African Names

African names are used on the continent of Africa, covering a wide number of languages. See also about African names.
gender
usage
Aadan m Somali
Possibly a Somali form of Adam.
Aamadu m Fula
Fula form of Ahmad.
Aamina f Arabic, Somali
Alternate transcription of Arabic آمنة (see Amina 1), as well as the Somali form.
Aaminata f Fula
Fula form of Amina 1.
Abdou m Western African, Northern African
Form of Abduh common in West and North Africa.
Abdoul m Western African
Form of Abdul used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Abdoulaye m Western African
Form of Abd Allah used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Abdullaahi m Fula
Fula form of Abd Allah.
Abdullahi m Hausa
Hausa form of Abd Allah.
Abeba f Amharic
Means "flower" in Amharic.
Abena f Akan
Means "born on Tuesday" in Akan.
Abeni f Yoruba
Means "we prayed and we received" in Yoruba.
Aberash f Amharic
Means "giving off light, shining" in Amharic.
Abidemi m & f Yoruba
Means "born in my absence" in Yoruba. It is typically given to children born when the father is away.
Abimbola f & m Yoruba
Means "born to me with wealth" in Yoruba.
Abiodun m & f Yoruba
Means "born on a festival" in Yoruba.
Abiola f & m Yoruba
Means "born into wealth" in Yoruba.
Abioye m & f Yoruba
Means "born into royalty" in Yoruba.
Abosede f Yoruba
Means "comes with the start of the week" in Yoruba, given when the child is born on Sunday.
Aboubacar m Western African
Form of Abu Bakr used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Abubakar m Hausa, Fula
Form of Abu Bakr used in Nigeria.
Achieng f Luo
Feminine form of Ochieng.
Adaeze f Igbo
Means "eldest daughter of the king" in Igbo.
Adamou m Western African
Form of Adam used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Adanna f Igbo
Means "eldest daughter of the father" in Igbo.
Adannaya f Igbo
Means "eldest daughter of her father" in Igbo.
Ade 1 m & f Yoruba
From Yoruba adé meaning "crown", also a short form of other names beginning with this element.
Adebayo m Yoruba
Means "the crown meets joy" in Yoruba.
Adebola m & f Yoruba
Means "the crown meets wealth" in Yoruba.
Adebowale m & f Yoruba
Means "the crown has returned home" in Yoruba.
Adedayo m & f Yoruba
Means "the crown becomes joy" in Yoruba.
Adegoke m Yoruba
Means "the crown has ascended the mountain" in Yoruba.
Adekunle m Yoruba
Means "the crown has filled the home" in Yoruba.
Ademola m Yoruba
Means "the crown is with wealth" in Yoruba.
Adenike f Yoruba
Means "the crown is to be cared for" in Yoruba.
Adeola f & m Yoruba
Means "the crown of wealth" in Yoruba. It is also a surname.
Adetokunbo m & f Yoruba
Means "the crown returns from over the sea" in Yoruba.
Adewale m Yoruba
Means "the crown has come home" in Yoruba.
Adhiambo f Luo
Feminine form of Odhiambo.
Adisa m & f Yoruba
Means "bundled up and set to dry" in Yoruba.
Adjoa f Akan
Variant of Adwoa.
Adwoa f Akan
Means "born on Monday" in Akan.
Adzo f Ewe
Ewe form of Adwoa.
Afi f Ewe
Ewe form of Afua.
Afia f Akan
Variant of Afua.
Afolabi m Yoruba
Means "born into wealth" in Yoruba.
Afua f Akan
Means "born on Friday" in Akan.
Ahmadu m Hausa
Hausa form of Ahmad.
Aïchatou f Western African
Form of Aisha used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Aisha f Arabic, Urdu, Hausa, Swahili, Kazakh, African American
Means "living, alive" in Arabic. This was the name of Muhammad's third wife, the daughter of Abu Bakr. Some time after Muhammad's death she went to war against Ali, the fourth caliph, but was defeated. Her name is used more by Sunni Muslims and less by Shias.... [more]
Aishatu f Hausa
Hausa variant of Aisha.
Aïssa f Western African
Form of Aisha used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Aïssatou f Western African
Form of Aisha used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Akachi m & f Igbo
Means "the hand of God" in Igbo.
Akinyi f Luo
Means "born in the morning" in Luo.
Akli m Berber
Means "slave, servant, black" in Tamazight.
Akosua f Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.
Akpan m Ibibio
Means "first-born son" in Ibibio.
Akpofure m & f Urhobo
Means "life is peaceful" in Urhobo.
Aku 2 f Ewe
Ewe form of Akua.
Akua f Akan
Means "born on Wednesday" in Akan.
Akuchi f & m Igbo
Means "wealth from God" in Igbo.
Alaba f & m Yoruba
Means "second child after twins" in Yoruba.
Alassane m Western African
Form of Al-Hasan used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Alemayehu m & f Amharic
Means "I have seen the world" in Amharic.
Alhaji m Hausa
Means "the pilgrim" in Hausa, a derivative of Arabic حجّ (ḥajj) meaning "pilgrimage, hajj". It is typically a title, not a name.
Alhassan m Western African
Form of Al-Hasan used in West Africa.
Alheri f Hausa
Means "the charitable, the good" in Hausa, from Arabic خير (khayr).
Alinafe f & m Chewa
Means "he or she is with us" in Chewa.
Aliyu m Hausa
Hausa form of Ali 1.
Ama f Akan
Means "born on Saturday" in Akan.
Amadi 1 m Igbo
Means "freeborn man" in Igbo.
Amadi 2 m Yoruba (Rare)
Possibly means "seemed destined to die at birth" in Yoruba.
Amadou m Western African
Form of Ahmad used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Amadu m Western African
Form of Ahmad used in West Africa.
Amahle m & f Zulu
Means "the beautiful ones" in Zulu.
Amaka f Igbo
Short form of Chiamaka.
Amara f Igbo
Means "grace" in Igbo.
Amarachi f Igbo
Means "God's grace" in Igbo.
Amastan m Tuareg
Means "protector" in Tamazight.
Amayas m Tuareg
Means "cheetah" in Tamazight.
Ameqran m Berber
Means "large, great" in Tamazight.
Ameẓyan m Berber
Means "small" in Tamazight.
Amina 1 f Arabic, Bosnian, Tatar, Bashkir, Chechen, Ingush, Kazakh, Urdu, Swahili, Hausa
Derived from Arabic أمن (ʾamina) meaning "safe, secure". This was the name of the Prophet Muhammad's mother, who died when he was young.
Aminata f Western African
Form of Amina 1 used in West Africa.
Aminatou f Western African
Form of Amina 1 used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Aminu m Hausa
Hausa form of Amin.
Amogelang m & f Tswana
Derived from Tswana amogela meaning "welcome, accept".
Amondi f Luo
Feminine form of Omondi.
Anan 1 m & f Akan
Means "fourth born child" in Akan.
Andile m & f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "they have increased" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.
Anuli f Igbo
Means "joy" in Igbo.
Asabe f Hausa
From Hausa Asabar meaning "Saturday" (of Arabic origin).
Asha 2 f Swahili
From Swahili ishi meaning "live, exist", derived from Arabic عاش (ʿāsha).
Ashura f Swahili
From the name of an Islamic holy day that commemorates the death of Husayn ibn Ali. It is so named because it falls on the tenth day of Muharram, deriving from Arabic عشرة (ʿashara) meaning "ten".
Asma'u f Hausa
Hausa form of Asma.
Atieno f Luo
Feminine form of Otieno.
Awa f Western African
Form of Hawa typical of West Africa.
Awiti f Luo
Means "thrown away" in Luo, possibly used for a child born prematurely.
Awotwi m & f Akan
Means "eighth born child" in Akan.
Axmed m Somali
Somali form of Ahmad.
Ayaan 2 f Somali
Means "good luck" in Somali.
Ayan 3 f Somali
Variant of Ayaan 2.
Ayana 1 m Ethiopian
Meaning unknown (possibly Amharic or Oromo).
Ayanda m & f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "they are increasing" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.
Ayele m Amharic
Means "become strong, become powerful" in Amharic.
Ayo f & m Yoruba
From Yoruba ayọ̀ meaning "joy", or a short form of other names containing this element.
Ayodele m & f Yoruba
Means "joy has come home" in Yoruba.
Ayokunle m Yoruba
Means "joy has filled the home" in Yoruba.
Ayomide f & m Yoruba
Means "my joy has arrived" in Yoruba.
Ayotunde m & f Yoruba
Means "joy has come again" in Yoruba.
Ayuba m Hausa
Hausa form of Job.
Azubuike m Igbo
Means "the past is your strength" or "your back is your strength" in Igbo.
Baako m & f Akan
Means "first born child" in Akan.
Babajide m Yoruba
Means "father has awakened" in Yoruba.
Babatunde m Yoruba
Means "father has come again" in Yoruba.
Babirye f Ganda
Means "first of twins" in Luganda.
Bahati f & m Swahili
Means "luck, good fortune" in Swahili, ultimately from Persian بخت (bakht).
Bakari m Swahili
From the Swahili name for the constellation Boötes.
Balarabe m Hausa
Means "born on Wednesday" in Hausa, derived from Laraba "Wednesday", from Arabic الأربعاء (al-ʾarbiʿāʾ), itself derived from أربعة (ʾarbaʿa) meaning "four".
Bamidele m & f Yoruba
Means "follow me home" in Yoruba.
Bandile m & f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "they have increased" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.
Banele m & f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Swazi
Means "it is enough" in Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi.
Baraka m Swahili
Means "blessing" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic بركة (baraka).
Bekele m Amharic
Means "grow, flourish" in Amharic.
Bello m Fula, Hausa
Possibly from Fula ballo meaning "helper". This name was borne by Muhammad Bello (1781-1837), the second leader of the Sokoto Caliphate.
Bereket m Amharic
Means "blessing, abundance, profusion" in Amharic.
Berhane m & f Amharic
Means "my light" in Amharic.
Berhanu m Amharic
Means "his light" in Amharic.
Berko m Akan
Means "first born" in Akan.
Bilƙisu f Hausa
Hausa form of Bilqis.
Bitrus m Hausa
Hausa form of Peter.
Boipelo m & f Tswana
Means "joy, rejoicing" in Tswana, from ipela meaning "to rejoice".
Boitumelo f & m Tswana
Means "joy" in Tswana, from itumela meaning "to be happy".
Bolanle f Yoruba
Means "find wealth at home" in Yoruba.
Bongani m Zulu
Means "grateful, thankful" in Zulu.
Bonolo f Sotho
Means "ease" in Sotho.
Bontu f Oromo
Means "proud" in Oromo.
Bose f Yoruba
Short form of Bosede.
Bosede f Yoruba
Variant of Abosede.
Braam m Afrikaans
Afrikaans short form of Abraham.
Buhle f & m Xhosa, Ndebele
From Xhosa and Ndebele buhle "beautiful, handsome", from the root hle.
Bukar m Hausa
Short form of Abubakar.
Bukola f Yoruba
Means "add to wealth" in Yoruba.
Businge m & f Kiga
Means "peace" in Rukiga.
Cabdullaahi m Somali
Somali form of Abd Allah.
Cali 2 m Somali
Somali form of Ali 1.
Charlize f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Charles using the popular Afrikaans name suffix ize. This name was popularized by South African actress Charlize Theron (1975-), who was named after her father Charles.
Chausiku f Swahili
Means "born at night" in Swahili.
Chi 2 m & f Igbo Mythology, Igbo
Means "god, spiritual being" in Igbo, referring to the personal spiritual guardian that each person is believed to have. Christian Igbo people use it as a name for the personal Christian god (as opposed to the omnipresent Chukwu, though the names are used synonymously in some contexts). This can also be a short form of the many Igbo names that begin with this element.
Chiamaka f Igbo
Means "God is more beautiful" in Igbo.
Chibueze m Igbo
Means "God is the king" in Igbo.
Chibuike m Igbo
Means "God is strength" in Igbo.
Chibuzo m & f Igbo
Means "God is the way" in Igbo.
Chichi f Igbo
Diminutive of Chi 2.
Chidi m & f Igbo
Means "God exists" in Igbo, derived from Chi 2, referring to God, and dị meaning "is". It is also a short form of Igbo names beginning with Chidi.
Chidiebele m & f Igbo
Variant of Chidiebere.
Chidiebere m & f Igbo
Means "God is merciful" in Igbo.
Chidiebube m & f Igbo
Means "God is wonderful" in Igbo.
Chidiegwu m Igbo (Rare)
Means "God is awe-inspiring" in Igbo.
Chidike m Igbo
Means "God is strong" in Igbo.
Chidimma f Igbo
Means "God is good" in Igbo.
Chidinma f Igbo
Variant of Chidimma.
Chidubem m & f Igbo
Means "God is guiding me" in Igbo.
Chiemeka m & f Igbo
Means "God did a greater deed" in Igbo.
Chifundo m & f Chewa
Means "mercy" in Chewa.
Chifuniro m & f Chewa
Means "will, wish" in Chewa.
Chigozie m & f Igbo
Means "God bless" in Igbo.
Chijindum m & f Igbo (Rare)
Means "God holds my life" in Igbo.
Chijioke m Igbo
Means "God holds a portion" in Igbo.
Chika 1 f & m Igbo
Means "God is greater" in Igbo.
Chike m Igbo
Means "God of strength" in Igbo.
Chikelu m & f Igbo
Variant of Chikere.
Chikere m & f Igbo
Means "God created" in Igbo.
Chikondi m & f Chewa
Means "love" in Chewa.
Chikumbutso m & f Chewa
Means "memory" in Chewa.
Chima m & f Igbo
Means "God knows" in Igbo, derived from Chi 2, referring to God, and meaning "know".
Chimezie m & f Igbo
Means "God rectify" in Igbo.
Chimwala m & f Yao
Means "stone" in Yao.
Chimwemwe m & f Chewa
Means "joy, pleasure" in Chewa.
Chinasa f Igbo
Means "God is answering" in Igbo.
Chinedu m Igbo
Means "God is leading" in Igbo.
Chinenye f Igbo
Means "God is giving" in Igbo.
Chinonso m & f Igbo
Means "God is nearby" in Igbo.
Chinwe f Igbo
Means "God possesses" in Igbo. It is also a short form of Igbo names beginning with Chinwe.
Chinweike m Igbo
Means "God possesses power" in Igbo.
Chinwendu f & m Igbo
Means "God possesses life" in Igbo.
Chinweuba m Igbo
Means "God possesses plenty" in Igbo.
Chinyelu f Igbo
Variant of Chinyere.
Chinyere f Igbo
Means "God gave" in Igbo, derived from Chi 2, referring to God, and nyè meaning "give".
Chioma f Igbo
Means "good God" in Igbo, derived from Chi 2, referring to God, and ọ́má meaning "good, beautiful".
Chipiliro m & f Chewa
Means "perseverance, endurance" in Chewa.
Chipo f Shona
Means "gift" in Shona.
Chisom f & m Igbo
Means "God goes with me" in Igbo.
Chisomo m & f Chewa
Means "grace" in Chewa.
Chiumbo m Mwera
Means "small" in Mwera.
Chiyembekezo m & f Chewa
Means "hope" in Chewa.
Chizoba f & m Igbo
Means "God continues to save" in Igbo.
Chrizanne f Afrikaans
Combination of Christine and Anne 1 used in South Africa.
Chuks m Igbo
Diminutive of Igbo names beginning with the element Chukwu meaning "God".
Chukwudi m Igbo
Means "God exists" in Igbo (a variant of Chidi using Chukwu as the first element).
Chukwuebuka m Igbo
Means "God is greater" in Igbo.
Chukwuemeka m Igbo
Means "God did a greater deed" in Igbo.
Chukwuma m Igbo
Means "God knows" in Igbo (a variant of Chima using Chukwu as the first element).
Cismaan m Somali
Somali form of Osman.
Cusmaan m Somali
Somali form of Osman.
Dada m & f Yoruba
Means "curly hair" in Yoruba.
Dakarai m Shona
Means "rejoice" in Shona.
Dalitso m & f Chewa
Means "blessing" in Chewa.
Danai 2 f Shona
From Shona dana meaning "call, summon".
Ɗanjuma m Hausa
From Hausa ɗa "son" and Jumma'a "Friday".
Ɗanladi m Hausa
From Hausa ɗa "son" and Lahadi "Sunday".
Ɗanlami m Hausa
From Hausa ɗa "son" and Alhamis "Thursday".
Dawit m Amharic
Amharic form of David.
Dayo m & f Yoruba
Means "joy arrives" in Yoruba.
Dejen m Amharic
Means "foundation, support" in Amharic.
Desta f & m Amharic
Means "joy" in Amharic.
Dihya f Berber
Meaning unknown. This was the real name of the Berber queen Kahina.
Dikeledi f Tswana
Means "tears" in Tswana.
Dubaku m & f Akan
Means "eleventh born child" in Akan.
Dumi m Zulu, Ndebele
Short form of Dumisani.
Dumisani m Zulu, Ndebele
Means "praise" in Zulu and Ndebele.
Ebele f Igbo
Variant of Ebere.
Ebere f Igbo
Means "mercy, kindness" in Igbo.
Ebrima m Western African
Form of Ibrahim used in West Africa (Gambia).
Ebuka m Igbo
Short form of Chukwuebuka and other Igbo names ending with the same element.
Efe 2 m & f Urhobo
Short form of Efemena and other names containing efe "wealth".
Efemena m & f Urhobo
Means "here is my wealth" in Urhobo.
Efua f Akan
Variant of Afua.
Ejike m Igbo
Means "one having strength" in Igbo.
Ejiro m & f Urhobo
Short form of Ejiroghene and other names containing ejiro "praise".
Ejiroghene m & f Urhobo
Means "praise God" in Urhobo.
Ekene m & f Igbo
Means "thanks, gratitude" in Igbo.
Ekenedilichukwu m & f Igbo
Means "gratitude belongs to God" in Igbo.
Ekua f Akan
Variant of Akua.
Ekundayo f & m Yoruba
Means "tears become joy" in Yoruba.
Ekwueme m Igbo
Means "one says, one does" in Igbo, indicating a person who is truthful about his behaviour.
Elias m Portuguese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, English, Dutch, Greek, Amharic, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Form of Elijah used in several languages. This is also the form used in the Greek New Testament, as well as some English translations.
Eliud m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Eastern African
From a Greek form of a Hebrew name meaning "God is grandeur". The Gospel of Matthew lists him as an ancestor of Jesus. This name is popular in Kenya.
Emeka m Igbo
Short form of Chukwuemeka and other Igbo names ending with the same element.
Emem m & f Ibibio
Means "peace" in Ibibio.
Eniola f & m Yoruba
Means "person of wealth" in Yoruba.
Enitan m & f Yoruba
Means "person with a story, storied person" in Yoruba.
Enu m & f Akan
Means "fifth born child" in Akan.
Enyinnaya m Igbo
Means "his father's friend" in Igbo.
Enyonam f Ewe
Means "it is good for me" in Ewe.
Enzokuhle m & f Zulu, Xhosa
Means "to do good" in Zulu and Xhosa, from the roots enza "to do" and hle "beautiful, good".
Ermias m Amharic
Amharic form of Jeremiah.
Ese f & m Urhobo
Means "gift" in Urhobo.
Eseoghene m & f Urhobo
Means "God's gift" in Urhobo.
Eshe f Swahili
Variant of Asha 2.
Esi f Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.
Eskender m Amharic
Amharic form of Alexander.
Eskinder m Amharic
Alternate transcription of Amharic እስክንድር (see Eskender).
Etenesh f Amharic
Means "you are my sister" in Amharic.
Faarax m Somali
Somali form of Farah.
Fadhili m Swahili
Means "kindness, favour" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic.
Faɗimatu f Hausa
Hausa form of Fatima.
Fadumo f Somali
Somali form of Fatima.
Fadzai f Shona
From Shona fadza meaning "please, make happy".
Farai m & f Shona
From Shona fara meaning "rejoice, be happy".
Faraji m Swahili
Means "consolation" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic فرج (faraj).
Fatimata f Western African
Form of Fatima used in West Africa.
Fatimatou f Western African
Form of Fatima used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Fatoumata f Western African
Form of Fatima used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Fatsani m & f Chewa
Means "be meek" in Chewa.
Fatuma f Eastern African
Form of Fatima used East Africa.
Femi m Yoruba
Short form of Olufemi.
Filbert m Eastern African
Possibly a form of Philibert. It is particularly used in Tanzania due to track star Filbert Bayi (1953-), who set a world record running the 1500 meter in 1974.
Folami m & f Yoruba (Rare)
Means "respect and honour me" in Yoruba.
Fumnanya f & m Igbo
Means "love me" in Igbo.
Fungai m & f Shona
From Shona funga meaning "think, judge".
Funke f Yoruba
Short form of Olufunke.
Funmilayo f Yoruba
Means "give me joy" in Yoruba, also a short form of Olufunmilayo or Oluwafunmilayo.
Furaha f Swahili
Means "joy, happiness" in Swahili, borrowed from Arabic فرح (fariḥa).
Gadisa m Oromo
From Oromo gaaddisa meaning "shade".
Gadise f Oromo
Feminine form of Gadisa.
Ganizani m Chewa
Means "think" in Chewa.
Gbemisola f Yoruba
Means "carry me into wealth" in Yoruba.
Gudina m Oromo
Means "growth, advancement" in Oromo.
Gugulethu f Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
From Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele igugu "treasure, pride" and lethu "our".
Gwandoya m Ganda
Means "met with misery" in Luganda.
Hadija f Swahili
Swahili form of Khadija.
Hadiza f Hausa
Hausa form of Khadija.
Hadizatu f Hausa
Hausa variant form of Khadija.
Hafsat f Hausa
Hausa form of Hafsa.
Hafsatu f Hausa
Hausa form of Hafsa.
Halima f Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Hausa, Swahili
Feminine form of Halim. Halima was the name of the foster mother of the Prophet Muhammad.
Halimat f Hausa
Hausa variant of Halima.
Halimatu f Hausa
Hausa variant of Halima.
Hamisi m Swahili
From Swahili Alhamisi meaning "Thursday", from Arabic الخميس (al-khamīs), itself derived from خمسة (khamsa) meaning "five".
Hamisu m Hausa
From Arabic خامس (khāmis) meaning "fifth", a derivative of خمسة (khamsa) meaning "five". It is sometimes added to a given name to indicate the fifth sibling bearing it.
Haoua f Western African
Form of Hawa used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Haregewoin f Amharic
Means "grape vine" in Amharic.
Haron m Eastern African
Variant of Harun found in East Africa.
Harouna m Western African
Form of Harun used in parts of West Africa.