Browse Names

Mojisola f Yoruba
Means "I wake up to wealth" in Yoruba.

Monifa f Yoruba (Rare)
Means "I am lucky" in Yoruba.

Mosi f & m Swahili
Means "first (child)" in Swahili.

Moti 1 m Oromo
Means "leader" in Oromo.

Mphatso m & f Chewa
Means "gift" in Chewa.

Mpho m & f Tswana, Sotho
Means "gift" in Tswana and Sotho, a derivative of fa "to offer".

Mtendere m & f Chewa
Means "peace" in Chewa.

Mubiru m Ganda
Meaning unknown. This is the name of a figure in Ganda mythology associated with forests and hunting.

Mudiwa f & m Shona
Means "beloved, darling" in Shona.

Mukami f Kikuyu
Possibly means "the one who milks the cows" in Kikuyu.

Mumbi f 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 Shona
Means "with God" in Shona, derived from ishe meaning "lord, God".

Munyaradzi m Shona
Means "comforter, consoler" in Shona, from nyaradza "to make quiet, to console".

Muthoni f Kikuyu
Means "mother-in-law" in Kikuyu.

Mwanahamisi f Swahili
Means "child born on Thursday" in Swahili.

Mwanahawa f Swahili
Combination of Swahili mwana meaning "child" and the name Hawa.

Mwanaidi f Swahili
Means "child born during the festival" in Swahili.

Mwanaisha f Swahili
Combination of Swahili mwana meaning "child" and the name Aisha.

Mwanajuma f Swahili
Means "child born on Friday" in Swahili.

Mwangi m Kikuyu
Means "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.

Mwayi f & m Chewa
Means "opportunity" in Chewa.

Nakato f Ganda
Means "second of twins" in Luganda.

Naliaka f Luhya
Means "born during the weeding season", from Luhya liliaka meaning "weeding".

Ndidi f & m Igbo
Means "patience" in Igbo.

Ndubuisi m Igbo
Means "life is foremost" in Igbo.

Neema f Swahili
Means "divine grace" in Swahili, from Arabic نعمة (niʿma) meaning "blessing".

Neo 1 f & m Tswana
Means "gift" in Tswana, a derivative of naya "to give".

Ngozi f Igbo
Means "blessing" in Igbo.

Nia 2 f Swahili, African American
Means "purpose, aim" in Swahili, borrowed from Arabic نيّة (nīya).

Njeri f 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 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.

Nkazimulo m & f Zulu
Means "glory, brightness" in Zulu.

Nkechinyere f Igbo
Means "this which God gave" in Igbo.

Nkemdilim f Igbo
Means "that which is mine belongs to me" in Igbo.

Nkiruka f Igbo
Means "that to come is greater" in Igbo.

Nkosana m Xhosa
Means "prince" in Xhosa.

Nkosazana f Xhosa
Means "princess" in Xhosa.

Nkruma m & f Akan
Means "ninth born child" in Akan.

Nnamdi m Igbo
Means "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.

Nneka f Igbo
Means "mother is greater" in Igbo.

Nnenna f Igbo
Means "father's mother" in Igbo. This name is given in honour of the child's paternal grandmother.

Nnenne f Igbo
Means "mother's mother" in Igbo. This name is given in honour of the child's maternal grandmother.

Nomusa f Ndebele
Means "merciful" in Ndebele.

Nqobile f & m Zulu
Means "they conquered" in Zulu, from nqoba "to conquer".

Nsia m & f Akan
Means "sixth born child" in Akan.

Nsonowa m & f Akan
Means "seventh born child" in Akan.

Nthanda m & f Tumbuka
Means "star" in Tumbuka.

Ntombi f Zulu
Means "girl" in Zulu.

Ntombifuthi f Zulu
Means "a girl again" in Zulu.

Ntombizodwa f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "only girls", from Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele intombi "girl" and zodwa "only".

Nuru f Swahili
Means "light" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic نور (nūr).

Nwanneka f Igbo
Means "sibling is greater" in Igbo.

Nyambura f Kikuyu
From Kikuyu mbura meaning "rain". This is the name of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Nyongesa m Luhya
Means "born on Saturday" in Luhya.

Obi m & f Igbo
Means "heart" in Igbo.

Obinna m Igbo
Means "heart of the father" in Igbo, from óbì "heart, mind" and ńnà "father".

Ochieng m Luo
Means "born when the sun shines", derived from Luo chieng meaning "sun".

Odhiambo m Luo
Means "born in the evening" in Luo.

Ogechi f Igbo
Means "God's time" in Igbo.

Ogechukwu f Igbo
Means "God's time" in Igbo (a variant of Ogechi using Chukwu as the second element).

Ogechukwukamma f Igbo (Rare)
Means "God's time is greater" in Igbo.

Oghenekaro m & f Urhobo
Means "God first" in Urhobo.

Oghenekevwe m & f Urhobo
Means "God provided for me" in Urhobo.

Oghenero m & f Urhobo
Means "God exists" in Urhobo.

Ogochukwu f & m Igbo
Means "favour of God" in Igbo.

Okafor m Igbo
Means "boy (born on) Afor" in Igbo, Afor being one of the four days of the Igbo week.

Okechukwu m Igbo
Means "portion of God" in Igbo.

Okeke m Igbo
Means "boy (born on) Eke" in Igbo, Eke being one of the four days of the Igbo week.

Okonkwo m Igbo
Means "boy (born on) Nkwo" in Igbo, Nkwo being one of the four days of the Igbo week.

Okorie m Igbo
Means "boy (born on) Orie" in Igbo, Orie being one of the four days of the Igbo week.

Okoro m Igbo
Means "boy, young man" in Igbo.

Okuhle f & m Zulu, Xhosa
Means "that which is beautiful, that which is good" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Olabode m Yoruba
Means "wealth returns" in Yoruba.

Olalekan m Yoruba
Means "wealth is increased by one" in Yoruba.

Olamide m & f Yoruba
Means "my wealth has arrived" in Yoruba.

Olamilekan m Yoruba
Means "my wealth is increased by one" in Yoruba.

Olanrewaju m Yoruba
Means "wealth goes forward" in Yoruba.

Olawale m Yoruba
Means "wealth has come home" in Yoruba.

Olayinka f & m Yoruba
Means "wealth surrounds me" in Yoruba.

Olubunmi f Yoruba
Means "God gives to me" in Yoruba.

Oluchi f Igbo
Means "work of God" in Igbo.

Olufemi m Yoruba
Means "God loves me" in Yoruba.

Olufunke f Yoruba
Means "God gives care" in Yoruba.

Olufunmilayo f Yoruba
Means "God gives me joy" in Yoruba.

Olufunmilola f Yoruba
Means "God gives me wealth" in Yoruba.

Olujimi m Yoruba
Means "God forgives me" in Yoruba.

Olukayode m Yoruba
Means "God brings happiness" in Yoruba.

Olumide m Yoruba
Means "my God has come" in Yoruba.

Olusegun m Yoruba
Means "God conquers" in Yoruba.

Olusola m & f Yoruba
Means "God makes wealth" in Yoruba.

Oluwakanyinsola f Yoruba (Rare)
Means "God has dropped honey into wealth" in Yoruba.

Oluwaseun m & f Yoruba
Means "God, thank you" in Yoruba.

Oluwaseyi f & m Yoruba
Means "God made this" in Yoruba.

Oluwatoyin f & m Yoruba
Means "God is worthy of praise" in Yoruba.

Oluwayemisi f Yoruba
Means "God honours me" in Yoruba.

Omobolanle f Yoruba
Means "child finds wealth at home" in Yoruba.

Omolara f Yoruba
Means "child is family" in Yoruba.

Omondi m Luo
Means "born early in the morning" in Luo.

Omphile f & m Tswana, Sotho
Means "he has given" in Tswana and Sotho.

Onalerona f & m Tswana, Sotho
Means "he is with us" in Tswana and Sotho.

Oni f & m Yoruba
Means "today" in Yoruba.

Onyebuchi m Igbo
Means "who is equal to God?" in Igbo.

Onyekachi m & f Igbo
Means "who is greater than God?" in Igbo.

Onyekachukwu m & f Igbo
Means "who is greater than God?" in Igbo (a variant of Onyekachi using Chukwu as the second element).

Onyinye f Igbo
Means "gift" in Igbo.

Onyinyechi f Igbo
Means "gift from God" in Igbo.

Opeyemi f & m Yoruba
Means "gratitude is suitable for me" in Yoruba.

Otieno m Luo
Means "born at night" in Luo.

Otobong m & f Ibibio
Means "from God" in Ibibio.

Oyibo m & f Urhobo
Means "white" in Urhobo.

Palesa f Sotho
Means "flower" in Sotho.

Pemphero m & f Chewa
Means "prayer" in Chewa.

Penjani m & f Tumbuka
Means "seek for, look for" in Tumbuka.

Pili 2 f Swahili
Means "second (child)" in Swahili.

Pilirani m & f Chewa
Means "persevere, endure" in Chewa.

Puleng f Sotho
Means "in the rain" in Sotho.

Rabiu m Hausa
From Arabic رابع (rābiʿ) meaning "fourth", a derivative of أربعة (ʾarbaʿa) meaning "four". It is sometimes added to a given name to indicate the fourth sibling bearing it.

Refilwe m & f Tswana
Means "we were given" in Tswana, derived from filwe "given".

Rehema f Swahili
Means "mercy, compassion" in Swahili, from Arabic رحْمة (raḥma).

Rethabile f & m Sotho
Means "we are happy" in Sotho.

Rudo m & f Shona
Means "love" in Shona.

Rufaro f Shona
Means "happiness" in Shona.

Rutendo f & m Shona
Means "thankfulness" in Shona.

Safiya f Hausa, Kazakh, Arabic
Hausa and Kazakh form of Safiyya. It is also an alternate transcription of the Arabic name.

Salisu m Hausa
From Arabic ثالث (thālith) meaning "third", sometimes added to a shared given name to indicate the third sibling bearing it.

Samuel m English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Romanian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Jewish, Amharic, Biblical
From the Hebrew name שְׁמוּאֵל (Shemuʾel) meaning "name of God", from the roots שֵׁם (shem) meaning "name" and אֵל (ʾel) meaning "God". Other interpretations have the first root being שָׁמַע (shamaʿ) meaning "to hear" leading to a meaning of "God has heard". As told in the Books of Samuel in the Old Testament, Samuel was the last of the ruling judges. He led the Israelites during a period of domination by the Philistines, who were ultimately defeated in battle at Mizpah. Later he anointed Saul to be the first king of Israel, and even later anointed his successor David.... [more]

Sandile m Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "we increased" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele, from anda "to increase".

Sani 2 m Hausa
From Arabic ثانٍ (thānin) meaning "second", a derivative of اثنان (ithnān) meaning "two". If two or more siblings share the same given name, this name may be appended to that of the second.

Seble f Amharic
Means "harvest" in Amharic.

Segun m Yoruba
Means "conquer" in Yoruba, also a short form of Olusegun or Oluwasegun.

Sekani m Tumbuka
Means "laugh" in Tumbuka.

Sethunya f Tswana
Means "bloom, flower" in Tswana, derived from thunya "to bloom".

Sibongile f Zulu, Ndebele
Means "we are thankful" in Zulu and Ndebele, from bonga "to thank".

Sibusisiwe f Ndebele
Means "we are blessed" in Ndebele.

Sibusiso m Zulu, Swazi, Ndebele
Means "blessed" in Zulu, Swazi and Ndebele, from busisa "to bless".

Sifiso m Zulu
Means "wish" in Zulu.

Simba 1 m Shona
Means "power, strength" in Shona.

Simba 2 m Swahili
Means "lion" in Swahili. This is the name of the main character in the Disney movie The Lion King (1994), about a lion cub who exiles himself after his father is murdered.

Simisola f Yoruba
Means "rest in wealth" in Yoruba.

Simiyu m Luhya
Means "born during the dry season" in Luhya.

Sipho m Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "gift" from Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele isipho.

Siphosethu m & f Zulu, Xhosa
Means "our gift" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Sisay m Amharic
Means "good omen" in Amharic.

Sithembile f & m Zulu
Means "we trust" in Zulu.

Siyabonga m Zulu, Ndebele
Means "we thank you" in Zulu and Ndebele.

Sizwe m Xhosa
Means "nation" in Xhosa.

Ssanyu f Ganda
Means "joy" in Luganda.

Subira f Swahili
Means "patience" in Swahili, from Arabic صبر (ṣabara).

Tadala f Chewa
Means "we have been blessed" in Chewa.

Tadesse m Amharic
Means "revived" in Amharic.

Tafadzwa m & f Shona
Means "we are pleased" in Shona, from fadza meaning "please, make happy".

Tafari m Amharic (Rare)
Possibly means "he who inspires awe" in Amharic. This name was borne by Lij Tafari Makonnen (1892-1975), also known as Haile Selassie, the last emperor of Ethiopia. Rastafarians (Ras Tafari meaning "king Tafari") revere him as the earthly incarnation of God.

Taiwo m & f Yoruba
Means "taste the world, taste life" in Yoruba.

Tajddigt f Berber
Means "flower" in Tamazight.

Takondwa m & f Chewa
Means "we are glad" in Chewa.

Tamandani m & f Chewa
Means "exalt, praise" in Chewa.

Tamrat m Amharic
Means "miracle" in Amharic.

Tanina f Berber
From the name of a legendary bird, similar to an eagle or a phoenix.

Taonga f & m Tumbuka
Means "we are thankful" in Tumbuka.

Tapiwa f Shona
Means "given" in Shona.

Tariku m Amharic
Means "his history, his story" in Amharic.

Tariro f Shona
Means "hope" in Shona.

Tatenda m & f Shona
Means "thank you" in Shona, from tenda meaning "thank".

Tatu 2 f Swahili
Means "third (child)" in Swahili.

Tau m Tswana, Sotho
Means "lion" in Tswana and Sotho. Tau was the name of the last ruler of the Rolong in South Africa (18th century).

Tebogo f & m Tswana
Means "gratitude, thanks" in Tswana.

Teboho m Sotho
Means "gratitude" in Sotho.

Temitope f & m Yoruba
Means "mine is worthy of gratitude" in Yoruba.

Thabang m & f Tswana
Means "be happy" in Tswana.

Thabani m Zulu, Ndebele
Means "be happy" in Zulu and Ndebele.

Thabo m Sotho, Tswana
Means "joy, happiness" in Sotho and Tswana.

Thamsanqa m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "luck, fortune" in Xhosa and Zulu.

Thandeka f Zulu, Ndebele
Means "loved" in Zulu and Ndebele.

Thandiwe f Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
Means "loving one" in Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele, from thanda "to love".

Thandolwethu f & m Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele, Swazi
Means "our love" in Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele and Swazi, from thanda "to love".

Thato m & f Sotho, Tswana
Means "will, desire" in Sotho and Tswana.

Thema f Akan
Means "queen" in Akan.

Themba m Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "trust, hope" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.

Thokozani m & f Chewa
Means "thank" in Chewa.

Thulani m Zulu
Means "be quiet, be peaceful" in Zulu.

Thulile f Zulu
Means "quiet, peaceful" in Zulu.

Tichaona m Shona
Means "we will see" from Shona ticha "we will" and ona "see".

Tifawt f Berber
Means "light" in Tamazight.

Tinashe m & f Shona
Means "we are with God", from Shona ti "we", na "with" and ishe "lord, God".

Tionge f & m Chewa, Tumbuka
Means "we thank" in Chewa and Tumbuka.

Titilayo f Yoruba
Means "eternal happiness" in Yoruba.

Tiyamike f & m Chewa
Means "we praise" in Chewa.

Tochukwu m & f Igbo
Means "praise God" in Igbo.

Toyin f & m Yoruba
Means "worthy of praise" in Yoruba, also a short form of Oluwatoyin.

Tshepo m & f Sotho, Tswana
Means "hope" in Sotho and Tswana.

Tsholofelo f Tswana
Means "hope, expectation" in Tswana.

Tumaini f & m Swahili
Means "wish, hope" in Swahili, from Arabic طمع (ṭamiʿa) meaning "to desire".

Tumelo m & f Sotho, Tswana
Means "faith" in Sotho and Tswana.

Tumisang m & f Tswana
Means "give praise, glorify" in Tswana.

Tunde m Yoruba
Means "return, come again" in Yoruba, also a short form of names containing that element.

Uche m & f Igbo
Means "wisdom, sense, mind" in Igbo.

Uchenna m & f Igbo
Means "wisdom of the father, sense of the father" in Igbo.

Udo 2 m & f Igbo
Means "peace" in Igbo.

Uduak m & f Ibibio
Means "will, desire" in Ibibio.

Uduakobong m & f Ibibio
Means "God's will" in Ibibio.

Ufuoma m & f Urhobo
Means "peace of mind" in Urhobo.

Ugochi f Igbo
Means "eagle of God" in Igbo, from ùgó meaning "eagle, honour" and Chi 2, referring to God.

Ugochukwu m Igbo
Means "eagle of God" in Igbo.

Uhuru m Swahili
Means "freedom" in Swahili.

Uju f Igbo
Means "fullness, plenty" in Igbo.

Umar m Arabic, Urdu, Uzbek, Tajik, Kyrgyz, Indonesian, Hausa
Means "flourishing, living long" in Arabic, related to Arabic عمر (ʿumr) meaning "life". Umar was a companion and strong supporter of the Prophet Muhammad who became the second caliph of the Muslims. He is considered to be one of the great founders of the Muslim state. The name was also borne by a 12th-century poet from Persia, Umar Khayyam.

Umukoro m Urhobo
Means "young man" in Urhobo.

Unathi m & f Xhosa
Means "he or she is with us" in Xhosa, from the prefix u- meaning "he, she" and nathi meaning "with us".

Upendo f Swahili
Means "love" in Swahili.

Uzochi m & f Igbo
Means "way of God" in Igbo.

Uzoma m & f Igbo
Means "good way" in Igbo.

Wafula m Luhya
Means "born during the rainy season", from Luhya ifula meaning "rainy season".

Wamalwa m Luhya
Means "born during the brewing season" in Luhya.

Wambui f Kikuyu
Means "zebra" in Kikuyu. This is one of Mumbi's nine daughters in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Wanangwa m & f Tumbuka
Means "freedom" in Tumbuka.

Wangari f Kikuyu
From Kikuyu ngarĩ meaning "leopard". In the Kikuyu origin legend this is the name of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi.

Wangui f Kikuyu
From Kikuyu ngũi meaning "song leader". This is one of Mumbi's nine daughters in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Wanjala m Luhya
Means "born during famine", from Luhya injala meaning "hunger, famine".

Wanjiku f Kikuyu
Meaning unknown. This is one of Mumbi's nine daughters in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Wanjiru f Kikuyu
Possibly from Kikuyu njĩra meaning "way, path". In the Kikuyu origin legend this is the name of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi.

Wanyonyi m Luhya
Means "born during the weeding season", from Luhya enyonyi meaning "weeds".

Wasswa m Ganda
Means "first of twins" in Luganda.

Wekesa m Luhya
Means "born during harvest" in Luhya.

Wongani m & f Chewa
Means "be thankful" in Chewa.

Workneh m Amharic
Means "you are gold", from Amharic ወርቅ (warq) meaning "gold".

Xolani m Zulu
Means "peace" in Zulu.

Yaa f Akan
Means "born on Thursday" in Akan.

Yalwa f & m Hausa
Means "abundance" in Hausa.

Yamikani m & f Chewa
Means "be grateful, praise" in Chewa.

Yared m Biblical Hebrew, Ethiopian
Hebrew form of Jared. This form is also used in Ethiopia. It was borne by a semi-legendary 6th-century Ethiopian musician who is considered a saint in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Yaw m Akan
Means "born on Thursday" in Akan.

Yejide f Yoruba
Means "mother has awakened" in Yoruba.

Yetunde f Yoruba
Means "mother has come again" in Yoruba.

Yewande f Yoruba
Means "mother has found me" in Yoruba.

Yewubdar f Amharic
Means "beautiful beyond limits" from Amharic ውብ (wb) meaning "beautiful" and ዳር (dar) meaning "limit, horizon, frontier, shore".

Zandile f Zulu
Means "they have increased" in Zulu.

Zanokuhle f & m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "come with goodness" in Zulu and Xhosa, from the roots za "to come, to approach" and hle "beautiful, good".

Zawadi f & m Swahili
Means "gift" in Swahili, derived from Arabic زواد (zawād) meaning "provisions".

Zephania m Southern African, Eastern African
Variant of Zephaniah. This form of the name appears to be used in southern and eastern Africa.

Zikomo m & f Chewa
Means "thank you, greeting" in Chewa.

Ziri m Berber
Means "moonlight" in Tamazight.

Zuhura f Swahili, Dhivehi
Means "Venus (planet)" in Swahili and Dhivehi. Both are borrowed from Arabic الزهرة (al-Zuhara), derived from the root زهر (zahara) meaning "to shine".

Zuri f Swahili
Means "beautiful" in Swahili.