Kahina f Northern African, BerberDerived 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.
Lawal m Western African, HausaFrom Arabic
أوّل (awwal) meaning
"first". It is sometimes added to the name of the first of multiple siblings who share the same given name.
Lovemore m Southern AfricanFrom the English words
love and
more. This name is most common in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in southern Africa.
Maina m Eastern African, KikuyuMeans
"sing, dance" in Kikuyu. Kikuyu males were traditionally organized into age sets or generations, each lasting about 30 years. The
Maina generation occupied the last part of the 19th century.
Mubiru m Eastern African, GandaMeaning unknown. This is the name of a figure in Ganda mythology associated with forests and hunting.
Mumbi f Eastern African, KikuyuMeans
"she who shapes" in Kikuyu. In Kikuyu mythology Mumbi was the wife of Gikuyu and the mother of his nine daughters.
Mwangi m Eastern African, KikuyuMeans
"rapid expansion" in Kikuyu. Kikuyu males were traditionally organized into age sets or generations. The
Mwangi generation started around the beginning of the 20th century and lasted for about 30 years.
Njeri f Eastern African, KikuyuMeans
"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, MbunduPossibly 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.
Nnamdi m Western African, IgboMeans
"my father is alive" in Igbo. This name is given to a child when it is believed that he is a reincarnation of his grandfather.
Nnenna f Western African, IgboMeans
"father's mother" in Igbo. This name is given in honour of the child's paternal grandmother.
Nnenne f Western African, IgboMeans
"mother's mother" in Igbo. This name is given in honour of the child's maternal grandmother.
Ola 3 m & f Western African, YorubaFrom Yoruba
ọlà meaning
"wealth" or the related
ọlá meaning
"honour, respect". It is also a short form of names containing those elements.
Rabiu m Western African, HausaFrom Arabic
رابع (rabi') meaning
"fourth", sometimes added to a given name to indicate the fourth sibling bearing it.