This is a list of submitted names in which the usage is Eastern African; and a substring is an.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Abedikani m & f AlurMeans "Where do I stay?" in Alur language. It is given to someone who is born to a parent or parents who are disliked by, or in conflict with, their familymembers or community.
Abyan m SomaliFrom the Somali word Abyee which translates to "to complete or to perfect"
Acan f & m AlurMeans "I suffer" in Alur language. The name may be given to a child born when the parents were experiencing poverty or suffering.
Achan f DinkaMeans "female child in the first pair of twins" in Dinka.
Adanech f AmharicMeans "she saved" or "she rescued" or "she has rescued them" in Amharic.
Angweng f Luo"birthed during the season of white ants (termites, i.e. rainy season)"
Anindo f Luomeans that the mother slept a lot during pregnancy
Atimango f AlurMeans "What do I do?" in Alur language and may be given to someone who is born to parents who are facing an issue or problem.
Ayanleh m Eastern AfricanMeans "lucky". This name spelling is most commonly used in Djibouti and is also used as a surname.
Beydaan f SomaliSomali feminine name taken directly from the ordinary vocabulary word for "almond", which is perhaps ultimately from Persian
بادام (
bâdâm) "almond".
Bootaan m SomaliThe name Bootaan is of Somali origin and carries a powerful and positive meaning. In Somali, Bootaan is often associated with characteristics like strength, courage, and dignity. It's a traditional Somali name that reflects qualities admired in Somali culture, particularly in relation to leadership, bravery, and standing firm in the face of challenges.... [
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Cartan m SomaliThe 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.
Chan m DinkaMeans "male child in the first pair of twins" in Dinka.
Daniachew m AmharicMeans "arbitrate between them" or "you be the judge" in Amharic.
Ezana m EthiopianEzana 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... [
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Fana f EthiopianMeans “light” or “jungle” in various African languages.
Hakizimana m Rwandan, Rundi, African Mythology (Modern)A name which means "God saves everything,"
imana being the name of the original Rwandan/Burundian deity and now the modern word for God in all monotheistic usages within Rwanda and Burundi.
Hufane m SomaliHufane is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [
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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".
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
Khamani m SwahiliMeaning “son of king”, “first born”, or “great king” in Swahili.
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).
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”.
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.
Machanda m & f NyoroMachanda is the Bunyoro month where sesame seeds are planted and sown.
Magan m SomaliMeans "protection" or "refuge" in Somali.
Majani f SwahiliSwahili feminine name meaning "leaves (of a plant)".
Morana f MaasaiMorana means a female warrior. It is a feminine derivative of Morani
Ojwang m Luo"survived despite being neglected"
Shankaroon f SomaliMeans "better than five" in Somali. It is also used as endearment to express the worth of the one child is better than five.... [
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Suban m SomaliSuban is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [
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Tosane m SomaliMeaning: Tosane generally means "wise" or "knowledgeable."... [
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Wangũi f Kikuyu, African MythologyVariant of
Wangũ, meaning “of firewood”. A famous bearer of the name was one of the daughters of Kikuyu and Mumbi, the first man and woman in Kikuyu Mythology.
Wanjiru f KikuyuNjiru means black thus meaning one that comes from black or dark matter mainly in reference to skin colouration
Warsan f SomaliMeans "good news", derived from Somali
war meaning "news" combined with the Somali feminine name suffix -
san, itself a derivative of Somali
wanaagsan meaning "good". A notable bearer of this name is Warsan Shire (1988-), a British writer, poet, editor and teacher of Somali descent.