African Submitted Names

African names are used on the continent of Africa, covering a wide number of languages. 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.
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.
Mmoloki m Tswana
Means "saviour" in Setswana.
Mmusi m Tswana, South African
Means "the ruler" in Tswana.... [more]
Mnotho m & f Zulu
Means "economy" or "rich, wealthy" in Zulu.
Moagi m Tswana
Means "builder" in Tswana.
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.
Mobutu m Central African
Mobutu Sese Seko (1930-1997), born Joseph-Desiré Mobutu, was the military dictator and President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (which Mobutu renamed Zaire in 1971) from 1965 to 1997. He also served as Chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity in 1967-1968.
Moctar m Western African
Form of Mukhtar used in western Africa.
Modadeola m Yoruba
Means "man wearing a crown of wealth or affluence" in Yoruba.
Modesola f Yoruba
"I have come into wealth"
Modibo m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unavailable.
Modiri f Tswana
Means "the doer" in Setswana.
Modise m Southern African
Botswana name meaning, "shepherd."
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.
Moegammad m Afrikaans (Rare)
Form of Muhammad used in Afrikaans translations of the Qur'an.
Moeketsi m Sotho
It means "Multiplier/increase" in Sotho
Moeletsi m Sotho
Means "advisor" in Sesotho.
Moeng m Tswana
Means "guest, visitor" in Setswana.
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.
Mofenyi m Tswana
Means "the conquerer" in Setswana.
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.
Mogad m Amharic
Means "wave" in Amharic.
Mogakolodi m Tswana
Means "one who advises" in Setswana.
Mogapi m Tswana
Means "conqueror" in Tswana.
Mogas m Amharic
Means "dignity" in Amharic.
Moges m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "charm, elegance, grace" in Amharic.
Mogotsi m Tswana
Means "fire builder" in Setswana.
Mohamadou m Western African
Form of Muhammad used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Mohamud m Somali
Somali version of Muhammad.
Mohand m Arabic (Maghrebi), Berber
Alternate transcription of Muhannad chiefly used in Northern Africa. It is also used as a Berber form of Muhammad.
Mohapi m Sotho
Means "victor" in Sotho.
Mohato m Sotho
Means "step" in Sesotho.
Mohau m Sotho
Means "pity" or "mercy" in Sesotho.
Mohombi m Central African
From Mohombi Nzasi Moupondo, known professionally as Mohombi, a Swedish-Congolese singer-songwriter and dancer.
Moipone f Sotho
Means "self-admirer" in Sotho.
Mojalefa m Sotho
Means "heir" in Sesotho.
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]
Mokgethi m Sotho
Variant form of Mokhethi.
Mokhethi m Sotho
Means "chooser" in Lesotho.
Molapo m Sotho
Means "stream" or "river" in Sotho.
Molara f Yoruba
Diminutive of Omolara.
Molatadi m Sotho
Means "one who denies all" in Sotho.
Molayoninuoluwa f & m Yoruba (Rare)
Means "I have joy in the Lord" in Yoruba.
Molefi m Sotho
means "payer" in Sesotho.
Moluleloa m Sotho
Means "we have awaited your arrival" in Lesotho.
Momodou m African
Momodou means Mohammad it is an african name coming from an arabic name.... [more]
Momulu m Western African
Of unknown meaning.... [more]
Mongameli m Ndebele
Means "leader" in Ndebele.
Monja f German, Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Croatian (Rare), Afrikaans, Dutch
Variant transcription of Russian Моня (see Monya).
Monkgomotsi m Tswana
Means "my comforter" in Setswana.
Montlenyane f Tswana
Means "beautiful one" in Setswana.
Monubai f & m Ijaw
Means "born on Monday" in Ijaw.
Monyyak m Dinka
Means "man of the drought" in Dinka.
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.
Morana f Maasai
Morana means a female warrior. It is a feminine derivative of Morani
Morciré m Manding (Gallicized)
Susu name of unknown meaning.
Morena m Sotho
Means "chief" in Sotho.
Morenike f Yoruba
Means "I have found someone to pamper" in Yoruba.
Moriba m African
The name Moriba originates from the Mali empire(Mandingo). The name means "a big and powerful man" in the region.
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.
Mosimanegape m Tswana
Means "a boy again" in Setswana.
Mote m Eastern African
Means "blessing; blessed" in Hehe, spoken in Tanzania.
Motema m & f Lingala
Means "heart" in Lingala.
Motheo m South African
Allegedly means "foundation" in Tswana. It is said to normally be given to a child who is viewed as the foundation of the family. Normally a first born. It signifies a new life or re-birth.
Mothusi m Tswana
Means "helper" in Setswana.
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.
Motlalepule m Sotho
Means "rain bringer" in Sesotho.
Motsamai m Sotho
Means "traveller" in Sesotho.
Motshegetsi m Tswana
Means "supporter" in Setswana.
Motsi m & f Shona
Means "first one" or "one who has matted hair" in Shona.
Motsumi m Sotho
Means "seeker" in Sesotho.
Mouhamadou m Western African
Form of Muhammad used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Mouhamed m Arabic (Maghrebi), Western African
Arabic alternate transcription of Muhammad chiefly used in northern Africa as well as the form used in parts of western Africa.
Moulay m Northern African
From an honorific title used by descendants of Moulay Ali Cherif, the founder of the Alaouite dynasty of Morocco.
Mountaga m African
Meaning unknown.
Moustaphe m Western African
West African variant of Mustafa.
Moyo m & f Shona
Meaning “heart”.
Mozisi m Shona
Shona form of Moses.
Mpahlela f Tsonga
Means "pray for" in Xitsonga.
Mpanko f & m Dagbani
Means "am not alone" in Dagbani.
Mpawenimana f Rundi
Means "I was awarded by God" in Kirundi.
Mpelegang f Tswana
Means "put me on your back" in Setswana.
Mpendulo f Zulu
Means "reply" in Zulu.
Mpfareleli m & f Venda
Means "forgive me" in Tshivenda.
Mphikeleli m Zulu
Means "he who perseveres" in Zulu.
Mphoetsile f Tswana
Means "the gift was brought" in Setswana.
Mphonyana m & f Tswana
Means "small gift" in Setswana.
Mphoyame m & f Tswana
Means "my gift" in Setswana.
Mpilo m & f Xhosa, Zulu, Southern African
Means "health" or "life" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mpoki m Nyakyusa
Means "savior" in Nyakyusa.
Mpule f Southern African
This is the name of Mpule Kwelagobe, she is a Botswana politician, businesswoman, model, and beauty pageant title holder, who was crowned Miss Universe 1999 in Trinidad & Tobago.
Mpumelelo m Zulu
Means "success" in Zulu.
Mpumi f & m African
Means 'survivor' in Zulu
Mqibalo m South African, Xhosa, Zulu
Possibly derived from Mgqibelo, meaning "Saturday" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mrihani f Swahili
Swahili form of Reyhan.
Msamaniso m South African, Xhosa
Possibly related to Masamanisi.
Msengi m African
Tsonga and Shangaan origins
Msimuko m & f Tumbuka
Means "crossing over" in Tumbuka.
Msizi m Zulu
From Zulu umsizi "helper, aide".
Mswati m Swazi
Two famous bearers of this name are Mswati II (1825-1868) and Mswati III (1968 -), Kings of Swaziland. Mswati is not their birth name but their name as monarchs.
Mtambo m & f Chewa
Means "clouds" in Chewa.
Mthakathi m Zulu, Xhosa
Means "witch," from 'thakatha' meaning "to bewitch" in Xhosa or "to practice witchcraft" in Zulu.
Mthandazo m Ndebele
Means Prayer
Mthandeni f Zulu
Means "love her" in Zulu.
Mthobeli m Xhosa
Means "the obedient one" in Xhosa.
Mthulisi m Ndebele
Means "one who consoles" in Ndebele.
Mthunzi f Zulu
Means "shade" in Zulu.
Mthuthuzeli m Southern African, Xhosa
Means "comforter, one who comforts" in Xhosa.
Muambiwa m & f Venda
Means "the one who is spoken of/about" in Tshivenda.
Mu'azu m Western African, Hausa
Hausa form of Muaz.
Muchazvireva m Shona
Means "you will say it" in Shona.
Muchena m Shona
One who is white or light skin tone. Or Blessing in Ndau dialect of Shona
Mudan f Somali
Means "merit, deserve" in Somali.
Mudene f South African, Afrikaans (Rare)
Meaning unknown. A known bearer was Mudene 'Dene' Smuts (1949-2016), a South African politician.
Mudiso m Kongo
Kongo form of Maurice and Morris.
Mufaro f Shona
Means "happiness" in Shona.
Mugeni m & f Kaguru
Means "stranger" in Chikaguru.
Mugisha m Haya
Means "blessing" in Haya.
Mugoli m Kaguru
Means "rich man" in Chikaguru.
Mugume m Kiga
Means "be strong" in Rukiga.
Mugwe m African
The name Mugwe is common among the Kikuyu and Ameru of Kenya on the East coast of Africa.... [more]
Muḥemmed m Kabyle
Kabyle form of Muhammad.
Muḥend m Kabyle
Kabyle form of Mohand.
Muhluri m & f Tsonga
Means "conqueror, victor" in Xitsonga.
Muhtari m Hausa
Hausa form of Mukhtar.
Muh'uc m Berber
Amazigh diminutive form of Mohammed.
Mujuni m Haya
Means "helper" in Haya.
Mukabakama f Haya
Means "a wife of kings" in Haya.
Múkabi m Kikuyu
In Kikuyu maasai intermarriage this name was given to a boy born of that relationship in that referred to the maasai as ukabi
Mukai f Shona
Means "be alert; wise-up" in Shona.
Mukejuwa f Kaguru
Means "sun's wife" in Chikaguru.
Mukhethwa m & f Venda
Means "the chosen one" in Tshivenda.
Mukondi f Chewa
Means “love you” in Chichewa.
Mulalo m Venda
Means "peace" in Tshivenda.
Mulamba f Ganda
Means “the whole thing, everything” in Luganda.
Mulatu m Amharic
Means "the abundance" in Amharic.
Mulele m African, Swahili
"Flying man," "man who flies," or "man of flight." The prefix "mu-" expresses "man of" or "man from" in the Swahili language. One interpretation would be that this is approximately equal to "angel," but because there are numerous parts of Africa where there are lots of devout Christians, I would lean towards the interpretation "man who runs quickly."
Mulogo m Eastern African
Means "a wizard".
Mulokozi m Haya
Means "saviour" in Haya.
Mulu m Amharic
Means "complete, perfect" in Amharic.
Mulugeta m Amharic
Means "he is all Lord" in Amharic.
Mulweri m Tsonga
Means "defender, advocate" in Xitsonga.
Mumba m & f Bemba
Means "inside the house" in Bemba.
Mumbe f African
From term 'umba' which means create. Means beautiful one. Used among the Kamba community in kenya. Related to mumbi from the kikuyu which means creator. both derived from 'umba' to create.
Mumuni m Zarma, Western African
A Zarma name of Unknown Meaning.
Munachim f & m Igbo
Means "me and my God". It can be used as a nickname for Munachimso.
Munachimso f Igbo
Means "me and my God".
Munachiso f & m Igbo
Means "God is with me" in Igbo.
Munatas m Berber (Rare)
This name means to ‘gather around a special person’.... [more]
Munatsi m Shona
Means "one who makes perfect" in Shona.
Munesu f & m Shona
Means "God is with us" or "God is within us" in Shona.
Muneyinazvo f & m Shona
Means "what have you to do with it" in Shona.
Mungongege m Nyakyusa
Means "you should follow me" in Nyakyusa.
Mungoni m & f Shona (Rare)
May mean abiding in grace
Munonzwa m & f Shona
Meaning "You hear" or "You are one who hears", Munonzwaishe and Ishemunonzwa are longer and more specific forms of the name.
Munonzwaishe m & f Shona
It means "You Lord are one who hears" or simply, "You hear the Lord".
Munyika m Kaguru
Means "of the bush" in Chikaguru.
Muogboo m Igbo
Means "let the spirits intervene or settle the matter" in Igbo.
Murapi m Shona
Means "healer" in Shona.
Murashani m Haya
Means "fighter" in Haya.
Murhangeli m Tsonga
Means "leader" in Xitsonga.
Murhi m & f Tsonga
Means "medicine, cure" in Xitsonga.
Muringa f Kikuyu
Means "a wire" in Kikuyu.
Murisi m Tsonga
Means "shepherd" in Xitsonga.
Murtala m Nigerian
West African variant of Murtada. This was borne by Murtala Muhammed (1938-1976), a Nigerian Army general who became fourth Head of State of Nigeria.
Muruthi m Kikuyu
Means "lion" in Kikuyu.
Musa f Ndebele
Means "grace" in Ndebele.
Musanete m African, Shona
Means "do not get tired" in Shona.
Muse m Eastern African, Somali
Variant spelling of Muuse. This spelling is used outside of Somalia.
Mushana m & f Shona
It means "sunshine".
Musiwanda m Kaguru
Means "lastborn" in Chikaguru.
Musoke m Ganda, African Mythology
Musoke is the God of Rain in Ganda mythology. His Name derives From ‘mu’, indicating a single individual, and ‘soke’, which means ‘rain’.
Musonda m & f Bemba
Means "the taster" in Bemba.
Musongwe m Kaguru
Means "fearless man" in Chikaguru.
Mustafe m Somali
Somali form of Mustafa.
Mustaphe m Somali
Somali form of Mustafa.
Mutinta f Southern African
Means “to change” or "different" in Tonga, a language spoken in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The name is traditionally given to a baby girl born after the birth of two or more consecutive sons.
Mutsa f Shona
Means "mercy" in Shona.
Mutsawashe m & f Shona
Meaning "the kindness of the Lord".
Mutshidzi m & f Venda
Means "saviour" in Tshivenda.
Mutunga m African
comes from term tunga which means to return, replace, put back in kamba. Used to name people born after the death of a person in a family. They are taken to be replacements for the departed. the feminine form is mutungwa... [more]
Mutungi m Haya
Means "he who is rich" in Haya.
Muuse m Somali
Somali form of Moses.
Muwaabe m African
East African - Lusoga ... [more]
Muxammad m Somali
Variant of Maxamed.
Muyiwa m Yoruba
Short form of Oluwamuyiwa.
Muzhiyo m Ndebele (Rare)
zulu, ndebele and xhosa name meaning "homesteads of kings"
Muzowa m & f Lunda
Means "rainy day" in Lunda.
Mvumo m Shona
Meaning "agreement; harmony, accordance".
Mvuseselo m Zulu
Means "revival" in Zulu.
Mwai m & f African, Western African
Chichewa, means "luck".... [more]
Mwaitaishe f & m Shona
Means "Thank you God" in Shona.
Mwakatumbula m Nyakyusa
Means "son of a heart" in Nyakyusa.
Mwamini f Swahili
Means "honest" in Swahili.
Mwara f Kikuyu
Means "the clever one" in Kikuyu.
Mwari m Shona, African Mythology
Means 'force behind creation' in Shona. Shona traditional religion, Mwari is the supreme creator deity who is believed that he is the author of all things and all life and all is in him.
Mwasaa f Swahili
Means “time” in Swahili.
Mwaura m Kikuyu
To kú aúra means to remove or relieve one of a heavy load.Mostly when a visitor came with a kiondo/load and a person took it off his/her back the remover was the mwauri
Mwaziona m & f Nsenga
This is a Nsenga name given to both boy and girls. It means "Have you seen" or "Have you seen yourselves".
Mweya f Shona
Means "soul" in Shona.
Mwezi m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "moon" or "month".
Mwiza f Rundi
It means someone good heart, appearance, character and personality. Second meaning "Beautiful"
Mwombeki m Haya
Means "the builder" in Haya.
Mwongeli f African
AFRICAN NAME FROM KENYA. USED IN KAMBA TRIBE.THE NAME IS MOSTLY USED IF FOR SOME REASON A MOTHER HAS A GIRL AFTER ANOTHER TO MEAN YOU ARE BLESSED WITH ANOTHER GIRL.ITS A FEMALE NAME.MAY ALSO BE USED TO MEAN A BLESSING
Mxolisi m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "peace maker" or "(one who) asks for forgiveness" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mylokoh m Akan
The name mylokoh stands for strength, wisdom and an alpha mentality.
Mynhardt m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mijnhard.
Mynie f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mijnie.
Mzi m Xhosa
Diminutive of Mzingayi.
Mzingaye m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "there is a home because of him" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mzingayi m Xhosa
Variant spelling of Mzingaye.
Mzwandile m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "the house has expanded" in Xhosa, idiomatically referring to a growing family.
Mzwenhlanhla m Zulu
Means "home for luck" in Zulu.
Naad-o m Sidamo
Means "appreciation" in Sidama.
Naaleeye m Somali
Means "anyway" in Somali.
Naani f & m Dagbani
Means "trust" or "confidence" in Dagbani.
Naas m Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Short form of Athanaas, Donaas and Ignaas.... [more]
Nabirye f Eastern African
Meaning unknown.
Nabiyat m Ge'ez
Means "prophets" in Ge'ez.
Nadifa f Somali
Feminine form of Nadif.
Nafissatou f Western African
West African form of Nafisa.
Naha m & f Sotho
Means "land" or "world".
Naha m Sotho
land or country
Nahom m Eastern African
East African form of Nahum.
Naishewedu f Shona
Means "with our god" in Shona.
Naito f African
Origin Meru "Rich woman"
Naïvane f Kongo
Naïvane means: the one I gave in Kikongo
Najuma f Swahili
Means "abounding in joy" in Swahili.
Nakaggwa f Ganda
second child (girl) after twins
Nakedi m & f Tswana
Means "striped polecat" in Setswana.
Naki f Swahili
the first born girl in the family
Nakiso f Shona
Meaning “the beautifier; one who makes things beautiful”.
Nala f Sotho
“Prosperity” , a Sesotho name used in the motto of Lesotho
Nalado m Hausa
Means "born on a Sunday" in Hausa.
Nalane f & m Sotho
it means history in sesotho