Browse Submitted Names

This is a list of submitted names in which the usage is African; and the order is random.
gender
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Yarra f & m Western African, Yoruba, Arabic (Maghrebi), Northern African
Means "child" in Yoruba, Nago and Kanga, spoken in Northern and Western Africa.
Buwozi m & f Ijaw
Means "a child whose feet came out first before the head during birth" in Ijaw.
Prezi m Ijaw
Means "born to affluence" in Ijaw.
Takudzwa m Shona
Means "we have been honoured" in Shona.
Izmael m Hungarian (Rare), Eastern African (Rare), Judeo-Catalan, Biblical Hungarian, Biblical Polish, Biblical Czech, Spanish (Latin American, Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare)
Hungarian, Polish, Czech, Judeo-Catalan and Somali form of Ishmael, as well as a Spanish and Portuguese variant of Ismael.
Kaggwa m Ganda
second child (boy) after twins
Tiego m African
meaning: the belated... [more]
Ehizefua m Esan
Means: my (Ehi) Destiny (ze) chooses (Efua) Light or what is white
Foday m Western African
Unknown meaning, possibly from the Temne or Loko languages, spoken in Sierra Leone.... [more]
Thabelo m & f Venda
Means "prayer" in Tshivenda.
Nweke m Igbo
Means “alone” in Igbo.
Kakanyo m & f Tswana
Means "thought" in Setswana.
Yalany m & f Manding
Mandinka name of unknown meaning.
Selom m & f Western African
A Western African name used for both genders.
Odayi m Ijaw (Anglicized)
Means "of his father" in Ijaw.
Cheyeza m & f Tsonga
Means "bright" in Xitsonga.
Qondiwe f Xhosa
Possibly related to qonda, meaning "to understand".
Ndleleni m Zulu
Means "on the road" in Zulu.
Ego f Nigerian
Diminutive of Egobunma.
Samiiro f Somali
Somali form of Samira 1.
Suhipelli m & f Dagbani
Means "happiness" in Dagbani.
Nowam f Xhosa
Means "she is mine" in Xhosa.
Luyando m & f Tonga
Means “To Love” in Tonga. Related to the Tongan name Yandwa.
Adepero f Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the crown pacifies" or "the crown calms" in Yoruba.
Tsotang m Sotho
Means "amazement" in Sesotho.
Tafeta m Sotho
Sotho form of David.
Nwakaego f Igbo
Means "child surpasses money" in Igbo.
Tendeso f & m Shona (Rare)
Can mean "faith" or some may use it as meaning something used to give thanks
Oladeji m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "wealth has doubled" in Yoruba.
Azagba m Western African
Means "born out of town".
Tamayyurt f Berber
Means "full moon" in Tamazight.
Suubban f Somali
Means “goodbye” in Somali.
Njabulu f Zulu
Means "happiness" in Zulu.
Linda m Zulu
Means "wait!" in Zulu (note that this is the imperative singular form of -linda).
Kobi m & f Western African, Akan
Short form of Kobina.
Lutendo f & m African
Means: Faith... [more]
Shaadiyya f Somali
Somali form of Shadya.
Seynab f Somali
Somali form of Zaynab.
Ruzvidzo f Shona
Meaning "contemptuous, despise", it derives from the verb kuzvidza, meaning "to show contempt; to despise"
Tinnie f & m Igbo
Used for very small children.
Vutshila m & f Tsonga
Means "art" in Xitsonga.
Shairi f African
Means "song" in Swahili.
Bahta m Tigrinya
Meaning unknown.
Jorley m African
Name of African origin, meaning "peace".
Yímiká m & f Yoruba
Alternative form of Yinka, ultimately meaning "surround me" in Yoruba.
Johanika f Afrikaans (Rare)
Diminutive of Johanna (compare Johanneke).
Ilane f South African, Brazilian
Problably a feminine form to Ilan.
Biruktawit f Amharic
Originated from the Bible which means 'blessed' and is of Amharic origin
Luol m & f Dinka
Nomathemba f Ndebele, Zulu
Means "hope" in Ndebele and Zulu.
Lami f Hausa
From the Hausa Àlhàmîs meaning “Thursday”.
Nomathamsanqa f Xhosa
Feminine form of Thamsanqa.
Omotunde m Yoruba
Means "the child has returned" 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]
Jahi f Swahili
Worthy
Aderinola f & m Yoruba
The first part, Aderi, means "crown" or "royalty," the second part, Nola, means "wealth" or "riches." The name is interpreted as "crowned with wealth" or "royalty with riches".
Khwezi m & f Zulu
Means "bright morning star" in Zulu.
Esasa f Zulu
Means "be happy" in Zulu.
Awsim m Berber
Means "fawn" in Tamazight.
Opukiri m Ijaw
Means "big land" in Ijaw.
Aseka m Shona
Meaning “he laughs; he who has laughed”.
Zinabu f Western African
Western African form of Zaynab.
Likotsi m Sotho
Means "accidents" in Sotho.
Chilufya m & f Bemba
Means "the one who is lost" in Bemba.
S'kulekile m Zulu
Means “it’s good” in Zulu.
Makunga m Swahili
Means "crazy" in Swahili.
Alioune m Western African
Form of Ali 1 used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
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]
Joas m Ethiopian (Germanized)
German transliteration of Iyoas.
Makatendeka m & f Shona
Means "you are faithful (to God)" in Shona.
Buk m & f Nuer
Jilañulo f & m Jola
Means "we have come back" in Jola.
Ukpono m & f Ibibio
Means "respect" in Ibibio.
Langavi m & f Tsonga
Means "flame" in Xitsonga.
Yennenga f Mossi
Yennenga is a legendary princess, and is considered to be the mother of the Mossi people. Her son Ouedraogo was the founder of the Mossi Kingdoms.
Lunga m Zulu
Means "be good, be kind" in Zulu.
Pelumi f & m Yoruba
Means "with me" in Yoruba.
Abongile m & f Xhosa
Means "thankfulness" or "grateful" in Xhosa.
Ikusasa f & m Zulu
Means "destiny" in Zulu.
Akkalenjayi f & m Bandial
Means "she torments her mother" or "he torments his mother" in Bandial.
Yohana f Indonesian, Amharic, Spanish (Latin American), Portuguese (Brazilian)
Indonesian feminine form of Yohanes, Amharic form of Johanna, Spanish variant of Johana and Portuguese variant of Joana.
Funmike f Yoruba
Means "given to me to cherish" in Yoruba.
Ntombikayise f Zulu
Means "father's girl" in Zulu.
Khanyisa f Tsonga
Means "brighten" in Xitsonga.
Nnamso m & f Ibibio
Means "What have I done?" in Ibibio.
Ojamalia f Nigerian
anambara
Kongola f Chewa
Means "beautiful" in Chewa.
Tariere f Ijaw
Means "the loved woman" in Ijaw.
Amazie f & m African (Modern)
Gifted with purpose
Jawaahir f Somali
Somali form of Jawahir. One bearer is Somali-American model Jawaahir Axmed (born 1991), better known by her Americanized name of Jawahir Ahmed.
Esengo m & f Lingala
Means "joy" in Lingala.
Smiso m South African
Means "rule".
Kutloisiso f & m Sotho (Rare)
Means "understanding" in Sotho.
Luchumo m & f Xhosa
Possibly means "expanding, flourishing" or "prosperity" in Xhosa.
Mosetsanagape f Tswana
Means "a girl again" in Setswana.
Sulemanu m Hausa
Hausa form of Solomon.
Konyek m Eastern African, African Mythology
Konyek is a character from Maasai Mythology. His name has no known meaning.
Nnyeyam m & f Dagbani
"I have learnt my lesson"
Chepkirui f Kalenjin
Means "one who was born while people slept” in Kalenjin.
Aku m Igbo
Means "wealth" in Igbo.
Ifedapo m & f Yoruba
Means "love came together" in Yoruba.
Jasiri f & m Swahili, African American (Rare)
Means "bold, courageous" in Swahili.
Alemu m Amharic
Means "they dreamt" in Amharic.
Didiza f Zulu
Means "flutter" in Zulu.
Uwaila f & m Edo, Western African
Means "prosperity is never late" in Edo/Bini, from uwa (wealth/prosperity) and ila (has no delay)
Monja f German, Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Croatian (Rare), Afrikaans, Dutch
Variant transcription of Russian Моня (see Monya).
Aina f Yoruba
Means "not to be beaten" in Yoruba, from the negative prefix àì- combined with "to beat, hit, flagellate; to defeat". Given to children born with an umbilical cord around their neck; compare Ojo.
Poloko m Sotho
Means "safety" in Sesotho.
Ekio m Western African, Ijaw
Means "wisdom" in Ijaw.
Tubeec m Somali
Meaning: Tubeec is associated with "melodious" or "musical", reflecting a connection to singing or music.... [more]
Síilene m & f Bandial
Means "they (cows) make (birds) fly" in Bandial.
Obera m Luo
"handsome"
Adejugbe m & f Yoruba
Means "royalty does not perish" in Yoruba, from adé "crown, royalty" combined with "does not, cannot be" and gbé "carry, lift; take by force, overpower".
Tlhokomelo m & f Sotho
Means "care" in Sotho.
Naardiid m Somali (Archaic)
Naardiid is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Mosidi f Tswana, Sotho
Means "soot" in Sotho and Tswana.
Elsina f Dutch (Rare), English (American, Rare), Afrikaans
Dutch diminutive of Elisabeth as well as a feminine form of Ale 2.
Titilola f & m African, Yoruba
Means "wealth is forever" in Yoruba.
Toperesu f & m Shona
"Flaming sword" believed to be used by the kings
Fowoke f Yoruba
Means "girl who is pampered with money" in Yoruba.
Ebelembo f Bandial
Means "throwing there" in Bandial.
Boluwaji m & f Yoruba
Means "wakes up with the lord" in Yoruba.
Thulaganyo m & f Tswana
It means "program" or "structure".
Tódìmú m & f Yoruba
Means "enough to hold on to" in Yoruba.
Nyikiwa m & f Tsonga
Means "given" in Xitsonga.
Amandla f & m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "power, strength" in Xhosa and Zulu.... [more]
Masiye m & f Chewa
Means "orphan" in Chichewa, literally translating as "leavings", as in something left behind by a dead person.
Ogenga m Acholi
This name is only given to poweerful people in the area for example, a professor, great politician can name their children "Ogenga"
Bonga m Mbundu
Means "he who is looking" in Mbundu.
Dur-eessa m Sidamo
Means "rich" in Sidama.
Temitayo f & m Yoruba
Means "mine is worthy of joy" in Yoruba.
Ameyo f Akan
Means "Saturday" in Akan.
Kolawole m Yoruba
Means "he brings nobility, wealth, honour, into the house" in Yoruba.
Tagutswa m Shona
Means "we are pleased" in Shona.
Akomo f Luo
"someone delivered during planting or prosperous times of the year"
Osenotse f Tswana
Means "He (God) has made things clear" in Setswana.
Gbolahun f Yoruba
Means "show the wealth" in Yoruba.
Esu m & f Efik
Lu'u-lu'u f Hausa
Means "pearl" or "diamond" in Hausa.
Shumise f Xhosa
10 shillings or 10 bob, created by the father of Alice Jean Shumise Madinga.... [more]
Mathys m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mathijs.
Chukwubuikem m Igbo
Means "God is my strength" in Igbo.
Kedumetse f Tswana
Means "I have agreed" in Setswana.
Novuyo f Xhosa
Feminine form of Vuyo.
Rapelang f & m Sotho
Means "pray" in Sotho.
Teshome m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "he was appointed, he was promoted" in Amharic.
Tamalut f Berber
Berber feminine name meaning "shadow".
Azu m Igbo
Means "fish" in Igbo.
Dideoluwakusidede f Yoruba
Means "the coming of the lord is at hand" in Yoruba.
Olaniyan m Yoruba, African
means "honors surround me"
Liyana f Zulu, English (Modern, Rare)
Directly taken from Zulu liyana "it is raining". As an English name, it is a variant of Liana.
Aizivaishe m & f Shona
Meaning "one who knew the Lord".
Ebiegberi m & f Western African, Ijaw
Means "good news" in Ijaw.
Watna m Western African
Means "let's go" in Balanta, spoken in Guinea Bissau.
Sindiswa f Southern African, Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi
Means "saved" in Zulu and Xhosa.
Izwirashe m & f Shona
It means "the voice of the Lord", one can also use Izwi as the shorter form.
Orelias m & f Nigerian (Latinized, Rare)
Variation of Orelia meaning "Golden One". ... [more]
Gelagile m Amharic
Means "I have reconciled" in Amharic.
Nandi f Zulu
Means "sweet" in Zulu. This was the name of the mother of Shaka, famed warrior king of the Zulus in colonial South Africa (though her grave is marked Nindi).
Mangwanani f Shona
Means "morning" in Shona.
Zale m Western African (Rare, ?)
Unknown meaning. It has seen some use in Senegal.
Qoqanani m & f Ndebele
Means "organise yourself" in Ndebele.
Ememobong m & f Efik
Means "peace of the God" n Efek, derived from emem meaning "peace" and obong meaning "God".
Amenzu m Kabyle
Means "the first" in Kabyle.
Andronica f South African, Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Feminine form of Andronicus. This is also the Latinized form of Andronika.
Anike f Yoruba
Means "had to cherish" in Yoruba, from "to have, possess" and kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
Apapa m Ijaw
Means "groundnut" in Ijaw.
Wòmílójú m & f Yoruba
Means "look at my face" in Yoruba.
Jasimini f Amharic
Amharic form of Jasmine.
Oaitse m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) knows" in Tswana.
Oluwatomiwa m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God searched for me" in Yoruba.
Thusoyaone m Tswana
Means "His (God's) help" in Setswana.
Pinaere f Ijaw
PINAERE an ijaw tribe name of west Africa meaning "LIGHT SKINNED WOMAN" Pina
Tumsilt f Berber
this name means ‘one who is well-built’.
Funebi m & f Ijaw
Means "education is good" in Ijaw.
Nkongho m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Means "follower, pursuant" from the Kenyang and Jagham root koŋó meaning "to follow".
Oluwasogo m & f Yoruba
Means "God makes glory" in Yoruba.
Ebikake f Ijaw
Means "accept good things" in Ijaw.
Saartjie f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Sara. This name was borne by Sarah "Saartjie" Baartman, an African slave (member of the Eastern Cape Khoisan, the indigenous herding tribe that once populated part of South Africa) who was displayed in Europe in the early 19th century.
Siphamandla m South African, Zulu
Means "give us strength" in Zulu.
Sungani m Chewa, Tumbuka
Means "custodian, keeper" in Chewa and Tumbuka.
Tererai m & f Shona
Means "listen, pay attention" in Shona.
Bongi f Xhosa, Southern African
Short form of Sibongile. This was borne by South African singer and songwriter Angela Sibongile "Bongi" Makeba (1950-1985), the only child of singer Miriam Makeba... [more]
Realeboha m Sotho
Means "we are thankful" in Sesotho.
Amanyire f & m Eastern African, Nyoro, Tooro, Nkore, Kiga
Means "God knows" in Nyoro, Tooro, Nkore, and Kiga.
Abye m Ge'ez
Means "big, large" in Ge'ez.
Ntsoaki f Sotho
Means "girl amongst boys" in Sotho, often given to a daughter with many brothers.
Juanelle f English (American, Rare), South African (Rare)
Elaboration of Juana, perhaps inspired by Janelle.
Zakoi m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unknown.
Iwani f African
Means "speak out".
Amesemi f Eastern African, African Mythology
Amesemi was goddess of the ancient Kingdom of Kush, and wife of the god Apedemak.
Mungongege m Nyakyusa
Means "you should follow me" in Nyakyusa.
Sauti f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "voice, noise".
Owolabi m Yoruba
Means "we have given birth to a wealthy person," from 'owo' meaning "money," 'a' meaning "we," and 'abi' meaning "beget."
Tees-ì m & f Sidamo
Means "be wise!" in Sidama.
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
Seithati f Tswana
Means "loves herself" in Tswana.
Busine f Punu
Means "wealth, richness, well-being" in Punu.
Nyamayarwo m & f Nyoro
This name means ‘meat for Death’, indicating the worst of luck.
Ndochii f Shona
Means "What is this?" in Shona.
Christien f Dutch, Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans
Dutch and Afrikaans form of Christine.
Tówùnmí m & f Yoruba
Means "that which I love" in Yoruba.
Damamli f Eastern African
beautiful vision
Thoriso m Sotho
Means "praise" in Sesotho.
Unaithi f Zulu
Variant of Unathi. Meaning: "God is with us" or "God is our strength".
Wẹ̀lọ́lá m & f Yoruba
Means "bathe in honour" in Yoruba.
Abdoul Salam m Western African
Western African form of Abdus Salam.
Caa'isha f Somali (Rare)
Somali variant of Aisha.
Everhard m Dutch, Afrikaans, German
Dutch, Afrikaans and German form of Everard.
Samba f Luba
Means "to console" in Luba-Kasai.
Badra m & f Western African, Arabic
Possibly a variant of Badr.
Ontuetse m Tswana
Means "He (God) has rewarded me" in Setswana.
Emembong m & f Ibibio
Means "peace of god" in Ibibio.
Kuhlula m & f Tsonga
Means "win" in Xitsonga.
Konadu f & m African
Used among Akan peoples in Ghana, West Africa. Can be used as a first name and surname.
Zaakir m South African
Form of Zakir used especially in South Africa.
Chukwunwike m & f Igbo
Means "God has the power" in Igbo.
Sisi f African
Means "born on a Sunday" in Fante.
Ayotimofe m & f Yoruba
It means the Joy or Happiness that I desire or want
Akunna f Igbo
Means "father's wealth" in Igbo, from àkụ̀ meaning "property, wealth" and ńnà meaning "father".
Ntombokhanyo f Xhosa
Means "girl of light" in Xhosa.
Ndiane m Kaguru
Means "I have eaten with them" in Chikaguru.
Eberechi f & m Igbo
The mercy of God
Funware m Ijaw
meaning library or house of book
Oke m & f Yoruba
Means "child born inside an unbroken membrane."
Xareed m Somali
Means "rain" in Somali.
Namibia f Kongo
Shield
Abush m Oromo
Means, 'little boy' often used to denote the youngest child of a family.
Qeambanyeasht m Datooga
Means "noise maker" in Datooga.
Tómikẹ́ f Yoruba
Means "enough for me to cherish, care for" in Yoruba.
Zira f Berber
Feminine of Ziri.
Xoliswa f Xhosa
From the Xhosa ukuxola meaning "to calm down".
Rashahel f Somali (?)
Somali form of Rachel.
Farijika f Swahili
Means “be relieved” in Swahili.
Leru m Tswana
Means "cloud" in Setswana.
Ethuka f Zulu
Means "surprise" in Zulu.
Zugsung m & f Dagbani
Means "good luck" or "good fortune" in Dagbani.
Unetu m Amharic
Means "the truth" in Amharic.
Uys m Afrikaans
Transferred use of the surname Uys. The Uys family played a significant role in South African history during the nineteenth century and made distinguished contributions to South African culture, politics and sports during the course of the twentieth.
Mulatu m Amharic
Means "the abundance" in Amharic.
Siku m & f Swahili
Means "day" in Swahili.
Nozipho f Xhosa
From the Xhosa isipho meaning "gift".
Kadihungila m Kaguru
Means "surprised" in Chikaguru.
Felleng f Sotho
Means "beyond the end" in Sotho.
Omonigho m & f Urhobo
Omonigho is a name of Edoid (Benin, Isoko, Urhobo) origin and it means "A Child is greater than money."