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.
Modesola f Yoruba
"I have come into wealth"
Magan m Somali
Means "protection" or "refuge" in Somali.
Dative f French (African), Eastern African
French form of Dativa, mostly used in Rwanda.
Funkuro m Ijaw
Means "knowledge is power" in Ijaw.
Ataïs m Kongo (Gallicized), Vili
Means ‘Papa Comes’ in Vili.
Reetsang m Tswana
Means "pay attention" or "listen" in Setswana.
Jiñappu m & f Bandial
Means "the little one" in Bandial.
Siyavuya m Xhosa
Means "we are happy" in Xhosa.
Nthabi f Sotho
Means "make me happy" in Sotho.
Yemar m Amharic
Means "may he be pleasing" in Amharic.
Banyatsang f Tswana
Means "why do they doubt?" in Setswana.
Tambika f Swahili
Means "offering" in Swahili.
Mailafia m Hausa
Means "easygoing" in Hausa.
Nduma f Shona
Means "token of love" in Shona.
Alioune m Western African
Form of Ali 1 used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Fasingha m & f Ijaw
Means "a name never dies" in Ijaw.
Masia f South African (?)
Probably means "leader".
Nhlakanipho f Zulu
From Zulu inhlakanipho meaning "wisdom".
Sakabwesye f Nyakyusa
Means "to win" in Nyakyusa.
Tèminìkan f & m Yoruba
Means "only mine" in Yoruba.
Umakoti f Zulu
Means "bride" in Zulu.
Roble m Eastern African, Somali
Variant of Rooble, used outside of Somalia.
Nyambeni f & m Venda
Means "speak about me" in Tshivenda.
Delnesahu m Amharic
Means "I defeated" in Amharic.
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.
Anebdad m Berber
Means "support" in Amazigh.
Dooakpo f & m Ijaw
Means "peaceful world" in Ijaw.
Okonofua m Nigerian
This is a Nigerian surname.
Ayelè f Ewe, African
Name of Ewa origin, meaning "happiness has come", "happiness is here".
Abasiama m & f Ibibio, Efik
Means "it is God that loves" or "God's love" in Ibibio and Efik.
Nyampweji f Lunda
Means "streams of tears" in Lunda.
Sewelo f Tswana
Means "rare" in Setswana.
Tlaytmas f Northern African (Modern)
Female name meaning "The one with brothers/has brothers". Combination of "Tla" meaning "has", and "Ytmas" meaning "Her brothers".
Njoki f Kikuyu
Means "the one who resurrected" in Kikuyu.
Akili m Swahili (Rare)
From Swahili akili meaning "mind, inteligence".
Tiémoko m Western African
Meaning as of yet unknown, but likely of Senufo origin.... [more]
Biebele f & m Ijaw
Means "joyful" in Ijaw.
Asulil m Berber
Means "rock" in Tamazight.
Sariaha f African, English (African)
Name introduced in the early 2010s.
Hlengani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga hlenga meaning "collect, gather".
Dikembe m Central African
From Dikembe Mutombo (born June 25, 1966) a Congolese American retired professional basketball player who played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Outside basketball, he has become known for his humanitarian work.
Temiloluwa m & f Yoruba
Means "God is mine" in Yoruba.
Thobeka f Southern African, Zulu
Means "humble" in Zulu.
Kasinda f Kongo
Means “child who was born at dawn” in Kikongo.
Bašankʼ-a m Sidamo
Means "sorghum" in Sidama.
Fula-ngenge m Kongo
1) "one who is chosen by GOD to control the destiny of those who are less fortunate" in Lingala... [more]
Jessic m Western African
Probably a masculine form of Jessica.
Siri f African
Kenya-Tanzania... [more]
Kaku m Akan
Variant of Akua.
Violett f English (Modern), Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Hungarian (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
English variant and Swedish form of Violet as well as a Hungarian borrowing of French Violette. This name coincides with the Swedish word violett "purple (the color)".
Aklilu m Tigrinya
Means "laurel wreath" in Tigrinya.
Annan m Akan
Variant of Anan 1.
Japie m & f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Diminutive of Jaap.
Maanda m & f Venda
Means "power, stength" in Tshivenda.
Siman f Berber (Rare)
Siman stands for 'two souls', referring to parents, the name in away implies the child is their combination or fruit.
Ehiremen m Esan
My Destiny (It can also mean the Lord) has given me
Dziva f Shona
Means "water" in Shona.
Tharja m Berber (Rare)
Derived from the Berber word ⵜⵓⵔⵣⴰ or ⵜⴰⵔⵊⴰ for the "Apple of Sodom", (scientific name: Calotropis procera), a plant native to North Africa and the Mediterranean region.
Beduna m Nigerian, Ngas
The name BEDUNA is from plateau state Nigeria which means "is it bad?" It's a question name, when someone utter a word that is not good and didn't come to pass then you can ask him BEDUNA "is it bad?"
Bafana m Zulu
Derived from Zulu abafana, the plural form of umfana, meaning "boy, young man."
Oburu m Luo
"born during a funeral"
Vutomi m & f Tsonga
Means "life" in Xitsonga.
Kissa f Ganda (?)
Allegedly a Luganda name meaning "born after twins".
Oluwatobiloba f & m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the lord is great as king" in Yoruba.
Asamahle f Nguni
Means "she is still beautiful" in Nguni.
Ehizefua m Esan
Means: my (Ehi) Destiny (ze) chooses (Efua) Light or what is white
Pianga f Chewa
Means “I’m sorry” in Chichewa.
Xaawa f Somali
Variant of Xaawo.
Maxamuud m Somali
Somali form of Mohammad.
Onyango m Luo
"born in the morning before noon"
Mayowa m & f African
Some sources say this name means "one who brings joy".... [more]
Moráyọ̀ f & m Yoruba
A unisex name meaning "I have found joy" or "I have joy". Morayo Afolabi-Brown, a Nigerian media personality, is a bearer of this name.
Babatu m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unknown.
Reabetswe f Somali
Means "we have been provided for" in Sesotho.
Sowunmi m Yoruba, African
Means "the sorcerer is attractive to me" in Yoruba.
Odafin m Yoruba (?)
Literally meaning 'lawmaker' or 'the establisher of laws'.
Takalani m & f Venda
Means "be happy" in Tshivenda.
Kosy f African
Nigerian
Musa f Ndebele
Means "grace" in Ndebele.
Vukona f Tsonga
Means "presence" in Xitsonga.
Otu m Efik
Means "chief; king" in Efik.
Kinfeosioluwa f Yoruba
Means "I may love you more (my lord)" in Yoruba.
Matinyaradza m & f Shona
Means "you have comforted us" in Shona.
Ayotundun f Yoruba
Means "joy is sweet" in Yoruba.
Kuhlula m & f Tsonga
Means "win" in Xitsonga.
Habteyes m Ge'ez
Means "gift of Jesus" in Ge'ez.
Karugendo m & f Haya
Means "pertaining to a journey" in Ruhaya.
Cetshwayo m Zulu
Means "advised" in Zulu. This was the name of a Zulu King,
Derifagha f & m Ijaw
Means "laughter can never end" in Ijaw.
Onyakopon m Akan
Onyakopon is the God of the Akan people of Ghana. The name means "he who knows and sees everything" and "omniscient, omnipotent sky god" in the Akan language. ... [more]
Zillale m African
Bantu... [more]
Tobechukwu m Igbo
Means "praise God" in Igbo.
Tómi m & f Yoruba
Means "enough for me" in Yoruba.
Odion m Western African, Esan
Means "the elder twin" in Esan.
Chamsia f Eastern African
Possibly a Comorian form of Shams. A notable bearer is Comorian singer Chamsia Sagaf (1955-).
Omodunni f & m Yoruba (Rare)
Means "having a child is joyful" in Yoruba.
Witness m English (African), South African
From the English word, witness, "one who has personal knowledge of something".
Adeoye m Western African, Yoruba
From Yoruba adé oyè, which literally means "the crown of chieftancy", and is understood to mean "the crown given to me to celebrate my acquired chieftaincy title".
Atarelang m & f Tswana
Means "receive with cupped hands" in Setswana.
Alazar m Ethiopian
Ethiopian form of Eliezer.
Imbasa f & m Zulu
Means "star" in Zulu.
Golibenachukwu f Igbo
Means "rejoice the Lord" in Igbo.
Kokolo m Kongo
Of unknown meaning.
Penda m African
Penda is a shortend name of the Name Pendapala meaning "to be brave" or "be brave" in the ovomba language, indigeonous to the ovamo peolple of Namibia. ... [more]
Thaba m Sotho
Means "mountain" in Sotho.
Kimana f English, Eastern African
Possibly an invented name, an elaboration of Kim 1 with the name suffix -ana, or a feminine form of Kimani, or from the name of the town in Kenya.... [more]
Nhwireng f Akan
Means "flower" in Akan.
Segolame f Tswana
Means "my luck" in Setswana.
Kayokwa m Southern African, Bemba
Means "sugar, sweet" in Bemba.
Aijuka m Swahili
Aijuka means "he knew' or 'he understands' in reference to gaining knowledge & education.
Teru f Ethiopian
Means "good". This name is often combined with other names (Teruworq is an example).
Afianwan f Ibibio
Means "fair lady" in Ibibio.
Chukwumaeze m Igbo
Means "God knows the king" in Igbo.
Ajagbe m Yoruba
Means "fought to carry" in Yoruba.
Atanda m Yoruba
Means "created to shine" in Yoruba, from tàn "to shine, brighten" and "to create".
Nenaunir m & f Maasai, African Mythology
Of uncertain meaning, likely linked to rain. Nenaunir is the villainous god of rain in Maasai mythology, being depicted as a rainbow snake.
Zakoi m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unknown.
Opukiri m Ijaw
Means "big land" in Ijaw.
Sinethemba f South African, Zulu
Means "we have hope" in Zulu.
Febechi f Nigerian
It's of African origin. It means, "worshipper of God"
Degmo f Somali
Means "district" in Somali.
Evaleni f Jagham
This name originates from the Legbo, a language spoken by people from Ekoi tribe in Cross River. It means "God's gift".
Chionye m Igbo
Means "God will give to him what he prays for" in Igbo.
Saratu f Hausa
Hausa form of Sara.
Phutheho f Sotho
Means "congregation" in Sesotho.
Nyawĩra f Kikuyu
Means "the hardworking one" in Kikuyu.
Oyin f Yoruba
Means "honey" in Yoruba.
Poloko m Sotho
Means "safety" in Sesotho.
Zolana f Kongo
Lover of hearts
Nontuthuzelo f Xhosa
From the Xhosa intuthuzelo meaning "comfort, consolation".
Senyagwa m Kaguru
Means "eloquent" in Chikaguru.
Rynhard m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Rijnhard.
Ngor m Dinka
Means "male child in a pair of twins" in Dinka.
Esitala f Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Esther.
Lushomo f & m Southern African
"Grace or mercy" (chisomo)
Omotanwa f Yoruba
Means "the child we searched for" in Yoruba.
Jinga m & f Shona
Meaning “piedmont; towards or near the foundation; base.” Longer forms of the name include Jingarechikomo, Jingachinga or Jingarashe.
Limpho f Sotho
Means "gifts" in Lesotho.
Ahamat m Thai (Muslim), Central African
Form of Ahmad used in Thailand and central Africa.
Bonga m Mbundu
Means "he who is looking" in Mbundu.
Sade f Yoruba, English (Modern)
Short form of Folasade. It was popularized in the mid-80s due to the Nigerian-born British singer Sade Adu (born Helen Folasade Adu, 1959-) and her eponymous smooth jazz band Sade.
Silibele m Ndebele
Means "we're unaware" in Ndebele.
Atlantis f & m English (Modern, Rare), South African (Rare)
Taken from the name of the mythological place of the Atlantis, derived from the Greek Ἀτλαντὶς νῆσος meaning “island of Atlas.”
Hekima f & m Swahili
Means "wisdom" in Swahili.
Babalola m Yoruba
Means "father is wealth" in Yoruba.
Ayibaemi f & m Ijaw
Means "God exists" in Ijaw.
Sethina f Western African
Meaning as of yet unknown. This name is predominantly used in Ghana.
Aniamaowo f Efik
Means "who likes you" in Efik.
Fortunate f African (Rare)
From the English word Fortunate, "favoured by or involving good luck; lucky."
Nyimenka f Nigerian
Nyimenka is used in Nigeria, particularly in Eleme, and means 'good mother.'
Ayibanua f & m Ijaw
Means "thank God" in Ijaw.
Mama f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Saturday" in Fante, a dialect of Akan.
Uzuru m & f Shona
Meaning “a higher place; sky; paradise; heaven”.
Mwara f Kikuyu
Means "the clever one" in Kikuyu.
Kuttayibe m Nigerian, Kanuri
Kanuri form of Qutaybah.
Moustaphe m Western African
West African variant of Mustafa.
Zusakhe f Xhosa
Means "guide us" in Xhosa.
Alara m Yoruba, History
Possibly from the title of the traditional monarch of either Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín or Ará-Èkìtì, from Yoruba oni-, a possessive forming prefix, and either Ìlárá "the ones who possess many relatives” or Ará, of unknown etymology... [more]
Ndhe'neza m Tsonga
Means "the thing", implying "the secret", in Xitsonga.
Mihret m & f Ge'ez, Amharic
Means "mercy", ultimately from Ge'ez ምህረት
Irawo m & f Yoruba
Means "star" in Yoruba.
Garba m Western African, Hausa
Hausa variant of Abu Bakr.
Kongola f Chewa
Means "beautiful" in Chewa.
Illi f Berber (Rare)
Literally "My daughter"
Baloua m Berber
Meaning unknown.
Sijuola f Yoruba
Means "wealth opener" or "open the eyes of wealth" in Yoruba.
Awsim m Berber
Means "fawn" in Tamazight.
Tshilobu m & f Luba
Means "brave" in Luba-Kasai.
Yufitri m Berber
Means "nicer than a star" in Amazigh.
Tena f & m Ethiopian
Possibly from Ethiopian ጠና (t'ena) meaning "become strong" or "older".
Alazidei m Ijaw
Meaning "I have given birth to royalty" in Ijaw.
Bobolayefa f Ijaw
Means "nothing can be compared to my own" in Ijaw.
Uwamahoro f Rwandan
“Bearer of peace” from the “Bearer of peace” elements Uwa-, a possessive prefix meaning “of” or “belonging to” and Mahoro, which means “peace”.
Danata f Ge'ez
Feminine form of Danat.
Oluwajoba f & m Yoruba
Means "God reigns" in Yoruba.
Madzivandlela f Tsonga
Means "know" in Xitsonga.
Liepollo f Sotho
Revelations
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.
Chimola m Kaguru
Means "seizer, breaker of things" in Chikaguru.
Asali f Swahili
Means "honey" in Swahili.
Mearjeang’da m Datooga
Means "not at rest, restless" in Datooga.
Alabi m & f Yoruba
Means "born of the white cloth, born of purity" in Yoruba, from ala "white cloth, purity" and "to give birth, be born".
Fa'idah f Hausa
Means "benefit, advantage" in Hausa.
Cacile f Ndebele
Means "clear" in Ndebele.
Siphokazi f Zulu
Feminine form of Sipho.
Cabh'a f Kabyle
Possibly means "beautiful" in Kabyle.
Dzuwa m & f Chewa
Means "sunshine" in Chewa.
Osemundianmen m & f Esan
Means "God is standing with me" in Esan.
Sarel m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Charles.
Thatoyaone m & f Tswana
Means "His (God's) will" in Setswana.
Nwakanma f Igbo
This feminine name means "Child is better" in Igbo.
Irbad m Somali
Irbad is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Mukai f Shona
Means "be alert; wise-up" in Shona.
Aburu m Dagbani
One of the royal gates of Dagbong Kingdom denoting "Corrupted name of Abdulai"
Herru f Berber
Etymology unknown. This was the name of a famous poetess.
Kotatee m & f Western African, Kru
It means "sit down here" in Kru/Klao language spoken in Liberia.
Masiza m Tsonga
Means "the one who helps" in Xitsonga.
Godstime m & f Nigerian
From the English phrase God's time.
Batandwa m & f African
Batandwa was a used name reffering to followers in Christianity.
Odirile m Tswana
Means "he has done, created, made" in Tswana.
Oarabile m & f Tswana
Means "he (god) has answered" in Tswana.
Omosefe f Nigerian
Meaning “child is greater than wealth” in the Isan language of Nigeria.
Mosetsanagape f Tswana
Means "a girl again" in Setswana.
Naas m Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Short form of Athanaas, Donaas and Ignaas.... [more]
Kilasa f Nyakyusa
Means "to be outspoken" in Nyakyusa.
Nukunu f & m Ewe
Meaning miracle or wonder
Shermarke m Somali
Means "one who brings good fortune" in Somali.
Cheja f Kaguru
Means "we came" in Chikaguru.
Feyi f Ewe
Means "a year has passed" in Ewe.
Tafa m & f Yoruba
Means "belonging to the white oracle" in Yoruba, derived from ti meaning "belonging to", àlà meaning "white cloth; banner" and ifá meaning "divination; oracle". It is possibly used as diminutive of a longer name as well.
Achiko m & f Shona
A shorter form of the name Achiriko, meaning "one who remained" or "one who is still there".
Umoh m & f Efik
Means "born during a festival" in Efik.
Tilelli f Ancient Berber, Kabyle
Means "freedom" in Kabyle.
Dizgha m Tumbuka
Means "to be quiet" in Tumbuka.
Vukosi m Tsonga
Means "royalty, chiefdom" in Xitsonga.
Maame f Central African (Latinized, Rare)
Maame comes from Africa, and is said to mean 'pearl', or 'mother', depending on the variation.
Saheed m African American, African
In the Middle East, Saheed holds a special place within the region’s diverse cultural mosaic. It is embraced by countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt, where it represents a deep connection to religious and spiritual beliefs... [more]
Ashu m & f Kenyang, Jagham
From Kenyang sǒ meaning "wash, clean, clear." Alternatively it could stem from the verb sǔ in Ejagham which has the same meaning.
Kuchanua f Swahili
Means "blossom" in Swahili.
Cabdinuur m Somali
Somali form of Abd an-Nur.
Najuma f Swahili
Means "abounding in joy" in Swahili.
Gaodithong f Tswana
Means "He (God) is not shy" in Setswana.
Oladepe f Yoruba
Means "complete wealth has come" in Yoruba.
Amarachukwu f Nigerian, Igbo
Means "God's grace" in Igbo. (See Amara and Chukwu).
Apputi m & f Bandial
Means "the tiny one" in Bandial.
Abejul m & f Bandial
Means "the one who pouts" in Bandial.
Stanilde f Medieval English, Central African (Rare), English (Rare)
Means "Stone battle". It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon elements stan 1 meaning "Stone", and hild meaning "Battle".
Yäm'ata m Eastern African
Ethiopian variant of Adimata.
Ogbodo m & f Igbo
Ogbodo is an ancient name. It is used/ popularly heard in the Eastern part of Nigeria. ... [more]
Odayi m Ijaw (Anglicized)
Means "of his father" in Ijaw.
Weransia f Chaga
Means "hope" in Chagga.
Widdineh m Amharic
Means "you are dear" in Amharic.
Asanye m & f Efik
Mustaphe m Somali
Somali form of Mustafa.
Waridi f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "rose", ultimately from the Arabic Warda.
Nakedi m & f Tswana
Means "striped polecat" in Setswana.