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.
Adegbemibu m & f Yoruba
Means "the crown did not insult me” in Yoruba.
Samere m Shona
Shona form of Samuel.
Waliko f & m Tumbuka
Means "God is there" in Tumbuka.
Kutloisiso f & m Sotho (Rare)
Means "understanding" in Sotho.
Akwenye m Ovambo
Means "spring (season)" in Ovambo.
Maleba m African
African name, originally from Angola
Mokgethi m Sotho
Variant form of Mokhethi.
Umoh m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "wealth" in Ibibio.
Namiri m Kongo
Protector of the village
Adeoti m Yoruba
Means "royalty does not fade" in Yoruba, derived from adé meaning "crown, royalty", (k)ò meaning "does not" and tí meaning "fade, be blemished".
Jinga m & f Shona
Meaning “piedmont; towards or near the foundation; base.” Longer forms of the name include Jingarechikomo, Jingachinga or Jingarashe.
Ntswaki f Sotho
Means "girl amongst boys" or "girl with many brothers" in Sotho.
Obafemi m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the king loves me" in Yoruba.
Tolúwaniopẹ́ m & f Yoruba
Means "thanksgiving to God" in Yoruba.
Skhumbuzo m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "reminder, remembrance" in Zulu and Xhosa.
Serval m Western African
Directly taken from the name of the African cat species.
Tẹ́nífáyọ̀ f & m Yoruba
Means "roll out the carpet to receive joy" in Yoruba.
Risuna f Tsonga
Means "agreeable scent" in Xitsonga.
Ulu f Igbo
Given for the second-born female.
Nuux m Somali
Somali form of Noah 1.
Anoni m Swahili
Variation of Anno.
Mor m & f Luo (Modern)
"happiness"
Tosin m & f Yoruba
Means "worthy of worship" in Yoruba, also a short form of Oluwatosin.
Oabile m Tswana
Means "He (God) gave" in Tswana.
Ebidisebofa m & f Ijaw
Means "there is no one that doesn't like good things" in Ijaw.
Utibeima f Ibibio
Means "wonderful love" in Ibibio.
Barisua f & m Ogoni
Means "God knows" in Khana.
Natukunda m & f Kiga, Tooro, Nkore
Meaning ‘He loves us’ in Nkore and Kiga.
Nkpoikankeabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "nothing is hard for god" in Ibibio.
Makaziwe f & m Xhosa
Means "let him/her be known" in Xhosa.... [more]
Kealeboa m Sotho
Means "thank you" in Sotho.
Dayax m & f Somali
Means "moon" in Somali. A well-known bearer is Dayax Dalnuurshe, an award-winning Somali musical artist.
Fwasani f & m Tumbuka
Means "to be calm" in Tumbuka.
Sakabeju f Nyakyusa
Means "potato leaf" in Nyakyusa.
Thulisile f African, Zulu
Means "she who made things quiet" in Zulu.
Amilna f Southern African
Amilna Estêvão is an Angolan model.
Odinakachukwu m & f Igbo
Means "it's in the hand of God" in Igbo, from o "it's", di "in", na "the", áká "hand" (compare Akachi) and Chukwu "God".
Affiong f Efik
Variant of Effiong.
Andulile m Nyakyusa
Means "He helped me" in Nyakyusa.
Olatayo m & f Yoruba
Means "happiness" in Yoruba.
Modupe f & m Yoruba
Means "I thank (God)"... [more]
Faderera f African
Meaning"God's Crown"
Ekpolayun m Ijaw
Means "it will reach you too" in Ijaw.
Iyasus m Ethiopian, Theology
Form of Jesus used in Ethiopia.
Gudeta m Amharic
Means "obligation" in Amharic.
Maxamuud m Somali
Somali form of Mohammad.
Ankia f Afrikaans
Variant of Ankie.
Hassane m Arabic (Maghrebi), Western African
Alternate transcription of Hassan as well as the form used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Essien m Efik
Means "outside" in Efik.
Semshak m African, Nigerian, Ngas
A common name used among the Jos Plateau people of Nigeria. Means "stay together".
Mavuno m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "harvest time".
Akin m Yoruba
Means "the brave one" in Yoruba.
Dewald m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Dietbald or Dietwald.
Osazee m Edo
This is a religious name. It deals with Osanobua, the creator god, intervention from Edo mythology. There are different meanings apparently. In the case of Osazee one is "God's chosen one." Another case for Osazee is "Osanobua has reconciled us." In the case of Osaze its "God delivered me." In the Osaze situation it deals with conflict and family stress... [more]
Bada m Yoruba
Possibly from Yoruba meaning "togerher with" and meaning "mix". It is likely a short form of another name.
Ekaete f Western African, Ibibio, Efik
Means "father's mother". It is given in honor of one's paternal grandmother.
Khalif m Arabic, Somali, African American
Alternate transcription of Khalifa as well as the Somali form.
Kiume m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "stamina, strength".
Nua f Ogoni
Means "second daughter" in Khana,... [more]
Fa'izah f Hausa
Means "victorious" in Hausa.
Onyeyabocoma m & f Agatu
Means "Who can act as God?" in Agatu.
Hulisani m & f Venda
Means "respect" in Tshivenda.
Dilivio m Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Surinamese, Rare)
Since this name is also found written as Di Livio, it is probably a combination of the Italian preposition di meaning "of" with the given name Livio... [more]
Nyenganyenga f Shona
Means "swallow" in Shona.
Nkeoma f & m Igbo
Means "that which is good" in Igbo.
Tzeddig f Berber
Meaning unknown.
Akoma m & f Central African, African Mythology
Akoma is the creator god of Pahuin mythology. His name Means “creator” in Pahuin, a common language in parts of São Tomé and Principe, southern Cameroon, much of northern Gabon, and mainland Equatorial Guinea.
Usen m Efik
Means "the day" in Efik.
Migael m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Michael.
Elo f Esan
Means "face, eye" in Esan.
Fwasa m Tumbuka
Means "to be calm" in Tumbuka.
Bangsim m & f Dagbani
"Knowledge" denoting "Intelligence"
Modupe-oluwa m & f Yoruba, African
Combination of Yoruba Modupe "I thank" or "thank you" and Oluwa meaning "God, lord".
Thabiti m Swahili
Means “stable” in Swahili.
Tangu f & m Tumbuka
Means "first", usually given to the firstborn of twins.
Abam f African
Abam’s meaning is “second child after twins”
Inibrakemi f Ijaw
Means "your destiny is in your hands" in Ijaw.
Miyelani m & f Tsonga
Means "keep quiet" in Xitsonga.
Godwinson m African (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Godwinson.
Didiza f Zulu
Means "flutter" in Zulu.
Beliyu-work f Amharic
Means "especially gold" in Amharic.
Johanika f Afrikaans (Rare)
Diminutive of Johanna (compare Johanneke).
Opei m Akan
Oldest child in Akuapem Twi
Alaere f Ijaw
Means "queen, woman of substance" in Ijaw.
Oluwasolafunmi m & f Yoruba
Means "God has made wealth for me" in Yoruba.
Ndzalama f Tsonga
Means "emerald" in Xitsonga.
Ochola m Luo
"birthed after the death of the father"
Eme-obong f Efik
Means "precious one of God" in Efik.
Tlatig f Berber
Means "worthy" in Tamazight.
Sindisa m & f Southern African (Rare), Zulu (Rare)
From Zulu sindisa meaning "save, redeem, rescue".
Wuntima f & m Dagbani
Means "God has given me" in Dagbani.
Nyadzayo m & f Shona
Zimbabwean
Gbambeli m Western African
Masculine name originating from the Banda Traditional Area & from the Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana.
Asaba m & f Tooro
Adigun m & f Yoruba
Means "bound upright" in Yoruba, figuratively "well-planned and successful".
Oluwatoni m & f Yoruba (Modern, Archaic)
Means "the lord is worth having" in Yoruba.
Meleke f Manding
Meleke is Bambara for the following word. "Angel"
Msengi m African
Tsonga and Shangaan origins
Okenna m Igbo
derived from the combination of two words of the Igbo origin,"OKE" and "NNA" literally meaning "GREAT" and "FATHER".... [more]
Esengo m & f Lingala
Means "joy" in Lingala.
Chidumebi f & m Igbo
A name commonly used among the Igbo people of southeast Nigeria. Particularly in Imo state, the name translates to, "God is at my side" or conversely, "God is with me". While it is used by men, the name is more commonly given to girls
Riana f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Rian.
Outule m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) heard" in Setswana.
Itonyo f & m Ijaw
Means "my thought" in Ijaw.
Pironkon m African
A word for pig from the Maroon people. Derived from the term 'a rasher of bacon'.
Zibusiso f Ndebele
Means "blessings" in Ndebele.
Pacificus m Late Roman, South African
Means "peacemaker" in Latin. From the Latin pāx 'peace' and faciō 'I do, make'.... [more]
Goitsemodimo m Tswana
Means "only God knows" in Setswana.
Hadidja f Central African, Comorian
Form of Khadija used in Central Africa and the Comoros.
Tafachi f Amharic
Means "sweet" in Amharic.
Maax m Somali
Maax (pronounced "Mah-ah") is a Somali name. It is not one of the most common names but is still recognized within the Somali community. Somali names often have meanings tied to culture, nature, or qualities.
Simbo m Chaga
Means "harvest, divine gift" in Chagga.
Chamsia f Eastern African
Possibly a Comorian form of Shams. A notable bearer is Comorian singer Chamsia Sagaf (1955-).
Sele f & m Ijaw
Means "judge or plan carefully" in Ijaw.
Ehigoco m & f Agatu
Means "gift of God" in Agatu.
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]
Nshimirimana f Rundi
Means "I thank God" in Kirundi.
Mariyamu f Haya
Ruhaya form of Mariam.
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.
Lounès m Kabyle
Means "companion" or "to keep company" in Kabyle, possibly of Arabic origin.
Asanye m & f Efik
Akiki m Eastern African, Nkore
Means "friend" in Nkore, spoken in Uganda.
Ishemunonzwa m Shona
It means "Lord you hear", another variation is Ishemanzwa.
Azland f African, English (American, Rare)
As an African name it means "powerful". As an English name, it is an alternate spelling of Azlan which is a variant of Aslan, a Turkish name meaning "lion"... [more]
Biruk m Ethiopian, African
Transferred use of the surname Biruk, after the footballer Shai Biruk.
Luchumo m & f Xhosa
Possibly means "expanding, flourishing" or "prosperity" in Xhosa.
Chiratidzo f Shona
Meaning "a sign" or "a symbol.
Adeniyi m Yoruba, Nigerian
Means "the crown is precious" in Yoruba.
Mengesha m African
A name once found mainly amongst the higher-up figures of Imperial Ethiopia, often superseding important titles of royal hierarchy. Now a much rarer name in modern Ethiopia.
Liboko f Sotho
Means "praises" in Sotho.
Fatouma f Western African
Form of Fatimah used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Rivoningo f Tsonga
Means "light" in Xitsonga.
Layomi m & f Yoruba
It means God is my joy in Yoruba
Ebeggi m Berber
Means "jackal" in Tamazight.
Xaabsade m Somali
Means "keeper" in Somali.
Ifedayo f Yoruba
Means "love turned to joy" in Yoruba.
Maphoi f Tswana
Means "doves" in Setswana.
Jaramogi m Luo
"very courageous"
Pereagbe m & f Ijaw
Means "wealth suits me" in Ijaw.
Yọyin m & f Yoruba
Means "bring out honey, sweetness" in Yoruba.
Abedikani m & f Alur
Means "Where do I stay?" in Alur language. It is given to someone who is born to a parent or parents who are disliked by, or in conflict with, their familymembers or community.
Maru m & f Tswana
Means cloud. In setswana culture anything which has to do with water, which is a precious commodity is loved. Clouds bring rain and so are welcomed wherever they appear.
Tandeko m Zulu
Always lovable. From Bantu root tande
Askale f Amharic (Rare)
Probably based on "Askal of Mary" (A type of flower).
Tsoalo f & m Sotho
Means "birth".
Kosisochukwu m & f Igbo
Means "as it pleases God" in Igbo.
Pula f Sotho
Means "rain" in Sotho.
Ejimmadu m & f Igbo
I am with human being
Goodluck m African
A famous bearer is the Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
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.
Nsoma f Tsonga
Means "anchor" in Xitsonga.
Gbemi m Yoruba
Derived from the Yoruba gbé "(to) carry" (see: Gbemisola).
Mojoyinade m & f Yoruba
Means "I enjoyed the splendor of being royalty" in Yoruba.
Maame f Central African (Latinized, Rare)
Maame comes from Africa, and is said to mean 'pearl', or 'mother', depending on the variation.
Omolola m & f Yoruba
Means "the child is wealthy" in Yoruba.
Takle-haimanot m Ge'ez
Means "plant of the faith" in Ge'ez.
Nwakanma f Igbo
This feminine name means "Child is better" in Igbo.
Kamohelo m & f Sotho
Means "acceptance" or "welcome" in Sotho.
Ebizimor m & f Ijaw
Means "born in a good season" in Ijaw.
Gebru m Tigrinya, Ge'ez
Variant of Gebre often seen in Tigrinya.
Ekuseni f Zulu
Means "in the morning" in Zulu.
Njalwuni m & f Dagbani
Literally means "Given my life to God" "Leaning on God"
Eghard m Germanic, Afrikaans
The first element of this name is derived from ag, an uncertain element for which several etymologies have been proposed. The most widely accepted explanation is that it comes from Proto-Germanic *agjo meaning "sharp, pointed"... [more]
Basani f Tsonga
Means "be clean, be white" in Xitsonga.
Çetulo f Bandial
Means "died coming" in Bandial. This is considered a 'death prevention' name.
Adewonuola m & f Yoruba
Royalty enters wealth
Tintifawin f Berber
Means "of the light, shining" in Tamazight.
Criske f Afrikaans
Merging of the names Christen and Marike.
Nelisiwe f Zulu
Means "satisfied" in Zulu.
Khotso m & f African
Means 'Peace'Tshwana(South African)
Keatlile m Tswana
Means "I have increased" in Setswana.
Akaziwe f Nguni
Means "she must be introduced" in Nguni.
Fiba f African
This is name for a woman born on Friday. The name may mean mild and gentle. It's derived from the Akan name Afua with the same meaning and shows contamination from the Christian name Phoebe which has a similiar pronunciation... [more]
Malkat f Northern African, Muslim
Possibly means "queen of the house", deriving from the Arabic element malaka ("queen"). Name borne by a prominent Sudanese author known for her realist novel The Wide Void.
Akouvi f Ewe, African
Name of Ewe origin, meaning "God answered".
Tshilobu m & f Luba
Means "brave" in Luba-Kasai.
Odu m & f Yoruba
A name from the Yoruba language of Nigeria, possibly meaning "womb" but more likely meaning "mystery", in particular to refer to the sacred mystery of God. ... [more]
Adhra f Swahili
Means "apology" in Swahili.
Mayen m Dinka
Means a specific kind of ox in Dinka language.
Maryke f Afrikaans, Dutch (Archaic)
Afrikaans and archaic Dutch form of Marijke.
Jonase m Sotho
Sesotho form of Jonah.
Kivuvu f & m Central African
Kikongo for "hope".
Ntare m Rwandan
Meaning "lion" in Kinyarwanda and Kirundi. Famous people with that name includes five kings of the Kingdom of Burundi: Ntare I Rushatsi Cambarantama, Ntare II Kibogora, Ntare III Kivimira Semuganzashamba, Ntare IV Rutaganzwa Rugamba and Ntare V Ndizeye and american actor Ntare Mwine.
Onayi f Shona
"See it, see this". Situational name which says see what we have, behold.
Kitoko m & f Lingala
Means "beautiful" in Lingala.
Peet m Estonian, Afrikaans, Dutch, Limburgish
Short form of Peeter (Estonian) as well as Peter and Petrus (Afrikaans, Dutch and Limburgish).... [more]
Lehlohonolo m Sotho, South African
Means "luck" or "blessing" in Sotho.
Sarki m Hausa
Means "chief" in Hausa.
Yiko m & f Dagbani
Means "power" in Dagbani.
Disaaka m & f Akan
Means "you deserve saying it" in Akan.
Liepollo f Sotho
Revelations
Olajide m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "wealth arose" or "wealth has awakened".
Abike f Yoruba
Means "born to treasure" or "born to be pampered" in Yoruba, from "to give birth, be born" and kẹ́ "to cherish, care for".
Ogheneoboakpororo m Isoko, Urhobo, Nigerian
Its origin is isoko and uhrobo, in Delta state, Nigeria. ... [more]
Masamanisi f & m Southern African, Shona
Means "summons (to court)", ultimately from the English word summons.
Tshiandanda m & f Luba
This name is given by Luba people when the newborn has at least four older siblings of the opposite gender.
Rancina f Zulu
Zulu form of Francine.
Lehlogonolo m & f Sotho
Means "felicity" in Sotho.
Karimala f Northern African
Nubian queen whose existence is known from a temple relief in Semna (present-day Sudan).
Jona m Croatian, Serbian, Swedish, Norwegian (Rare), Sorbian, Afrikaans
Croatian, Serbian, Sorbian, Afrikaans and Scandinavian form of Jonah.
Kiah f Swahili
Means "dawn" in Swahili.
Zenzile f & m Xhosa, Swazi
From Xhosa uzenzile meaning "you brought this on yourself". This was the first name of the South African singer and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba (1932-2008), full name Zenzile Miriam Makeba... [more]
Imany f Swahili
A variant of Imani.
Sias m Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare), German (Archaic)
Short form of Josias. Known bearers of this name include the Dutch sculptor Sias Fanoembi (1949-2013) and the South African statesman Sias Hoffman (1807-1879).
Atsi m Afizere
Means "priest" in Afizere.
Usorọ m & f Ibibio, Efik
Means "festival" in Ibibio and Efik.
Rezki m Kabyle
Variant of Arezki.
Reydan f African
The name Reydan means "Gift of God, Handsome King". The most time this name was used was in 2017 when only 5 boys were named Reydan
Kimya f Swahili
Means "silent" in Swahili. This is the name of musician Kimya Dawson.
Ainose f & m Esan
Means "no one is greater than God" in Esan.
Tómikẹ́ f Yoruba
Means "enough for me to cherish, care for" in Yoruba.
Haylu m Ge'ez
Means "his power" in Ge'ez.
Njere m & f Shona
It means “wisdom”.
Dineo f Sotho
Means "gifts" or "talents" in Sotho.
Tersoo m Tiv
Tersoo means "the father,like"
Tshiamo f & m Tswana
Means "goodness" in Tswana.
Warũgũrũ f Kikuyu
Means "the one from the west" in Kikuyu.
Ofeibea f African
The name Ofeibea is borne by the journalist Ofeibea Quist-Arcton from Ghana.
Ifedapo m & f Yoruba
Means "love came together" in Yoruba.
Nusetor m Ewe
The Mighty One
Oaitse m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) knows" in Tswana.
Jelani m Swahili
Powerful
Kolawole m Yoruba
Means "he brings nobility, wealth, honour, into the house" in Yoruba.
Barre m Somali
A name that comes from the Somali word bare which means "teacher." Barre was the last name (meaning the first name of the grandfather of) Mohamed Siad Barre (Somali spelling: Maxamed Siyaad Barre). Siad Barre was the military ruler and president of Somali from 1969 until 1991.
Naleli-yameso f Sotho
Meaning, Morning Star in Sesotho
Chaniya f Swahili
Means "wealthy" in Swahili.
Chukwueneka m Igbo
Means "God has dealt kindly with" in Igbo.
Ishemanzwa m Shona
It means "Lord you have heard".
Cabdinuur m Somali
Somali form of Abd an-Nur.
Oladele m Western African, Yoruba
Means "wealth has come home" in Yoruba.
Daraar-tu f Sidamo
Means "she blossomed" in Sidama.
Uwem m & f Ibibio, Efik
Means "life" in Ibibio and Efik.
Aswa m & f Western African
Means "one who moves through darkness toward the light".
Edetobo m Efik
Means "market day" in Efik.
Angari f Eastern African, Kikuyu
Variant of Wangari. Also a surname.
Warsan f Somali
Means "good news", derived from Somali war meaning "news" combined with the Somali feminine name suffix -san, itself a derivative of Somali wanaagsan meaning "good". A notable bearer of this name is Warsan Shire (1988-), a British writer, poet, editor and teacher of Somali descent.
Nambi f Ganda, Bantu, African Mythology
Wife to the first man in Buganda Kingdom in Uganda, who is also believed to be the first living person
Amefia m Ewe
Amefia means 'people's king' in Ewe. Amefia is a surname that has significant transferred usage to a given name.
Meghighda f Berber
Etymology unknown. This was the name of a famous poetess.
Akuwueziuka f & m Igbo
Means "prosperity is a good talk" in Igbo.
Sehma m African
Variant of Sahma.
Sadatu f Western African
Name of Liberian Orgin
Makhanani f Tsonga
Means "joy" in Xitsonga.
Adaora f Igbo
Means "the people's daughter" in Igbo.
Annan m Akan
Variant of Anan 1.
Mustaphe m Somali
Somali form of Mustafa.
Sthandekile f Ndebele
Means "we are loved" in Ndebele.
Nomzamo f African, Zulu
Means "struggle" in Zulu.
Ronelda f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Ronald. Ronelda Kamfer (born 1981) is an Afrikaans-speaking South African poet.
Bafana m Zulu
Derived from Zulu abafana, the plural form of umfana, meaning "boy, young man."