African Submitted Names

Aadaan m Somali
Somali form of Adhan.

Aadam m Urdu, Somali, Estonian
Urdu, Somali, and Estonian form of Adam.

Aaden m Somali
Somali form of Adam.

Aamiina f Somali
Somali form of Aminah.

Aannuliró f Bandial
Means "she was brought down inside" in Bandial.

Aäron m Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Dutch and Afrikaans form of Aaron.

Áárónì m Yoruba
Yoruba form of Aaron.

Aayosus m Western African
aayosus

Aba f Akan
Means "born on Thursday" in Fante, a dialect of Akan.

Ababuo f African
Ababuo means a child that keeps coming back. This name is mainly used in Ghana

Abadi m Ijaw
Means "a big sea" in Ijaw.

Abadibo f & m Ijaw
Means "a person from the sea" in Ijaw.

Abadir m Near Eastern Mythology, Coptic (Bohairic), Coptic (Sahidic), Arabic (Archaic), Ethiopian, Somali (Archaic)
Means "mighty father". This was a Phoenician name for the highest deity. It was borne by a legendary Coptic saint who was martyred with his sister Irais (or Iraja, Herais, Rhais).

Abagbe f Nigerian
The meaning of Abagbe is we begged to have this one to lift up

Abaka f Akan
Means "first born" in Akan.

Abam f African
Abam’s meaning is “second child after twins”

Abana f African
Variant of Abena.

Abasiama m & f Ibibio, Efik
Means "it is God that loves" or "God's love" in Ibibio and Efik.

Abayie m & f Akan
Means "has come well" in Akan.

Abaynesh f Amharic
Means "you are the Nile" in Amharic.

Abayomi m & f Yoruba
Means "he came to bring me joy and happiness" or "I would have been mocked" in Yoruba.

Abdikadir m Somali
Somali form of Abd al-Qadir, used outside of Somalia.

Abdirahim m Somali
Somali form of Abdurrahim.

Abdirahman m Somali
Somali form of Abd al-Rahman.

Abdirizak m Somali
Somali form of Abdur Razzaq. A notable bearer was the Abdirizak Haji Hussein (1924–2014), the former Prime Minister of Somalia.

Abdool m Mauritian Creole, South African
Variant of Abdul.

Abdoul Aziz m Western African
Western African form of Abd al-Aziz.

Abdoul Karim m Western African
Western African form of Abd al-Karim.

Abdoul Salam m Western African
Western African form of Abdus Salam.

Abdourahmane m Western African
Form of Abd al-Rahman used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.

Abdu m Swahili
Abdu is a name of Swahili origin meaning worshipper of God and the vowel at the end makes it sound like Abdul

Abdulkadir m Somali
Somali form of Abd al-Qadir, used outside of Somalia.

Abdullahi m Somali, Nigerian
Form of Abdullah used in Somalia and Nigeria.

Abduwali m Uyghur, Somali
Uyghur and Somali form of Abd al-Wali.

Abebe m Amharic, Ethiopian
Variant of Abeba.

Abebech f Amharic, Ethiopian
Feminine form of Abebe.

Abebi f African
Variant of Abeni.

Abeiku m Akan
Means "born on Wednesday" in Fante, a dialect of Akan.

Abejul m & f Bandial
Means "the one who pouts" in Bandial.

Abeke f Yoruba
Means "one begged to care for" in Yoruba.

Abera m Ethiopian
Means "light" or "he shines". Used as both a given name and a surname.

Aberham m Ethiopian

Abhurahama m Shona
Shona form of Abraham.

Abi f Nigerian
Means "owner" in Izere.

Abiba f Northern African
Has its origins in the Moroccan language and means "first child born after the grandmother has died."

Abigaili f Biblical, Swahili
Swahili form of Abigail.

Abigajil f Norwegian (Rare, Archaic), Swedish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Danish (Rare)
Variant of Abigail used in the Norwegian translation of the Bible.

Abikanile f Yao
Meaning "listen" in Yao.

Abin f Efik

Abiola f & m African, African American (Modern), Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "born in honor" in Yoruba.

Abiolu m Yoruba

Abiona f & m Yoruba
Means "born during a journey" in Yoruba.

Abisade m & f Yoruba
Means "born into royalty" in Yoruba.

Abiso m Yoruba
Means "given" or "acquired" in Yoruba.

Abiy m Amharic
Means "father's joy" in Amharic.

Aboderin m Yoruba
Means "one who walks in the company of hunters" in Yoruba.

Abongile m Xhosa
Means "thankfulness" in Xhosa.

Aboubakar m Central African
Variant of Abubakar.

Aboyo f Luo
Means "one who saunters" in Luo.

Abra f Ewe
Means "Tuesday-born girl" in Ewe.

Abreham m Ethiopian
Ethiopian form of Abraham.

Abrihet f Tigrinya
Means "light" in Tigrinya.

Abshir m Somali
Means "congratulation" in Somali.

Abuchi m & f Igbo
Means "song of God" in Igbo.

Abuk f African Mythology, Dinka
In Dinka mythology (south Sudan), the first woman. She is the patron goddess of women and gardens. Her emblem is a little snake. She is the mother of Deng (Danka).

Abukkakken f Bandial
Means "she entrusts to raise (her child)" in Bandial.

Abungu f Luo
Means "of the forest" in Luo.

Aburu m Dagbani
"One of the royal gates of Dagbong Kingdom" denoting "Corrupted name of Abdulai"

Abuto f Luo
Means "I have hidden" in Luo.

Abye m Ge'ez
Means "big, large" in Ge'ez.

Achaje m Chewa
Means "stranger" in Chichewa.

Achan f Dinka
Means "female child in the first pair of twins" in Dinka.

Achike m Igbo
Means "take the things of the world easy" in Igbo.

Achmat m Indonesian, South African
Indonesian form of Ahmad as well as the usual form used by South African Muslims.

Ada m Idoma
Means "father" in Idoma.

Adaego f Igbo
An Igbo name meaning "daughter of wealth".

Adaku f Igbo
Means "daughter of wealth" in Igbo.

Adama m Western African
Form of Adam used in parts of western Africa.

Adamma f Igbo
Means "daughter of beauty" in Igbo.

Adamu m Amharic, Swahili, Hausa
Amharic, Swahili, and Hausa form of Adam.

Adan m Somali (Expatriate)
Variant of Aadan.

Adanech f Amharic
Means "she saved" or "she rescued" or "she has rescued them" in Amharic.

Adaora f Igbo
Means "the people's daughter" in Igbo.

Addi m Northern African, Berber (Expatriate, ?)

Addimew m Amharic
Means "invite him" in Amharic.

Addis f & m Amharic, Ethiopian
Derived from Amharic አዲስ (addis) "new".

Addisu m Ethiopian
Means "the new one".

Adeben m African
Means "twelfth born son".

Adebimpe f Yoruba
Means "the crown is complete" in Yoruba.

Adebisi f Yoruba
Means "the crown has given birth to more" in Yoruba. This is the name of the (Nigerian) mother of British musician Seal Samuel.

Adedamola m Yoruba
Means "my crown mixed with blessing" in Yoruba.

Adede f Luo
Means "grasshopper" in Luo.

Adedoyin f & m Yoruba
Means "the crown is now honey" in Yoruba.

Adefunke f Yoruba
Means "the crown has given me to cherish" in Yoruba.

Adejoke f African
Variant of Ajoke.

Adelakun m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the crown opens the womb" in Yoruba.

Adeleke f Yoruba
Means "crown achieves happiness" in Yoruba.

Adelowo m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the crown has honour" or "the crown has respect" in Yoruba.

Ademola m Yoruba
Means "the crown along with wealth" or "the crown has been added to the wealth" in Yoruba.

Ademurewa f & m Yoruba
Means "the crown brought goodness" in Yoruba.

Aden m Somali (Expatriate)
Variant of Aadan.

Adeniji m Yoruba
Means "the crown has fame" in Yoruba.

Adeniyi m Yoruba, Nigerian
Means "the crown is precious" in Yoruba.

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

Adepero f Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the crown pacifies" or "the crown calms" in Yoruba.

Aderfi m Berber (Rare)
Means "freed" in Berber.

Aderonke f Yoruba
Means "crown has found something to pet" in Yoruba.

Adesimbo f Yoruba
Means "noble birth" in Yoruba.

Adesina f Yoruba
Means "the crown has opened the way" in Yoruba.

Adesola f Yoruba
Means "the crown honored us" in Yoruba.

Adesua f Edo
Variant of Adesuwa.... [more]

Adesuwa f Edo
Means "in the midst of prosperity" in Edo.

Adetula m Yoruba
Means "royalty survived again" in Yoruba.

Adetule m Yoruba
Variant of Adetula.

Adetutu f & m Yoruba
Means "the crown is gentle" in Yoruba.

Adewale m African, Yoruba
Variant of Adebowale.

Adewumi m & f Yoruba
Means "royalty attracts me" in Yoruba.

Adewuyi m & f Yoruba (Modern)
Means "royalty is prestigious" in Yoruba.

Adeya f Nigerian (Americanized)
Adeya means "a gift from God has come.“

Adeyinka f & m Yoruba
Means "the crown surrounds me" in Yoruba.

Adhra f Swahili
Means "apology" in Swahili.

Adia f Igede, Swahili
Means "queen" in Igede and "(valuable) gift" in Swahili, from Hausa adia "gift".

Adiaba f Efik
Means "first daughter" in Efik.

Adiahaudo f Ibibio
Means "first daughter of a second son" in Ibibio.

Adid m Berber
Meaning unknown.

Adiela f Hebrew, English (Rare), Spanish (Latin American), South African
Feminine form of Adiel.

Adigheji m Isoko (Rare)
Means "pillar of the house" in Isoko.

Adim m & f Efik

Admase m Amharic
Means "my diamond" in Amharic.

Admassu m Amharic
Means "his horizon" in Amharic.

Admasu m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "his horizon" from Amharic አድማስ (admas) meaning "horizon".

Adoka f Efik

Adole m Idoma
Means "father of the house" in Idoma.

Adongo m & f Luo
Means "second of the twins" in Luo.

Adua f Tigrinya (Italianized, Rare), Italian (Rare)
Italian form of ዓድዋ also spelled Adwa or Aduwa. This is an Ethiopian town whose name means "village of Awa (people)" in Tigrinya.... [more]

Aduke f Yoruba
Means "one (people) struggle(d) to care for" in Yoruba.

Aduor f Eastern African, Luo
Means "born at dawn" in Luo.

Adut f Eastern African
This name is borne by Adut Akech Bior ( born 25 December 1999), a South Sudanese-Australian model.

Adwin m Akan
Means "creative" in Akan.

Afae m African
Diminutive of Āfeworq.

Afafa f Ewe
Means "the first child of the second husband" in Ewe.

Afagache m & f Kassena
Means "I am on guard, alert" in Kasem.

Afe m African
Diminutive of Āfeworq.

Āfeworq m Ethiopian, French

Affiong f Efik
Variant of Effiong.

Afiah m Efik
Means "fourth son" in Efik.

Afianwan f Ibibio
Means "fair lady" in Ibibio.

Afiríyie f Akan
Means "happy circumstances" in Akan.

Afiya f African, Arabic
Means "health" in Arabic.

Afogori m & f Bandial
Means "she/he gets buried around" in Bandial. This is considered a death prevention name.

Afriyie m & f Akan
Means "has appeared well" in Akan.

Afryea f Ewe
Means "born during happy times" in Ewe.

Afuluchianya m Igbo
Means "does one see God?" in Igbo.

Afunu f Nigerian

Afwerki m Tigrinya, Ethiopian
Means "mouth of gold" in Tigrinya.

Agalembo m & f Bandial
Means "s/he ruins it" in Bandial.

Aganju m African Mythology, Yoruba
The son of Obatala and Odudua. He marries his sister Yemaja and they produce a son named Orungan ("air").

Agbani f Nigerian
Meaning unknown.

Agerzam m Berber
Means "cheetah" in Amazigh.

Agetha f English (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Agatha.

Aghadinuno m Igbo
Means "war is in the house" in Igbo.

Aghbalu m Berber
Means "source" in Amazigh.

Aghilas m Kabyle
Means "leopard; panther; lion" in Kabyle.

Aghiles m Kabyle
Variant of Aghilas.

Agibu m Fula
Fulani name meaning ‘patient, meticulous’

Agizul m Berber
Means "brave" in Tamazight.

Agrinette f South African (Rare)

Aguta m African
Allegedly a Lugbara name from Uganda.

Agwang f Luo
Means "wolf" in Luo.

Agwmar m Berber
Means "stallion" in Tamazight.

Agyegyesεm m & f Akan
Means "trouble making" in Akan.

Agyeman m Akan
Means "saviour of the nation" in Akan.

Ahamat m Thai (Muslim), Central African
Form of Ahmad used in Thailand and central Africa.

Ahamefuna m & f Igbo
Means "may my name not be lost" in Igbo.

Ahar m Berber
Means "lion" in Tamazight.

Ahmat m Indonesian, Malay, Central African
Indonesian and Malay form of Ahmad, also used in Chad.

Aïchata f Western African
Western African elaboration of Aïcha (see Aisha).

Aidevo f Yoruba
Means "no one can change my destiny but God" in Yoruba.

Aimut m Amharic
Means "may he not die" in Amharic.

Aina f Yoruba
Means "difficult birth" in Yoruba.

Ainose f & m Esan
Means "no one is greater than God" in Esan.

Ainsworth m African
Transferred use of the surname Ainsworth.

Aishafsat f Western African (Modern)
Combination of Aisha meaning "life" with Hafsat meaning "gathering".

Aissa f Western African
Form of Aisha used in West African countries (primarily Mali, Senegal, and Cameroon).

Aïssata f Western African
Form of Aisha used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.

Aissatou f African
Variant of Aïssatou.

Ajah m & f Bandial
Means "the clever one" in Bandial.

Ajaŋa m Jola
Means "girl" in Jola-Fonyi.

Ajani m & f Jamaican Patois, Yoruba
Means "one (we) fought to have" in Yoruba.

Ajibade m Yoruba

Ajoke f Yoruba
Means "jointly beloved" in Yoruba.

Ajuoga f Luo
Means "doctor" in Luo.

Ajwoba f Akan
Variant form of Adwoa.

Akachukwu m Igbo
Means "hand of God" in Igbo.

Akahlulwa m Xhosa (Modern)
This name is derived from the song Akahlulwa lutho uuJesu. Mostly popularity in the Xhisa nation. But this name is also understood Zulu which means Jesus is undefeated.

Akala m Nigerian

Akale-work m Ge'ez
Means "body of gold" in Ge'ez.

Akammboñaa f Jola
Means "she tries it for nothing" or "she does it there for nothing" in Jola-Fonyi. This is applied to a woman in reference to her repeated failure to carry a pregnancy to term, implying the bearer gets pregnant in vain.

Akande m Yoruba, Nigerian
means "first born"

Akanimoh m & f Efik
Means "greater than wealth" in Efik.

Akanyang f Tswana
Means "think about it", "think" in Setswana.

Akawel m Berber
Means "the black" in Amazigh.

Akaziwe f Nguni
Means "she must be introduced" in Nguni.

Akeelah f South African (Rare), English (Modern, Rare), Arabic
Variant of Akilah, notably used in the 2006 movie 'Akeelah and the Bee'

Akela f Luba

Akello f Luo
Means "born after twins" in Luo.

Akeredolu m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "one who becomes prominent at a young age" or "he who reduces (humbles) himself in order to become king" in Yoruba.

Akersim m Berber
Means "caracal" in Tamazight.

Aketch f Luo
Means "born during a famine" in Luo.

Akhere m & f Western African, Esan
Means "the younger twin" in Esan.

Akhona f & m South African

Akiki m Eastern African, Nkore
Means "friend" in Nkore, spoken in Uganda.

Akin m Yoruba
Means "the brave one" in Yoruba.

Akinbolade m Yoruba
Means "bravery comes with wealth" in Yoruba.

Akinfela m Yoruba
Means "bravery expands the coast of wealth" in Yoruba.

Akintunde m Yoruba
Means "bravery returns" in Yoruba.

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

Akkalenjayi f & m Bandial
Means "she torments her mother" or "he torments his mother" in Bandial.

Akkayil m Bandial
Means "he surpasses them" in Bandial.

Akli m Kabyle
Means "slave, prisoner, captive" in Kabyle. It was historically used to refer to Tuareg slaves and servants, who are typically dark-skinned in colour.

Aklilu m Tigrinya
Means "laurel wreath" in Tigrinya.

Akobundu m Igbo
Means "wisdom is life" in Igbo.

Akofa f Ewe

Akol m & f African
From Iteso in eastern uganda. Meaning nicelooking.

Akon m African American, Western African
One of the given names of the musician known as Akon.

Akonawe m Isoko
Means "let the teeth laugh" in Isoko.

Akouete m Ewe

Akpadiaha m Ibibio
Means "first son of first daughter" in Ibibio.

Akpo m & f Edo
Means "short person" in Edo.

Akpoebi f & m Western African, Ijaw
Means "life is good" in Ijaw.

Akpomatunemibofa m & f Ijaw
Means "nobody has a knowledge of the world" in Ijaw.

Akpomofa f & m Ijaw
Means "the world is not as you think of it" in Ijaw.

Aksil m Berber, Northern African, History
Means "cheetah" or "leopard" in Shawiya Tamazight. This was the real name of Kusaila (كسيلة), a 7th-century Berber king.

Aku m Igbo
Means "wealth" in Igbo.

Akú f Akan
Means "Wednesday" in Akan.

Akúá f Akan
Variant of Akua.

Akunna f Igbo
Means "father's wealth" in Igbo, from aku meaning "property, wealth" and nna meaning "father".

Akuwueziuka f & m Igbo
Means "prosperity is a good talk" in Igbo.

Akwa m Efik, Ibibio
Means "elder, senior" in Efik and Ibibio.

Akwaowo m Ibibio
Means "great man" in Ibibio.

Akwenye m Ovambo
Means "spring (season)" in Ovambo.

Akwete f Western African
Means "eldest of twins" in Ga.

Akwokwo f African
Means "younger of twins" in Ga.

Alabrah m Ijaw
Means "how long" in Ijaw.

Aladeinyefa f & m Ijaw
Means "nothing is superior to royalty" in Ijaw.

Alaere f Ijaw
Means "queen, woman of substance" in Ijaw.

Alagie m Western African

Alame m Amharic
Means "my world" in Amharic.

Alanda f Afrikaans

Alaowei m Ijaw
Means "noble man" in Ijaw.

Alarice f Afrikaans (Rare), English (New Zealand, Rare)

Alata f Ijaw
Means "royal wife" in Ijaw.

Alatari m & f Ijaw
Means "king's love" or "love of royalty" in Ijaw.

Alayingi f Ijaw (Rare)
Means "royal mother" in Ijaw.

Alazar m Ethiopian
Meaning, "God is my help."

Alazidei m Ijaw
Meaning "I have given birth to royalty" in Ijaw.

Alazimo f & m Ijaw
Means "born into royalty" in Ijaw.

Albarka f Hausa
Feminine form of Barak 2.

Aldjya f Kabyle
Means "doll" in Kabyle.

Aleeki m Somali
Means "brave lion" in Somali.

Alejehen m & f Bandial
Means "the one who trivialises things" in Bandial.

Alek f Eastern African, Dinka
Means "black-and-white cow" in Dinka.... [more]

Alemnesh f Ethiopian, Amharic

Alemu m Amharic
Means "they dreamt" in Amharic.

Alera f & m Ogoni
Means "enough" or "it is enough" in Khana.

Aletta f Dutch, Swedish (Archaic), Afrikaans, Icelandic (Modern, Rare), Hungarian
Archaic Swedish diminutive of Alhet and Dutch variant of Aleida as well as a Hungarian adoption of the Dutch name... [more]

Alhajiahmad m Western African (Modern)
Combination of Alhaji meaning "the pilgrim" with Ahmad meaning "most commendable, most praiseworthy".

Alheri f & m Dagbani
Means "gift" or "kindness" in Dagbani.

Aliaune m Western African (Rare)
The first of the given names of the musician known as Akon (1973-).

Alika f Nigerian
Means “most beautiful” in Nigerian.

Alile f Yao
Means "she weeps" in Yao.

Alimazi f Amharic
Means "diamond" in Amharic.

Alimi m & f Nigerian

Alinda f Dutch, Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish (Rare), Hungarian, Gascon
Dutch, Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish and Hungarian contracted form of Adelinda and Gascon contracted form of Aidelina.

Alinuswe m African
Zambia

Aliou m Western African
Form of Ali 1 used in parts of western Africa.

Alioune m Western African
Form of Ali 1 used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.

Alita f English, Dutch, Afrikaans

Alitta f Afrikaans, Hungarian, English
Variant of Aletta.

Alizea f Afrikaans (Modern, Rare)
Latinate variant of Alizée.

Alleta f English (African), Afrikaans, Danish (Rare)
Variant of Aletta.

Alletta f Dutch, Afrikaans, English
Variant of Aleta.

Allieu m African

Allita f Afrikaans (Rare), Danish (Rare, Archaic)
Variant of Alita.

Allswell m & f Western African (Rare), English (African, Rare, ?)
Presumably from the English phrase all's well.

Almarie f English (American), Afrikaans, Filipino

Almasi f Swahili
Means "diamond" in Swahili.

Almaz m & f Tatar, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Azerbaijani, Eastern African, Amharic
Means "diamond" in various languages, all derived from Persian الماس (almas). It is only used as a masculine name in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan while it is feminine in Azerbaijan and Ethiopia.

Almine f Afrikaans (Rare), German (Rare), Danish (Rare), Norwegian (Rare)
Variant of Almina.

Alongi m & f Lingala
Means "victorious" in Lingala.

Alta f Afrikaans

Altine f Hausa
From the Hausa Lī̀tìnîn meaning “Monday”.

Altus m Afrikaans (Rare)

Aluoch f Luo
Means "born on overcast morning" in Luo.

Aluwani m & f Venda
Means "be prosperous" or "grow up" in Tshivenda.

Alydia f Dutch (Rare), South African (Rare)

Alzena f Indonesian (Rare), South African (Rare)
Possibly derived from Arabic النِسَاء‎ (an-nisāʾ) meaning "the woman".

Amadika f African
Is of African-Rhodesia origin and means "to be beloved".

Amadinaiyangbon m Nigerian (Rare)

Amadioha m Igbo, African Mythology
Means "man of the people" in Igbo. He is the Igbo god of thunder and lightning.