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.
Ekuseni f Zulu
Means "in the morning" in Zulu.
Nombeko f Xhosa
Means "mother of respect" in Xhosa.
Wunintira m & f Dagbani
Means "it is God who gives" in Dagbani.
Katavi m African Mythology, Nyamwezi
A demonic being in the popular belief of the Nyamwezi people of Tanzania. He is reputed to be the chief of the water-spirits, but he also haunts the barren lands and deserts.
Shingirirai f Shona
Means "perseverance" in Shona.
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.
Kegomoditswe m & f Tswana
Means "I have been comforted" in Setswana.
Kutha m Chewa
Means "destiny" in Chewa.
Yevedzo f Shona
Meaning "captivation; fascination", deriving from the verb kuyevedza meaning "to captivate; to make one gaze".
Tinozivaishe f Shona
Means "we know God" in Shona.
Nolungile f Xhosa
Means "mother of righteousness" in Xhosa.
Zvido m & f Shona
It means "desires".
Nhalahla f Zulu
Means "luck" in Zulu.
Mijaji f Tsonga
Means "the judge" in Xitsonga.
Maphoi f Tswana
Means "doves" in Setswana.
Kebabonye f Tswana
Means "I saw them" in Setswana.
Ethulo f Zulu
Means "gift" in Zulu.
Shotah f & m South African
Meaning as of yet unknown.
Gbambeli m Western African
Masculine name originating from the Banda Traditional Area & from the Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana.
Azibo m Nigerian
Azibo means “youth” in Nigerian. It also means “Earth” in Egyptian.
Mhoze m Shona
The Shona equivalent of the name Moses, also a nickname for Mhozisi.
Balijekwao f Tumbuka
Means "they have no home" in Tumbuka.
Mobe m & f African
Meaning uncertain.
Matimba m & f Tsonga
Means "strength" in Xitsonga.
Pacificus m Late Roman, South African
Means "peacemaker" in Latin. From the Latin pāx 'peace' and faciō 'I do, make'.... [more]
Giniel m Afrikaans
Giniel de Villiers is a South African rallye driver and winner of Rallye Dakar 2009.
Nontuthuzelo f Xhosa
From the Xhosa intuthuzelo meaning "comfort, consolation".
Eseimokumo m Ijaw
Don't talk bad of me
Nolwandle f Zulu
Means "mother of oceans" in Zulu.
Anaruz m Berber, Northern African
Means "hope" in Tamazight.
Loza f Amharic
The Amharic form of Luz, the name of a place in the Bible where it is believed Jacob saw his ladder.
Salemite m Efik
Means "offspring of peace" in Efik.
Tẹninlánimí m & f Yoruba
Means "I belong to the great one" in Yoruba.
Huoniso m & f Shona
It means "to show; allow to see", a shorter form of the can be Huoni or Oniso.
Mwezi m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "moon" or "month".
Svikire m & f Shona
Meaning "to arrive upon".
Ayaba f African American (Rare), Yoruba (Rare), Nigerian (Rare), African (Rare)
From the Yoruba ayaba meaning "queen".
Danie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Daniël.
Meshesha m Amharic
Means "refuge, safehaven" in Amharic.
Onyango m Luo
"born in the morning before noon"
Mashgash m & f Igbo
Posh name. Meaning: Intelligence and beauty
Alaowei m Ijaw
Means "noble man" in Ijaw.
Tavavich f Amharic
Name of the wife of the eighteenth-century Ethiopian emporer.
Ayanleh m Eastern African
Means "lucky". This name spelling is most commonly used in Djibouti and is also used as a surname.
Edji m Central African
"What I wanted"
Madhil m Dinka
Means "born on the way" in Dinka. This name is given to a male that’s born on the way, for example while the mother is traveling and gives birth on the way to her destination.
Woyengiemi m & f Ijaw
Means "God is alive" in Ijaw.
Lemi m & f Oromo
From the Oromo verb “leemuu” which means to be sweet, pleasant, or soft. Prevailing masculine usage in Ethiopia.
Anwilika f Igbo
Means "joy is greater" in Igbo.
Oteng m Tswana
Means "He (God) is here" in Setswana.
Issaka m Western African
Form of Ishaq used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Areneha f Sotho (Rare)
Means "he gave us".
Qassi m & f Berber (Arabized, Rare), Persian (Modern, Rare)
Arabized form of Kaci. In Arabic, Qassi (قاسي) means "hard", "tough", or "stern". For example, قاسي الملامح (qāsī al-malāmiḥ) is a phrase meaning "stern features" (used to describe someone with a tough or serious expression)... [more]
Lenana m & f Eastern African
Lenana was a famous Maasai Laibon (Spiritual Leader) bearing the name.
Tafat f & m Ancient Berber, Berber
Means "light" in Amazigh.
Tsietsi m African
Used in South Africa and means "angry".... [more]
Obinze m Igbo, Literature
The love interest of Ifemelu in 'Americanah' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Xaawa f Somali
Variant of Xaawo.
Tonye m & f Ijaw
Short form of Ayibatonye.
Aderinsola f & m Yoruba
Meaning "a crown walks into wealth" or "royalty walks into wealth", from the Yoruba words adé (crown), rìn (to walk), (into) and ọlá (honor, wealth).
Tshupelo m Tswana
Means "witness" in Setswana.
Alek f Eastern African, Dinka
Means "black-and-white cow" in Dinka.... [more]
Mofoluwakemi f Yoruba
Means "given for the lord's blessing" in Yoruba.
Tadla f Berber (Rare)
Means "branches" in Berber.
Ongezwa f Xhosa
Means "addition, one who was added" in Xhosa.
Sahlu m Ge'ez
Means "his mercy" in Ge'ez.
Ndakaitei f Shona
Means "What did I do?" This name is an expression of regret by a parent. Usually given by a single mother whose partner does not take responsibility of the child born.
Mariame f Western African
Form of Maryam used in parts of western Africa.
Alitash f & m Ethiopian
Means "may I not lose you"
Muchena m Shona
One who is white or light skin tone. Or Blessing in Ndau dialect of Shona
Abebi f Yoruba
Means "begged to be born" in Yoruba, from bẹ̀ "beg, pray" and "to give birth, be born"... [more]
Damal m Somali
Meaning "reward" or "prize."
Andino m & f Efik, Ibibio
Means "God the giver" in Ibibio and Efik.
Xamse m Eastern African, Somali
Somali form of Hamza.
Apiyo f Luo
"firstborn of twins"
Illi f Berber (Rare)
Literally "My daughter"
Adama m Western African
Form of Adam used in parts of western Africa.
Khosi m Sotho
Means "king" in Sotho.
Bhekizizwe m Zulu
Means "look after the nations" in Zulu.
Ibenu m Idoma
Ibenu means "dare not a warrior" it was given after the Ibenu empire who lived in the Benue-Plateau region before its disintegration. The history was told that Ikwu who beget Ibenu were both warriors... [more]
Tasa f Berber
Means "love" when used as a name. Literally means "liver," the organ thought to be the seat of emotions, much like the heart's role in Western cultures.
Leungo m & f Tswana
Means "fruit" in Setswana.
Agyegyesεm m & f Akan
Means "trouble making" in Akan.
Ayita f English (Modern, Rare, ?), African American (Rare), Western African (Rare)
The origins of this name are uncertain. Though it is popularly claimed to mean "first to dance" in Cherokee, this appears to be untrue.... [more]
Ntwanano m & f Tsonga
Means "understanding" in Xitsonga.
Tikhalenawo f Chewa
Means "let's sit and live with them" in Chewa.
Lebna f & m Amharic
Means "spirit, essence" in Amharic.
Kerubo f Eastern African, Kisii
Means "marsh, plain" in Kisii, given to girls born in the plains.
Zakoi m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unknown.
Azizi f & m African American (Rare), Swahili
Means "treasure, rarity, something valuable; lover" in Swahili, derived from Arabic عَزِيز‎ (ʕazīz); compare Aziz. A known (female) bearer is American model Azizi Johari (1948-), in whose case it is a pseudonym.
Tòkèdé m & f Yoruba
Means "returning from the mountain(s)" in Yoruba.
Zawgha f Berber
Possibly from azewwagh meaning "red".
Enoabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "gift of god" in Ibibio.
Tadairaishe m & f Shona (Anglicized, Rare)
Those who answered God's call/agreed or believed in God's word
Keamogetswe m & f Tswana
Means "I am welcomed" in Setswana.
Tiécoura m Western African
Meaning as of yet unknown; it might possibly be related to Tiécoro.... [more]
Boipuso m & f Tswana
Means "independence" in Tswana.
Amani f Swahili
Means "peace" in Swahili.
Manirambona m Rundi
Means "God watches over me" in Kirundi.
Madin m Dinka
Means "speckled bull" in Dinka.
Sibonelo m Zulu
Means "example" in Zulu.
Izemrasen m Berber (Rare)
Means "powerful" in Berber.
Aniefiok m & f Nigerian, Ibibio
Means "who knows tomorrow?" in Ibibio.
Watipaso m & f Tumbuka
Means "he (God) has given us again" in Tumbuka.
Ogbagzy m Ge'ez
Means "protection of our Lord" in Ge'ez.
Fedens f African
Meaning unknown. This was the name of Tatiana Rusesabagina's sister-in-law, portrayed by Leleti Khumalo in 'Hotel Rwanda' (2004).
Kirikuba m Bariba
Means "a carved idol" in Bariba.
Sharmarke m Eastern African, Somali
Variant spelling of Sharmaarke, used outside of Somalia.
Ayou f Amharic, Ethiopian
Diminutive of Ayelech.
Nhamo m & f Shona
It means "suffering; woes; disaster".
Bhekizifundiswa m Zulu
Means "watch the educated ones" in Zulu.
Yooxanaa m Somali
Somali form of John.
Nopasika f Xhosa
Traditionally given to a girl born at Easter, from the Xhosa ipasika meaning "Easter".
Jemaine m & f South African (Rare), English (Rare)
Most likely a variant of Jermaine. A famous bearer of this name is New Zealand actor Jemaine Clement (1974-).
Imenti m Kikuyu
Means "believer of faith" in Kikuyu.
Masiko f African
'culture'
Kutloisiso f & m Sotho (Rare)
Means "understanding" in Sotho.
Tafeta m Sotho
Sotho form of David.
Oludotun m & f Yoruba
Means "God becomes new" in Yoruba.
Bathusi m & f Tswana
Means "helpers" in Setswana.
Tufayyur f Berber
Means "more beautiful than the moon" in Tamazight.
Asisat f Nigerian
The name of the professional woman football player Asisat Oshoala, playing for FC Barcelona.
Kutlwano f Sotho
Means "mutual understanding" in Sesotho.
Ozioma m & f Igbo
Means, "God's good news" in Igbo.
Motheo m South African
Allegedly means "foundation" in Tswana. It is said to normally be given to a child who is viewed as the foundation of the family. Normally a first born. It signifies a new life or re-birth.
Oluwatomi m & f Yoruba
Means "God is enough for me" in Yoruba.
Pheko m South African
Medicine or herb. Ussually medicine used for protection
Ejjegayyahu f Amharic
Means "I have seen much" in Amharic.
Waaq m Oromo (Latinized, Archaic), Somali (Latinized, Archaic)
Waaq is a name for the ancient Cushitic sky god. He was the supreme creator and god to the indigenous religions of several Cushitic peoples before the advent of the Abrahamic religions in the Horn of Africa... [more]
Ndimbuni f Nyakyusa
Means "I am saved" in Nyakyusa.
Andronika f Ancient Greek, Greek (Rare), Greek (Cypriot, Rare), Bulgarian (Rare), Albanian (Rare), South African
Feminine form of Greek Andronikos and Bulgarian Andronik. This name was borne by Andronika 'Donika' Arianiti (1428-1506), also known as Donika Kastrioti, the wife of Albanian national hero Skanderbeg, leader of a revolt against the Ottoman Empire.
Udoh m Efik
Means "second son" in Efik.
Chukwufumnanya f Igbo
Combination of Chukwu and Fumnanya.
Marai f Upper German, German (Austrian), German (Swiss), Afrikaans
German variant of Marei and Afrikaans variant of Maria.
Gidamarird m Datooga
Means "leopard" in Datooga.
Lamine m Western African, Arabic (Maghrebi)
Form of Al-Amin used in parts of western Africa as well as an Arabic alternate transcription chiefly used in northern Africa.
Samrawit f Amharic
Means "she unifies" or "she is unity" in Amharic.
Navil m Berber
Berber form of Nabil.
Takura m African
Shona language in Zimbabwe (Southern Africa)derived from the verb to grow up or mature. It can also mean "to carry" but is seldom used for this meaning in a name.
Chinoza m African
Zezuru name for one who knows much but says less
Nkrumah m Akan
Means “ninth born” in Akan.
Leandri f Afrikaans
Possibly a variant of Leandra.
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]
Orera f English (Modern, Rare), Spanish, Southern African, Eastern African
Possibly from Spanish or Italian orera meaning, "aurora." See also Aurora.
Dembe m & f Eastern African
Meaning "peaceful", origin is Ugandan.
Gubajuti m & f Bandial
Means "they do not have you" in Bandial.
Ibukunoluwa m & f Yoruba
Means "God's blessing" in Yoruba.
Genet f Ethiopian
Ethiopian name meaning "paradise"
Lebone f & m Sotho
means “light”
Mboutidem m & f Ibibio
Means "faith" in Ibibio.
Tapfumaneyi m Shona
Means "what has made us rich?" in Shona.
Uchi m African, Literature
Uchi is of African-Igbo origin. Uchi is a derivative of the African and Igbo Uchechi. This is the name of Uchi Akimbo, a character in the "Harry Potter" series written by J.K. Rowling.
Tsui m Khoekhoe, African Mythology
The Khoikhoi god of rain and thunder.
Malith m Dinka
Refers to a specific kind of ox in Dinka.
Tamaha f & m Dagbani
Means "hope" in Dagbani.
Trofimus m Afrikaans (Archaic), Dutch (Archaic)
Afrikaans and Dutch form of Trophimus.
Kashangaki m Swahili
Means "surprise" in Swahili.
Temitayo f & m Yoruba
Means "mine is worthy of joy" in Yoruba.
Machanda m & f Nyoro
Machanda is the Bunyoro month where sesame seeds are planted and sown.
Ayah f & m Jagham, Kenyang
From à-yà meaning "river" in Ejagham.
Masana m & f Chewa
Means "daylight" in Chewa.
Kokebi f Amharic
Means "star" in Amharic.
Atai m & f Efik
Osatohamwen m & f Western African, Edo
Means "the mercy of God is upon me" in Edo language.
Rokhaya f Western African
Form of Ruqayyah used in parts of western Africa (particularly Senegal).
Akiiki f Luo, Nyoro, Tooro
A variant of Akiki, Meaning ‘friend’ in Luo, Nyoro and Tooro.
Husaini m Hausa, Indonesian, Malay
Hausa, Indonesian and Malay form of Husayn.
Khutsafalo m & f Tswana
Means "melancholy" in Tswana.
Anenjere m & f Shona
Meaning "one who has wisdom", this name can be shortened to Njere.
Langelihle f & m Zulu
Means "beautiful day" in Zulu.
Lushomo f & m Southern African
"Grace or mercy" (chisomo)
Kigongo m & f Ganda
Born before twins
Kebitsemang m Tswana
Means "whom shall I call?" in Setswana.
Tzeddig f Berber
Meaning unknown.
Shungudzemwoyo m Shona
Means "yearnings of the heart" in Shona.
Jina f Swahili
Means "to walk" in Swahili.
Omodunni f & m Yoruba (Rare)
Means "having a child is joyful" in Yoruba.
Thubelihle f Ndebele
Means "good chance" in Ndebele.
Thilivhali m Venda
Means "one who does not forget" in Tshivenda.
Tiya f & m Kongo
Flame
Ekwunife m & f Igbo
Means "don't make a secret open" in Igbo.
Kiburi f & m Swahili
Means "pride" in Swahili.
Fahari m & f Swahili
Means "fame, honour, splendour" in Swahili.
Funkuro m Ijaw
Means "knowledge is power" in Ijaw.
Akiki m Eastern African, Nkore
Means "friend" in Nkore, spoken in Uganda.
Mebrate m Amharic
Means "my lamp" in Amharic.
Udendaneki f Datooga
Means "the spring, source of water" in Datooga.
Namiri m Kongo
Protector of the village
Boatametse m Tswana
Means "His kingdom drew near" in Setswana.
Thuso m Sotho
Means "help" in Sotho.
Dančile f Sidamo
Means "fine" in Sidama.
Petina f Shona
The name of the Zimbabwian writer Petina Gappah.
Aladesanmi m Yoruba
Means "royalty befits me" in Yoruba.
Asfru m Berber
Means "poem, ode" in Tamazight.
Sando m Dagbani, Kusaal
Means "stranger" or "traveler" in Dagbani and Kusaal.
Nashaad f Somali
Means "vibrant" in Somali.
Amoke f & m Yoruba
Means "known and cherished" in Yoruba, from mọ̀ "to know" and kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
Yandiswa f South African
Means "increased" in Zulu and "extended" in Xhosa.
Genzeb f Ethiopian
Diminutive of Genzebe.
Hodari f Swahili
Means “strong” in Swahili.
Ose m & f Esan
Means "god" in Esan. This is also the short form of names that begin in this element.
Kébirunga f Kiga
Means "child of crowns" in Rukiga.
Garre m Somali
Garre is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Obasi m Jagham, Kenyang
Derived from ò-βàsì meaning "God" in Jagham, Kenyang and various Ekoid languages.
Phatsimo f Tswana
Means "light" in Setswana.
Sifaw m Ancient Berber, Berber
Means "torch; ray of light" in Amazigh.
Seef m & f Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Limburgish (Rare)
This name is more often seen on men than on women. For men, the name is a short form of Josephus and in some cases also of Severinus and its Dutch form Severijn... [more]
Inioluwa m & f Yoruba
Means "property of the lord" in Yoruba.
Joswa m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Joshua.
Cawo f Somali
A name that comes from the Somali word cawo which means "luck." Outside of Somalia, Somalis may spell it as Awo.
Ntokozo f African, Zulu
Means "happiness" or "joy" in Zulu.
Fallou m Western African, French (African)
This name is of Senegalese origin.
Koko m & f Efik
Diminutive of Kokoete and Kokoeka.
Pemberai m Shona
Means "celebrate" in Shona.
Aduke f Yoruba
Means "one (people) struggle(d) to care for" in Yoruba.
Laamiiɗo m Fula
A Fulani honorific term, derived from the root laamu, meaning “leadership
Thandabantu m Zulu
Means "fond of others" in Zulu.
Mbuso m Ndebele
Means "kingdom" in Ndebele.
Mudene f South African, Afrikaans (Rare)
Meaning unknown. A known bearer was Mudene 'Dene' Smuts (1949-2016), a South African politician.
Kuwame m Akan
Means "Saturday" in Akan.
Tokunbo m & f Yoruba
Means "returned from overseas". It is often given to children born abroad and brought home.
Khaalid m Somali
Somali form of Khalid.
Sakura m Western African (?)
Mansa Sakura, sixth mansa of the Mali Empire, was a famous bearer.... [more]
Hetisani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga hetisa meaning "finish".
Onayi f Shona
"See it, see this". Situational name which says see what we have, behold.
Obax f Somali
It means “as delicate and beautiful as a flower” in Somali.
Solomoni m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Solomon.
Yonasani m Kiga
Kiga form of Jonathan.
Akissi f Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.
Kʼarooyye m & f Sidamo
Means "wise, clever" in Sidama.
Lehlogonolo m & f Sotho
Means "felicity" in Sotho.
Niama f & m Western African
The name of an 18th century Senegalese princess who was enslaved, sold to Mauritius and later freed by her owner.... [more]
Tekano m Sotho
Means "equality" in Sotho.
Busara f Swahili
Means "wisdom" in Swahili.
Maitaishe m & f Shona
It means "You have done it Lord" or simply, "Thank you Lord."
Imose f Western African, Edo
Means "beauty" in Edo.
Aranchi f Tigrinya
Means "orange (fruit)" in Tigrinya.
Ajoke f Yoruba
Means "jointly beloved" or "pampered by all" in Yoruba, from jọ "together, jointly; to assemble, congregate" and‎ kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
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.
Derifagha f & m Ijaw
Means "laughter can never end" in Ijaw.
Zahina f Kongo
Knowing
Hiwet f Amharic, Ethiopian
Variant transcription of Hiwot.
Alinda f Dutch, Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish (Rare), Hungarian, Gascon
Dutch, Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish and Hungarian contracted form of Adelinda and Gascon contracted form of Aidelina.
Sasavona m & f Tsonga
Means "helper" in Xitsonga.
Nwabugo f Igbo
Means "child is glory" in Igbo.
Mejereksa f Datooga
Means "one who cannot be controlled" in Datooga.
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.
Kaitochi f Igbo
The name originates from the Igbo tribe in the Eastern part of Nigeria, West Africa. It means "let us praise God"; referring to the Christian God.
Taribi m & f Ijaw
Means "ask for or seek love" in Ijaw.
Naito f African
Origin Meru "Rich woman"