Browse Names

Amahle m & f Zulu
Means "the beautiful ones" in Zulu.

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

Funke f Yoruba
Short form of Olufunke.

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

Xolani m Zulu
Means "peace" in Zulu.

Enitan m & f Yoruba
Means "person with a story, storied person" in Yoruba.

Adannaya f Igbo
Means "eldest daughter of her father" in Igbo.

Dalitso m & f Chewa
Means "blessing" in Chewa.

Ifunanya f Igbo
Means "love" in Igbo (literally "to see in one's eye").

Andile m & f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "they have increased" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.

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

Eskender m Amharic
Amharic form of Alexander.

Adenike f Yoruba
Means "the crown is to be cared for" in Yoruba.

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

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.

Modou m Western African
Short form of Mamadou.

Mamadou m Western African
Form of Muhammad used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.

Fatimata f Western African
Form of Fatima used in West Africa.

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

Halimat f Hausa
Hausa variant of Halima.

Kehinde m & f Yoruba
Means "comes last" in Yoruba. It is typically given to the second of twins.

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

Nkosana m Xhosa
Means "prince" in Xhosa.

Chipo f Shona
Means "gift" in Shona.

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

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

Baako m & f Akan
Means "first born child" in Akan.

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

Teboho m Sotho
Means "gratitude" in Sotho.

Ayan 3 f Somali
Variant of Ayaan 2.

Adeola f & m Yoruba
Means "the crown of wealth" in Yoruba. It is also a surname.

Dakarai m Shona
Means "rejoice" in Shona.

Moti 1 m Oromo
Means "leader" in Oromo.

Kwabena m Akan
Means "born on Tuesday" in Akan.

Lumusi f Ewe
Means "born face down" in Ewe.

Chikondi m & f Chewa
Means "love" in Chewa.

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

Bukola f Yoruba
Means "add to wealth" in Yoruba.

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

Bakari m Swahili
From the Swahili name for the constellation Boötes.

Yao m Ewe
Ewe form of Yaw.

Minenhle f & m Zulu
From Zulu imini "day" and hle "beautiful".

Oumar m Western African
Form of Umar used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.

Chibuzo m & f Igbo
Means "God is the way" in Igbo.

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

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

Harouna m Western African
Form of Harun used in parts of West Africa.

Achieng f Luo
Feminine form of Ochieng.

Tajeǧǧigt f Berber
Kabyle variant of Tajddigt.

Sara f Hebrew, Greek, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, Catalan, Galician, Romanian, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Finnish, Slovene, Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian, Macedonian, Polish, English, Arabic, Persian, Amharic, Tigrinya, Biblical Hebrew, Biblical Latin
Form of Sarah used in various languages.

Ama f Akan
Means "born on Saturday" in Akan.

Xafsa f Somali
Somali form of Hafsa.

Meti f Oromo
Means "umbrella" in Oromo.

Aïssa f Western African
Form of Aisha used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.

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

Chidimma f Igbo
Means "God is good" in Igbo.

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

Businge m & f Kiga
Means "peace" in Rukiga.

Boipelo m & f Tswana
Means "joy, rejoicing" in Tswana, from ipela meaning "to rejoice".

Mariama f Western African
Form of Maryam common in West Africa.

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

Chibuike m Igbo
Means "God is strength" in Igbo.

Eshe f Swahili
Variant of Asha 2.

Chichi f Igbo
Diminutive of Chi 2.

Palesa f Sotho
Means "flower" in Sotho.

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.

Mandla m Zulu, Ndebele
Means "strength, power" in Zulu and Ndebele.

Kebede m Amharic
Means "heavy, serious" in Amharic.

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

Lethokuhle f & m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "bring goodness" in Zulu and Xhosa, from the roots letha "to bring" and hle "beautiful, good".

Gadise f Oromo
Feminine form of Gadisa.

Yuusuf m Somali
Somali form of Yosef (see Joseph).

Janeth f Spanish (Latin American), Eastern African
Variant of Janet, currently in use in South America and East Africa.

Onyinye f Igbo
Means "gift" in Igbo.

Musa m Arabic, Turkish, Hausa, Urdu, Bengali, Indonesian, Malay
Arabic form of Moses appearing in the Quran.

Sekai f Shona
From Shona seka meaning "laugh".

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

Nii m Ga
From a Ga word used as a masculine royal title.

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

Kayode m Yoruba
Means "bringing joy" in Yoruba.

Lisakhanya f & m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "still shining" in Xhosa and Zulu, from the roots sa "still, continuing" and khanya "to shine".

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

Adedayo m & f Yoruba
Means "the crown becomes joy" in Yoruba.

Balarabe m Hausa
Means "born on Wednesday" in Hausa, derived from Laraba "Wednesday", from Arabic الأربعاء (al-ʾarbiʿāʾ), itself derived from أربعة (ʾarbaʿa) meaning "four".

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

Iniobong m & f Ibibio
Means "God's time" in Ibibio.

Tidir f Berber
Feminine form of Idir.

Awiti f Luo
Means "thrown away" in Luo, possibly used for a child born prematurely.

Kojo m Akan
Variant of Kwadwo.

Ramadhani m Swahili
Swahili form of Ramadan.

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

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

Chibueze m Igbo
Means "God is the king" in Igbo.

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

Ife f & m Yoruba
From Yoruba ìfẹ́ meaning "love".

Limbikani m Chewa
Means "work hard" in Chewa.

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

Danai 2 f Shona
From Shona dana meaning "call, summon".

Annet f Dutch, Eastern African
Dutch variant of Annette, also in use in East Africa.

Cabdullaahi m Somali
Somali form of Abd Allah.

Banele m & f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Swazi
Means "it is enough" in Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi.

Lovemore m Southern African
From the English words love and more. This name is most common in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in the south of Africa.

Kodjo m Ewe
Ewe form of Kwadwo.

Kwasi m Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.

Adzo f Ewe
Ewe form of Adwoa.

Upendo f Swahili
Means "love" in Swahili.

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

Maryamu f Hausa
Hausa form of Maryam.

Titrit f Berber
Feminine form of Itri.

Saynab f Somali
Somali form of Zaynab.

Oluwafunmilayo f Yoruba
Variant of Olufunmilayo.

Ameẓyan m Berber
Means "small" in Tamazight.

Mawunyo m & f Ewe
Means "God is good" in Ewe.

Sauda f Swahili
Meaning uncertain, possibly a variant of Sawda.

Chiamaka f Igbo
Means "God is more beautiful" in Igbo.

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

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.

Muhammadu m Hausa, Fula
Hausa and Fula form of Muhammad.

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

Jatau m Hausa
Means "fair-coloured, light" in Hausa.

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

Adetokunbo m & f Yoruba
Means "the crown returns from over the sea" in Yoruba.

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".

Cali 2 m Somali
Somali form of Ali 1.

Manyara f Shona
Means "you have been humbled" in Shona.

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

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

Zainab f Arabic, Urdu, Hausa, Malay, Indonesian
Alternate transcription of Arabic زينب (see Zaynab), as well as the usual form in several languages.

Ayanda m & f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "they are increasing" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.

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

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

Lassana m Western African
Form of Al-Hasan used in parts of West Africa (especially Mali).

Muḥand m Berber
Tamazight form of Muhammad.

Ebele f Igbo
Variant of Ebere.

Ijeoma f Igbo
Means "good journey" in Igbo.

Taklit f Berber
Feminine form of Akli.

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

Hlengiwe f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Swazi
Means "helped, rescued, redeemed" in Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi.

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

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

Masozi m & f Tumbuka
Means "tears" in Tumbuka.

Afi f Ewe
Ewe form of Afua.

Daa'uud m Somali
Somali form of David.

Jamila f Arabic, Urdu, Hausa
Feminine form of Jamil. This was the name of a wife of the caliph Umar.

Efemena m & f Urhobo
Means "here is my wealth" in Urhobo.

Chidi m & f 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.

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

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

Eyob m Amharic, Tigrinya
Amharic and Tigrinya form of Job.

Adamou m Western African
Form of Adam used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.

Daouda m Western African
Form of Dawud used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.

Jaylaani m Somali
Somali form of Jilani.

Ejiroghene m & f Urhobo
Means "praise God" in Urhobo.

Jummai f Hausa
From Hausa Jumma'a meaning "Friday" (of Arabic origin).

Aminu m Hausa
Hausa form of Amin.

Thiziri f Berber
Variant of Tiziri.

Rumbidzai f Shona
From Shona rumbidza meaning "praise".

Limbani m Chewa
Means "be strong" in Chewa.

Ɗanladi m Hausa
From Hausa ɗa "son" and Lahadi "Sunday".

Chijindum m & f Igbo (Rare)
Means "God holds my life" in Igbo.

Yohannes m Amharic
Amharic form of John.

Dejen m Amharic
Means "foundation, support" in Amharic.

Alemayehu m & f Amharic
Means "I have seen the world" in Amharic.

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

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

Ousmane m Western African
Form of Uthman used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.

Chika 1 f & m Igbo
Means "God is greater" in Igbo.

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

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

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

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

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

Karabo m & f Sotho, Tswana
Means "answer" in Sotho and Tswana.

Asma'u f Hausa
Hausa form of Asma.

Kefilwe m & f Tswana
Means "I was given" in Tswana, derived from filwe "given".

Hibo f Somali
Somali form of Hiba.

Lindiwe f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Swazi
Means "waited for, awaited" in Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi, from linda "to wait".

Kahina f Berber
Derived from Arabic الكاهنة (al-Kāhina) 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.

Katleho m & f Sotho
Means "success, prosperity" in Sotho.

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

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

Ɗanlami m Hausa
From Hausa ɗa "son" and Alhamis "Thursday".

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

Issouf m Western African
Form of Yusuf used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.

Hawo f Somali
Somali form of Eve (via Arabic Ḥawāʾ).

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

Mariamu f Swahili
Swahili form of Miriam.

Nonso m Igbo
Short form of Chinonso.

Akua f Akan
Means "born on Wednesday" in Akan.

Desta f & m Amharic
Means "joy" in Amharic.

Thema f Akan
Means "queen" in Akan.

Gbemisola f Yoruba
Means "carry me into wealth" in Yoruba.

Lelise f Oromo
Feminine form of Lelisa.

Berko m Akan
Means "first born" in Akan.

Xaliima f Somali
Somali form of Halima.

Munashe m & f Shona
Means "with God" in Shona, derived from ishe meaning "lord, God".

Chinonso m & f Igbo
Means "God is nearby" in Igbo.

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

Ikenna m Igbo
Means "power of the father" in Igbo.

Adebola m & f Yoruba
Means "the crown meets wealth" in Yoruba.

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

Lishan f & m Amharic
Means "award" in Amharic.

Kwesi m Akan
Variant of Kwasi.

Werknesh f Amharic
Alternate transcription of Amharic ወርቅነሽ (see Worknesh).

Alhassan m Western African
Form of Al-Hasan used in West Africa.

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

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

Haregewoin f Amharic
Means "grape vine" in Amharic.

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

Salamatu f Western African
Form of Salama used in West Africa.

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

Nana 4 m & f Akan
From an Akan word used as a title of a monarch.

Fatoumata f Western African
Form of Fatima used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.

Prossy f Eastern African
Diminutive of Proscovia, mainly used in Uganda.

Lesego m & f Tswana
Means "luck, blessing" in Tswana, from sego "blessed".

Nonkululeko f Zulu, Xhosa
From the Zulu and Xhosa feminine prefix no- combined with inkululeko "freedom".

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.

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

Azubuike m Igbo
Means "the past is your strength" or "your back is your strength" in Igbo.

Thando m & f Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
From Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele thanda meaning "to love".

Funmilayo f Yoruba
Means "give me joy" in Yoruba, also a short form of Olufunmilayo or Oluwafunmilayo.

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".

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

Rajabu m Swahili
Swahili form of Rajab.

Chiemeka m & f Igbo
Means "God did a greater deed" in Igbo.

Esi f Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.

Kabelo m Sotho, Tswana
Means "allotment, share, gift" in Sotho and Tswana.

Aaminata f Fula
Fula form of Amina 1.

Bello m Fula, Hausa
Possibly from Fula ballo meaning "helper". This name was borne by Muhammad Bello (1781-1837), the second leader of the Sokoto Caliphate.

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

Mukhtaar m Somali
Somali form of Mukhtar.

Zainabu f Swahili, Hausa
Swahili and Hausa form of Zaynab.

Selamawit f Amharic
Amharic form of Shulammite.

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

Chukwuemeka m Igbo
Means "God did a greater deed" in Igbo.

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

Mavuto m Chewa
Means "troubles, problems" in Chewa.

Ade 1 m & f Yoruba
From Yoruba adé meaning "crown", also a short form of other names beginning with this element.

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

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

Tambudzai f Shona
From Shona tambudza meaning "make trouble, frustrate".

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

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

Sisay m Amharic
Means "good omen" in Amharic.

Yonas m Tigrinya, Amharic
Tigrinya and Amharic form of Jonah.

Cabdulqaadir m Somali
Somali form of Abd al-Qadir.

Chike m Igbo
Means "God of strength" in Igbo.

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

Itoro m & f Ibibio
Means "praise, glory" in Ibibio.

Lulit f Amharic
From Amharic ሉል (lul) meaning "pearl".

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

Enyinnaya m Igbo
Means "his father's friend" in Igbo.

Zola 2 f & m Xhosa
From the Xhosa root -zola meaning "calm".

Idir m Berber
Means "alive" in Tamazight.

Lesedi f & m Tswana
Means "light" in Tswana.

Chifuniro m & f Chewa
Means "will, wish" in Chewa.

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

Ifeoma f Igbo
Means "good thing" in Igbo, derived from ífé meaning "thing" and ọ́má meaning "good, beautiful".

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

Chiumbo m Mwera
Means "small" in Mwera.

Cabdirashiid m Somali
Somali form of Abd ar-Rashid.

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

Efua f Akan
Variant of Afua.

Aishatu f Hausa
Hausa variant of Aisha.

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

Titilayo f Yoruba
Means "eternal happiness" in Yoruba.

Zuri f Swahili
Means "beautiful" in Swahili.

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

Kweku m Akan
Variant of Kwaku.

Babirye f Ganda
Means "first of twins" in Luganda.

Ekundayo f & m Yoruba
Means "tears become joy" in Yoruba.

Aïchatou f Western African
Form of Aisha used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.

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

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

Gwandoya m Ganda
Means "met with misery" in Luganda.

Chikumbutso m & f Chewa
Means "memory" in Chewa.

Kariuki m Kikuyu
Means "reincarnated one" in Kikuyu.

Folami m & f Yoruba (Rare)
Means "respect and honour me" in Yoruba.

Aïssatou f Western African
Form of Aisha used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.

Ekene m & f Igbo
Means "thanks, gratitude" in Igbo.

Rufaro f Shona
Means "happiness" in Shona.

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

Masamba m Yao
Means "leaves, vegetables" in Yao.

Akpofure m & f Urhobo
Means "life is peaceful" in Urhobo.

Kato m Ganda
Means "second of twins" in Luganda.

Bongani m Zulu
Means "grateful, thankful" in Zulu.

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

Akosua f Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.

Eskinder m Amharic
Alternate transcription of Amharic እስክንድር (see Eskender).

Henok m Tigrinya, Amharic
Tigrinya and Amharic form of Enoch.

Oluwasegun m Yoruba
Variant of Olusegun.

Ejiro m & f Urhobo
Short form of Ejiroghene and other names containing ejiro "praise".

Nkechi f Igbo
Short form of Nkechinyere.

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

Aminata f Western African
Form of Amina 1 used in West Africa.

Chimezie m & f Igbo
Means "God rectify" in Igbo.

Onyeka m & f Igbo
Short form of Onyekachi.

Pendo f Swahili
Variant of Upendo.

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

Tesfaye m Amharic
From Amharic ተስፋ (tasfa) meaning "hope".