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.
Mxolisi m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "peace maker" or "(one who) asks for forgiveness" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Goriola m Yoruba
Means "climbed to the top of wealth" in Yoruba.
Rianie f Afrikaans
Likely a variant of Riane.
Akande m Yoruba, Nigerian
means "first born"
Elsabe f Afrikaans
Afrikaans variation of Elizabeth.
Sarel m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Charles.
Bakang m & f Tswana
Means "praise" in Tswana.
Modiri f Tswana
Means "the doer" in Setswana.
Jua m & f Swahili
Means "sun" in Swahili.
Oluwamuyiwa m Yoruba
Means "the lord brought joy" in Yoruba.
Tabi m Akan
Meaning unknown.
Obinze m Igbo, Literature
The love interest of Ifemelu in 'Americanah' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Okonofua m Nigerian
This is a Nigerian surname.
Kpadia m Ijaw
Meaning unknown. It was the name of an Ijaw king.
Vimbayi f Shona
Means "have faith" in Shona.
Maigado m Hausa
Means "possessing the throne" in Hausa.
Tintswalo f Tsonga
Means "grace" in Xitsonga.
Nṱanganedzeni m & f Venda
Means "accept me" in Tshivenda.
Samanya f Kaguru
Means "she who is unknown" in Chikaguru.
Nkhumbwizhya m & f Nsenga
Meaning admire for a while. Name given to a baby after his/her siblings die as babies.
Leutlwetse m Tswana
Means "heard it" in Tswana.
Khayelihle f Ndebele
Means "good home" in Ndebele.
Negatu m Amharic
Means "the dawn" in Amharic.
Barulaganye f Tswana
Means "they are in order" in Setswana.
Ekpe m Ibibio, Western African
Possibly a shortened variant of Ekpedeme.
Cheja f Kaguru
Means "we came" in Chikaguru.
Ezana m Ethiopian
Ezana or Ezanas (c.303– c.350 CE/AD) was king of Aksum, now Ethiopia. Ezana was the first monarch of the Kingdom of Aksum to embrace Christianity. Ezana is a Geʽez (an ancient Ethiopian Semitic language) name of unknown meaning... [more]
Nkhangweleni m Venda
Means "forgive me" in Tshivenda.
Mrihani f Swahili
Swahili form of Reyhan.
Nkateko m & f Tsonga
Means "blessing" in Xitsonga.
Nyimak f Northern African
Means "little fire" in a Sudanese language.
Sasekani f Tsonga
Means "beautiful" in Xitsonga.
Betelhem f Ethiopian, Amharic
Amharic form of Bethlehem.
Kyómugisha f Kiga
Means "something that brings luck" in Rukiga.
Nelugendo f Kaguru
Means "traveller" in Chikaguru.
Akawel m Berber
Means "the black" in Amazigh.
Akwokwo f African
Means "younger of twins" in Ga.
Okeyo m Luo
"birthed during harvesting time"
Uloma f Igbo
Means "beautiful home" in Igbo.
Nkeoma f & m Igbo
Means "that which is good" in Igbo.
Mokgethi m Sotho
Variant form of Mokhethi.
Paballo f Sotho
Means "protection" in Sesotho.
Masia f South African (?)
Probably means "leader".
Panganai m Shona
Means "to consult or advise each other" in Shona.
Kianda f African Mythology, Southern African
Kianda (or Dandalunda) is a goddess of the sea, of the waters, and a protector of fishermen in traditional Angolan culture. Kianda was traditionally worshipped by throwing offerings such as food and clothing into the sea... [more]
Edidem m Efik
Means "chief" in Efik.
Demissie m Amharic
Means "my destroyer" from Amharic ደመሰሰ (damasasa) meaning "to destroy, to crush".
Burry m Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Diminutive of masculine given names that contain the Germanic element burg meaning "fortress", such as Burghard... [more]
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.
Uzoaku f Igbo
Means "a way to wealth" in Igbo.
Shaadiyya f Somali
Somali form of Shadya.
Marianka f Bulgarian, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Diminutive of Mariana. As a Dutch name, it may be a diminutive of Maria.
Iyabode f Ijaw
Means "poverty has come" in Ijaw.
Zamzam f & m Arabic, Somali, Indonesian
From the name of a holy well in Mecca that, according to Islamic tradition, was miraculously created by Allah for Hajar and and her son Isma'il while the two were left in the desert without water... [more]
Fechukwu m & f Igbo
Worship God
Mahamat m Central African, Thai (Muslim)
Form of Muhammad used in central Africa and Thailand.
Mantau m Hausa
From the Hausa mântā meaning "forget".
Okon m Efik
Means "born at night" in Efik.
Qeambanyeasht m Datooga
Means "noise maker" in Datooga.
Machanda m & f Nyoro
Machanda is the Bunyoro month where sesame seeds are planted and sown.
Dinkyene m & f Akan
Derived from di meaning "eat" and nkyene meaning "salt". In Akan culture, the idea of 'eating salt' symbolises being alive, and this name acts as a mean of encouraging the child to live.
Kuwala m & f Chewa
Means "shining light" in Chewa.
Amaynu m Berber
Means "new" in Amazigh.
Fortunate f African (Rare)
From the English word Fortunate, "favoured by or involving good luck; lucky."
Dakalo m & f Venda
Means "happiness" in Tshivenda.
Pheko m South African
Medicine or herb. Ussually medicine used for protection
Dikaya m & f Manjak
Means "is going nowhere" in Manjak. This name is given to protect the child from an early death.
Diarra m African
sawhili
Wandoo m & f Tiv
Means "a child is good" in Tiv.
Abeke f Yoruba
Means "one begged to care for" in Yoruba.
Apapa m Ijaw
Means "groundnut" in Ijaw.
Yapunga f Tumbuka (Archaic)
Means "wind; bringing people together" in Tumbuka.
Oluwatoniloba f Yoruba
Means "God is good to have a king" in Yoruba. This is the full given name of the winner of "Germany's Next Top Model" 2018, Oluwatoniloba Dreher-Adnuga.
Dagm m Amharic
It's from Amharic language and Geez which is ancient ethiopian language which is dated 3000 years with Hebrew origins, it means Twice or repeated . Usually given when you look like your parents
Wámirì m Yoruba
Means "(God) sought me out, found me out, found me" in Yoruba.
Falala f Western African, Fula
Means "born into abundance" in Fula.
Tamanda f Chewa
Means "to praise" in Chewa.
Othusitse m & f Tswana
Means "he (god) has helped" in Tswana.
Karlien f Flemish, Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Dutch and Afrikaans form of Carline.
Kereeditse m & f Tswana
Means "I am listening" in Setswana.
Kuwilileni f African (Rare)
This name is used by a Buzzfeed Employee.
Jadesola f Yoruba
Means "emerge into wealth" in Yoruba.
Kuma f Efik
Means "I'm still in love with you" in Efik.
Fa'idah f Hausa
Means "benefit, advantage" in Hausa.
Fisseha m Ge'ez
Means "joy" in Ge'ez.
Ruramai m & f Shona
Means "be righteous" in Shona.
Nwakaego f Igbo
Means "child surpasses money" in Igbo.
Oiwehi m & f Agatu
Means "A child is a gift" in Agatu.
Anje f Dutch, Afrikaans, Flemish
Diminutive of An.
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]
Tamenzut f Berber
the name itself means ‘first born’.... [more]
Ekpa f & m Efik
Paradzai m Shona
Paradzai means "destroy". This is possibly addressing an adversary challenging them to destroy what you have if they can".
Makhahlela m Tsonga
Means "beater" in Xitsonga.
Makoud m Berber
Meaning unknown.
Jeanique f French (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), French (Belgian, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Blend of Jeanne with any feminine name ending in -ique, such as Monique and Véronique... [more]
Irgetu m Amharic
Means "the calm" in Amharic.
Nkongho m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Means "follower, pursuant" from the Kenyang and Jagham root koŋó meaning "to follow".
Gwasila m Kabyle
Means "son of the plains" in Kabyle.
Ntando m & f Ndebele
Means "will" in Ndebele.
Dezy m Edo (Modern)
''You cant block God's path or you can not block ones destiny; diminutive of Aigbodezzy''
Siphelele m Zulu
Means "we are complete" in Zulu.
Jorica f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Feminine form of Joric.
Oluwateniola m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God spread the mat (or rug) of wealth" in Yoruba.
Hamandishe m Shona
Meaning “one’s relative or family is God”, this name may be given by and/or to someone who is devoted to God, who is an orphan, has no relatives or was abandoned.
Paoneke m Chewa
Means "we will see good things" in Chewa.
Sahlu m Ge'ez
Means "his mercy" in Ge'ez.
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]
Kioko m Eastern African, Kamba
Means "born in the morning" in Kamba.
Seku m Fula
Older form of Sekou.
Sungara f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "rabbit, hare".
Akammboñaa f Jola
Means "she tries it for nothing" or "she does it there for nothing" in Jola-Fonyi. This is applied to a woman in reference to her repeated failure to carry a pregnancy to term, implying the bearer gets pregnant in vain.
Ajah m & f Bandial
Means "the clever one" in Bandial.
Ado m & f Yoruba
Possibly derived from Yoruba ádò meaning "medicine gourd". This is also the name of two cities in Nigeria, both with different etymology.
Seko m & f Western African
child of the sun
Ashe f Yoruba
From Yoruba àṣẹ meaning "power, authority, command". In Yoruba religion, àṣẹ is the natural power that makes things happen and produces change.
Bozoma f Western African
From Ghana.
Adubi f & m Yoruba
Means "one we struggled to birth" in Yoruba, from "to fight, struggle" and "to birth, be born". Sometimes given to children named Ige as a nickname.
Zeine m Western African, Arabic (Maghrebi)
Western African (chiefly Mauritanian) and Maghrebi (chiefly Algerian) variant of Zayn.
Keromang f Sotho
Means "one who has been sent" in Sesotho.
Hulisani m & f Venda
Means "respect" in Tshivenda.
Tọlọ́runlékè m & f Yoruba
Means "God is paramount, most important" in Yoruba.
Umaler f Berber
Means "star of the peace" in Tamasheq, language of Tuareg people.
Simukai m Shona
Means "rise up" in Shona.
Mazaline f Nigerian
Of African origin meaning "the luxurious.”
Siya f & m English (American, Modern, Rare), South African
As an English feminine name, it is likely a modern respelling of Sia.... [more]
Amukelani m & f African, Tsonga
Means "acceptance" in Tsonga.
Houevi f Ewe, African
Name of Ewe origin, meaning "joy".
Wynand m Medieval Dutch, Dutch (Rare), West Frisian (Rare), East Frisian (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Medieval Dutch form of Wijnand, Frisian variant of Winand and South African form of Winand.... [more]
Sekkura f Kabyle
Possibly means "partridge" in Kabyle.
Ijja f Northern African
Female name meaning "Smells good" or "Fragrant".
Ditebogo f Tswana
Means "gratitudes" in Setswana.
Mbhurhi f Tsonga
Means "beautiful girl" in Xitsonga.
Kayaga m & f Nyoro
Means “The windy month” in Bunyoro.
Bintou f Western African
From Arabic بِنْت (bint) meaning "daughter, girl".
Mandisa f Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Derived from Xhosa and Zulu mnandi meaning "sweet" or "nice, pleasant".
Irebabofo m Western African
Origin: Ghana
Nkechika f Igbo
The one God gave me is the best.
Abebi f Yoruba
Means "begged to be born" in Yoruba, from bẹ̀ "beg, pray" and "to give birth, be born"... [more]
Omolayo f Yoruba
Means "the child is joy" in Yoruba.
Nolwazi f Zulu (Rare)
Means "knowledgeable" in Zulu.
Yímiká m & f Yoruba
Alternative form of Yinka, ultimately meaning "surround me" in Yoruba.
Mekre m Amharic
Means "my advice" in Amharic.
Revai m & f Shona
Means "Talk or gossip about". This is a name given to address neighbours that continue to gossip about your family
Makonnen m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "nobleman, official, leader" in Amharic.
Wondim m Amharic
Means "brother" in Amharic.
Jegede m Nigerian (Modern)
A very active person that moves around a lot
Lenthe f Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Variant of Lente, which was probably influenced by names such as Benthe and Jenthe.... [more]
Linda m Zulu
Means "wait!" in Zulu (note that this is the imperative singular form of -linda).
Modurolọrilerioluwa m & f Yoruba
Means "one who stands on the promise of god" in Yoruba.
Wanhija f Kaguru
Means "they run off" in Chikaguru.
Ousman m Western African
Form of Uthman used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Itonyo f & m Ijaw
Means "my thought" in Ijaw.
Tinhinan f Berber
Means "she of the campfires" in Tamazight. This was the name of a Tuareg queen.
Ntombentsha f Xhosa
Means "new girl" in Xhosa.
Yeremiya m Bulgarian (Rare), Ganda
Luganda and Bulgarian form of Jeremiah.
Olaniran m Yoruba
Means "nobility (or wealth) has pedigree" in Yoruba.
Baitumetse m Tswana
Means "they are happy" in Setswana.
Nonhlanhla f African, Zulu
Means "luck" in Zulu.
Ndamukong m African
Means "House of Spears" in the Ngema tribe of Cameroon. A famous bearer is Ndamukong Suh, the defensive tackle for the college football team Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Bhekizizwe m Zulu
Means "look after the nations" in Zulu.
Tererai m & f Shona
Means "listen, pay attention" in Shona.
Apaadi m Yoruba
Means "hell" in Yoruba.
Alame m Amharic
Means "my world" in Amharic.
Temwa f & m Tumbuka
Means "love" in Tumbuka.
Kassa m & f Amharic
Means "compensation, reparation" in Amharic.
Neoyaone f & m Tswana
Means "His (God's) gift" in Setswana.
Olaoluwa m & f Yoruba (Modern)
Means "the grace of God" or "the wealth of God" in Yoruba.
Takola m Amharic
Means "wolf" in Amharic.
Tebike m Amharic
Means "I have waited" in Amharic.
Liibaan m Somali
Means "victory, winning" in Somali.
Rotimi m Yoruba
Means "stay with me" or "stand by me" in Yoruba. Sometimes used as a short form for Olurotimi or Oluwarotimi.
Otunba m Yoruba
Means "right-hand of the king" from Yoruba ọ̀tún meaning "right-hand, second-in-command" and ọba meaning "king".
Hilka f Low German, German (Rare), Frisian, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Originally a diminutive of names beginning with or containing the element hild-, used as a given name in its own right.
Abdiaziiz m Somali
Somali form of Abdul Aziz
Orezi m & f Nigerian
A unisex name from a Nigerian origin meaning "Precious, your heart desire".
Umoja f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "unity, harmony".
Kimbilio m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "refuge".
Gariba m Dagbani
Corrupted name of Abukari. Name used by the 20th King of Dagbon and the 40th King.
Azuz m Berber
Meaning unknown.
Chithuzi m Tumbuka
Means "shadow, picture" in Tumbuka, often given after repeated deaths in the family.
Sihawukele m Ndebele
Means "have mercy on us" in Ndebele.
Marthinus m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Martinus.
Izlan f Berber
Means "melody" in Tamazight.
Mulu m Amharic
Means "complete, perfect" in Amharic.
Sharmaarke m Somali
A name that means "see no evil" or "protect from evil." The prefix shar- means "evil."
Anietie m Efik
Means "who could you compare to God?" in Efik.
Phusu m & f Venda
Means "havoc" in Tshivenda.
Habraham m African (Rare), Spanish (Latin American, Rare)
Variant of Abraham, occasionally found in Latin America and French-speaking African countries.
Adesuwa f Edo
Means "in the midst of prosperity" in Edo.
Uluthando m Ndebele, Zulu
Means "he is love" in Ndebele and Zulu.
Kuwame m Akan
Means "Saturday" in Akan.
Kulukulu m & f Central African
Unknown meaning. It has seen some usage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ofeibea f African
The name Ofeibea is borne by the journalist Ofeibea Quist-Arcton from Ghana.
Tidiane m Western African
From a French word used to refer to a follower of Tijaniyyah, a Sufi order that originated in Northern Africa.
Nassool-a m Sidamo
Means "soulmate" in Sidama.
Oke m & f Yoruba
Means "child born inside an unbroken membrane."
Dziva f Shona
Means "water" in Shona.
Alawo f & m Yoruba
Alawo means "white, green" in Yoruba.... [more]
Njeinwei m Central African (Rare)
Rare first name from Cameroon.
Milkias m Eastern African
Eritrea variant of Malachi.
Burabari f & m Ogoni
Means "God's will" in Ogoni.
Rasidatou f Western African
Form of Rashida used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Iqaqa m Zulu
Means "polecat" in Zulu.
Aoua f Western African
Variant of Awa. A notable bearer was Malian independence activist Aoua Kéita (1912-1980).
Isaki m Ndebele
Ndebele form of Isaac.
Nasicha f Western African
Name given to female children during the locust season
Katekani f Tsonga
Means "be blessed" in Xitsonga.
Tariere f Ijaw
Means "the loved woman" in Ijaw.
Praisthel f South African (Rare)
The name comes from the the phrase Praise the Lord. Some of the letters from the pharse are removed to turn it into a name.
Vuyiseka f Xhosa
Means "be happy, rejoice" or "makes happy" in Xhosa.
Neššo f Sidamo
Means "small statured" in Sidama.
Kaaha f Somali
Feminine form of Kaahin. ... [more]
Selam f & m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "peace" in Amharic.
Arukubu f & m Ijaw
Means "a child born in a canoe" in Ijaw.
Sudaysi m Somali (Arabized, Modern)
Based on the name of sheikh Abdul Rahmane Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais, Imam of the great mosque of Mekka. Arab al-sudais means "the sixth".
Sadatu f Western African
Name of Liberian Orgin
Nelbe f & m Sotho
Means "the net" in Sotho.
Osenotse f Tswana
Means "He (God) has made things clear" in Setswana.
Mijaji f Tsonga
Means "the judge" in Xitsonga.
Tufani f & m Swahili
Means "storm" in Swahili.
Thandoluhle m Zulu
Means "good love" in Zulu.
Jibirila m Hausa
Variant of Jibirilu.
Asmun m Berber
Means "companion" in Amazigh.
Dramane m Western African
Short form of Abd al-Rahman used in parts of western Africa.
Mthakathi m Zulu, Xhosa
Means "witch," from 'thakatha' meaning "to bewitch" in Xhosa or "to practice witchcraft" in Zulu.
Xaawa f Somali
Variant of Xaawo.
Ariyo m Yoruba
Means "one who is seen and rejoiced" in Yoruba, from "to see" and yọ̀ "to rejoice".
Ashegari f Amharic
Means "may he make you perfect" in Amharic.
Nwachukwu m Igbo
Means "child of God" in Igbo.
Yolandi f Afrikaans
Afrikaans variant of Yolande.
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”.
Tiri f & m Western African, Ijaw
Means "outsider" in Ijaw.
Saro m Ogoni
Means "first son" in Khana.
Ngao f Mwanga
A lioness
Titem f Berber
Berber diminutive of Fatima.
Adiam f Ge'ez, Amharic
Possibly means "fair, pretty".
Gotaatamang m Tswana
Means "who is coming?" in Setswana.
Kigongo m & f Ganda
Born before twins
Rual m English (American, Rare), Spanish (Mexican, Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), South African (Rare)
Possibly a variant of Reuel (anglophone world) and Raul (Latin America).... [more]
Mehluli m Ndebele
Means "conquerer" in Ndebele.
Dalili f Swahili (Rare)
Means "omen, symbol" in Swahili.
Masvita f Shona
Means "thank you" in Shona.
Baloua m Berber
Meaning unknown.
Kuyikabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "do not doubt god" in Ibibio.
Mayom m Dinka
A specific kind of ox in Dinka language.
Mmaabo f Tswana
Means "their mother" in Tswana.
Luchulumancolwenkosi f Xhosa
This name is a scared name. Taken from words the Ancient King of the AmaMpondomise clan King Vukuzumbethe. He used to say “ lulo uchulumanco lwenkosi” which meant “this is God’s happiness”... [more]