This is a list of submitted names in which the usage is Eastern African; and the pattern is ****.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Hibaaq f SomaliDerived from Arabic هِبَة
(hiba) meaning "gift, grant".
Hiyabel f Ethiopian, Tigrinya (?)According to Nameberry, it means "gift of God" from the Tigrinya element
hiyab meaning "gift" and Hebrew אֵל
('el) meaning "God".
Hoodo f SomaliThis name comes from the Somali word hoodo which means "luck, fortunate." Somalis outside of Somalia may spell the name as Hodo.
Hufane m SomaliHufane is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [
more]
Hurre m SomaliHurre is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [
more]
Ibraahin m Somali (Archaic)Somali form of
Abraham, now perhaps archaic. This name was borne by Ibraahin Adeer (ruled late 17th century to mid-18th century), the first sultan of the Sultanate of the Geledi, a Somali kingdom that ruled parts of the Horn of Africa from the late 17th century to 1910.
Iimaan f & m SomaliSomali form of
Iman. One notable bearer of this name is Somalian-born American model Iman (born 1955).
Imanzi m RwandanFrom the Kinyarwanda word "umumanzi", meaning "righteousness".
Irbad m SomaliIrbad is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [
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Izmael m Hungarian (Rare), Eastern African (Rare), Judeo-Catalan, Biblical Hungarian, Biblical Polish, Biblical Czech, Spanish (Latin American, Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare)Hungarian, Polish, Czech, Judeo-Catalan and Somali form of
Ishmael, as well as a Spanish and Portuguese variant of
Ismael.
Jaamac m Somali, MuslimSomali transcription of the Arabic word جامع (
jāmaʿa) meaning "mosque". This name has the same roots ج-م-ع (
j-m-ʿ) of the Islamic day of prayers, coinciding with "Friday".
Jafari m African American (Rare), SwahiliSwahili version of, and elaboration of,
Jafar that came into popular usage in the 1970s due to many parents choosing Afrocentric names, in this particular case an Islamic name.
Jalaur m AlurMeaning “passenger”. A famous bearer was
Jalusiga’s older half-brother, who was a temporary replacement for their father Amula from 1917-22 when he was in exile.
Jalusiga m AlurMeaning uncertain. A famous bearer was one of Amula’s sons, who replaced him as a chief of the Ukuru when he passed away.
Jawaahir f SomaliSomali form of
Jawahir. One bearer is Somali-American model Jawaahir Axmed (born 1991), better known by her Americanized name of Jawahir Ahmed.
Jhené f EthiopianDerived from the Ethiopian word
Ghenet, meaning "paradise" or "garden of Eden."
Jiilaal m SomaliJiilaal is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [
more]
Jok m Dinka, African MythologyJok is the Supreme God in Lango, Dinka and Alur Mythologies. In
A Dictionary of African Mythology, Jok, the supreme being, is described like moving air; he is omnipresent, like the wind, but is never seen, though his presence may be felt in whirlwinds or eddies of air, in rocks and hills, in springs and pools of water, and he is especially connected with rainmaking... [
more]
Kaari f Eastern African (Rare), MeruThe name kaari is a name popular used among the Ameru (Meru) community of Kenya. The name is given to a child named after a younger sister of one of the parents. It is especially given by the grandparents... [
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Kaarr-o f SidamoMeans "space between upper incisors" in Sidama, this is traditionally held to be a sign of beauty.
Kabinda m & f LuhyaDerived from the Luhya word
binda meaning "to enclose doorway with posts". This name is traditionally given to the last child.
Kahandi m PareMeans "knife" in the Athu language of the Pare people.
Kalkidan f AmharicAmharic for "promise", root words "qal" (ቃል) meaning word, and "kidan" (ኪዳን), meaning covenant, from the Ge'ez language
Kamas m SomaliKamas is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [
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Karúngi f KigaMeans "something good, beautiful" in Rukiga.
Karungi f HayaMeans "the one who is beautiful" in Haya.
Kaskazi f SwahiliSwahili feminine name meaning "north wind" or "hot season, summer".
Kassa m & f AmharicMeans "compensation, reparation" in Amharic.
Kasungi m & f KikuyuIt means “I will never suffer” often translated in Kiswahili as “Siwezi sumbuka”.... [
more]
Katavi m African Mythology, NyamweziA 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.
Kazoka m PareMeans "axe" in the Athu language of the Pare people.
Kbra f TigrinyaUsed in Eritrea and Tigray, meaning: her glory, her dignity
Kedist f Ethiopian, AmharicVariant spelling of
Kidist. A famous bearer is Kedist Deltour, a Belgian model who was crowned Miss Belgium in 2023.
Keza f RwandanIn Kinyarwanda, the given name "Keza" means "beautiful," "good," or "graceful." and can also be used as an adjective to describe something or someone who is pleasing, attractive, or excellent in character or appearance.
Khamani m SwahiliMeaning “son of king”, “first born”, or “great king” in Swahili.
Kibafupia f SwahiliThe 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... [
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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).
Kimya f SwahiliMeans "silent" in Swahili. This is the name of musician Kimya Dawson.
Kisundi m PareMeans "deep night" in the Athu language of the Pare people.
Kitheko f PareMeans "laughter" in the Athu language of the Pare people.
Kiume m SwahiliSwahili masculine name meaning "stamina, strength".
Kiwanuka m Ganda, African MythologyKiwanuka is the hammer wielding God of Thunder and Lightning in Ganda Mythology. His name means “someone who was born on a Thursday”.
Kombeho m PareEtymology uncertain, this name is traditionally given to babies born during winter.
Konjo f & m Amharic"Beauty" (typically used in a feminine context).
Kovu m SwahiliIt's Kiswahili for "Scar" and possibly, and is used in the Lion King 2. Kovu was chosen by Scar to become King before Simba returned to Pride Rock. Kovu's Mother Zira almost let Simab kill him when he was just a cub when they were caught in the Pridelands, but Simba told her to take him and leave before departing with his own daughter
Kiara... [
more]
Kwoth m African, NuerThe 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.
Lamessa m OromoIt is spoken by the Oromo people in Ethiopia. The meaning of the name come from Lama; which means two. And Lamessa means "the second." It is a name given to a person that comes next to the first born: male or female in the family.
Lamrot f AmharicMeans beautiful or knowledgable. Also common as a surname in Ethiopia.
Leemmo m SidamoMeans "bamboo" in Sidama, figuratively meaning "slender".
Lemi m & f OromoFrom the Oromo verb “leemuu” which means to be sweet, pleasant, or soft. Prevailing masculine usage in Ethiopia.
Liban m Arabic, SomaliThe name Liban, meaning persevere in ancient arabic is prodominatley used in the northern region of Somalia (now Somaliland). Usually given to boys who are seen as handsome at birth.
Looyan m SomaliRefers to an advocate or one who resolves disputes.
Loza f AmharicThe Amharic form of Luz, the name of a place in the Bible where it is believed Jacob saw his ladder.
Lulia f Tigrinya, VariousSaid to mean "Diamond" in Tigrinya. Of Eritrean origin, this name gained some popularity around the world.
Lutalo m GandaFamous bearer is Lutalo Muhammad (born 1991) a British taekwondo athlete.
Maax m SomaliMaax (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.
Mabior m Dinka, African MythologyMeans "white bull" in Dinka. The white bull is the most prized and is sought after for sacrifices in celebration.
Machanda m & f NyoroMachanda is the Bunyoro month where sesame seeds are planted and sown.
Machar m DinkaMeans "black bull" in Dinka. Black bulls are the second most important for sacrifices.
Madhil m DinkaMeans "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.
Magan m SomaliMeans "protection" or "refuge" in Somali.
Magool f SomaliPossibly from the Somali
magooli meaning "blossom".