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.
Dirkie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Dirk.
Kiya f Eastern African
Allegedly means "mine" in Oromo.
Kalidou m Western African
Form of Khalid used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Gebre-tsadik m Ge'ez
Means "servant of the righteous" in Ge'ez.
Nyagũra f Kikuyu
Means "the one who buys" in Kikuyu.
Anyim m Nigerian
A notable bearer is Anyim Pius Anyim, a Nigerian politician.
Nelius m English (American), Afrikaans, Norwegian (Rare)
Afrikaans and Norwegian short form of Cornelius.
Selemo f Tswana
Means "summer" in Setswana.
Anzansi m & f Dagbani
Means "courage" or "persistence" in Dagbani.
Gakuhĩ f Kikuyu
Means "the short one" in Kikuyu.
Oluwakemi f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God cares for me" in Yoruba.
Kedisaletse m Southern African
Botswanian name.
Deneke m Amharic
Means "he is marvellous" in Amharic.
Oluwarotimi m & f Yoruba
Means "the Lord stays with me" in Yoruba.
Rotshidzwa m & f Venda
Means "we have been saved" in Tshivenda.
Nwoyi m & f Western African, Yakö
Means "he/she knows" in Yakö language.
Mebrate m Amharic
Means "my lamp" in Amharic.
Jeta m Nigerian
Meaning unknown. A known bearer of this name is the Nigerian filmmaker Jeta Amata (b. 1974).
Erco m West Frisian (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant spelling of Erko, which is most likely a diminutive of Erk. Also compare Ercken and Herko, which is a variant of Herke.
Jawaat-a m Sidamo
Means "strong" in Sidama.
Aannuliró f Bandial
Means "she was brought down inside" in Bandial.
Emekemeabasi m & f Efik
Means "the Lord is able" in Efik.
Estia f Greek Mythology (Italianized), Greek (Rare), Afrikaans
Modern Greek and Italian form of Hestia.
Bahta m Tigrinya
Meaning unknown.
Tigisti f Tigrinya
Means "patience" in Tigrinya.
Sinegugu f Zulu
Means "we have treasures" in Zulu.
Gaone m & f Tswana
Means "of His (God)" in Setswana.
Oyin f Yoruba
Means "honey" in Yoruba.
Touré f & m Western African (Gallicized, Rare)
From the surname Touré, possibly a French form of Soninke tùùré "elephant".
Iqaqa m Zulu
Means "polecat" in Zulu.
Makhtar m Western African, Wolof
Senegalese form of Mukhtar.
Mbarka f Arabic (Maghrebi), Berber
Feminine form of Mubarak used in Northern Africa. This was the name of a possibly legendary Berber princess who ruled the ksar or oasis town of El Menia in Algeria.
Tsotang m Sotho
Means "amazement" in Sesotho.
Pipeloluwa f & m Yoruba
Means "God is perfect" in Yoruba.
Nsidibeabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "What is hidden before God?" in Ibibio.
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
Lorato f & m Tswana
Means "love" in Tswana.
Reneilwe m Sotho
This is borne by the retired South African soccer player Reneilwe 'Yeye' Letsholonyane (1982-).
Hulisani m & f Venda
Means "respect" in Tshivenda.
Mesi f Yao (Modern)
Modern variant of Miesi.
Jebet f African
Kalenjin name from the Rift Valley area of Kenya. Means born 'during the day'.
Ukoakpan m Ibibio
Means "brave first son" in Ibibio.
Usorọ m & f Ibibio, Efik
Means "festival" in Ibibio and Efik.
Aba f Akan
Means "born on Thursday" in Fante, a dialect of Akan.
Madodonke m Xhosa
Means "all men" in Xhosa. In traditional Xhosa culture, parents wanted both sons and daughters, and a household with only sons would bestow such names wishing for a daughter.
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.
Gbekelolu m & f Yoruba
Means "it is left to God" in Yoruba.
Uke m & f Igbo
Short form of names beginning with or containing Uke-.
Isma'ilu m Hausa
Hausa form of Ishmael.
Yasoy m Eastern African
Potential variant of Youssou.
Chukwufumnanya f Igbo
Combination of Chukwu and Fumnanya.
Aishafsat f Western African (Modern)
Combination of Aisha meaning "life" with Hafsat meaning "gathering".
Sonnika f Afrikaans
Either an elaboration of Sonya or derived from the German word Sonne "sun".
Iniku f Amharic
Means "jewel" in Amharic.
Hamse m Eastern African, Somali
Variant of Xamse, which is used outside of Somalia.
Akaziwe f Nguni
Means "she must be introduced" in Nguni.
Kamkhwala m & f Tumbuka
Means "of medicine, of herbs" in Tumbuka. Similar usage to Chimika.
Oluwale m Yoruba
Means "my God has come home" in Yoruba.
Olaitan m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth is inexhaustible" in Yoruba.
Kunyonywa m Nyakyusa
Means "you need" in Nyakyusa.
Tandeko m Zulu
Always lovable. From Bantu root tande
Maphoi f Tswana
Means "doves" in Setswana.
Alazimo f & m Ijaw
Means "born into royalty" in Ijaw.
Godslove m & f Nigerian (Modern), English
The combination of God is love, God's love. Meaning "God's kind of love" or "God is love"
Mabasen m & f Khoekhoe
Name mainly used by damara speaking people in Namibia.The name means "stand for yourself" used to encourage and teach an individual independance.
Yuns m Berber
Central Atlas Tamazight form of Yunus.
Balijekwao f Tumbuka
Means "they have no home" in Tumbuka.
Tọ́lání m & f Yoruba
Means "enough to have success, wealth" in Yoruba.
Arogo f Igbo
Means “rise, go up” in Igbo.
Nyengeterai f Shona
Means "pray for" in Shona.
Melaku m Ethiopian
Means "the angel" in Amharic.
Basetsanabotlhe f Tswana
Means "all girls" in Setswana.
Izemrasen m Berber (Rare)
Means "powerful" in Berber.
Outule m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) heard" in Setswana.
Kariebi m & f Ijaw
Means "the blessing we prayed for" in Ijaw.
Nnebuogor f Igbo
Means "mother is a gift" in Igbo.
Geleta m & f Amharic
Geleta is Amharic in origin & means 'revealed'.
Bonna f Bariba
Name traditionally given to the second born daughter.
Xisungulo m & f Tsonga
Means "beginning" in Xitsonga.
Zithembe m Zulu
Means "trust yourself" in Zulu.
Widdineh m Amharic
Means "you are dear" in Amharic.
Bebebomobo f & m Ijaw
Means "interpreter" in Ijaw.
Jakubu m Kikuyu
Kikuyu form of James.
Rugare m Shona
Means "peace, well being" in Shona.
Malusi m Zulu
Means "shepherd" in Zulu.
Makida f African
In Ethiopia, Makida was another name for the Queen of Sheba.
Paaye m Ijaw
Means "all things will pass in this world" in Ijaw.
Matemasie m & f Akan
Means "I have heard and concealed the fact" in Akan.
Shareu m Amharic
Means "God exonerated him" in Amharic.
Mosimanegape m Tswana
Means "a boy again" in Setswana.
Disemi f Ijaw
Means "I like it" in Ijaw.
Coumba f Western African, Fula
Means "the one who has the strength" in Fula.
Nduma f Shona
Means "token of love" in Shona.
Inioluwa m & f Yoruba
Means "property of the lord" in Yoruba.
Mandeiya m & f Dagbani
"I have accepted", "I have collected"
Guondibo m & f Bandial
Means "they inter you there" in Bandial. This is considered a 'death prevention' name.
Cumar m Somali
Somali form of Umar.
Kucheli f African
Name used by the people of northern Borno state, and Garkida area in Adamawa state. They are called the burah's and paburs.
Mthunzi f Zulu
Means "shade" in Zulu.
Matthys m Medieval Dutch, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans, West Frisian
Medieval Dutch form of Matthijs as well as the modern Afrikaans and West Frisian form of Matthijs. In the Netherlands, the name has survived to modern times, but it is highly rare there currently, especially when compared to its modern counterpart.... [more]
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.
Ifedapo m & f Yoruba
Means "love came together" in Yoruba.
Kanau m African
Allegedly used among the Limba people of Sierra Leone.
Nzota m Pare
Etymology uncertain, this name is traditionally given to babies born during drought.
Diyinrin f Ijaw
Means "live life carefully" in Ijaw.
Trudene f English (Rare), Afrikaans
Elaborated form of Trudy.
Neerá f Kongo
Eternal Soul
Defere m Amharic
Means "he is brave" in Amharic.
Jabulile f Zulu
Means "she is happy" in Zulu.
Jelani m Swahili
Powerful
Armana f Tigrinya
Neans "our flag" in Tigrinya.
Ikusasa f & m Zulu
Means "destiny" in Zulu.
Gete f Amharic
Short form of Getenesh.
Naleli f Sotho
Means "star" in Sotho.
Afiríyie f Akan
Means "happy circumstances" in Akan.
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]
Ekiye m Ijaw
Means "remember me" in Ijaw.
Duateme f Ijaw
Means "guardian spirit" in Ijaw.
Okwan m Akan
Means "on the road" in Akan.
Suoyo f & m Ijaw
Means "profit or gain" in Ijaw.
Vutlhari m & f Tsonga
Means "wisdom" in Xitsonga.
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.
Alheri f & m Dagbani
Means "gift" or "kindness" in Dagbani.
Siphesihle m Zulu
Means "beautiful gift" in Zulu.
Ukeme m Ibibio
Means "strength" in Ibibio.
Kimiya f Kongo
Peace
Rokhaya f Western African
Form of Ruqayyah used in parts of western Africa (particularly Senegal).
Onyemowo f Idoma
Means "Who knows God's thoughts" or "Who knows God's plans" in Idoma.
Abaka f Akan
Means "first born" in Akan.
Patukanani m Tumbuka
Means "part from one another" in Tumbuka.
Modupe-oluwa m & f Yoruba, African
Combination of Yoruba Modupe "I thank" or "thank you" and Oluwa meaning "God, lord".
Neqa-tibeb m Ge'ez
Means "wisdom is vigilant" in Ge'ez.
Oyinbodei f Ijaw
OYINBODEI is an ijaw tribe name of west africa meaning "OUR MOTHER HAS RETURNED" A name given to children believed to have #REINCARNITATED
Silam f & m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "peace" in Amharic.
Enibraye f & m Ijaw
Means "my own" in Ijaw.
Eneikedi f & m Ijaw
Means "look after your own" in Ijaw.
Dikgakgamatso m & f Tswana
Means "miracles" in Setswana.
Nyamihanda f Kiga
Means "mother of paths" in Rukiga.
Mtambo m & f Chewa
Means "clouds" in Chewa.
Tubbo m Luhya
Means "lover of bees; friend of all" in Luhya.
Wisliane m Kongo
Rich in Gold
Bhekisisa f Zulu
Means "to be careful, cautious" in Zulu.
Kajuna m Haya
Means "he helps" in Haya.
Adeyemi m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "the crown suits me" or "one who arrives and befits me" in Yoruba.
Munatsi m Shona
Means "one who makes perfect" in Shona.
Hannalie f Afrikaans
Contraction of Hanna and Elisabeth.
Barwaaqo f Somali
Means "prosperity" in Somali.
Mncedisi m & f Xhosa
From the Xhosa umncedisi meaning "helper".
Omorinsola f & m Yoruba
The name “OMORINSOLA” means child walks to wealth or affluence
Ebimie m & f Ijaw
Means "do good" in Ijaw.
Pakuteh m Mende
Means "powerful man" or "strong man" in Mende.
Udendaneki f Datooga
Means "the spring, source of water" in Datooga.
Hawi f & m Luo
"good luck"
Zina f Amharic
Means "felicity" in Amharic.
Fanus m Afrikaans
Short form of Stefanus.
Romelu m Central African (Modern, Rare)
This name is best known for being the name of the Belgian professional soccer player Romelu Lukaku (b. 1993), who is the eldest son of the Congolese professional soccer player Roger Menama Lukaku (b... [more]
Asmeret f Tigrinya
Means "united, unity" in Tigrinya.
Abejul m & f Bandial
Means "the one who pouts" in Bandial.
Corlia f Afrikaans
Contracted form of Cornelia.
Desita f Amharic
Means "joy, happiness" in Amharic.
Zillale m African
Bantu... [more]
Jibriil m Somali
Somali form of Gabriel.
Gashaw m Amharic
Means "the shield" in Amharic.
Kuhlula m & f Tsonga
Means "win" in Xitsonga.
Kelebileone f Tswana
Means "I am watching Him (God)" in Setswana.
Zugsung m & f Dagbani
Means "good luck" or "good fortune" in Dagbani.
Phethisi m Sotho
Means "completion" in Sesotho.
Baleba f Luba
Means "they have birthed" in Luba-Kasai, one of the Luba languages.
Tadjidine m Comorian
Comorian form of Taj ad-Din.
Sekou m Fula
Fula form of the Arabic title Sheikh.
Nzembo m & f Lingala
Means "song" in Lingala.
Fikiri f Amharic
Means "love" in Amharic.
Pulane f Sotho
Means "rainy" in Sesotho.
Lilitha f Xhosa
Means "light" in Xhosa.
Letlotlo f Sotho
Means "treasure" in Sesotho.
Onyedikachukwu m Igbo
Means "who is like God?" in Igbo.
Kenam f Southern African
Transferred use of the surname Kenam.
Abi f Nigerian
Means "owner" in Izere.
Khumiso m & f Tswana
Means "they are making us rich" in Setswana.
Ojilima f Idoma
Means "honour, respect" in Idoma.
Illi f Berber (Rare)
Literally "My daughter"
Naas m Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Short form of Athanaas, Donaas and Ignaas.... [more]
Magajiya f Hausa
Means "heiress" in Hausa. In some dialects this means "madam" and is avoided.
Tadla f Berber (Rare)
Means "branches" in Berber.
Khule f Zulu
Means "it is beautiful" in Zulu.
Mutshidzi m & f Venda
Means "saviour" in Tshivenda.
Sithandilizwe m & f Ndebele
Means "we love our country" in Ndebele.
Ireti m & f Yoruba
Means "hope" in Yoruba.
Charle m Afrikaans, Norman
Cotentinais Norman and Afrikaans form of Charles.
Chionye m Igbo
Means "God will give to him what he prays for" in Igbo.
Mayela f Kongo
Intelligent
Madini f Swahili
Means "gem" in Swahili.
Karama f Swahili
Means “gift” in Swahili.
Safaria f Swahili
The name Safaria is the feminized version of the name Safari, meaning "journey" in Swahili
Dijesumu m & f Yoruba (Rare)
Dijesumu means hold Jesus the name was translated from yoruba gods name to Christian which is Dorisamu, hold Orumila
Enemo f & m Ijaw
Means "endurance" in Ijaw.
Mama f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Saturday" in Fante, a dialect of Akan.
Kituru m Bariba
Means "rain god" in Bariba.
Kijana m & f Swahili, African American (Modern)
Means "young person" in Swahili. This is the nickname of American football player Kenneth Leonard 'Ki-Jana' Carter (1973-), given to him by his mother, who was inspired by a minor character in the movie Shaft in Africa (1973).
Esra m Biblical German, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian (Rare), Icelandic, Faroese, Afrikaans
German, Afrikaans and Scandinavian form of Ezra.
Asheazi f Eggon
A beautiful woman, precious woman
Adegbemibu m & f Yoruba
Means "the crown did not insult me” in Yoruba.
Mhuru m Shona
Means "calf" in Shona.
Aladegbuji m Yoruba (Rare)
Means "royalty has accepted shade" in Yoruba.
Nnedi f Igbo
Diminutive of Nnedimma.... [more]
Esu m & f Efik
Rapelang f & m Sotho
Means "pray" in Sotho.
Agizul m Berber
Means "brave" in Tamazight.
Babiker m Northern African, Arabic
Sudanese name possibly derived from the given name Bakr or from Arabic بَكَرَ (bakara) meaning "first born" or "to be early, to rise early".
Cartan m Somali
The name Cartan may be linked to terms or concepts in Somali language that emphasize strength or steadfastness, though its exact root is difficult to pinpoint. Many Somali names are descriptive, referring to virtues or traits that parents hope their child will embody, such as courage or leadership.
Oyinedidei f & m Ijaw
Means "God has cared for me" in Ijaw.
Maleagi m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Malachias.
Tebatso m Tswana
Means "make one forget" in Setswana.
Chitundu m Chewa
Means “nation” in Chichewa.
Angavu m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "clear, lucid".
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.
Ayah f & m Jagham, Kenyang
From à-yà meaning "river" in Ejagham.
Abdikadir m Eastern African, Somali
Somali form of Abd al-Qadir, used outside of Somalia.
Neneh f Western African
Meaning unknown, possibly a variant of Nana 4 or Nnenne. It is borne by Swedish singer Neneh Cherry (1964-), who inherited the name from her Sierra Leonean paternal grandmother.
Afianwan f Ibibio
Means "fair lady" in Ibibio.
Asatira f Swahili
Means "history, legend" in Swahili.
Sale m Western African, Hausa
Hausa form of Salih.
Chineto f & m Igbo
"God praises" "God uplifts" "God glorifies" "God gives talent"
Tiyya f Berber
Means The"Nice"
Reabetswe f Somali
Means "we have been provided for" in Sesotho.
Oluwasogo m & f Yoruba
Means "God makes glory" in Yoruba.
Oyintari f & m Ijaw
Means "God loves me" in Ijaw.
Makoud m Berber
Meaning unknown.
Makoi m Dinka
Means "red bull" in Dinka.
Munonzwaishe m & f Shona
It means "You Lord are one who hears" or simply, "You hear the Lord".
Waridabo m & f Ijaw
Means "lord of the household" in Ijaw.
Xabiso m Xhosa
Means "value, price" in Xhosa.
Dinknesh f Amharic
Means "you are marvelous; the wondrous one" in Amharic.... [more]
Obasi m Jagham, Kenyang
Derived from ò-βàsì meaning "God" in Jagham, Kenyang and various Ekoid languages.
Ubong m & f Efik
Means "my glory" in Efik.
Moluleloa m Sotho
Means "we have awaited your arrival" in Lesotho.
Khamisi m Swahili
Means “Thursday” in Swahili.