Browse Submitted Names

Lolia f Ijaw
Means "star" in Ijaw.

Sia f Western African, Manding

Belyse f Rwandan

Itunu f African

Tamirat m Amharic
Variant of Tamrat.

Luula f Somali

Letlotlo f Sotho
Means "treasure" in Sesotho.

Nokwayiyo f Xhosa
Means "it is also one (a girl)" in Xhosa.

Dikele m African

Lodewikus m Afrikaans
Afrikaans (i.e. South African) form of Ludovicus, inspired in its spelling by the Dutch name Lodewijk.

Gitonga m Meru, Embu, Gikuyu
This name is commonly used in Meru, Embu and Gikuyu regions in Kenya. The name means a rich man. The name has been passed from generation to generation since time in memorial. The cultures which usually name their male children after their grandparents-dead or alive intentionally do this to ensure the character or personality of the grandpa can be carried to the grandchildren.

Khayizeni m Tsonga
Means "rebuke" in Xitsonga.

Amul-yaakaar m & f Wolof
Means "she/he has no hope" in Wolof. This is considered a 'death prevention' name.

Bongiwe f Zulu (Modern)
Sibongile A Zulu name meaning "Appreciated" usually given to a first born girl child or after great difficulty of not being able to conceive a girl for a long time.

Nyasha f Shona
Means "merciful" in Shona.

Yordanos f & m Ethiopian
Amharic form of Jordan. This is also the name of a river in Lalibela.

Mbia m & f Kenyang, Jagham
From Kenyang ḿbyáy meaning "pumpkin leaves", a plant species indigenous to Southern Nigeria.

Areksim m Berber
Means "caracal" in Amazigh.

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]

Jopie m & f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Diminutive of Joop for men and of the related name Johanna for women.

Gondai m Shona
Means "to trust or place hope in" in Shona.

Lukhanyo m South African

ǂMa f Khoekhoe

Eseoheose f Esan
Meaning: Free Gift of God

Cheick m Western African

Amoré f Afrikaans (Modern)
Afrikaans form of Amore.

Ayibanua f & m Ijaw
Means "thank God" in Ijaw.

Oluwaranti f & m Yoruba
Means "God remembers" in Yoruba.

Sado m Oromo (Anglicized)
A form of the arabic name Sa'id, meaning "happy, lucky", used by the Oromo people of Ethiopia. Notable people with this name includes Junedin Sado, a former Ethiopian Cabinet Minister, Haji Adam Sado, a political leader, and his father, Sado Sheka.

Lalla f Berber
This name means "Lady"... [more]

Temwa f & m Tumbuka
Means "love" in Tumbuka.

Nyokabi f Kikuyu (Archaic)
Kikuyus call the maasai "ukabi" this was for girls born from this intermarriage meaning she who came from maasai land

Barilunyegia m & f Ogoni
"God is wonderful"

Nula f Swahili
Variant of Nola and Nala 2.

Baseleyos m Amharic
Amharic form of Basileus.

Yeutsamoyo f Shona
It means "remind the heart".

Maikaelelo f Tswana
Means "intention" in Setswana.

Ntsumi f Tsonga
Means "angel" in Xitsonga.

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]

Onyinah m African
Onyinah - is of African Origin with meaning in Ghana and Nigeria especially with the Ukwani speaking people. The name is given to a strong new born marked for greatness. the literary meaning of ONYINAH is - A MIGHTY TREE... [more]

Mbuyi m Luba
Derived from the Luba word mbùùyì meaning "the firstborn of twins".

Salpawuni m & f Dagbani
"Human is not God" denoting "man is not God"

Maqdis f Somali

Gesebo f & m Ijaw
Means "the just" in Ijaw.

Mosantu m & f Lingala
Variant of Santu.

Biritu m Amharic
Means "brave" in Amharic.

Leleti f South African, Zulu
Meaning unknown. A famous bearer is Leleti Khumalo, a South African actress.

Maelene f English (Rare), Filipino (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Maylene.

Jina f Swahili
Means "to walk" in Swahili.

Oluchukwu m & f Igbo
It means "God's handiwork".

Adelowo m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the crown has honour" or "the crown has respect" in Yoruba.

Dalene f English (American, Rare), Afrikaans
Variant of Darlene.

Bangbebu m & f Dagbani
Means "be careful" in Dagbani.

Nshimirimana f Rundi
Means "I thank God" in Kirundi.

Njere m & f Shona
It means “wisdom”.

Tamimt f Berber
Means "delight" in Tamazight.

Matiwos m Ethiopian, Amharic
Ethiopian, possibly Amharic verison of Matthew

Derin f Yoruba (Modern)
Short form of Aderinsola.

Mlilo f Zulu
Means "fire" in Zulu.

Jamilu m Western African, Hausa
Hausa form of Jamil.

Kadihungila m Kaguru
Means "surprised" in Chikaguru.

Utibeima f Ibibio
Means "wonderful love" in Ibibio.

Adan m Somali (Expatriate)
Variant of Aadan.

Anietie m Efik
Means "who could you compare to God?" in Efik.

Kinuani m & f Lingala
'adventure'

Andulile m Nyakyusa
Means "He helped me" in Nyakyusa.

Kaffe m & f Western African, Akan
Variant of Kofi.

Oruni m Acholi
Means "jok (God) delayed childbirth" in Acholi.

Sabola m Yao
Means "pepper" in Yao.

Anbesa m Amharic (Modern)
Means "Lion" in Amharic.

Marthie f South African, English (American, Rare, Archaic)
Diminutive of Martha.

Ababacar m Western African
Senegalese form of the Arabic name Abu Bakr.

Menebue m Ogoni
Means "Paramount Ruler", "Chief of a Community" or simply "A King"

Janha m & f Shona
Meaning "one's turn; chance; opportunity".

Azwianewi m & f Venda
Means "something that cannot be told" in Tshivenda.

Zwelibanzi m South African

Mairama f Hausa
Variant form of Maryama.

Kerina f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Modern, Rare)
Elaborated form of Keri.

Asaaseasa m & f Akan
Means "the land is finished" in Akan. The implication of this name is that there is no more land for the dead to be buried - so the child is encouraged to live as there will be no more space for his/her burial.

Reaotlotla m Sotho
Means "We praise His name" in Sesotho.

Gamuchirai f Shona
Means "accept or receive" in Shona. It is typically given to a child born out of wedlock.

Mayen m Dinka
Means a specific kind of ox in Dinka language.

Sarafina f Swahili
Apparently means "bright star" in Swahili. The name might be best known from the South African musical "Sarafina!" Also, the name is often easily confused with the Hebrew name Seraphina, but despite looking similar in appearance, both names clearly have completely different etymologies.

Fwasani f & m Tumbuka
Means "to be calm" in Tumbuka.

Tuni m & f African
Meaning different and gifted in east Africa, specifically Kenya

Wunintira m & f Dagbani
Means "it is God who gives" in Dagbani.

Sordum f & m Ogoni
Means "time of life" in Khana.

Coumba f Western African, Fula
Means "the one who has the strength" in Fula.

Zodwe f South African, Zulu
Diminutive of Ntombizodwa.

Bashiir m Somali
Somali form of Bashir.

Selekumo m Ijaw
Means "don't abound me" in Dagbani.

Dikeleditsame f Tswana
Means "my tears" in Setswana.

Tenabaabi m & f Akan
Means "just stay at a place" in Akan.

Ibrahimu m Hausa
Hausa form of Abraham.

Menethe f African

Thula f Zulu
Means "peace" in Zulu.

Yayesh f Ethiopian

Farijika f Swahili
Means “be relieved” in Swahili.

Luyindu m Kongo

Medene m Amharic
Means "my redeemer" in Amharic.

Corlea f Afrikaans

Matirangarira m & f Shona
Means "you have remembered us" in Shona.

Tiéman m Western African
Meaning as of yet unknown. A notable bearer of this name is the Malian politician Tiéman Coulibaly (b. 1967).

Adeyemi m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "the crown suits me" or "one who arrives and befits me" in Yoruba.

Binta f Hausa
From the Arabic بِنْت‎ (bint) meaning "daughter".

Yaso f Eastern African, Central African

Asmeret f Tigrinya
Means "united, unity" in Tigrinya.

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".

Bahiru m African, Ethiopian
Ethiopia

Chukwumaeze m Igbo
Means "God knows the king" in Igbo.

Mahammoud m Western African (Rare)
A conflation of Muhammad with Mahmud, in this form extremely rare.

Khumo m & f Tswana
Means "wealth" in Tswana.

Anolda f South African (Rare)

Odo m & f Efik

Casood m Somali

Sitshengisiwe f Ndebele
Means "we were shown" in Ndebele.

Haƙurau m Hausa
From the Hausa hàƙurà meaning “be patient”.

Ezlyn f South African, American (Modern)
Variant of Ezlynn.... [more]

Chalpang f Dagbani
Means "forgive" in Dagbani.

Abam f African
Abam’s meaning is “second child after twins”

Kotani m Tsonga
Possibly from the Xitsonga kota meaning "able, talented".

Kissa f Ganda (?)
Allegedly a Luganda name meaning "born after twins".

Mofolorunsọ m & f Yoruba
Means "one who is placed in god's care" in Yoruba.

Beauty f English, Popular Culture, South African
From the English word "beauty", ultimately derived from Latin bellus, "beautiful". See also Belle and Bella.

Hadadangi m & f Western African, Hausa
Means "joining of clans" in Hausa.

Fara m & f Shona
Meaning "happy" or "joyous".

Tena f & m Ethiopian
Possibly from Ethiopian ጠና (t'ena) meaning "become strong" or "older".

Tinitran f Berber
Means "of the stars" in Amazigh.

Oluwademilade m & f Yoruba
Means "God has crowned me" in Yoruba.

Mbhoni f Tsonga
Means "witness" in Xitsonga.

Abakar m Western African
Form of Abu Bakr used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.

Annan m Akan
Variant of Anan 1.

Funkuro m Ijaw
Means "knowledge is power" in Ijaw.

Nsantu m & f Luba
Means "saint" in Luba-Kasai.

Bundura f Southern African
unsure

Akomo f Luo
"someone delivered during planting or prosperous times of the year"

Ujamaa f Swahili
Means “socialist” in Swahili.

Namibia f Kongo
Shield

Trofimus m Afrikaans (Archaic), Dutch (Archaic)
Afrikaans and Dutch form of Trophimus.

Adebisi f Yoruba
Means "the crown has given birth to more" in Yoruba. This is the name of the (Nigerian) mother of British musician Seal Samuel.

Tengisa f Tsonga
Means "purify" in Xitsonga.

Kalidou m Western African
Form of Khalid used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.

Asipa m Yoruba
Means "pathfinder, one who leads the way" in Yoruba, from ṣí "to open up" and ipa "path".

Gete f Amharic
Short form of Getenesh.

Hlawulani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga hlawula meaning "choose".

Mwakatumbula m Nyakyusa
Means "son of a heart" in Nyakyusa.

Kebabonye f Tswana
Means "I saw them" in Setswana.

Kxamshe f Southern African, San (Bushmen), !Kung
Possibly means "mouth" in !Kung (a Khoi-San language) coming from the word kxám.

Busola m & f Yoruba
Means "added wealth" in Yoruba.

Kwoth m African, Nuer
The supreme god of the Nuer (South Sudan) who manifests himself in natural phenomena. They believe he is benign god who protects the poor and the unhappy.

Mkarkara f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "passion flower".

Mmesomachukwu m & f Igbo
Means "the kindness of God" in Igbo.

Dané f Afrikaans
Variant of Danaë.

Lilanie f South African, Afrikaans

Manoka m & f Kongo
Means "rain" in Kikongo.

Siphamandla m South African, Zulu
Means "give us strength" in Zulu.

Abigaili f Biblical, Swahili
Swahili form of Abigail.

Hanja f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "brown".

Narai f Hausa
Means "born on a Wednesday" in Sokoto Hausa.

Shola f Western African

Daubode m Ijaw
Means "father has returned" in Ijaw.

Nqobani m Zulu
Means "you must conquer" in Zulu.

Oluwanifesimi m & f Yoruba
Nigerian, Yoruban. Meaning: `God loves me`.

Erin m & f Yoruba
Means "smile" in Yoruba.

Nteboheng f Sotho

Suanu f & m Ogoni
Means "wisdom, knowledge" in Khana.

Tiyiselani m & f Tsonga
Means "persevere, endure" in Xitsonga.

Anrich m Afrikaans

Iziengbe m & f Nigerian

Mynhardt m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mijnhard.

Adesuwa f Edo
Means "in the midst of prosperity" in Edo.

Eedris m Nigerian
Variant of Idris 1 used in Nigeria.

Velim f Dagbani
Means "beauty" in Dagbani.

Sagal f Somali
A name that derives from the word sagal which means morning rays of the sun during the rainy season.

Nshubemuki f Haya
Means "what can I repeat" in Haya.

Nelia f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), East Frisian (Rare), German (Modern, Rare), Flemish (Modern), Dutch, Polish (Rare)
Short form of Cornelia or Kornelia.

Tọlọ́runlékè m & f Yoruba
Means "God is paramount, most important" in Yoruba.

Vitani f African
It's Swallihi and Kwhailli it means "war" and "demon of war" it is used in lion king two for one of the outsiders.

Bobley m African (Rare)

Zuba m Swahili
Means "jump" in Swahili.

Ássuma m & f Bandial
Means "the nice one" or "the unselfish one" in Bandial.

Taraoluwa f African (?)
Variant of Tiaraoluwa.

Mabasi f Tswana
Mabasi is an African Tswana Name... [more]

Tolúwaniopẹ́ m & f Yoruba
Means "thanksgiving to God" in Yoruba.

Nordi m Central African
The given name of the French (with Congolese descendency) professional football player Nordi Mukiele.

Suhiyini m & f Dagbani
it literally means one heart, denoting `clean heart`

Minata f African
'mother of joy'

Kijani m Swahili
Means "warrior" in Swahili.

Kutlwano f Sotho
Means "mutual understanding" in Sesotho.

Tutu m & f Western African, South African
Means "cliff dweller".

Temilade f Yoruba
Possibly means “the crown is mine.”

Chitalu m African

Alazar m Ethiopian
Ethiopian form of Eliezer.

Adiela f Hebrew, English (Rare), Spanish (Latin American), South African
Feminine form of Adiel.

Pathé m French (African), Western African
Transferred use of the surname Pathé.

Nyeedeh m African (Rare)
From the bassa african word meaning "blessing."

Iliyasu m Hausa
Hausa form of Elias.

Demsas m Amharic

Gyrano m African

Sagaria m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Zachariah.

Yobanna f Yoruba
Means “yes, correct” in Yoruba.

Ntiero m Efik

Ojonubi f & m Nigerian
Means "God's protection is mine always even when I am not paying attention" in Igala. The Igala ethnic group is one of the large ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Samukelisiwe f African, Zulu
Means "we have received" in Zulu.

Glodi m African

Leboo m Sotho
Means, "Be thankful" from the Sesotho "Lebohang" – meaning “Be thankful” or “Give thanks”.

Kagisoyame m Tswana
Means "my peace" in Setswana.

Karúngi f Kiga
Means "something good, beautiful" in Rukiga.

Nomvula f South African, Zulu
Means "after the rain" in Zulu. This is given to babies born after a storm.

Mirach m Amharic
Means "choice" in Amharic.

Amlan f 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".

Kendero m African

Ose m & f Esan
Means "god" in Esan. This is also the short form of names that begin in this element.

Batuulo f Somali
Somali form of Batul.

Sebutlana f Tswana
Means "small rabbit" in Setswana.

Bernalee f South African

Tima f Berber

Ndzalama f Tsonga
Means "emerald" in Xitsonga.

Ngonda m Kongo

Safiri f Swahili
Means “traveler” in Swahili.

Kasuba m Bemba
Means "sun" in Bemba.

Hlengani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga hlenga meaning "collect, gather".

Noncedile f Xhosa
Means "you helped us" in Xhosa.

Yewondwossen m Amharic
Means "man of the border" in Amharic.

Methuli f Sinhalese (Rare), Southern African (Rare)

Mwaitaishe f & m Shona
Means "Thank you God" in Shona.

Ibiro m Hausa
Diminutive form of Ibrahimu.

Shairi f African
Means "song" in Swahili.

Oyabrade f Ijaw
Means "I have forgotten my worries" in Ijaw.

Apeke f Yoruba
Means "called to be pampered" in Yoruba, from pè "to call, summon, invoke" and kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".

Yufitran m Berber
Means "more handsome than the stars" in Tamazight.

Asian m & f Ibibio
Means "one who is proud" in Ibibio.

Muuse m Somali
Somali form of Moses.

Mbù f Central African
A Kom name.

Mareli f Afrikaans
Short form of Marelise.

Wuntima f & m Dagbani
Means "God has given me" in Dagbani.

Masiye m & f Chewa
Means "orphan" in Chichewa, literally translating as "leavings", as in something left behind by a dead person.

Mayingi f & m Kongo
Nicknamed: Yingi

Aswa m & f Western African
Means "one who moves through darkness toward the light".

Modupe-oluwa m & f Yoruba, African
Combination of Yoruba Modupe "I thank" or "thank you" and Oluwa meaning "God, lord".

Khayelihle f Ndebele
Means "good home" in Ndebele.

Hansie m Afrikaans
Short form of Johannes.

Fasasi m Yoruba
The name Fasasi originates from the Yoruba culture, in Nigeria, West Africa. It is commonly associated with Muslims than Christians or traditionalists.

Tedros m Amharic, Ge'ez
Variant of Tewodros.

Abdirahman m Somali
Somali form of Abd al-Rahman.

Nabirye f Eastern African
Meaning unknown.

Lukeny m & f Central African, Mbundu
Means "little mouse" in the Kimbundu language of Angola.

Gerrie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Gerhardus.

Risiasi m Swahili

Sainab f Somali, Thai (Muslim), Indonesian (Rare)
Somali, Thai and Indonesian form of Zaynab.

Mkhuleko m Ndebele
Means "prayer" in Ndebele.

Pheello m Sotho
Means "perseverance" in Sesotho.

Anaiya f African
Similar to Anaya meaning "look up to god".

Bahru m Amharic
Means "the sea" in Amharic.

Nnomaa f Igbo

Dujonou f Manding
Liberian Kpelle name meaning "peacemaker".

Syokimau f Eastern African
The Kamba Spiritual Predictor Syokimau was a famous bearer of the name.

Razika f Kabyle (Rare)
Feminine form of Arezki

Abye m Ge'ez
Means "big, large" in Ge'ez.

Deobia m Nigerian
Short form of Oladeobia.

Funmike f Yoruba
Means "given to me to cherish" in Yoruba.

Proverb m & f English (Puritan), African
Referring to the book of Proverbs in the Bible.

Tianie f Afrikaans (Rare), English (Australian, Rare)

Amanuel m Tigrinya
Variant of Emanuel.

Igunikeme m Ijaw
Means "stranger" in Ijaw.

Ekpa f & m Efik

Esegiël m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Ezekiel.

Ogugua m Nigerian

Chausiki f Swahili
Means "born at night" in Swahili.

Ntsakisi f Tsonga
Means "source of happiness" in Xitsonga.

Nwakaego f Igbo
Means "child surpasses money" in Igbo.

Usakteayda f Datooga
Means "one who was born in the morning" in Datooga.

Osebo m Akan
Osebo is a LEOPARD in the ancient stories of Ananse, the "Spider Man". He was PHYSICALLY STRONG.

Ḥsen m Kabyle
Kabyle form of Hassan.

Kah m Western African

Birru m Amharic
Means "the silver" in Amharic.

Liyabona f & m Xhosa
Means "it sees" or "you see" in Xhosa, sometimes taken from the phrase liyabona igama le Nkosi meaning "the name of the eye of God".

Atbir m Berber
Means "dove" in Amazigh.

Otiko f Western African
The given name of the Ghanaian politician Otiko Afisa Djaba.

Taurayi m & f Shona
Means "speak out, speak up!" in Shona.

Lemlem f Amharic

Thuthukile f Zulu
Means "has become a better person" in Zulu.

Masfin m Ethiopian

Mmini f Sotho
Means "dancer" in Sotho.

Ugonna m Igbo
Meaning "eagle of the father" or "father's glory" in Igbo.

Belvie f Central African, American

Omonigho m & f Urhobo
Omonigho is a name of Edoid (Benin, Isoko, Urhobo) origin and it means "A Child is greater than money."

Daven m African, Tamil
Pronunciation: Dayven (pronounced as in "Dave" with an n)... [more]

Kabiru m Western African, Hausa
Hausa form of Kabir.

Bahelwang m & f Tswana
Means "why give them?" in Setswana.

Nompumelelo f Xhosa
From the Xhosa impumelelo meaning "success".

Mataan m Somali
A name from the Somali word for "twin."

Quadril m African, Nigerian

Bellinda f South African
Variant of Belinda.

Jaramogi m Luo
"very courageous"

Giorgis m Eastern African, Amharic, Greek (Rare)
Form of George used in Ethiopia, as well as a Greek variant of Georgios.

Sangiwe f Xhosa

Gamilah f African
Gamilah is the name of one of the daughters of Activist Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz.

Arezqi m Kabyle
Variant transcription of Arezki.

Marieta f Spanish (Rare), Romanian (Rare), Bulgarian, Armenian, Afrikaans, Polish (Rare), Latvian (Rare), Slovene, Croatian, Lengadocian, Provençal, Gascon, Portuguese, Greek, Albanian
Cognate of Marietta.