Somali
names are used in the countries of Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti in eastern Africa.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Abyan m SomaliFrom the Somali word Abyee which translates to "to complete or to perfect"
Barre m SomaliA name that comes from the Somali word bare which means "teacher." Barre was the last name (meaning the first name of the grandfather of) Mohamed Siad Barre (Somali spelling: Maxamed Siyaad Barre). Siad Barre was the military ruler and president of Somali from 1969 until 1991.
Beydaan f SomaliSomali feminine name taken directly from the ordinary vocabulary word for "almond", which is perhaps ultimately from Persian
بادام (
bâdâm) "almond".
Cawil m SomaliA name that means "replacement." A family may give the name to a male whose father or older brother has died.
Cawo f SomaliA name that comes from the Somali word cawo which means "luck." Outside of Somalia, Somalis may spell it as Awo.
Cilmi m SomaliA name that derives from the word cilmi which means "knowledge" or "learning."
Diric m SomaliA name that comes from the Somali word diric which means "bold; fearless or daring." The name connotes courage or heroism. Outside of Somalia, a Somali person may spell the name as DIRI.
Fahmo f SomaliMeans "understanding" in Somali directly from the Arabic root
f-h-m (see
Fahim).
Geesi f SomaliMeans "a courageous man, brave, hero" in Somali.
Guled m & f SomaliIt means victory after a long struggle
Gurey m SomaliA name that comes from the Somali word gurey, meaning "left-handed." This word is usually an adjective, but sometimes a name.
Habon f & m Somali (Rare), SpanishThis name means when everything comes together at the right time and the right place. Beautiful.
Hibaaq f SomaliDerived from Arabic هِبَة
(hiba) meaning "gift, grant".
Hoodo f SomaliThis name comes from the Somali word hoodo which means "luck, fortunate." Somalis outside of Somalia may spell the name as Hodo.
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).
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".
Jabar جبّار m Indonesian, Arabic, Indian (Muslim), Urdu, Malay, Maranao, Maguindanao, Somali, Persian, Pashto, PakistaniIndonesian form of
Jabbar 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.
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.
Magan m SomaliMeans "protection" or "refuge" in Somali.
Magool f SomaliPossibly from the Somali
magooli meaning "blossom".
Mahado f SomaliPossibly from the Somali
mahad meaning "thanks".
Obax f SomaliIt means “as delicate and beautiful as a flower” in Somali.
Raage m SomaliMeans "he who delayed at birth" in Somali.
Rooble m SomaliA Somali name that means "rain man" or "one who brings rain." The Somali word roob means "rain."
Sagal f SomaliA name that derives from the word sagal which means morning rays of the sun during the rainy season.
Samatar m SomaliThis Somali name means "doing good" or just "good."
Saredo f SomaliEtymology uncertain, possibly from the Somali
sare meaning "high, advanced".
Sharmaarke m SomaliA name that means "see no evil" or "protect from evil." The prefix shar- means "evil."
Shermake m SomaliMeans "someone who is really lucky and brings good fortune along with them" in Somali.
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".
Tadalesh m SomaliMeans "person who possesses a lot of good luck" in Somali.
Tahiil m SomaliMeans "someone who is well balanced" in Somali.
Ubax f SomaliMeans "flower" or "blossom" in Somali.
Ugbad f SomaliThe meaning is a "Bouquet of Roses". It is a new name, people used it as a very advanced language term of the meaning.
Warsame m SomaliMeans "good news", derived from Somali
war meaning "information, news" and
same "good, positive".
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.
Xalwo f SomaliMeans "sweet" in Somali. It is the name of a Somali dessert.
Xirsi m SomaliThis Somali name means "safeguard." The word xirsi also means "safeguard." The x in Somali is a voiceless pharyngeal fricative, a throaty sound that is not present in English. Somalis outside of Somalia may spell the name as HIRSI or HERSI.