Browse Submitted Names

This is a list of submitted names in which the gender is feminine; and the usage is African.
gender
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Maimouna f Western African
Western African form of Mahmuna (see Maymunah).
Maipelo f Tswana
Means "gratitude" in Setswana.
Mairak f Hausa
Means "daughter of a chief" in East Hausa.
Mairama f Hausa
Variant form of Maryama.
Mairo f Hausa
Diminutive form of Maryama.
Maisha f Swahili (Modern)
Means "life" in Swahili.
Maita f Shona
A Shona (Zimbabwean) name that implies gratitude for something that has been done well. It may be spelt as Mayita or Mazvita depending on the area of origin of the speaker.... [more]
Maitaishe m & f Shona
It means "You have done it Lord" or simply, "Thank you Lord."
Majani f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "leaves (of a plant)".
Majekodunmi m & f Yoruba
Means "do not let it be a thing of pain" in Yoruba.
Makanaka f Shona
Makanaka means "You are good". #This name is usually given in praise of God".
Makanga m & f Kongo, African Mythology
Means “Wise Person” in Kongo.
Makatendeka m & f Shona
Means "you are faithful (to God)" in Shona.
Makaziwe f & m Xhosa
Means "let him/her be known" in Xhosa.... [more]
Makemen f & m Western African (Rare)
Liberia and Guinean
Makhanani f Tsonga
Means "joy" in Xitsonga.
Makhokolotso f Sotho
Means "refuse" in Sesotho.
Makiadi m & f Kongo
Means "misfortune" in Kikongo.
Makida f African
In Ethiopia, Makida was another name for the Queen of Sheba.
Makiese m & f African, Kongo
Means "happiness" in Kikongo.
Makini m & f Swahili
Means "of good character" or "strength of character" in Swahili.
Makomborero f Shona
Means "blessings" in Shona.
Makungu m & f Tsonga
Means "plan" in Xitsonga.
Malabo f Somali
From the Somali malab meaning "honey".
Malebogo m & f Tswana
Means "thanks" in Tswana.
Maleka f South African, African American
Possibly a variant of Malika.
Maleshoane f Sotho
Means "ladybird" in Lesotho.
Maletsatsi f Sotho
Means "sun" or "day" in Sotho.
Malija f Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Maria.
Maliza f Swahili
Accomplished woman
Malkat f Northern African, Muslim
Possibly means "queen of the house", deriving from the Arabic element malaka ("queen"). Name borne by a prominent Sudanese author known for her realist novel The Wide Void.
Maltiti f & m Dagbani
Means "resolve for us" in Dagbani.
Malundama f Kongo
Means "hidden things" in Kikongo.
Malwandla m & f Tsonga
Means "hospitality" in Xitsonga.
Mama f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Saturday" in Fante, a dialect of Akan.
Mamphaki f Sotho
The name Mamphaki originates from the Northern Region of South Africa within the Bapedi people. The name was originally given to the first wife of Ntsetse Mailula - Mamphaki 'aMasekela. It was passed down within the Mailula family down to this day.
Mandeiya m & f Dagbani
"I have accepted", "I have collected"
Mandela m & f African American, Xhosa
Transferred use of the surname Mandela given in honour of Nelson Mandela, South African revolutionary hero and statesman... [more]
Mandisa f Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Derived from Xhosa and Zulu mnandi meaning "sweet" or "nice, pleasant".
Maneta m & f Shona
It means "You are tired or weary."
Mangeni f & m African
means "baby who was born when there is plenty of fish" and is of Bantu origin
Mangwanani f Shona
Means "morning" in Shona.
Manoka m & f Kongo
Means "rain" in Kikongo.
Mansa m & f Manding, Akan
Title for "king" or "ruler", now also used as a name. Can also mean "third daughter" in Twi, which is in the Akan language family.
Mansurah f Hausa
Means "supporter, victorious" in Hausa.
Mantso f Sotho
Means "the dark one" in Sotho.
Maṱoḓzi m & f Venda
Means "tears" in Tshivenda.
Mapalo m & f Bemba
Means "God's blessings" in Bemba.
Maphoi f Tswana
Means "doves" in Setswana.
Maraai f Afrikaans
Variant of Marai.
Maragarita f Haya
Ruhaya form of Margaret.
Marai f Upper German, German (Austrian), German (Swiss), Afrikaans
German variant of Marei and Afrikaans variant of Maria.
Maraliese f Afrikaans (Rare)
Combination of Mara 1 and Liese.
Mardene f English (American, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Possibly a corruption of Martine influenced by Mardi, or a variant of Mardena.
Mareg f Northern African
Mareg is of Sudanese Arabic origin meaning, 'comfort, comfortable'.
Mareli f Afrikaans
Short form of Marelise.
Marelie f Afrikaans
Variant of Mareli.
Mareza f Afrikaans
Variant of Maresa.
Mariame f Western African
Form of Maryam used in parts of western Africa.
Mariatu f Western African
Western African form of Maria.
Marinda f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Marinus.
Marini f Swahili
Means "pretty" in Swahili.
Marita f Shona
Shona form of Martha.
Mariyamu f Haya
Ruhaya form of Mariam.
Marjani f Swahili, Eastern African
Means ‘Coral’.
Marle f & m Portuguese (Brazilian), Filipino (Rare), Spanish (Latin American), South African (Rare)
Meaning unknown. This name is considered feminine, particularly in the United States, though some masculine usage is present in other communities.
Marlie f Dutch, Flemish (Rare), French (Belgian, Rare), French (Modern, Rare), Haitian Creole, Afrikaans
Dutch diminutive of Marleen as well as a combination of Maria and names that end in lie.
Marlize f Afrikaans
Contraction of Maria and Elize (compare Marlies).
Marthelle f Afrikaans
Combination of Martha and Elle
Marthina f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Marthinus.
Maru m & f Amharic
Means "the honey" in Amharic.
Maru m & f Tswana
Means cloud. In setswana culture anything which has to do with water, which is a precious commodity is loved. Clouds bring rain and so are welcomed wherever they appear.
Maryama f Arabic (Maghrebi), Somali
Maghrebi and Somali variant of Maryam.
Marye f Amharic
Means "my honey" in Amharic.
Maryke f Afrikaans, Dutch (Archaic)
Afrikaans and archaic Dutch form of Marijke.
Marzanne f Afrikaans
Contraction of Maria and Zanne.
Masamanisi f & m Southern African, Shona
Means "summons (to court)", ultimately from the English word summons.
Masana m & f Chewa
Means "daylight" in Chewa.
Masana f Tsonga
Means "sunrays" in Xitsonga.
Masegonyana m & f Tswana
Means "small blessings" in Setswana.
Mashgash m & f Igbo
Posh name. Meaning: Intelligence and beauty
Mashudu m & f African
Mashudu is a name used the Vha-Venda tribe in the far north of South Africa (Limpopo Province). The name means Luck
Masiba f Sotho
Means "Feather" in Sotho
Masika f Western African
Means "(born during) the rainy season" in Swahili.
Masiko f African
'culture'
Masingita f Tsonga
Means "miracles" in Xitsonga.
Masiye m & f Chewa
Means "orphan" in Chichewa, literally translating as "leavings", as in something left behind by a dead person.
Masoro f Hausa
Means "small peppercorn" in Hausa.
Massa f Berber
A term of respect meaning "Mistress" and a name usually given to high born.
Masvita f Shona
Means "thank you" in Shona.
Matadi m & f Kongo
Means "stone" in Kikongo.
Matemasie m & f Akan
Means "I have heard and concealed the fact" in Akan.
‘Mathapelo f Sotho
Means "mother of prayer" in Sotho.
Mathe f Sotho
Means "saliva" in Sotho.
Matidadisa m & f Shona
Means "you have done us proud" in Shona.
Matigonera m & f Shona
Means "you have done us good" in Shona.
Matimba m & f Tsonga
Means "strength" in Xitsonga.
Mat'ine f Sidamo
Means "salt" in Sidama.
Matinunura m & f Shona
Means "you have rescued us" in Shona.
Matinyaradza m & f Shona
Means "you have comforted us" in Shona.
Matipa m & f Shona
Means "you have given us" in Shona.
Matirangarira m & f Shona
Means "you have remembered us" in Shona.
Matiropafadza m & f Shona
Means "you have blessed us" in Shona.
Matizorodza m & f Shona
Means "you have given us rest/peace" in Shona.
Matšeliso f Sotho
Means "consolation" in Sotho.
Matshadi f African
Setswana
Matshediso f Sotho
Means "consolation" in Sesotho.
Matshepo f Southern African
Feminine form of Tshepo.
Matulumi m & f Kaguru
Means "decorations" in Chikaguru.
Matunda f & m Swahili
Means "fruit" in Swahili.
Maua f Swahili
Means "flower" in Swahili.
Maurisha f African
It's a female version of Maurice, which means "from Mauritania", current Morocco.
Mavhu f Shona
Means "sand" in Shona.
Mavika f Kongo
A Bisingombe and Mboma feminine name.
Mawanikwa f Southern African, Shona
Means "you have been found" and "married" in Shona.
Mawuena f African
god is the giver... [more]
Mayangi m & f Kongo (Modern)
Means "joy; happiness" in Kongo.
Mayela f Kongo
Intelligent
Mayibongwe f Ndebele
Means "give thanks" in Ndebele.
Mayibuye m & f Ndebele
Means "let it come" in Ndebele.
Mayihlome m & f Ndebele
Means "let's take up arms" in Ndebele.
Mayingi f & m Kongo
Nicknamed: Yingi
Mayowa m & f African
Some sources say this name means "one who brings joy".... [more]
Mazaline f Nigerian
Of African origin meaning "the luxurious.”
Mazvita f Shona
Means "we are grateful" or "many thanks" in Shona.
Mbada f Shona
Means "leopard" in Shona.
Mbalienhle f Ndebele, Zulu
Means "beautiful flower" in Zulu and Ndebele, from mbali "flower, flowers" and enhle "something that is beautiful of nice".
M'baŋba m & f Dagbani
"I have known them"
Mbarka f Arabic (Maghrebi), Berber
Feminine form of Mubarak used in Northern Africa. This was the name of a possibly legendary Berber princess who ruled the ksar or oasis town of El Menia in Algeria.
Mbazima f Tsonga
Means "they are tough" in Xitsonga.
Mbhoni f Tsonga
Means "witness" in Xitsonga.
Mbhurhi f Tsonga
Means "beautiful girl" in Xitsonga.
Mbi m & f Kenyang
Means "road" in Kenyang.
Mbia m & f Kenyang, Jagham
From Kenyang ḿbyáy meaning "pumpkin leaves", a plant species indigenous to Southern Nigeria.
Mbilime f Kaguru
Means "runner" in Chikaguru.
Mbo m & f Dagbani
Means "good" in Dagbani.
Mbomela m & f Lingala, Luba
Means "sixth born child" in Lingala and Luba.
Mboutidem m & f Ibibio
Means "faith" in Ibibio.
Mbù f Central African
A Kom name.
Mbwui m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Corruption of m̀-búi meaning "goat."
Meafnya f Datooga
Means "one who cannot be hidden" in Datooga.
Meaza m & f Ge'ez
Means "perfume" in Ge'ez.
Mechine f African (Modern, Rare)
African name meaning "Tears/Sadness." From common dialect of Bassa. Appearance in Liberia and Ghana.... [more]
Mediferiash-work f Amharic
Means "your means of being bold is gold" in Amharic.
Medius f & m English (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.
Megafu m & f Igbo
Means "do for all to see" in Igbo.
Meghighda f Berber
Etymology unknown. This was the name of a famous poetess.
Meissa f Western African, Astronomy
Variant of Maïssa; from Arabic maḥīṣ meaning "shining, glittering". This is also the traditional name of Lambda Orionis, a star in the Orion constellation.
Mejereksa f Datooga
Means "one who cannot be controlled" in Datooga.
Mekdes f African
African, Ethiopia
Mekioussa f Berber (Rare)
Of Kabyle Berber origin with an unknown meaning.
Melaher f Ethiopian
Means “wisdom of god”.
Meleke f Manding
Meleke is Bambara for the following word. "Angel"
Melokuhle m & f South African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "stand for goodness" or "defend beautiful things" in Zulu and Xhosa.
Memory f English (American, Rare), English (African), Southern African
From the English word memory, ultimately from the Latin memor "mindful, remembering".
Menari m & f Igbo
Means "do more than is expected" in Igbo.
Mene f & m Ogoni
Means "rich/ wealthy" in Khana,... [more]
Menegbo f & m Ogoni
Means "wealthy/ rich friend" in Khana,... [more]
Menza f Berber
Meaning unknown.
Mepoho f Eastern African
A famous bearer of the name was the Mijikenda diviner Mepoho.
Meraai f Afrikaans
Variant of Maraai.
Merapelo f Tswana
Means "prayers" in Setswana.
Merinda f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
English variant of Marinda and Afrikaans variant of Marinda.
Meseret f & m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "foundation" in Amharic.
Mesi f Yao (Modern)
Modern variant of Miesi.
Meskerem f Ethiopian
Means "September" in Ethiopian.
Mesuli m & f Xhosa, Zulu
Means "wiper (of tears)" in Xhosa, suggesting someone who brings an end to sorrow.
Mfọn m & f Ibibio
Means "grace" in Ibibio.
Mgbemena m & f Igbo
Means "whenever it's done" in Igbo.
Mhambi f Zulu
Means "traveler" in Zulu.
Mhara f Shona
Means "impala" in Shona.
Mheho m & f Tsonga
Means "breeze" in Xitsonga.
Mich m & f Luo (Modern)
"blessings"
Miehleketo m & f Tsonga
Means "thoughts" in Xitsonga.
Miempie f Afrikaans
Possibly related to Miem, Miems or Miep.
Miems f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Willemina.
Miesi f Yao
Means "water" in Yao.
Migiyo f Tsonga
Means "the dancer" in Xitsonga.
Mihret m & f Ge'ez, Amharic
Means "mercy", ultimately from Ge'ez ምህረት
Mijaji f Tsonga
Means "the judge" in Xitsonga.
Mikal f Ethiopian (?)
This name means who's like god.
Mikateko f Tsonga
Means "blessings" in Xitsonga.
Mikhenso m & f Tsonga
Means "thanksgiving" in Xitsonga.
Minata f African
'mother of joy'
Minette f English (Rare), French (Rare, Archaic), Danish (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Afrikaans, Filipino
Diminutive of Mina 1. This was also a nickname of Henriette, Duchess of Orléans (daughter of the 17th-century English king Charles I)... [more]
Minki f Afrikaans
Short form of Willemien.
Mirai f Shona
Means "wait" in Shona.
Miriraishe f Shona
What upon the Lord
Miriro f & m African, Shona
Started in the early 1900's. Name was given to the second born daughter of the family. Name means "to be expected." Basically the one who was waited for.
Miru f African
Swahili
Misgana f Ethiopian, English (American, Modern, Rare)
From Amharic ምስጋና (məsgana) "glory, praise, honour; thanks, gratitude".
Misuli f Swahili
Means "muscle" in Swahili.
Mita f Bamileke
Bagangte, Cameroon
Mixo m & f Tsonga
Means "dawn, morning" in Xitsonga.
Miyelani m & f Tsonga
Means "keep quiet" in Xitsonga.
Mizani f African
African,Ghana."Chemistry, Beauty, and Balance"
Mkarkara f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "passion flower".
Mlilo f Zulu
Means "fire" in Zulu.
Mmaabo f Tswana
Means "their mother" in Tswana.
Mmagwulaku f Igbo
Means "beauty that exhausted wealth" in Igbo.
Mmaphefo f Sotho
Means "mother of cold" in Sotho.
Mmathapelo f Sotho
Means "mother of prayer" in Sotho.
Mmayen f Efik
Efik origin, Child's mother, alias for grandmother,
Mmemabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "I do love god" in Ibibio.
Mmenimabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "I do believe god" in Ibibio.
Mmenyenemem m & f Ibibio
Means "I now have peace" in Ibibio.
Mmesomachukwu m & f Igbo
Means "the kindness of God" in Igbo.
Mmini f Sotho
Means "dancer" in Sotho.
Mmoatia f Akan
This is a FAIRY from the stories about Ananse (from Ghana). She was the fairy that "no man sees". This explains why Ananse had to perform a complex trick to lure her to him.
Mnotho m & f Zulu
Means "economy" or "rich, wealthy" in Zulu.
Mobe m & f African
Meaning uncertain.
Mobiisola f Yoruba
meaning- literal translation "i gave birth to her in wealth" basically this child was born into a wealthy family,one highly esteemed in society. though the name is not gender selective, it is almost always used for females
Mobolaji f & m Yoruba
Means "born of wealth" in Yoruba.
Modesola f Yoruba
"I have come into wealth"
Modiri f Tswana
Means "the doer" in Setswana.
Modupe f & m Yoruba
Means "I thank (God)"... [more]
Modupe-oluwa m & f Yoruba, African
Combination of Yoruba Modupe "I thank" or "thank you" and Oluwa meaning "God, lord".
Modurolọrilerioluwa m & f Yoruba
Means "one who stands on the promise of god" in Yoruba.
Moesha f Popular Culture, African American (Modern), Jamaican Patois, Antillean Creole, South African
Invented name. It was used for the title character of the American television show Moesha (1996-2001), played by singer Brandy.
Mofolorunsọ m & f Yoruba
Means "one who is placed in god's care" in Yoruba.
Mofoluwakemi f Yoruba
Means "given for the lord's blessing" in Yoruba.
Moipone f Sotho
Means "self-admirer" in Sotho.
Mojerisolaoluwa f & m Yoruba
I am a witness of God's goodness
Moji f Yoruba
Means "I rise" or "I wake" in Yoruba. It is often used as a short form of names beginning with moji, such as Mojisola.
Mojoyinade m & f Yoruba
Means "I enjoyed the splendor of being royalty" in Yoruba.
Mokgadi f Sotho, South African
Means "a girl among boys" in Sotho, often given to a daughter born after several sons.... [more]
Molara f Yoruba
Diminutive of Omolara.
Molayoninuoluwa f & m Yoruba (Rare)
Means "I have joy in the Lord" in Yoruba.
Monja f German, Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Croatian (Rare), Afrikaans, Dutch
Variant transcription of Russian Моня (see Monya).
Montlenyane f Tswana
Means "beautiful one" in Setswana.
Monubai f & m Ijaw
Means "born on Monday" in Ijaw.
Moomba f Bemba (?)
Variant of Mumba.
Mor m & f Luo (Modern)
"happiness"
Moradeke f Yoruba
Means "I have gotten something precious to pamper" in Yoruba.
Morenike f Yoruba
Means "I have found someone to pamper" in Yoruba.
Morolaoluwa f Yoruba
Means "I have seen the slender of the lord God" in Yoruba.
Morowa f Akan
Means "queen" in Akan.
Mosa m & f Sotho
Means "grace" in Sotho.
Mosantu m & f Lingala
Variant of Santu.
Mosela f Sotho
Means "tail" in Sotho, idiomatically meaning "the last one" or "last child".
Mosetsanagape f Tswana
Means "a girl again" in Setswana.
Mosidi f Tswana, Sotho
Means "soot" in Sotho and Tswana.
Motema m & f Lingala
Means "heart" in Lingala.
Motimifagha f & m Ijaw
Means "I will not end like this" in Ijaw.
Motlagomang f & m Southern African, Tswana, Sotho
Means "who are you going to?" in Tswana.
Motlalepula f Tswana
Means "she came with rain" in Setswana.
Motsi m & f Shona
Means "first one" or "one who has matted hair" in Shona.
Moyo m & f Shona
Meaning “heart”.
Mpahlela f Tsonga
Means "pray for" in Xitsonga.
Mpanko f & m Dagbani
Means "am not alone" in Dagbani.