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.
Godslove m & f Nigerian (Modern), English
The combination of God is love, God's love. Meaning "God's kind of love" or "God is love"
Godstime m & f Nigerian
From the English phrase God's time.
Godwinson m African (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Godwinson.
Gofaone m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) gives" in Setswana.
Gogontlejang f Tswana
Means "she is beautiful" in Setswana.
Goitsemang f Tswana
Means "who knows?" in Setswana.
Goitsemodimo m Tswana
Means "only God knows" in Setswana.
Goitseone m & f Tswana
Means "it is he (god) who knows" in Tswana.
Goli f Kaguru
Means "wealth" in Chikaguru.
Golibe f Igbo
Short form of Golibenachukwu.
Golibenachukwu f Igbo
Means "rejoice the Lord" in Igbo.
Gombe m & f Luo (Archaic)
One of the progenies of the Ugenya clans.
Gondai m Shona
Means "to trust or place hope in" in Shona.
Goodluck m African
A famous bearer is the Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
Goodwill m Zulu, South African, Literature
Derives from the Medieval English gode meaning "good", plus will, "wish or desire", and was originally given as a complimentary nickname to an amiable person, favourably disposed towards others... [more]
Gor m & f Luo (Archaic)
traditional Luo name. origin: ancient Luo warrior
Gor m Wolof
Meaning "man".
Gorfu m Amharic
Means "flood" in Amharic.
Goriola m Yoruba
Means "climbed to the top of wealth" in Yoruba.
Goshu m Amharic
Means "buffalo" in Amharic.
Gotaatamang m Tswana
Means "who is coming?" in Setswana.
Gothusang f Tswana
Means "who is helping?" in Setswana.
Gowan m African
Means "Rainmaker" and originates from Africa, notably Nigeria.
Gowon m African, Ngas, Nigerian
A common name used among the Jos Plateau people of Nigeria.
Goyit m Ngas
Foresight, seer, one who sees the future. The name is used in reference to a visionary.
Grizelda f American (South, Rare), Hungarian (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Kashubian
Hungarian and Kashubian form and English and Afrikaans variant of Griselda. The English usage may have been influenced by Grizel.
Grmay m African
typical Eritrean name , in Tigrigna language
Gubajuti m & f Bandial
Means "they do not have you" in Bandial.
Gudeta m Amharic
Means "obligation" in Amharic.
Gudit f Eastern African, Ge'ez
Ge'ez form of Judith.... [more]
Guenet m & f Amharic
Means "paradise" or "garden" in Amharic.
Gugu f Zulu, Xhosa
From Zulu igugu meaning "precious, valuable" or "treasure".
Guled m & f Somali
It means victory after a long struggle
Gumi m & f Shona
Meaning “ten”.
Guondibo m & f Bandial
Means "they inter you there" in Bandial. This is considered a 'death prevention' name.
Guor m Eastern African, Dinka
Meaning unknown. ... [more]
Gurey m Somali
A name that comes from the Somali word gurey, meaning "left-handed." This word is usually an adjective, but sometimes a name.
Guuleed m Somali
Means "victor" in Somali.
Guyyah m Bandial
Means "graves" in Bandial, originally a short form of Ammenguyyah. This is considered a 'death prevention' name.
Gwaggo f Hausa
Means "aunt" in Hausa.
Gwalajori m Kassena
Means "the slave raider has returned" in Kasem.
Gwasila m Kabyle
Means "son of the plains" in Kabyle.
Gweth m & f Luo (Modern)
"blessings"
Gwhd f Western African, Anaang
Means “disgraceful; unworthy being” in Anaang.
Gwinyai m Shona
Gwinyai means "be strong". The Zimbabwean tennis player Gwinyai Tongoona is a famous bearer of this name.
Haawá f Afar
Afar form of Eve.
Haben f Tigrinya
Means "pride" in Tigrinya.
Habibou f & m Western African
Western African variant of Habiba or Habib.
Habon f & m Somali (Rare), Spanish
This name means when everything comes together at the right time and the right place. Beautiful.
Habraham m African (Rare), Spanish (Latin American, Rare)
Variant of Abraham, occasionally found in Latin America and French-speaking African countries.
Habsade m Eastern African, Somali
Variant of Xaabsade, which is used outside of Somalia.
Habtamu m Amharic, Ethiopian
Basically means "my wealth" in Amharic and is therefore etymologically related to Habtom.
Habte m & f Ethiopian
According to some sources, Habte means "treasure/present/wealth/riches of".
Habtewold m Ge'ez
Means "gift of the Son" in Ge'ez.
Habteyes m Ge'ez
Means "gift of Jesus" in Ge'ez.
Habtom m Tigrinya (Modern)
Means "wealthy" in Tigrinya.
Hadadangi m & f Western African, Hausa
Means "joining of clans" in Hausa.
Hadiatou f Western African
Western African elaboration of Hadia.
Hafzah f Somali
It means lioness.
Hagiir-s-o m Sidamo
Means "one who brings joy" in Sidama.
Hagos m Tigrinya
Means "joy" in Tigrinya.
Haiba f Swahili
It means charm, grace, beauty in Kiswahili
Haile m Ge'ez, Amharic, Ethiopian
Means "power, force, strength" in Ge'ez and Amharic. This was the Ge'ez (baptismal) name of Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie (1892-1975), who was born as Tafari Makonnen.
Hailemichael m Ethiopian
" power of arch angel Saint Michael "
Hakiem m Ethiopian, Amharic
Means "doctor" in Amharic.
Hakizimana m Rwandan, Rundi, African Mythology (Modern)
A name which means "God saves everything," imana being the name of the original Rwandan/Burundian deity and now the modern word for God in all monotheistic usages within Rwanda and Burundi.
Hakunei m & f Shona
This is a name that implies and asks, meaning "What is not there?". This is a name given by or to someone who is assumed to be falling short or without, so they name the child "What could be missing?" in a sense of affirmation, so to say there is perfection even if you (all) do not see it or doubt it... [more]
Haƙurau m Hausa
From the Hausa hàƙurà meaning “be patient”.
Halimo f Somali
Somali form of Halima.
Halisi f Swahili
Means "genuine" in Swahili.
Hamadou m Western African
Form of Hamad or Hammad used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Hamady m Western African
A variant of the Arabic name Hamad, meaning "praiseworthy".
Hamandishe m Shona
Meaning “one’s relative or family is God”, this name may be given by and/or to someone who is devoted to God, who is an orphan, has no relatives or was abandoned.
Hamelmal f Amharic
Means "From The Bible" or "The Word".
Hamidou m Western African
Form of Hamid 1 or Hamid 2 used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Hamidu m Hausa
Hausa form of Hamid.
Hamis m Swahili
From Swahili Alhamisi meaning "Thursday" (ultimately of Arabic origin).
Hamse m Eastern African, Somali
Variant of Xamse, which is used outside of Somalia.
Hamunyari f Shona
Hamunyari means "Have you no shame". This name is given in a feuding situation.
Hanja f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "brown".
Hankali m & f Hausa
Means "intelligent" in Hausa.
Hannalie f Afrikaans
Contraction of Hanna and Elisabeth.
Hannchen f Afrikaans, German (Rare)
Hannchen is a German diminutive of Johanna, Hanna, Hannelore, or another name containing *hann*.... [more]
Hanneke f Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Diminutive form of Hanne 1.
Hanneleen f Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Combination of Hanne 1 and Leen.
Hanneli f Finnish, Estonian, Afrikaans
Finnish variant of Hannele and Afrikaans variant of Hannelie.
Hannelie f Afrikaans
Contraction of Hanne 1 and Elisabeth.
Hannelize f Afrikaans
Contraction of Hanne 1 and Elize.
Hansie m Afrikaans
Short form of Johannes.
Hanu m & f Shona
Meaning “mountain pass”, or “path in the valley”, synonymous with Haro.
Hanyani m Tsonga
From the Xitsonga hanya meaning "live".
Harambee m Swahili
Means "all pull together" in Swahili. It is the official motto of Kenya.
Hashiki f Swahili
Means “doesn’t hold” in Swahili.
Hasia f Western African
Probably a spelling variant of Hassia.
Hassana m Hausa
Hausa form of Hasan and Hassan.
Hassane m Arabic (Maghrebi), Western African
Alternate transcription of Hassan as well as the form used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Hassina f African, Arabic
Variant of Haseena used most often in Africa.
Hatima f Swahili
Means "fate" in Swahili.
Hawanatu f Western African
Possibly a form of Hawa, used in Sierra Leone.
Hawaryat m Ge'ez
Means "apostles" in Ge'ez.
Hawi f & m Luo
"good luck"
Hawo f Somali, African
Somali variant of Hawa.
Haylu m Ge'ez
Means "his power" in Ge'ez.
Hazvinei f Shona
Hazvinei means "Never mind, no worries". This name may be given by a parent who was offended
Hazviperi m & f Shona
"It does not end". Situational name given in circumstances where family faced unending troubles or trials.
Heineken m Ijaw
Probably derived from the Dutch surname Heineken.... [more]
Hekima f & m Swahili
Means "wisdom" in Swahili.
H'emmuc m Berber
Berber diminutive form of Hamid.
Henok m Croatian (Rare), Amharic, Tigrinya
Croatian, Amharic and Tigrinyan form of Enoch.
Henos m Ge'ez
Variant of Enos.
Henrico m Dutch (Modern), Afrikaans
Variant of Hendrik influenced by Enrico.
Herru f Berber
Etymology unknown. This was the name of a famous poetess.
Hetisani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga hetisa meaning "finish".
Hetta f English (British), South African
Hetta is a nickname for Henrietta although it is used on its own as well.
Hibaaq f Somali
Derived from Arabic هِبَة (hiba) meaning "gift, grant".
Hibaq f Somali
Variant transcription of Hibaaq.
Hidaya f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "beautiful".
Hikani f Shona
"Surprise."
Hikolana m Dagbani
when a child was born denoting the owner to have to brought blessing, luck and authority in a family in northern dagombi speaking family .
Hilka f Low German, German (Rare), Frisian, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Originally a diminutive of names beginning with or containing the element hild-, used as a given name in its own right.
Hiloga m Datooga
Means "fortress" in Datooga.
Hirsi m Eastern African, Somali
Variant spelling of Xirsi, which is used outside of Somalia.
Hiwet f Amharic, Ethiopian
Variant transcription of Hiwot.
Hiyabel f Ethiopian, Tigrinya (?)
According to Nameberry, it means "gift of God" from the Tigrinya element hiyab meaning "gift" and Hebrew אֵל ('el) meaning "God".
Hlamalani m & f Tsonga
Means "surprised" in Xitsonga.
Hlawulani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga hlawula meaning "choose".
Hlawuleka m & f Tsonga
Means "unique" or "chooseable, chosen" in Xitsonga.
Hlayisani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga hlayisa meaning "preserve, protect".
Hlekani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga hleka meaning "laugh".
Hlengani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga hlenga meaning "collect, gather".
Hlomla m & f Xhosa
Means "to comment on something" in Xhosa.
Hlompho m Sotho
Means "respect" in Sesotho.
Hlori f Tsonga
Means "wonder" in Xitsonga.
Hlulani m & f Tsonga
Means "win, conquer" in Xitsonga.
Ḥmed m Kabyle
Kabyle form of Ahmad.
Hondo m Shona, African
means "war"
Honest m & f English (Puritan), African
From the English word meaning "honorable, virtuous". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans around the 17th century.
Hoodo f Somali
This name comes from the Somali word hoodo which means "luck, fortunate." Somalis outside of Somalia may spell the name as Hodo.
Ḥsen m Kabyle
Kabyle form of Hassan.
Hulisani m & f Venda
Means "respect" in Tshivenda.
Huoniso m & f Shona
It means "to show; allow to see", a shorter form of the can be Huoni or Oniso.
Huraira m & f Pakistani, Punjabi, Nigerian
Means "kitten" in Arabic. Abu Hurairah was one of the Prophet Muhammad's companions, in whose case it was part of a kunya or nickname acquired because of his attachment to cats.
Husaini m Hausa, Indonesian, Malay
Hausa, Indonesian and Malay form of Husayn.
Hwami m Shona
Meaning "emperor".
Hyelni f African
Name means 'God has given me'. It is used by the burah's of Garkida in Adamawa state of Nigeria.
Ibenu m Idoma
Ibenu means "dare not a warrior" it was given after the Ibenu empire who lived in the Benue-Plateau region before its disintegration. The history was told that Ikwu who beget Ibenu were both warriors... [more]
Ibianga f Nigerian
Perhaps a form of Ibiang
Ibiro m Hausa
Diminutive form of Ibrahimu.
Ibironke f African
Nigerian meaning 'you are to be cared for and pampered' or 'family has someone to care for.'
Ibiye m & f African
An ancient Kalabari meaning Good mainly used as a prefix.
Ibok m & f Efik
Ibraahiim m Somali
Somali form of Abraham.
Ibraahim m Somali
Somali form of Abraham.
Ibraahin m Somali (Archaic)
Somali form of Abraham, now perhaps archaic. This name was borne by Ibraahin Adeer (ruled late 17th century to mid-18th century), the first sultan of the Sultanate of the Geledi, a Somali kingdom that ruled parts of the Horn of Africa from the late 17th century to 1910.
Ibrahiim m Somali (Archaic)
Somali form of Abraham, now perhaps archaic.
Ibrahimu m Hausa
Hausa form of Abraham.
Ibsituu f Eastern African, Oromo
Means "light" in Oromo.
Ibubesi m Zulu
Means "lion" in Zulu.
Ibukun f Yoruba
Means "blessings; an addition" in Yoruba. It is often used as a short form for names starting with Ibukun.
Ibukunoluwa m & f Yoruba
Means "God's blessing" in Yoruba.
Ibwe m Shona
Means "stone builder" in Shona.
Idai f Shona
Means "love them" in Shona.
Idara f Hausa
Means "joy" in Hausa.
Idem m & f Efik
Idiebimo f & m Ijaw
Means "take care of me" in Ijaw.
Idil f Somali
Somali form of Idil.
Idili f & m Amharic
Means "luck, opportunity" in Amharic.
Idim m & f Efik
Idiris m Somali
Somali form of Idris.
Idirisu m Hausa
Hausa form of Idris.
Idongesit m & f Ibibio
Means "comfort" in Ibibio.
Idorenyin m & f Ibibio
Means "hope" in Ibibio.
Idriss m Arabic (Maghrebi), Western African
Arabic alternate transcription of Idris 1 chiefly used in Northern Africa as well as the form used in parts of Western Africa.
Ifamma f Igbo
Means “good deeds” in Igbo.
Ife f Yoruba
It means “February” and “Love” ... [more]
Ifedapo m & f Yoruba
Means "love came together" in Yoruba.
Ifedayo f Yoruba
Means "love turned to joy" in Yoruba.
Ifejika m Igbo, Nigerian
Why we are greater; What I have is greater;
Ifemelu f Igbo, Literature
Ifemelu is the name of the main protagonist in 'Americanah' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Ifeoluwa m & f Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "love of God" or "God's will" in Yoruba.
Ifetayo f Nigerian (Rare)
A name of African descent meaning "love brings joy".
Ifetundun f Yoruba
Means "love is sweet" in Yoruba.
Ifeyinwa f & m Igbo
Igbo (Nigerian)
Ifiemi f & m Ijaw
Means "there is time for everything" in Ijaw.
Iften m Berber
Means "be better than them" in Amazigh.
Ighlaf m Berber
Means "well protected" in Amazigh.
Igider m Berber (Rare)
Mighty and strong, this name stands for ‘eagle’ in one of the Berber languages.
Igmar m Afrikaans
Afrikaans. Combination of his mother and fathers name. Siegfried and Marieta. Ig and Mar. Combined Igmar
Igolo f & m African
Meaning: Biblical name (in Nigeria of Africa) that means 'the star that the three wise men followed when Christ was born.'... [more]
Igunikeme m Ijaw
Means "stranger" in Ijaw.
Iheanyichukwu m Igbo
Means "there is nothing God cannot do" in Igbo.
Ihotu f Idoma
Means "love" or "like" in Idoma.
Ihunanya f Igbo
Means "love" in Igbo.
Ihuomachukwu f Igbo
Means "good face of god" in Igbo.
Iimaan f & m Somali
Somali form of Iman. One notable bearer of this name is Somalian-born American model Iman (born 1955).
Ijja f Northern African
Female name meaning "Smells good" or "Fragrant".
Ijuba f Zulu
Commonly it is meaning Dove or Peace. Less common in means storm or fighting. It also means freedom in some local tribes. It is said many years ago a great war loomed. Fighting had started but one warrior championed the cause of peace and unity... [more]
Ikeem m African
africa
Ikemba m Igbo
Means "strength of a nation" or "power of the people" in Igbo.
Ikeoluwa f Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the care of God" in Yoruba.
Ikidaola m & f Yoruba
full of wealth
Ikiemoye f & m Ijaw
Means "thoughts" in Ijaw.
Ikuromo f & m Ijaw
Means "encourage me" in Ijaw.
Ikusasa f & m Zulu
Means "destiny" in Zulu.
Ilane f South African, Brazilian
Problably a feminine form to Ilan.
Ilánkaka f Lingala, African Mythology
One of the main characters in the Mongo mythology complex. She is the wife of Lonkundo.
Ilayetmas m Berber
Means "he has brothers" in Tamazight.
Iliyasu m Hausa
Hausa form of Elias.
Illi f Berber (Rare)
Literally "My daughter"
Ima f Ibibio
Means "love" in Ibibio.
Imany f Swahili
A variant of Imani.
Imanzi m Rwandan
From the Kinyarwanda word "umumanzi", meaning "righteousness".
Ima-obong f African
Nigerian(Akwa-Ibom)
Imara f Swahili
Means "strong, firm, stable" in Swahili.
Imbasa f & m Zulu
Means "star" in Zulu.
Imka f Dutch, Afrikaans, German
Diminutive of Ime 2.
Immeghar m Berber
Means "he is great" in Amazigh.
Imohimi m & f Western African, Edo
Means "I have a support" in Edo language.
Imose f Western African, Edo
Means "beauty" in Edo.
Inalegwu m African
popular among the Idoma people of Benue State of Nigeria.translate in English 'as Innocent'.
Inemesit f & m Western African, Ibibio
Means "happiness" in Ibibio.
Ingqondo f Zulu
Means "intelligence" in Zulu.
Ini f & m Western African, Ibibio
Means "time" in Ibibio.... [more]
Iniabasi m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "God's time" in Ibibio.
Inibrakemi f Ijaw
Means "your destiny is in your hands" in Ijaw.
Iniekenimi f & m Ijaw
Means "know only your own" in Igbo.
Iniemem f & m Efik
"Time of peace"
Iniku f Amharic
Means "jewel" in Amharic.
Inioluwa m & f Yoruba
Means "property of the lord" in Yoruba.
Inipere f & m Ijaw
Means "here is my wealth" in Ijaw.
Inqu m Ge'ez
Means "precious stone" in Ge'ez.
Inyang m & f Efik
Inyoni f Zulu
Derived from Zulu inyoni meaning "bird".
Ipaishe f Shona
Means "give to God" in Shona.
Ipeleng f Tswana
Means "be happy" in Setswana.
Iqaqa m Zulu
Means "polecat" in Zulu.
Irawo m & f Yoruba
Means "star" in Yoruba.
Irebabofo m Western African
Origin: Ghana
Iredia m Western African, Esan
Means "stay" in Esan. ... [more]