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.
Kamuzu m Southern African
Means "little root" in Chichewa.
Kamuzyu f Nsenga
Means "roots" in Nsenga.
Kamwendo m Chewa
Means "walking from place to place; traveller" in Chewa language.
Kananelo f & m Sotho
Means "approval" or "appreciation" in Sotho.
Kanau m African
Allegedly used among the Limba people of Sierra Leone.
Kanayochukwu m & f Igbo
Means "Let's keep asking God" in Igbo.
Kaneme m & f Igbo
Means "let's keep doing" in Igbo.
Kangmi m & f Western African, Goemai
Means 'joining of clans' in Goemai, spoken in Nigeria.
Kangwa m & f Southern African, Bemba
Means 'healing tree" in Bemba.
Kanika f Mwera
Meaning “black cloth”.
Kanyisa f Xhosa
Means "giving light to the future" in Xhosa.
Kaodinna m Igbo
Means "the way it pleases God" in Igbo.
Kaoni f Nigerian
Long awaited child
Kaosisochukwu m & f Igbo
Means "as it pleases God" in Igbo.
Kara f & m Ogoni
Means "pray, prayer" in Khana, a dialect of Ogoni language from Nigeria.
Karambeni f Jola
Means "to help you" in Jola.
Kariara f Ijaw
Means "I prayed for her" in Ijaw.
Kariebi m & f Ijaw
Means "the blessing we prayed for" in Ijaw.
Karikoga m Shona
Means "one who is alone". The name may be given to say that one who lives alone or was born alone without siblings.
Karlien f Flemish, Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Dutch and Afrikaans form of Carline.
Karmami m Hausa
Means "cornstalk" in Hausa.
Karo m African
It is Isoko name, Niger Delta Nigeria.
Karugendo m & f Haya
Means "pertaining to a journey" in Ruhaya.
Kashangaki m Swahili
Means "surprise" in Swahili.
Kasi f & m Dagbani
It means 'neat or clean'
Kaskazi f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "north wind" or "hot season, summer".
Kasomo m Bemba
Means "leader, flag-bearer" in Bemba.
Kasuba m Bemba
Means "sun" in Bemba.
Kataali f & m Dagbani
It means have no sins
Kataka m African
From the Kenyan Luhya tribe for a leader or elder.
Katakyie m Akan
Means "the strong man" in Akan.
Katavi m African, Nyamwezi
A demonic being in the popular belief of the Nyamwezi people of Tanzania. He is reputed to be the chief of the water-spirits, but he also haunts the barren lands and deserts.
Katekani f Tsonga
Means "be blessed" in Xitsonga.
Kathaulo m Tumbuka
Means "small cloth, handkerchief" in Tumbuka.
Katryn f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Katrijn.
Katsiru f Shona
Means "female cow" in Shona.
Katuma m Luba
Derived from the Luba word kàtùmà meaning "last-born of triplets", ultimately from the word tùmà meaning "to send". Superstition suggests that third-born children with this name, because of their name, should not be sent on errands or deliveries.
Kauna f Hausa
Means "love" in Hausa.
Kaunda f & m African
swahilli... [more]
Kawesa m Ganda
"black smith" Kovacs
Kayaga m & f Nyoro
Means “The windy month” in Bunyoro.
Kayen m African
(Nigerian)"celebrated", (Yoruba)" long-hoped-for child"
Kayokwa m Southern African, Bemba
Means "sugar, sweet" in Bemba.
Kazah m & f Nigerian
Means "God" in Bajju.
Kbra f Tigrinya
Used in Eritrea and Tigray, meaning: her glory, her dignity
Keabetswe m & f Tswana
Means "I have been given" in Setswana.
Kealeboa m Sotho
Means "thank you" in Sotho.
Kealeboga m & f Tswana
Means "thank you" in Setswana.
Keamogetse m & f Tswana
Means "I have received" in Setswana.
Keamogetswe m & f Tswana
Means "I am welcomed" in Setswana.
Keatlaretse f Tswana
Means "to receive with open hands" in Tswana. It is usually used as a sign of respect.
Keatlile m Tswana
Means "I have increased" in Setswana.
Kebabonye f Tswana
Means "I saw them" in Setswana.
Kebarutile f Tswana
Means "I have taught them" in Setswana.
Kebasadi f Tswana
Means "these are women" in Setswana.
Kebe m Mabaan, Nigerian
Meaning, "Strong man with no fear."
Kebede m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "he became heavy, he became honoured" in Amharic.
Kebere m Amharic
Means "he is honoured" in Amharic.
Kebitsemang m Tswana
Means "whom shall I call?" in Setswana.
Kebra f & m Eastern African, Ge'ez
Means "glory, praise" in Ge'ez, a liturgical language from Ethiopia. ... [more]
Kedisaletse m Southern African
Botswanian name.
Kedumetse f Tswana
Means "I have agreed" in Setswana.
Kéehu m & f Manjak
Means "the one who dies" or "the dead one" in Manjak. This name is given to protect the child from an early death.
Keemenao m & f Tswana
Means "I am with you" in Setswana.
Kefentse f Tswana
Means "I have won" in Tswana.
Kegomoditswe m & f Tswana
Means "I have been comforted" in Setswana.
Kehumile f Tswana
Means "I am rich" in Setswana.
Keita m Eastern African
"Worshipper" in Eastern African, specific country unknown
Keitumetse f Tswana, South African
Means "I am happy", or "I am thankful" in Twsana.
Kekeletso m Sotho
Means "addition" in Sesotho.
Kelebileone f Tswana
Means "I am watching Him (God)" in Setswana.
Kelebohile m Sotho
Means "I am grateful" in Sesotho.
Kelefetswe f Tswana
Means "they have done it for me" in Setswana.
Kelemi f Amharic
Means "colorful" in Amharic.
Keletso m & f Tswana
Means "wish" in Setswana.
Kemba f & m African, Caribbean
Means "peel" in Swahili and "full of faith" in a Central African language.... [more]
Kembo m Kongo
Means "heaven" in Kongo.
Kemelayefa m Ijaw
Means "nothing is greater than a human being" in Ijaw.
Kemi f Yoruba
Means "cherish me; caring for me" in Yoruba. It is also a diminutive of other names such as Oluwakemi.
Kemmonye f Tswana
Means "I have seen her" in Setswana.
Kenalemang m Tswana
Means "who is with me?" in Setswana.
Kenam f Southern African
Transferred use of the surname Kenam.
Kenanao m Tswana
Means "I am with Him (God)" in Tswana.
Kenechi m Igbo
Means "thank God" or "thanks be to God" in Igbo (compare Ekene, Chi 2).
Keneilwe f Tswana
Means "I have been given" in Setswana.
Keneoue f Sotho (Rare)
Means "I have been given" in Sotho.
Keneuwe f Sotho
Means "I have been given" in Sesotho.
Kengani m Kongo
Kengani is an African language, that belongs to Bantu people, designated from Congo kingdom in area that now is called Angola(Uige province).Which is used for Kings, liders, Boss, or heroes.... [more]
Kenhinde m & f Yoruba
One coming last. Often used for the second of twins.
Keniabarido f & m Ogoni
Khana for "as it pleases God (for him to do)"... [more]
Kenna m Ethiopian
Famous bearer is Kenna Zemedkun, musician.
Kennake f Tswana
Means "she is my sister" in Setswana.
Kenyatta f & m African American, Eastern African
Transferred use of the surname Kenyatta, meaning "a musician", according to Asante (1991). This was the surname of the first President of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta (1894-1978; born Kamau wa Ngengi), who is considered the founding father of the African country (see also Kenya)... [more]
Kenyetta f Eastern African, English
Possibly a feminine form of Kenyatta. Asante (1991) gives it the meaning "she is beautiful music".
Keolebogile f & m Tswana, African
I thanked (God).
Kerapetse m & f Tswana
Means "I have prayed" in Setswana.
Kereeditse m & f Tswana
Means "I am listening" in Setswana.
Kereemang f Tswana
Means "who should I say this to?" in Setswana.
Kérobiwa f Bandial
Means "why go there?" in Bandial.
Keromang f Sotho
Means "one who has been sent" in Sesotho.
Kershia f Akan
Means "queen".
Kerubo f Eastern African, Kisii
Means "marsh, plain" in Kisii, given to girls born in the plains.
Kesegofetse f Tswana
Means "I am blessed" in Setswana.
Ketase f Tumbuka
Means "cooperation" in Tumbuka.
Ketsela-work f Ge'ez
Means "diadem of gold" in Ge'ez.
Ketshephaone m & f Tswana
Means "I trust Him (God)" in Setswana.
Ketugay m & f Jola
Means "Die till you get tired of it" in Jola. This name is given to an infant who is believed to be a spirit child who has been coming and going between life and death.
Kgabareya m Sotho
Sotho form of Gabriel.
Kgabu m & f African, Zulu
Means "to decorate richly" in Zulu.
Kgakgamatso f Tswana
Means "wonders" in Setswana.
Kgalalelo f Tswana
Means "glory" in Setswana.
Kganya m Sotho
Means "brightness" in Sotho.
Kganya f Sotho
Means "Light” or “God’s Light" in Sesotho.
Kgethang m Sotho
Sesotho form of Khethang.
Kgodi m & f Sotho
Means "mist" in Sotho.
Kgolo m Tswana
Means "growth" in Setswana.
Kgomotso m & f Tswana
Means "comfort" in Tswana.
Kgosiemang m Tswana
Means "who is the king?" in Setswana.
Kgotso f Southern African
Botswanian name.
Khaalid m Somali
Somali form of Khalid.
Khabane m Sotho
Means "precious" in Sesotho.
Khadiija f Somali
Somali form of Khadija.
Khadijatou f Western African
Form of Khadija used in French-influenced western Africa.
Khadra f Somali
Means "lucky, fortunate" in Somali
Khalidou m Western African
Form of Khalid used in Senegal.
Khalif m Arabic, Somali, African American
Alternate transcription of Khalifa as well as the Somali form.
Khamani m Swahili
Meaning “son of king”, “first born”, or “great king” in Swahili.
Khangezile f Zulu
Means "our hands are open" in Zulu.
Khanya m Zulu
Means "shine" in Zulu.
Khanyisa f Tsonga
Means "brighten" in Xitsonga.
Khanyisile f Zulu (Modern)
Means "bringer of light" in Zulu.
Khanyiso m Xhosa
Means "light" in Xhosa.
Khanyizile f Xhosa
The name means "light has come".
Khanyokulhe f Zulu
Means "guide on the way" in Zulu from the word khanyo meaning "guide" and kuhle meaning "way".
Khathutshelo m & f Venda
Means "forgiveness" in Tshivenda.
Khauhelo f & m Sotho
Means "pity" or "compassion" in Sotho.
Khaya f Zulu
Means "home" in Zulu.
Khayalethu m Zulu
Means "our home" in Zulu.
Khayelihle f Ndebele
Means "good home" in Ndebele.
Khayizeni m Tsonga
Means "rebuke" in Xitsonga.
Khedduj f Berber
Berber form of Khadija.
Khensani m & f Tsonga
Means "grateful, give thanks" in Xitsonga.
Khethang m Sotho
Means "choose" in Lesotho.
Khethiwe f African, Zulu
Means "chosen, the one who is chosen" in Zulu.
Khethukuthula f Zulu
Means "choose to be quiet" in Zulu.
Khoeli m Sotho
“Moon”
Khomelani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga khomela meaning "forgive".
Khongelani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga khongela meaning "pray".
Khosi m Sotho
Means "king" in Sotho.
Khothatso f Sotho
Means "encouragement" in Sotho.
Khotso m & f African
Means 'Peace'Tshwana(South African)
Khotsofalang m Sotho
Means "be satisfied" in Lesotho.
Khule f Zulu
Means "it is beautiful" in Zulu.
Khulekani f Zulu
Means "salute" in Zulu.
Khululiwe f Zulu
Means "exonerated" in Zulu.
Khumbireko m Chewa
Means "to admire" in Chewa.
Khumbuza m Tsonga
Means "remember" in Xitsonga.
Khumiso m & f Tswana
Means "they are making us rich" in Setswana.
Khumo m & f Tswana
Means "wealth" in Tswana.
Khumoetsile m & f Tswana
Means "wealth has come" in Setswana.
Khutsafalo m & f Tswana
Means "melancholy" in Tswana.
Khwezi m & f Zulu
Means "bright morning star" in Zulu.
Kiah f Swahili
Means "dawn" in Swahili.
Kiapo m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "oath".
Kibafupia f Swahili
The name originates from the Swahili words Kibali "acceptance" and Fupi "low". The combination of words combine to make the phrase, "to accept being low", referencing the people in Swahili countries who are poor or lack education... [more]
Kibibi f Swahili
Means "little lady" in Swahili.
Kibriye m Amharic
Means "my honour" in Amharic.
Kiburi f & m Swahili
Means "pride" in Swahili.
Kidane m Ge'ez
Means "my covenant" in Ge'ez.
Kieruka f Igbo
Variant of Nkiruka.
Kigongo m & f Ganda
Born before twins
Kijana m & f Swahili
Means "boy" in Swahili.
Kijani m Swahili
Means "warrior" in Swahili.
Kike f Yoruba
Means "caring for" in Yoruba.
Kikelomo f Yoruba
Means "child whom everyone loves pampering" in Yoruba.
Kilasa f Nyakyusa
Means "to be outspoken" in Nyakyusa.
Kimana f English, Eastern African
Possibly an invented name, an elaboration of Kim with the name suffix -Ana, or a feminine form of Kimani, or from the name of the town in Kenya.... [more]
Kimani m African
"Adventurous" or "sailor" Kukiyu tribe in the nation state of Kenya.
Kimbilio m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "refuge".
Kimelo m Nyakyusa
Means "seedlings" in Nyakyusa.
Kiminu f Central African
Kikongo for "faith".
Kimpa-vita f Kongo
The name of a congolese prophetess and religious leader who lived at the end of the 17th century.
Kimya f Swahili
Means "silent" in Swahili. This is the name of musician Kimya Dawson.
Kinaya f Swahili
Means "independance" in Swahili.
Kinfeosioluwa f Yoruba
Means "I may love you more (my lord)" in Yoruba.
Kingsford m Scottish, African
Transferred use of the surname Kingsford.
Kinubi m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "harp".
Kinya f English (Rare), Western African (?)
May be a variant of Kenya or a name of Ghanaian origin (uncertain as to which language the name belongs to) in which the meaning is unknown.
Kiojah f Swahili
Means "miracle" in Swahili.
Kioko m Eastern African, Kamba
Means "born in the morning" in Kamba.
Kipenzi f & m Swahili, African
means "darling", "favorite", "loved one"
Kipepeo f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "butterfly".
Kipkirui m Kalenjin
Means "one who was born while people slept" in Kelenjin.
Kirikuba m Bariba
Means "a carved idol" in Bariba.
Kirui m & f Kalenjin
Diminutive of Chepkirui and Kipkirui.
Kisa f Nyakyusa
Means "grace" in Nyakyusa.
Kisi f & m Ogoni
Means "move/ go forward" or "progress" in Khana,... [more]
Kisima f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "water spring".
Kissa f Ganda (?)
Allegedly a Luganda name meaning "born after twins".
Kitoko m & f Lingala
Means "beautiful" in Lingala.
Kitso m & f Tswana
Means "knowledge, wisdom" in Tswana.
Kittaw m Amharic
Means "tame him" in Amharic.
Kituru m Bariba
Means "rain god" in Bariba.
Kiume m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "stamina, strength".
Kiura m Kikuyu
Means "frog" in Kikuyu.
Kivuvu f & m Central African
Kikongo for "hope".
Kiwanuka m Ganda, African Mythology
Hammer wielding Ganda God of Thunder and Lightning.
Kiwara f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "savannah".
Kiya f Eastern African
Allegedly means "mine" in Oromo.
Kizito m African
Means "Gift from God" or "Child who God loves". St. Kizito is the youngest of the 22 Ugandan martyrs. He is the patron saint of children and primary schools.
Kizza m & f Ganda
"born after twins"... [more]
Kobe m Akan
variant of Kwabena
Kobie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Jacobus.
Kobinah m Akan
handsome/precious boy born on tuesday
Kodee f Akan
Means "eagle" in Akan.
Koffi m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé fue "Saturday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Saturday".
Kofo m & f Yoruba
Diminutive of Kofoworola.
Kofoworola m & f Yoruba
Means "He/She did not buy this wealth with money" in Yoruba, derived from kò meaning "(he/she) didn't", fi meaning "use", owó meaning "money", rà meaning "buy" and ọlá meaning "wealth".
Kokebe m Amharic
Means "my star" in Amharic.
Kokebi f Amharic
Means "star" in Amharic.
Koketso m & f Tswana
Means "increase" in Setswana.
Koko m & f Efik
Diminutive of Kokoete and Kokoeka.
Kokolo m Kongo
Of unknown meaning.
Koku m Akan
Variant of Akua.
Kokumo m & f Yoruba
Means "he will not die anymore" in Yoruba, typically given to an Abiku child. Abiku are spirits that are believed to enter a pregnant woman and move in a constant cycle of birth, death, and rebirth... [more]
Kola m Yoruba
Means "gathers wealth" in Yoruba, derived from kó meaning "gather" and ọlá meaning "wealth". It is also used as diminutive of Kolawole, Kolade and Kolapo.
Kolade m Yoruba
Means "brings lots of wealth" in Yoruba, derived from kó meaning "gather" combined with ọlá meaning "honour, wealth, success, notability" and dé meaning "arrive, return".
Kolajo m African
An Ancient name of Yoruba Origin, it means 'gather wealty'
Kolapo m Yoruba
Means "gather wealth together" in Yoruba.
Kolawole m Yoruba
Means "he brings nobility, wealth, honour, into the house" in Yoruba.
Komla m African
Used in Ghana, West Africa. Means Tuesday born boy in Ewe
Komlan m Akan
Means "Tuesday" in Akan.
Konadu f & m African
Used among Akan peoples in Ghana, West Africa. Can be used as a first name and surname.
Konan m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé mlan "Wednesday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Wednesday".
Konanani m & f Venda
Means "be good to one another" in Tshivenda.
Kondanani m Tumbuka
Means "love one another" in Tumbuka.
Kondo m Swahili, African
means "war"
Kongola f Chewa
Means "beautiful" in Chewa.
Konijo f Amharic
Means "beautiful" in Amharic.
Kornelis m Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Dutch and Afrikaans variant of Cornelis.
Kosau m Hausa
Means "well fed" in Hausa.
Kosisochi m & f Igbo
Kosisochi Meaning: As it Pleases God. ... [more]
Kosisochukwu m & f Igbo
Means "as it pleases God" in Igbo.
Kosy f African
Nigerian
Kotani m Tsonga
Possibly from the Xitsonga kota meaning "able, talented".
Kotatee m & f Western African, Kru
It means "sit down here" in Kru/Klao language spoken in Liberia.
Kouadio m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé jɔlɛ "Tuesday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Tuesday".
Kouakou m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé we "Thursday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Thursday".
Kouamé m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé mɔnnɛn "Sunday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Sunday".
Kouassi m Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.
Kouassi m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé kisie "Monday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Monday".
Kovu m Swahili
It's Kiswahili for "Scar" and possibly, and is used in the Lion King 2. Kovu was chosen by Scar to become King before Simba returned to Pride Rock. Kovu's Mother Zira almost let Simab kill him when he was just a cub when they were caught in the Pridelands, but Simba told her to take him and leave before departing with his own daughter Kiara... [more]
Kpadia m Ijaw
Meaning unknown. It was the name of an Ijaw king.
Kponoabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "honour god" in Ibibio.
Kromanti m African
War god of ghana
Kshantineyah f Hebrew, African
Is a hebrew name meaning the most beautiful child. It also means most loved with The ending YAH abbreviation of Yahweh this name means God is alway with this child.
Kubanthree f South African, Indian
South Africans of Indian origin... [more]
Kuchanua f Swahili
Means "blossom" in Swahili.
Kucheli f African
Name used by the people of northern Borno state, and Garkida area in Adamawa state. They are called the burah's and paburs.