African Submitted Names

Kudakwashe m & f Shona
Means "the Lord's will" in Shona.

Kudighe m & f Ibibio
Means "fear not" in Ibibio.

Kudirat f Yoruba
Possibly from the Yoruba kúdírátù meaning "power".

Kudzai m & f Shona
Means "respect" in Shona.

Kudzaishe f Shona
Means "respect God" in Shona.

Kudzanayi m & f Shona
Means "respect each other" in Shona.

Kudzoka f Shona
Means "to come back" in Shona.

Kufara f Shona
Means "happiness" in Shona.

Kufreabasi m & f Ibibio, Efik
Means "do not forget God" in Ibibio and Efik.

Kuhlula m & f Tsonga
Means "win" in Xitsonga.

Kulani m & f South African

Kuma f Efik
Means "I'm still in love with you" in Efik.

Kumba f African
A name given to the second girl child from a tribe in the Lofa county of Liberia by the kissi tribes.

Kumi m & f Akan
"forcefulness"

Kundai f Shona
Means "overcome" in Shona.

Kunle m Yoruba
Means "(one that) fills the house" in Yoruba, derived from kún meaning "fill" and ilé meaning "house, home". This is a usual short form of Adekunle, Olukunle, Ibikunle, Oyekunde or Ogunkunde.

Kunombarang m & f Afizere
Means "God has added" in Afizere.

Kunomnok m & f Afizere
Means "God has given" in Afizere.

Kunyonywa m Nyakyusa
Means "you need" in Nyakyusa.

Kurai m African

Kurhula m Tsonga
Means "peace" in Xitsonga.

Kurisani f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga kurisa meaning "increase".

Kurokeme m Ijaw

Kuroyefa m & f Western African, Ijaw
Means "nothing is difficult in life" in Ijaw.

Kurunzi m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "torch".

Kuseka f Shona
Means "to laugh" in Shona.

Kusiima m Ganda (Modern), Swahili, Kiga
Means "thankful" in Swahili, Kiga, and Ganda.

Kusu m Bariba
Means "partridge" in Bariba.

Kutenda f & m Shona
Means "faith" or "to thank" in Shona.

Kutha m Chewa
Means "destiny" in Chewa.

Kutloisiso f & m Sotho (Rare)
Means "understanding" in Sotho.

Kutlwano f Sotho
Means "mutual understanding" in Sesotho.

Kutlwisiso f Sotho
Means "understanding" in Lesotho.

Kuuku m Akan
Variant of Akua.

Kuvhanganani m & f Venda
Means "come together" in Tshivenda.

Kuwala m & f Chewa
Means "shining light" in Chewa.

Kuwame m Akan
Means "Saturday" in Akan.

Kuwilileni f African (Rare)
This name is used by a Buzzfeed Employee.

Kuyikabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "do not doubt god" in Ibibio.

Kuziva m & f African
Zimbabwe/Shona

Kuzivakwashe f Shona
Means "God's will" in Shona.

Kwada m Bariba
Means "last son of the throne" in Bariba.

Kwamboka f Gusii
From Ekegusii tamboka, "to cross over"

Kwamena m Akan
variant of Kwame

Kwatisa f Tsonga
Means "made furious" in Xitsonga.

Kweli f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "truth".

Kwento m Igbo
Means "let me live long" in Igbo.

Kwestantinos m Ge'ez
Ge'ez form of Constantinus (see Constantine). This name was borne by two medieval emperors of Ethiopia.

Kwoth m African, Nuer
The supreme god of the Nuer (South Sudan) who manifests himself in natural phenomena. They believe he is benign god who protects the poor and the unhappy.

Kxamshe f Southern African, San (Bushmen), !Kung
Possibly means "mouth" in !Kung (a Khoi-San language) coming from the word kxám.

Kyaun m & f Hausa
Means "beautiful" in Hausa.

Kyerewaa f Western African (Rare)

Kyha f African (Modern), Indigenous American (Modern)
Variant of Kaia

Laamiiɗo m Fula
A Fulani honorific term, derived from the root laamu, meaning “leadership”

Laazis m Tiv
Mr laazis is an english name of a gospel singer

Lacina m Western African

Ladan f Somali
A name that means "healthy."

Laeeqah f South African

Lafia m & f Yoruba
Means "life". ... [more]

Lafiya f Hausa
Means "health" in Hausa.

Lah m Ogoni
Means "second son" in Khana.

Lahari m & f Dagbani
It means "Sunday Born"

Laheli f Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Rachel.

Lailati f Indonesian, Swahili
Derived from Arabic لَيْل (layl) meaning "night".

Laini f Swahili
Means "fine, soft, smooth" in Swahili.

Lakhela f Swazi

Lakia f African
Means "treasure" in Swahili.

Lakiwe f Zulu

Lalla f Berber
This name means "Lady"... [more]

Lameck m African
Variant of Lamech.

Lamessa m Oromo
It is spoken by the Oromo people in Ethiopia. The meaning of the name come from Lama; which means two. And Lamessa means "the second." It is a name given to a person that comes next to the first born: male or female in the family.

Lami m Eastern African, Oromo
Means 'nation' in Oromo.

Lami f Hausa
From the Hausa Àlhàmîs meaning “Thursday”.

Lamidi m Yoruba
Yoruba form of the Arabic name الحميد al-Hamid (see Hamid).

Lamin m African
Given to the first born boy in The Gambia

Laminde f Hausa
Etymology uncertain. Traditionally given to girls born on Thursdays.

Lamine m Western African, Arabic (Maghrebi)
Form of Al-Amin used in parts of western Africa as well as an Arabic alternate transcription chiefly used in northern Africa.

Landi f Afrikaans
Short from of Yolandi. This name is borne by South African model Landi Swanepoel (b. 1979).

Landzani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga landza meaning "follow".

Langa m Zulu
From Zulu ilanga "sun, sunshine, day".

Langalibalele m Zulu
Means "shining sun" in Zulu.

Langavi m & f Tsonga
Means "flame" in Xitsonga.

Langelihle f & m Zulu
Means "beautiful day" in Zulu.

Langutani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga languta meaning "look".

Lansana m Eastern African

Laraba f Hausa
Derived from the Arabic رَابِعَة‎ (rābiʿa) meaning "fourth". This name is traditionally given to girls born on Wednesdays.

Latir m Serer
Meaning "chief" or "landowner"

Latorunwa f Yoruba
Means "one who has descended from heaven" in Yoruba.

Laurian f English (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Laurianne.

Laurienne f French (Rare), French (Quebec, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), French (Belgian, Rare)
French form of Lauriana, which is occasionally used in non-francophone countries.

Laurika f Afrikaans, Slovak
Afrikaans elaboration and Slovak diminutive of Laura. Laurika Rauch is a South African singer who performs in both Afrikaans and English.

Layomi m & f Yoruba
It means God is my joy in Yoruba

Leabua m Sotho
Means "one who speaks" in Sotho.

Leago m & f Tswana
Means "His (God's) alter" in Setswana.

Leana f Sotho
It’s raining

Leandri f Afrikaans
Possibly a variant of Leandra.

Lebari m Ogoni

Lebia f Ogoni
Means "pretty girl/ lady" or "good girl/lady" in Khana,... [more]

Lebna f & m Amharic
Means "spirit, essence" in Amharic.

Lebo f South African

Leensaa f Ethiopian

Le’eyo m Eastern African

Lefa m Sotho
Means "inheritance" in Sotho.

Lefika m Sotho
“My Rock” It’s used in Lesotho and South Africa

Legakwa f Tswana
Means "crystal" in Setswana.

Legese m Amharic
Means "he was generous" in Amharic.

Legesse m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "he offered, he donated, he became generous" in Amharic.

Lehlogonolo m & f Sotho
Means "felicity" in Sotho.

Lehlohonolo m Sotho, South African
Means "luck" or "blessing" in Sotho.

Lehumo m Sotho
Means "treasure" in Sotho.

Leihlo-larona m & f Sotho
Our eye

Leke m Yoruba
Means "trimuph" in Yoruba. Often used as a short form of other names ending in leke, such as Adeleke.

Lekia m Ogoni
Means "good journey" in Khana.

Lekie f & m African, Ogoni, Nigerian

Lekone m Tswana

Leleti f South African, Zulu
Meaning unknown. A famous bearer is Leleti Khumalo, a South African actress.

Leliftu f Eastern African, Oromo

Lelosa f Nigerian
Means "Follow God." in Benin; an ethnic group in Nigeria.

Lemlem f Amharic

Lemogang m African

Lemohang m Sotho
Means "take cognisance" in Sesotho.

Lemta f Berber
Etymology unknown. This is the name of the mythological mother of the Tuaregs.

Len m Afrikaans
Variant of Leen.

Lenana m & f Eastern African
Lenana was a famous Maasai Laibon (Spiritual Leader) bearing the name.

Lenneisha f African
a african bug

Lèo m Central African
Congolese form of Leo and the French equivalent Léo.

Leor m Ethiopian

Lera f & m Ogoni
Means "praise" in Khana,... [more]

Lerabari f & m Ogoni
Means "praise God" in Khana,... [more]

Lerata f South African

Lereko m Sotho
Means "abundance" in Sesotho.

Lerothodi m & f Tswana
Means "drop" in Setswana.

Leru m Tswana
Means "cloud" in Setswana.

Lesedilaone f Tswana
Means "His (God's) light" in Setswana.

Lesegolame m & f Tswana
Means "my luck" in Setswana.

Leshay f African American (Rare), South African (Rare)
Variant of Lashay.

Letang m & f Tswana
Means "wait" in Setswana.

Lethabo f & m South African, Sotho
Meaning ''joy''.

Letlanang m & f Tswana
Means "unite" in Setswana.

Letlotlo f Sotho
Means "treasure" in Sesotho.

Letsatsi m Sotho
Means "sun" in Sotho.

Letticia f Afrikaans (Rare), South African (Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), Spanish (Mexican, Rare), Spanish (Latin American, Rare)
Variant of Leticia and Lettice.

Leungo m & f Tswana
Means "fruit" in Setswana.

Leverna f English (American), South African
Variant of Laverne.

Leviticus m American (Rare), African (Rare), African American
From the book of the Bible with the same name.... [more]

Lewapi m Tswana
Means "sky" in Setswana.

Lewatle m Sotho
Means "ocean" in Sotho.

Leylo f Somali
Somali form of Leila.

Liani f English (Modern), Afrikaans

Lianie f Afrikaans

Lianja m & f Lingala, Central African, African Mythology
The name of a major demigod in the Lingala/Mongo-Nkundo mythology complex.

Liban m Arabic, Somali
The name Liban, meaning persevere in ancient arabic is prodominatley used in the northern region of Somalia (now Somaliland). Usually given to boys who are seen as handsome at birth.

Libanza m Lingala

Libin f Somali
Libin means "healthy."

Liboko f Sotho
Means "praises" in Sotho.

Lidiop m Western African
The name of a Senegalese Reggae artist.

Lienkie f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Lien.

Liepollo f Sotho
Revelations

Lieze f Flemish, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Dutch and Afrikaans variant of Liese.

Liezel f Afrikaans
Variant of Liesel.

Liezl f Afrikaans, Spanish (Philippines)
Variant of Liesl.

Lifalakhe f Ndebele
Means "her inheritance" in Ndebele.

Lihle f Xhosa
African

Lihuti m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Eliud.

Liibaan m Somali
Means "victory, winning" in Somali.

Likanos m African, Ethiopian

Likeleli f Sotho
Means "teardrops" in Sotho.

Likengkeng f Sotho
Means "tears" in Lesotho.

Likotsi m Sotho
Means "accidents" in Sotho.

Liksia m Central African (Rare, ?)

Lilandi f Afrikaans

Lilanie f South African, Afrikaans

Lilitha f Xhosa

Limakatso f Sotho
Means "surprises" in Lesotho.

Limpho f Sotho
Means "gifts" in Lesotho.

Limpopo m & f South African
From the name of the river in South Africa.

Linda m Zulu
Means "wait!" in Zulu (note that this is the imperative singular form of -linda).

Lindelani f Zulu
Means "wait, be patient" in Zulu.

Lindia f English, South African (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Elaboration of Linda.

Lindileni f South African

Lindima m Nyakyusa
Means "tremble, roar" in Nyakyusa.

Lindo m South African

Lineo f Sotho
Means "gifts, grants, talents" in Lesotho.

Lingadani f Ndebele
Means "don't be sad" in Ndebele.

Linja f German (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Linmaré f South African (Modern, Rare)
Combination of Lynn and Maré, a variant of Marie.

Lipalesa f Sotho
Means "flowers" in Lesotho.

Lisakhanya f South African

Lisanga m & f Lingala
Means "united" in Lingala.

Lisebo f Sotho
Means "whispers" in Sotho.

Liseli f Southern African
Means "light" in Lozi.

Liselle f English (Rare), French (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
French diminutive of Lise.

Lithea f South African

Litšeho f Sotho
Means "laughter" in Sotho.

Litšehoana m & f Sotho
Means "little laughter" in Sotho.

Livhuwani m & f Venda
Means "be thankful" in Tshivenda.

Livin m & f Eastern African (?), Indian (?)

Liwoli f Southern African
Malawian name.

Liya f Eastern African, Ethiopian
Possibly an Amharic form of Leah. It is borne by Ethiopian model Liya Kebede (1978-).

Liyabona f Xhosa
Means "it sees" in Xhosa.

Liyana f Zulu, English (Modern, Rare)
Directly taken from Zulu liyana "it is raining". As an English name, it is a variant of Liana.

Liyema f Xhosa
Means "stability in the family" in Xhosa.

Lizelle f Afrikaans
Variant of Liselle.

Lô m Central African
A Kom name.

Locardia f African (Rare), English (Rare)
Locardia Ndandarika (1945-) is a Zimbabwean sculptor, the first woman in her country to take up stone carving professionally.

Lodewicus m Afrikaans
Variant of Lodewikus.

Lodewikus m Afrikaans
Afrikaans (i.e. South African) form of Ludovicus, inspired in its spelling by the Dutch name Lodewijk.

Lodewyk m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Lodewijk.

Lodya f Ganda

Loeto m Tswana
Means "journey" in Setswana.

Loide f Southern African, Portuguese (Brazilian)
Portuguese form of the Biblical name Lois 1.

Lokenio m Lingala, African Mythology
A prince in Nkundo mythology.

Lola m & f Lingala
Means "heaven" in Lingala.

Lolia f Ijaw
Means "star" in Ijaw.

Lololi f Western African, Ewe
Means "there is always love" in Ewe.

Lomana m Central African
Trésor Lomana LuaLua (/ˈtrɛzɔr ləˈmɑːnə luːˌɑːluːˈɑː/; born 28 December 1980) is a Congolese footballer who plays for Turkish Süper Lig club Akhisar Belediyespor and the Congo DR national team.

Longji m Western African, Ngas
Means "wealth has come" in Ngas, spoken in Nigeria.

Lonkundo m Lingala
One of the major characters in the Mongo-Nkundo mythology complex.

Lonwabo m South African

Looyaan m Somali
Means "unconsciously" in Somali.

Loraina f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), French (Rare), Italian (Rare), Spanish (Latin American, Rare)
Variant of Lorraine.

Lorato f & m Tswana
Means "love" in Tswana.

Lorica f Romanian, Afrikaans

Lorika f Afrikaans
Variant of Laurika.

Loryn f & m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Lorijn.

Lossémy m Western African

Lotambii'n m Igbo
Used by the Igbo fiction charachter Uzochi Lotambii'n Ihejirika, and has no meaning.

Louette f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Lounès m Kabyle
Means "companion" or "to keep company" in Kabyle, possibly of Arabic origin.

Lounis m Kabyle
Variant transcription of Lounès.

Louw m Dutch, Afrikaans
Dutch variant spelling of Lau (which is more phonetical in nature), and Afrikaans nickname for Lodewikus.

Lovedelia f South African (Rare)

Loveth f Nigerian (Modern)
Newly invented name, currently popular in Nigeria.

Lual m African

Lubabalo m Xhosa
The meaning of this name is Grace, praising God, giving thanks for what you have.

Lubanzi m South African, Xhosa
Means "upper layer, flat and clear surface" (usually directed or linked to the love parents have for the child).

Lucea f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Luche m Southern African

Luchumo m & f Xhosa

Luckere f Ijaw
Means "lucky woman" in Ijaw.

Lucricia f South African, English (American)
Variant of Lucretia.

Luelle f South African (Rare), Trinidadian Creole (Rare)

Lufima f Kongo (Rare)
A feminine Kongo name from Dessin Animée congolais.

Lufuno m & f Venda
Means "love" in Tshivenda.

Lugano m Kaguru
Means "much" in Chikaguru.

Lukhanyo m South African

Lukhona m & f Zulu (Modern)
Means "it's available" in Zulu.

Lukinda m & f Kongo

Luladay f Ge'ez
Etymology uncertain.

Lulia f Tigrinya, Various
Said to mean "Diamond" in Tigrinya. Of Eritrean origin, this name gained some popularity around the world.

Lull f Tigrinya
Used in Eritrea and Tigray, meaning Pearl

Lumingu m Kongo
Means "Sunday" in Kikongo.

Lungelo m & f Zulu
Means "right" in Zulu.

Lunja f Berber (Rare)
Lunja stands for a fairytale princess.

Luol m & f Dinka

Luphelo m Xhosa
Means "the end" in Xhosa.

Luphumlo m Xhosa
Means "rest" in Xhosa.

Lusajo m Nyakyusa
Means "blessings" in Nyakyusa.

Luscious f & m African American (Rare), South African
Variant of Lucius (phonetically identical).

Lusea f Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Lucea.

Lusekelo m Nyakyusa
Means "happiness" in Nyakyusa.

Lushomo f & m Southern African
"Grace or mercy" (chisomo)

Lusinda f English, South African
Variant of Lucinda.

Luston m Southern African
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Lutalo m Ganda
Famous bearer is Lutalo Muhammad (born 1991) a British taekwondo athlete.

Lutendo f & m African
Means: Faith... [more]

Lutete m Kongo (Modern)

Luthando m & f Southern African, Xhosa
Means "it's love" in Xhosa.

Luti f Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Ruth 1.

Luul m Somali

Luula f Somali

Lu'u-lu'u f Hausa
Means "pearl" or "diamond" in Hausa.

Luvuyo m South African

Luwi m & f Lunda
Means "mercy, kindness" in Lunda.

Luxon m South African
Transferred use of the surname Luxon.

Luya f Xhosa
Diminutive form of Luyanda.

Luyanda f South African

Luyando m & f Tonga
Means “To Love” in Tonga. Related to the Tongan name Yandwa.

Luyindama m Kongo
Also congolese footballer Christian Luyindama.

Luyindu m Kongo

Lwandle f & m Tsonga, Zulu
Means "ocean" in Zulu and Tsonga.

Lwando m Southern African
Transferred use of the surname Lwando.

Lwazi m South African, Zulu
Means "knowledge" in Zulu.

ǂMa f Khoekhoen

Maame f Central African (Latinized, Rare)
Maame comes from Africa, and is said to mean 'pearl', or 'mother', depending on the variation.

Maana f Somali
Possibly a variant of Maanah.... [more]

Maanda m & f Venda
Means "power, stength" in Tshivenda.

Maaouya m Western African
A known bearer is Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya (1941-), a Mauritanian military officer who served as the president of Mauritania from 1984-2005.

Maatla f Tswana
Means "strength, power" in Setswana.

Mabasen m & f Khoekhoen
Name mainly used by damara speaking people in Namibia.The name means "stand for yourself" used to encourage and teach an individual independance.

Mabasi f Tswana
Mabasi is an African Tswana Name... [more]

Mabayoje m & f Yoruba
Means "do not destroy joy" in Yoruba.

Mabinty f Western African

Mabior m Dinka, African Mythology
Means "white bull" in Dinka. The white bull is the most prized and is sought after for sacrifices in celebration.

Mabok m Dinka
Means "grey bull" in Dinka.

Mabratu m Amharic
Means "his lamp" in Amharic.

Mabvuto m & f Nsenga
Name given to a child born when there was trouble/problem in the family or community. For instance war, drought, pestilence

Macammád m Afar
Afar form of Muhammed.

Machanda m & f Nyoro
Machanda is the Bunyoro month where sesame seeds are planted and sown.

Machar m Dinka
Means "black bull" in Dinka. Black bulls are the second most important for sacrifices.