African Submitted Names

African names are used in various places on the continent of Africa. See also about African names.
gender
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Nkeoma f & m Igbo
Means "that which is good" in Igbo.
Nkhangweleni m Venda
Means "forgive me" in Tshivenda.
Nkhetheleng f Sotho
Means "choose for me" in Sotho.
Nkhumbudzeni m & f Venda
Means "remember me" in Tshivenda.
Nkhumbwizhya m & f Nsenga
Meaning admire for a while. Name given to a baby after his/her siblings die as babies.
Nkongho m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Means "follower, pursuant" from the Kenyang and Jagham root koŋó meaning "to follow".
Nkonkoni f Zulu
Means "champion" in Zulu.
Nkopane m African
Lesotho and Orange Free State
Nkosi m Xhosa
Means "king; lord; ruler; god" in Xhosa.
Nkosingimele f & m Zulu
Means "God is on my side" or "stand for me" in Zulu.
Nkosingiphile f African, Zulu
Means "the Lord gave me" in Zulu.
Nkosiphendule m Zulu
Means "God has answered" in Zulu.
Nkosiyabo m African, Ndebele, Zulu
Means "their king" in Zulu.
Nkosnathi m African
South African Zulu name translated into Emmanuel meaning gift of god.
Nkpoikankeabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "nothing is hard for god" in Ibibio.
Nkuli f Xhosa
Diminutive form of Nonkululeko.
Nkululeko m Zulu
Means "freedom" in Zulu.
Nkunim f & m Akan
"Victory"
Nmachi f Igbo, African
The name means "beauty of God" in Igbo.
Nnaemeka m Igbo
God the father has done great also related to chukwuemeka
Nnamso m & f Ibibio
Means "What have I done?" in Ibibio.
Nnebuogor f Igbo
Means "mother is a gift" in Igbo.
Nnedi f Igbo
Diminutive of Nnedimma.... [more]
Nneoma f Igbo
"Good mother"
Nnete f Tswana
Means "truth" in Setswana.
Nnyawedzeni m & f Venda
Means "let me rest" in Tshivenda.
Nnyeyam m & f Dagbani
"I have learnt my lesson"
Noag m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Noah 1.
Nobhalela f Zulu
Means "the one who writes" in Zulu.
Nobukhosi f African
Zulu name for Royality
Nṱoḓeni m & f Venda
Means "look for me" in Tshivenda.
Noham m Tigrinya
Means "comfort" in Tigrinya.
Nokhanyo f Xhosa
Means "mother of enlightenment" in Xhosa.
Nokulunga f Zulu
Means "thankfulness" in Zulu.
Nokutenda m & f Shona
Means "with gratitude (associated with faith in God)" in Shona.
Nokuthula f Zulu
Means "peace and tranquillity" in Zulu.
Nolwandle f Zulu
Means "mother of oceans" in Zulu.
Nolwazi f Zulu (Rare)
Means "knowledgeable" in Zulu.
Nomagugu f Zulu
Means "the precious one" in Zulu.
Nomalanga f Ndebele
Means "mother of sunshine" in Ndebele.
Nomandla f Zulu
Means "mother of strength" in Zulu.
Nomaqhawe f Ndebele
Means "heroine" in Ndebele.
Nomasonto f Zulu
Means "mother of Sundays" in Zulu.
Nomathemba f Ndebele, Zulu
Means "hope" in Ndebele and Zulu.
Nombuyiselo f Xhosa
"She who gives back." This is the name of comedian and talk show host Trevor Noah's mother.
Nomthandazo f Xhosa
Means "a prayer" in Xhosa.
Nomthimba f Zulu
Means "wedding" in Zulu.
Nomvula f South African, Zulu
Means "after the rain" in Zulu. This is given to babies born after a storm.
Nomzamo f African, Zulu
Means "struggle" in Zulu.
Nonhlanhla f African, Zulu
Means "luck" in Zulu.
Nonjabulo f Zulu
Means "happiness" in Zulu.
Nonkululeko f South African, Zulu
Means "freedom" in Zulu.
Nordi m Central African
The given name of the French (with Congolese descendency) professional football player Nordi Mukiele.
Nosa m Western African, Edo
Means "what God says" in Edo language.
Nosaghare f & m African
Nigerian
Nosakhele f Zulu
Means "build for us" in Zulu.
Nothando f Zulu
Means "mother of love" in Zulu.
Noumidia f Berber (Rare), Arabic (Maghrebi, Rare)
A modern coinage derived from the name of the Ancient Berber kingdom and later Roman province Numidia.... [more]
Novuyo f Xhosa
Means "ultimate joy" or "mother of joy" in Xhosa.
Nozibusiso f Zulu
Means "mother of blessings" in Zulu.
Nqobani m Zulu
Means "you must conquer" in Zulu.
Nqobile f Zulu
Means "she has conquered" in Zulu.
Nsambanzary m Mbundu, Central African
Nsambanzary means strength, power. From Kimbundu the second-most-widely spoken Bantu language in Angola. It is concentrated in the north-west of the country including the Luanda Province, the Bengo Province, the Malange Province, and the Kwanza Norte Province.
Nsantu m & f Luba
Means "saint" in Luba-Kasai.
Nseobong f & m Ibibio, Nigerian
Means "I look up to God" or "when all hope is lost, you must look up to God" in Ibibio.
Nshimirimana f Rundi
Means "I thank God" in Kirundi.
Nsidibe m Nigerian
It mean nothing can be hidden from God. The name of many Nigerian Princes.
Nsidibeabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "What is hidden before God?" in Ibibio.
Nsimba m & f Congolese, Kongo, Ngombe, Mboma
Means "first-born twin" in Kongo and other Congolese languages. It is referred to the first-born child in a set of twins.
Nsofwa f & m Bemba
Nsofwa is a Bemba name originating from a landlocked /landlinked country Zambia, located in the southern end of the African Continent. The name comes from a Bemba name for 'Elephant,' 'Nsofu' one of the largest land mammals known to man... [more]
Nsoma f Tsonga
Means "anchor" in Xitsonga.
Nsongo f & m Lingala
The name of Lianja’s sister in the Lingala and Mongo-Nkundo mythology complex.
Nsovo m & f Tsonga
Means "grace" in Xitsonga.
Nsuka f Kongo
Means "last born; youngest child" in Kongo.
Nsuku m & f Tsonga
Means "gold, golden" in Xitsonga.
Nsulo f Tsonga
Wipe away the tears and bring joy
Nsuukidem m & f Ibibio
Means "humility" in Ibibio.
Nsṍwaa f Akan
Means "seventh born" in Akan.
Ntakuseni m & f Venda
Means "help me up" in Tshivenda.
Ntambwa m Luba
Means "lion" in Luba-Kasai.
Ntanda m & f Southern African, Bemba
Means "star" in Bemba.
Ntando m Ndebele
Means "will" in Ndebele.
Ntare m Rwandan
Meaning "lion" in Kinyarwanda and Kirundi. Famous people with that name includes five kings of the Kingdom of Burundi: Ntare I Rushatsi Cambarantama, Ntare II Kibogora, Ntare III Kivimira Semuganzashamba, Ntare IV Rutaganzwa Rugamba and Ntare V Ndizeye and american actor Ntare Mwine.
Ntebogeng m & f African
Tswana name meaning: thanking me
Nthabi f Sotho
Means "make me happy" in Sotho.
Nthabiseng f Sotho
Means "make me happy" in Sotho.
Nthati f Sotho
Means "one to love me" in Sotho.
Nthuseni m & f Venda
Means "help me" in Tshivenda.
Ntimi m African
From southern Tanzania, Mbeya region meaning a pastor.
Ntirelang f Tswana
Means "do it for me" in Setswana.
Ntlakuso f Tsonga
Means "elevation, high position" in Xitsonga.
Ntokozo f African, Zulu
Means "happiness" or "joy" in Zulu.
Ntombenhle f Ndebele
Means "beautiful girl" in Ndebele.
Ntombifikile f Xhosa
Means "a girl has arrived" in Xhosa.
Ntombikayise f Zulu
Means "father's girl" in Zulu.
Ntombiyesizwe f Zulu
Means "girl of the earth" in Zulu.
Ntombiyezulu f Zulu
"girl of heaven" in Zulu
Ntombizanele f African, Zulu
Means "enough girls" in Zulu, from ntombi meaning "lady".
Ntomboxolo f Xhosa
Means "girl of peace" in Xhosa.
Ntsakisi f Tsonga
Means "source of happiness" in Xitsonga.
Ntsako m & f Tsonga
Means "joy, happiness" in Xitsonga.
Ntsebo f Sotho
Means "whispers" in Sotho.
Ntsetselelo m & f Tsonga
Means "mercy" in Xitsonga.
Ntshephang m & f Tswana
Means "trust me" in Setswana.
Ntshuxeko m & f Tsonga
Means "freedom" in Xitsonga.
Ntsoaki f Sotho
Means "girl amongst boys" in Sotho, often given to a daughter with many brothers.
Ntsu m Sotho
Means "eagle" in Sesotho.
Ntsumi f Tsonga
Means "angel" in Xitsonga.
Ntswaki f Sotho
Means "girl amongst boys" or "girl with many brothers" in Sotho.
Ntui m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Derived from the Jagham and Kenyang word ntûfâm meaning "chief".
Ntuthuko f Zulu
Means "prosperity" in Zulu.
Ntwali m Rwandan
Means "hero" in Kinyarwanda. People with this name includes rapper Ntwali and the football midfielder Evode Ntwali.
Ntwanano m & f Tsonga
Means "understanding" in Xitsonga.
Ntwenhle f Zulu
Means "beautiful thing" in Zulu.
Nua f Ogoni
Means "second daughter" in Khana,... [more]
Nubari f & m Ogoni
Khana for "God's thing"... [more]
Nuhu m Hausa, Swahili
Hausa and Swahili form of Noah 1.
Nukunu f & m Ewe
Meaning miracle or wonder
Nuname m African, Ewe
Means Gift. Used by the Ewe tribe of Ghana, Togo and Benin of West Africa.
Nṱungufhadzeni m & f Venda
Means "make me sad" in Tshivenda.
Nunurai m & f Shona
Means "rescue" or "save us" in Shona.
Nuong f Western African, Dagarti
Means "sweet; bloom" in Dagarti, spoken in Ghana.
Nusesi m & f Ewe
Means "the powerful hand" in Ewe.
Nusetor m Ewe
The Mighty One
Nuusiku f Ovambo
Feminine form of Uusiku.
Nuux m Somali
Somali form of Noah 1.
Nwaaku f Igbo
Means "child of wealth" in Igbo.
Nwaamaka f Igbo (Rare)
Allegedly means "child is good".
Nwaanyiabia f Igbo
Means "a woman has come" in Igbo.
Nwabudike m African, Swahili
A name in the Swahili language, which means "the son is the father's power," or "the strength of a father comes from his son."... [more]
Nwabueze m Igbo
Means "child is king" in Igbo.
Nwabugo f Igbo
Means "child is glory" in Igbo.
Nwachukwu m Igbo
Means "child of God" in Igbo.
Nwakaego f Igbo
Means "child surpasses money" in Igbo.
Nwakanma f Igbo
This feminine name means "Child is better" in Igbo.
Nwakauba m & f Igbo
Means "a child is more valuable than wealth" in Igbo.
Nwankasiobi m & f Igbo
Means "child of consolation" in Igbo.
Nwankwo m Igbo
Means "born on Nkwo market day" in Igbo. Nwankwo Obiora is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Académica de Coimbra as a defensive midfielder.
Nwaokocha m Igbo
Means "son of a fair man" in Igbo.
N'wayitelo f Tsonga
Means "smile" in Xitsonga.
Nwinuamene m & f Ogoni
Child bring riches/wealth
Nwoye m African
Very uncommon, but mostly used by the Igbo people. Means "boy born on Orie" to the Igbo people. A less popular meaning it's thought to have is: "His mother's pride"
Nwoyi m & f Western African, Yakö
Means "he/she knows" in Yakö language.
Nxalati f Tsonga
Means "happiness" in Xitsonga.
Nǃxau m Khoekhoen
Meaning unknown. Notable bearer of this name is Nǃxau ǂToma, a Namibian bush farmer and actor (1944-2003).... [more]
Nyabeel f Nuer
Means "girl of the corn" in Nuer.
Nyaboke f Gusii
From Ekegusii oboke "honey"
Nyadzayo m & f Shona
Zimbabwean
Nyagũra f Kikuyu
Means "the one who buys" in Kikuyu.
Nyakallo f & m Sotho
Means "joy" in Sotho.
Nyakeru f Kikuyu (Rare)
Yours means someone in the ancestry or kin of those who had lighter complexion "nyamweru" was your first or in some cases little one from the wilderness for the wilderness is known as "werú"
Nyaliep f Nuer, African Mythology
Nuer Goddess of the River.
Nyam m Afizere
Means "deer" in Afizere.
Nyamayarwo m & f Nyoro
This name means ‘meat for Death’, indicating the worst of luck.
Nyambeni f & m Venda
Means "speak about me" in Tshivenda.
Nyambugi f Kikuyu
Means "the one with bells as anklets" in Kikuyu.
Nyame m Akan
The name of the sky god for the Akan people. Meaning "he who knows and sees everything".
Nyaméama f Akan
Means "premature" in Akan.
Nyamekyε m & f Akan
Means "God's gift" in Akan.
Nyamewa f Akan
Means "creation" in Akan.
Nyamiti f Kaguru
Means "medicine" in Chikaguru.
Nyampweji f Lunda
Means "streams of tears" in Lunda.
Nyankómàgó f Akan
The name traditionally given to the child born after Tawia.
Nyanza m & f Chewa
Means "lake" in Chewa.
Nyapal f Nuer
Nyapal is the mean of let's pray ... [more]
Nyaradzai f Shona
Means "console" in Shona.
Nyaradzo f Shona
Means "peacemaker" or "comforter" in Shona.
Nyaring f Dinka
Literally "running" in Dinka. It could be given to a baby whose mother was running (or getting out) while the labour started.
Nyaruai f Kikuyu (Rare)
More curious to know what ruai means with that you can get to know the name for it means one who comes from 'the ruai'
Nyasha f Shona
Means "merciful" in Shona.
Nyashadzashe m & f Shona
its from zimbabwe and is in the shona language it means Gods grace
Nyasi f Swahili
Means "grass" in Swahili.
Nyawĩra f Kikuyu
Means "the hardworking one" in Kikuyu.
Nyeedeh m African (Rare)
From the bassa african word meaning "blessing."
Nyeleti f Tsonga, Southern African
Means "star" in Xitsonga.
Nyemera f African
Bantu names by the Bagwere a tribe found in Uganda East Africa.
Nyemwererai f Shona
Means "smile" in Shona.
Nyemya m African
Swahili Kenya-Tanzania East Africa
Nyenganyenga f Shona
Means "swallow" in Shona.
Nyengeterai f Shona
Means "pray for" in Shona.
Nygeisza f African
''colourful''
Nyika f Shona
Means "unity" in Shona.
Nyikiwa m & f Tsonga
Means "given" in Xitsonga.
Nyiko f & m Tsonga
Means "gift" in Tsonga.
Nyimak f Northern African
Means "little fire" in a Sudanese language.
Nyimbo m & f Chewa
Means "melody" in Chewa.
Nyimenka f Nigerian
Nyimenka is used in Nigeria, particularly in Eleme, and means 'good mother.'
Nyina f Akan
From the Akan onyina meaning "kapok tree".
Nyirej f Northern African
Means "little fish" in a Sudanese language.
Nyoka f & m Literature, African American, Swahili
A name created by Edgar Rice Burroughs for his novel Nyoka The Jungle Girl. ... [more]
Nyokabi f Kikuyu (Archaic)
Kikuyus call the maasai "ukabi" this was for girls born from this intermarriage meaning she who came from maasai land
Nyoni f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "bird".
Nyota f Swahili, Lingala
Derived from Swahili and Lingala nyota meaning "star".
Nyuki f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "bee".
Nzembo m & f Lingala
Means "song" in Lingala.
Nzeru m & f Chewa
Means "wisdom" in Chewa.
Nzuzi m & f Kongo
Means "second born twin" in Kikongo.
Oabile m Tswana
Means "He (God) gave" in Tswana.
Oabona m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) sees" in Tswana.
Oagile m Tswana
Means "He (God) built" in Tswana.
Oaitse m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) knows" in Tswana.
Oarabile m & f Tswana
Means "he (god) has answered" in Tswana.
Oasetso m Sotho
Means "child of tradition".
Oasetso m Sotho
Child of tradition
Oba f Yoruba, African Mythology
Means "king, ruler" in Yoruba. It can refer to Obaluaye, a spirit associated with infectious disease and healing.
Obafemi m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the king loves me" in Yoruba.
Obasenwoyi f & m Western African, Yakö
Means "God knows" in Yakö from obase meaning "God" and nwoyi meaning "he/she knows".
Obasi m Jagham, Kenyang
Derived from ò-βàsì meaning "God" in Jagham, Kenyang and various Ekoid languages.
Obax f Somali
It means “as delicate and beautiful as a flower” in Somali.
Obera m Luo
"handsome"
Obiajulu m Igbo
Obiajulu is an Igbo name; and it simply means my heart has cool down.
Obianuju f Igbo
Means "born at the time of plenty" in Igbo.
Obichukwu m Igbo, Nigerian
"Heart of God," which could be the same as OBINNA.... [more]
Obinze m Igbo, Literature
The love interest of Ifemelu in 'Americanah' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Obioma f & m African, Igbo, Nigerian
Grace, Goodness, Favor. Literally - "Good Heart"
Obiora m Igbo
Means "the mind of the people" in Igbo.
Obong m Efik
Means "God" in Efik.
Obumneke m & f Igbo
Meaning: "Am I The Creator?"... [more]
Obumneme m & f Igbo
Means "am I the one causing it?" in Igbo.
Oburu m Luo
"born during a funeral"
Ochola m Luo
"birthed after the death of the father"
Ocogbe m & f Agatu
Means "God is great" in Agatu.
Ocogbolan m & f Agatu
Means "God does not sleep" in Agatu.
Ocoje m & f Agatu
Means "God knows" in Agatu.
Ocolodah m & f Agatu
Means "God has authority" in Agatu.
Ocolohili m & f Agatu
Means "God is wise" in Agatu.
Ocolongwa m & f Agatu
Means "to God be thanks" in Agatu.
Odafin m Yoruba (?)
Literally meaning 'lawmaker' or 'the establisher of laws'.
Odayi m Ijaw (Anglicized)
Means "of his father" in Ijaw.
Odera m & f Nigerian
Nigerian name meaning "fate, fortune, destiny".
Odinakachukwu m & f Igbo
Means "it's in the hand of God" in Igbo, from o "it's", di "in", na "the", aka "hand" (compare Akachi) and Chukwu "God".
Odion m Western African, Esan
Means "the elder twin" in Esan.
Odirachukwunma m & f Igbo
Means "once it pleases God" in Igbo.
Odo m & f Efik
Odongo m Luo
"second born of twins"
Odu m & f Yoruba
A name from the Yoruba language of Nigeria, possibly meaning "womb" but more likely meaning "mystery", in particular to refer to the sacred mystery of God. ... [more]
Odum m Akan
Means "mahogany" in Akan.
Oduola m Yoruba
The name belongs to an (oracle priest), Ifa the oracle has brought big wealth.
Oduor m Luo
Means "born in the middle of the night" in Luo.
Oduwa m Western African, Edo
Means "road to wealth" in Edo.
Ofeibea f African
The name Ofeibea is borne by the journalist Ofeibea Quist-Arcton from Ghana.
Ofonime m & f Efik
Means "it's good to be patient" in Efik.
Oforiwaa f Akan
One who is Royal
Ofu m Idoma
Means "power, strength" in Idoma.
Ofure m & f African, Esan, Nigerian
Means "peace, it is well" in Esan.
Ogbagzy m Ge'ez
Means "protection of our Lord" in Ge'ez.
Ogbodo m & f Igbo
Ogbodo is an ancient name. It is used/ popularly heard in the Eastern part of Nigeria. ... [more]
Ogbotubo f & m Ijaw
Means "child of the soil" in Ijaw.
Ogezimo m & f Ijaw
Means "born during a festival" in Ijaw.
Oghenegaren m & f Western African, Urhobo
Means "God is great" in Urhobo.
Ogheneoboakpororo m Isoko, Urhobo, Nigerian
Its origin is isoko and uhrobo, in Delta state, Nigeria. ... [more]
Oghenevwemu m & f Urhobo
Means "God owns all things" in Urhobo.
Ogola f & m Ijaw
Means "judgement" in Ijaw.
Ogonoebi m Ijaw
Means "the sky is beautiful" or "heaven is beautiful" in Ijaw.
Ogotseng m Tswana
Means "make it" in Setswana.
Ohejitahi m & f Igede
Means "God with us" in Igede, spoken in Nigeria.
Ohenwam f & m Igede
Means "God is my satisfaction" or "God has satisfied me" in Igede, spoken in Nigeria.
Ohuntuntun m & f Yoruba
Yoruba by Ibironke
Oilonye m & f Agatu
Means "a child is sweet" in Agatu.
Oiwehi m & f Agatu
Means "A child is a gift" in Agatu.
Oiwodu m & f Agatu
Means "a child is wealth" in Agatu.
Ojamalia f Nigerian
anambara
Ojifyoi m & f Agatu
Means "What is more than a child?" in Agatu.
Ojilima f Idoma
Means "honour, respect" in Idoma.