezie m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God rectify" in Igbo.
Chimwala m & f Eastern African, Yao
Means "stone" in Yao.
Chimwemwe m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "joy, pleasure" in Chewa.
Chinasa f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is answering" in Igbo.
Chinenye f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is giving" in Igbo.
Chinonso m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "God is nearby" in Igbo.
Chinwe f Western African, Igbo
Means "God possesses" in Igbo. It is also a short form of Igbo names beginning with Chinwe.
Chinwendu f & m Western African, Igbo
Means "God possesses life" in Igbo.
Chinyere f Western African, Igbo
Means "God gave" in Igbo, derived from Chi 2, referring to God, and nyè meaning "give".
Chioma f Western African, Igbo
Means "good God" in Igbo, derived from Chi 2, referring to God, and ọ́má meaning "good, beautiful".
Chipiliro m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "perseverance, endurance" in Chewa.
Chipo f Southern African, Shona
Means "gift" in Shona.
Chisom f & m Western African, Igbo
Means "God goes with me" in Igbo.
Chisomo m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "grace" in Chewa.
Chiyembekezo m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "hope" in Chewa.
Chizoba f & m Western African, Igbo
Means "God continues to save" in Igbo.
Chrizanne f Southern African, Afrikaans
Combination of Christine and Anne 1 used in South Africa.
Dada m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "curly hair" in Yoruba.
Dalitso m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "blessing" in Chewa.
Danai 2 f Southern African, Shona
From Shona dana meaning "call, summon".
Dayo m & 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.
Ebere f Western African, Igbo
Means "mercy, kindness" in Igbo.
Efe 2 m & f Western African, Urhobo
Short form of Efemena and other names containing efe "wealth".
Efemena m & f Western African, Urhobo
Means "here is my wealth" in Urhobo.
Ejiro m & f Western African, Urhobo
Short form of Ejiroghene and other names containing ejiro "praise".
Ejiroghene m & f Western African, Urhobo
Means "praise God" in Urhobo.
Ekene m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "thanks, gratitude" in Igbo.
Ekenedilichukwu m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "gratitude belongs to God" in Igbo.
Ekundayo f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "tears become joy" in Yoruba.
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 with a story, storied person" in Yoruba.
Enu m & f Western African, Akan
Means "fifth born child" in Akan.
Enyonam f Western African, Ewe
Means "it is good for me" in Ewe.
Ese f & m Western African, Urhobo
Means "gift" in Urhobo.
Eseoghene m & f Western African, Urhobo
Means "God's gift" in Urhobo.
Esi f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.
Etenesh f Eastern African, Amharic
Means "you are my sister" in Amharic.
Fadzai f Southern African, Shona
From Shona fadza meaning "please, make happy".
Farai m & f Southern African, Shona
From Shona fara meaning "rejoice, be happy".
Fatimata f Western African
Form of Fatimah used in western Africa.
Fatimatou f Western African
Form of Fatimah used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Fatoumata f Western African
Form of Fatimah used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Fatsani m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "be meek" in Chewa.
Fatuma f Eastern African
Form of Fatimah used eastern Africa.
Folami m & f Western African (Rare), Yoruba (Rare)
Means "respect and honour me" in Yoruba.
Fumnanya f & m Western African, Igbo
Means "love me" in Igbo.
Fungai m & f Southern African, Shona
From Shona funga meaning "think, judge".
Funmilayo f Western African, Yoruba
Means "give me joy" in Yoruba, also a short form of Olufunmilayo or Oluwafunmilayo.
Furaha f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "joy, happiness" in Swahili (ultimately of Arabic origin).
Gadise f Eastern African, Oromo
Feminine form of Gadisa.
Gbemisola f Western African, Yoruba
Means "carry me into wealth" in Yoruba.
Gugulethu f Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
From Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele igugu "treasure, pride" and lethu "our".
Hadizatu f Western African, Hausa
Hausa variant form of Khadija.
Halima f Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Western African, Eastern African, Hausa, Swahili
Alternate transcription of Arabic حليمة (see Halimah), as well as the usual form in several other languages.
Halimat f Western African, Hausa
Hausa variant of Halima.
Halimatu f Western African, Hausa
Hausa variant of Halima.
Haoua f Western African
Form of Hawa used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Haregewoin f Eastern African, Amharic
Means "grape vine" in Amharic.
Hauwa f Western African, Hausa
Hausa form of Hawa.
Hibo f Eastern African, Somali
Somali form of Hiba.
Hiwot f Eastern African, Amharic
Means "life" in Amharic.
Hlengiwe f Southern African, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Swazi
Means "helped, rescued, redeemed" in Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi.
Hodan f Eastern African, Somali
Means "rich, lush" in Somali.
Idowu m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "born after twins" in Yoruba.
Ife f & m Western African, Yoruba
From Yoruba ìfẹ́ meaning "love".
Ifeoma f Western African, Igbo
Means "good thing" in Igbo, derived from ífé meaning "thing" and ọ́má meaning "good, beautiful".
Ifiok m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "wisdom" in Ibibio.
Ifunanya f Western African, Igbo
Means "love" in Igbo (literally "to see in one's eye").
Ige f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "born feet first" in Yoruba.
Ijeoma f Western African, Igbo
Means "good journey" in Igbo.
Imani f & m Eastern African, Swahili, African American
Means "faith" in Swahili, ultimately of Arabic origin.
Ime 1 m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "patience" in Ibibio.
Iniobong m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "God's time" in Ibibio.
Inyene m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "wealth" in Ibibio.
Itai 2 m & f Southern African, Shona
From Shona ita meaning "do, act, perform".
Itoro m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "praise, glory" in Ibibio.
Itumeleng m & f Southern African, Tswana
Means "be happy" in Tswana, from itumela meaning "to be happy".
Iyabo f Western African, Yoruba
Means "mother has returned" in Yoruba.
Jamila f Arabic, Urdu, Western African, Hausa
Alternate transcription of Arabic جميلة (see Jamilah), as well as the usual Urdu and Hausa form.
Janeth f Spanish (Latin American), Eastern African
Variant of Janet, currently in use in South America and eastern Africa.
Jummai f Western African, Hausa
From Hausa Jumma'a meaning "Friday" (of Arabic origin).
Kadiatou f Western African
Form of Khadija used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Kagiso m & f Southern African, Tswana
Means "peace" in Tswana.
Kahina f Northern African, Berber
Derived from Arabic الكاهِنة (al-Kahinah) meaning "the diviner, the fortuneteller". This was a title applied to the 7th-century Berber queen Dihya, who resisted the Arab expansion into North Africa.
Kamaria f Eastern African, Comorian
From Arabic qamar meaning "moon", also the root of the name of the island country of the Comoros.
Karabo m & f Southern African, Sotho, Tswana
Means "answer" in Sotho and Tswana.
Katlego m & f Southern African, Tswana
Means "success, prosperity" in Tswana.
Katleho m & f Southern African, Sotho
Means "success, prosperity" in Sotho.
Kayin 1 m & f Western African (Rare), Yoruba (Rare)
Means "celebrate" in Yoruba.
Kefilwe m & f Southern African, Tswana
Means "I was given" in Tswana, derived from filwe "given".
Kehinde m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "comes last" in Yoruba. It is typically given to the second of twins.
Kelebogile f & m Southern African, Tswana
Means "I am thankful" in Tswana, derived from leboga "to be thankful, to thank".
Kelechi m & f Western African, Igbo
Means "thank God" in Igbo.
Khumbo m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "wish" in Chewa.
Kidist f Eastern African, Amharic
Means "blessed" in Amharic.
Kirabo m & f Eastern African, Ganda
Means "gift" in Luganda.
Kisembo m & f Eastern African, Tooro
Means "gift" in Rutooro.
Konjit f Eastern African, Amharic
From Amharic ቆንጆ (qonjo) meaning "beautiful".
Kumbukani m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "remember" in Chewa.
Kunto f Western African, Akan
Means "third child" in Akan.
Kyauta m & f Western African, Hausa
Means "gift" in Hausa.
Ladi f Western African, Hausa
From Hausa Lahadi meaning "Sunday" (of Arabic origin).
Lebogang m & f Southern African, Tswana
Means "be thankful" in Tswana.
Lebohang m & f Southern African, Sotho
Means "be thankful" in Sotho.
Lelise f Eastern African, Oromo
Feminine form of Lelisa.
Lerato f & m Southern African, Sotho
Means "love" in Sotho.
Lesedi f Southern African, Tswana
Means "light" in Tswana.
Lesego m & f Southern African, Tswana
Means "luck, blessing" in Tswana, from sego "blessed".
Lindiwe f Southern African, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Swazi
Means "waited for, awaited" in Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi.
Lishan f & m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "award" in Amharic.
Lulit f Eastern African, Amharic
From Amharic ሉል (lul) meaning "pearl".
Lumusi f Western African, Ewe
Means "born face down" in Ewe.
Lungile f & m Southern African, Zulu, Ndebele
Means "correct, right, good" in Zulu and Ndebele.
Madalitso m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "blessings" in Chewa.
Makena f & m Eastern African, Kikuyu
Means "happy one" in Kikuyu.
Malaika f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "angel" in Swahili, derived from Arabic ملك (malak).
Manyara f Southern African, Shona
Means "you have been humbled" in Shona.
Mariama f Western African
Form of Maryam common in western Africa.
Marietjie f Southern African, Afrikaans
Afrikaans diminutive of Maria.
Masego f Southern African, Tswana
Means "blessings" in Tswana, from sego "blessed".
Masozi m & f Southern African, Tumbuka
Means "tears" in Tumbuka.
Mawunyo m & f Western African, Ewe
Means "God is good" in Ewe.
Mayamiko m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "praise, gratitude" in Chewa.
Mayeso m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "test (from God)" in Chewa.
Mbalenhle f Southern African, Zulu
From Zulu imbali "flower" and hle "beautiful".
Mbali f Southern African, Zulu
Means "flower" in Zulu.
Meklit f Eastern African, Amharic
Means "talent" in Amharic.
Meti f Eastern African, Oromo
Means "umbrella" in Oromo.
Minenhle f & m Southern African, Zulu
From Zulu imini "day" and hle "beautiful".
Mirembe f Eastern African, Ganda
Means "peace" in Luganda.
Mojisola f Western African, Yoruba
Means "I wake up to wealth" in Yoruba.
Monifa f Western African (Rare), Yoruba (Rare)
Means "I am lucky" in Yoruba.
Mosi f & m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "first (child)" in Swahili.
Mphatso m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "gift" in Chewa.
Mpho m & f Southern African, Tswana, Sotho
Means "gift" in Tswana and Sotho, a derivative of fa "to offer".
Mtendere m & f Southern African, Chewa
Means "peace" in Chewa.
Mudiwa f & m Southern African, Shona
Means "beloved, darling" in Shona.
Mukami f Eastern African, Kikuyu
Possibly means "the one who milks the cows" in Kikuyu.
Mumbi f Eastern African, Kikuyu
Means "she who shapes" in Kikuyu. In Kikuyu mythology Mumbi was the wife of Gikuyu and the mother of his nine daughters.
Munashe m & f Southern African, Shona
Means "with God" in Shona, derived from ishe meaning "lord, God".
Muthoni f Eastern African, Kikuyu
Means "mother-in-law" in Kikuyu.
Mwanahamisi f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "child born on Thursday" in Swahili.
Mwanahawa f Eastern African, Swahili
Combination of Swahili mwana meaning "child" and the name Hawa.
Mwanaidi f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "child born during the festival" in Swahili.
Mwanaisha f Eastern African, Swahili
Combination of Swahili mwana meaning "child" and the name Aisha.
Mwanajuma f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "child born on Friday" in Swahili.
Mwayi f & m Southern African, Chewa
Means "opportunity" in Chewa.
Mwenya f & m Southern African, Chewa
From the Chewa word for a type of flowering tree (species Breonadia salicina).
Naa f Western African, Ga
From a Ga word used as a feminine royal title.
Nafula f Eastern African, Luhya
Feminine form of Wafula.
Nakato f Eastern African, Ganda
Means "second of twins" in Luganda.
Naliaka f Eastern African, Luhya
Means "born during the weeding season", from Luhya liliaka meaning "weeding".
Nana 4 m & f Western African, Akan
From an Akan word used as a title of a monarch.
Nanjala f Eastern African, Luhya
Feminine form of Wanjala.
Nasimiyu f Eastern African, Luhya
Feminine form of Simiyu.
Ndidi f & m Western African, Igbo
Means "patience" in Igbo.
Neema f Eastern African, Swahili
Means "divine grace" in Swahili, from Arabic نعمة (ni'mah) meaning "blessing".
Nekesa f Eastern African, Luhya
Feminine form of Wekesa.
Neo 1 f & m Southern African, Tswana
Means "gift" in Tswana, a derivative of naya "to give".
Netsai f Southern African, Shona
From Shona netsa meaning "trouble, annoy, bother".
Ngozi f Western African, Igbo
Means "blessing" in Igbo.
Nia 2 f Eastern African, Swahili, African American
Means "purpose, aim" in Swahili.
Njeri f Eastern African, Kikuyu
Means "travelling one" in Kikuyu. Njeri (or Wanjeri) is the name of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi in the Kikuyu origin legend.
Njinga m & f Central African, Mbundu
Possibly from a Bantu root meaning "to twist, to wrap" (kujinga in Kimbundu), alluding to the wrapping of the umbilical cord around the neck of the newborn. This name was borne by kings and queens of the African kingdoms of Ndongo and Kongo, notably a 17th-century queen of Ndongo who resisted the Portuguese.