African Submitted Names

African names are used on the continent of Africa, covering a wide number of languages. See also about African names.
gender
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Muhluri m & f Tsonga
Means "conqueror, victor" in Xitsonga.
Muhtari m Hausa
Hausa form of Mukhtar.
Muh'uc m Berber
Amazigh diminutive form of Mohammed.
Mujuni m Haya
Means "helper" in Haya.
Mukabakama f Haya
Means "a wife of kings" in Haya.
Múkabi m Kikuyu
In Kikuyu maasai intermarriage this name was given to a boy born of that relationship in that referred to the maasai as ukabi
Mukai f Shona
Means "be alert; wise-up" in Shona.
Mukejuwa f Kaguru
Means "sun's wife" in Chikaguru.
Mukhethwa m & f Venda
Means "the chosen one" in Tshivenda.
Mukondi f Chewa
Means “love you” in Chichewa.
Mulalo m Venda
Means "peace" in Tshivenda.
Mulamba f Ganda
Means “the whole thing, everything” in Luganda.
Mulatu m Amharic
Means "the abundance" in Amharic.
Mulele m African, Swahili
"Flying man," "man who flies," or "man of flight." The prefix "mu-" expresses "man of" or "man from" in the Swahili language. One interpretation would be that this is approximately equal to "angel," but because there are numerous parts of Africa where there are lots of devout Christians, I would lean towards the interpretation "man who runs quickly."
Mulogo m Eastern African
Means "a wizard".
Mulokozi m Haya
Means "saviour" in Haya.
Mulu m Amharic
Means "complete, perfect" in Amharic.
Mulugeta m Amharic
Means "he is all Lord" in Amharic.
Mulweri m Tsonga
Means "defender, advocate" in Xitsonga.
Mumba m & f Bemba
Means "inside the house" in Bemba.
Mumbe f African
From term 'umba' which means create. Means beautiful one. Used among the Kamba community in kenya. Related to mumbi from the kikuyu which means creator. both derived from 'umba' to create.
Mumuni m Zarma, Western African
A Zarma name of Unknown Meaning.
Munachim f & m Igbo
Means "me and my God". It can be used as a nickname for Munachimso.
Munachimso f Igbo
Means "me and my God".
Munachiso f & m Igbo
Means "God is with me" in Igbo.
Munatas m Berber (Rare)
This name means to ‘gather around a special person’.... [more]
Munatsi m Shona
Means "one who makes perfect" in Shona.
Munesu f & m Shona
Means "God is with us" or "God is within us" in Shona.
Muneyinazvo f & m Shona
Means "what have you to do with it" in Shona.
Mungongege m Nyakyusa
Means "you should follow me" in Nyakyusa.
Mungoni m & f Shona (Rare)
May mean abiding in grace
Munonzwa m & f Shona
Meaning "You hear" or "You are one who hears", Munonzwaishe and Ishemunonzwa are longer and more specific forms of the name.
Munonzwaishe m & f Shona
It means "You Lord are one who hears" or simply, "You hear the Lord".
Munyika m Kaguru
Means "of the bush" in Chikaguru.
Muogboo m Igbo
Means "let the spirits intervene or settle the matter" in Igbo.
Murapi m Shona
Means "healer" in Shona.
Murashani m Haya
Means "fighter" in Haya.
Murhangeli m Tsonga
Means "leader" in Xitsonga.
Murhi m & f Tsonga
Means "medicine, cure" in Xitsonga.
Muringa f Kikuyu
Means "a wire" in Kikuyu.
Murisi m Tsonga
Means "shepherd" in Xitsonga.
Murtala m Nigerian
West African variant of Murtada. This was borne by Murtala Muhammed (1938-1976), a Nigerian Army general who became fourth Head of State of Nigeria.
Muruthi m Kikuyu
Means "lion" in Kikuyu.
Musa f Ndebele
Means "grace" in Ndebele.
Musanete m African, Shona
Means "do not get tired" in Shona.
Muse m Eastern African, Somali
Variant spelling of Muuse. This spelling is used outside of Somalia.
Mushana m & f Shona
It means "sunshine".
Musiwanda m Kaguru
Means "lastborn" in Chikaguru.
Musoke m Ganda, African Mythology
Musoke is the God of Rain in Ganda mythology. His Name derives From ‘mu’, indicating a single individual, and ‘soke’, which means ‘rain’.
Musonda m & f Bemba
Means "the taster" in Bemba.
Musongwe m Kaguru
Means "fearless man" in Chikaguru.
Mustafe m Somali
Somali form of Mustafa.
Mustaphe m Somali
Somali form of Mustafa.
Mutinta f Southern African
Means “to change” or "different" in Tonga, a language spoken in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The name is traditionally given to a baby girl born after the birth of two or more consecutive sons.
Mutsa f Shona
Means "mercy" in Shona.
Mutsawashe m & f Shona
Meaning "the kindness of the Lord".
Mutshidzi m & f Venda
Means "saviour" in Tshivenda.
Mutunga m African
comes from term tunga which means to return, replace, put back in kamba. Used to name people born after the death of a person in a family. They are taken to be replacements for the departed. the feminine form is mutungwa... [more]
Mutungi m Haya
Means "he who is rich" in Haya.
Muuse m Somali
Somali form of Moses.
Muwaabe m African
East African - Lusoga ... [more]
Muxammad m Somali
Variant of Maxamed.
Muyiwa m Yoruba
Short form of Oluwamuyiwa.
Muzhiyo m Ndebele (Rare)
zulu, ndebele and xhosa name meaning "homesteads of kings"
Muzowa m & f Lunda
Means "rainy day" in Lunda.
Mvumo m Shona
Meaning "agreement; harmony, accordance".
Mvuseselo m Zulu
Means "revival" in Zulu.
Mwai m & f African, Western African
Chichewa, means "luck".... [more]
Mwaitaishe f & m Shona
Means "Thank you God" in Shona.
Mwakatumbula m Nyakyusa
Means "son of a heart" in Nyakyusa.
Mwamini f Swahili
Means "honest" in Swahili.
Mwara f Kikuyu
Means "the clever one" in Kikuyu.
Mwari m Shona, African Mythology
Means 'force behind creation' in Shona. Shona traditional religion, Mwari is the supreme creator deity who is believed that he is the author of all things and all life and all is in him.
Mwasaa f Swahili
Means “time” in Swahili.
Mwaura m Kikuyu
To kú aúra means to remove or relieve one of a heavy load.Mostly when a visitor came with a kiondo/load and a person took it off his/her back the remover was the mwauri
Mwaziona m & f Nsenga
This is a Nsenga name given to both boy and girls. It means "Have you seen" or "Have you seen yourselves".
Mweya f Shona
Means "soul" in Shona.
Mwezi m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "moon" or "month".
Mwiza f Rundi
It means someone good heart, appearance, character and personality. Second meaning "Beautiful"
Mwombeki m Haya
Means "the builder" in Haya.
Mwongeli f African
AFRICAN NAME FROM KENYA. USED IN KAMBA TRIBE.THE NAME IS MOSTLY USED IF FOR SOME REASON A MOTHER HAS A GIRL AFTER ANOTHER TO MEAN YOU ARE BLESSED WITH ANOTHER GIRL.ITS A FEMALE NAME.MAY ALSO BE USED TO MEAN A BLESSING
Mxolisi m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "peace maker" or "(one who) asks for forgiveness" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mylokoh m Akan
The name mylokoh stands for strength, wisdom and an alpha mentality.
Mynhardt m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mijnhard.
Mynie f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mijnie.
Mzi m Xhosa
Diminutive of Mzingayi.
Mzingaye m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "there is a home because of him" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mzingayi m Xhosa
Variant spelling of Mzingaye.
Mzwandile m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "the house has expanded" in Xhosa, idiomatically referring to a growing family.
Mzwenhlanhla m Zulu
Means "home for luck" in Zulu.
Naad-o m Sidamo
Means "appreciation" in Sidama.
Naaleeye m Somali
Means "anyway" in Somali.
Naani f & m Dagbani
Means "trust" or "confidence" in Dagbani.
Naardiid m Somali (Archaic)
Naardiid is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Naas m Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Short form of Athanaas, Donaas and Ignaas.... [more]
Nabarwa f Eastern African, Maasai
Of uncertain meaning.
Nabirye f Eastern African
Meaning unknown.
Nabiyat m Ge'ez
Means "prophets" in Ge'ez.
Nadifa f Somali
Feminine form of Nadif.
Nafissatou f Western African
West African form of Nafisa.
Naha m & f Sotho
Means "land" or "world".
Naha m Sotho
land or country
Nahom m Eastern African
East African form of Nahum.
Naishewedu f Shona
Means "with our god" in Shona.
Naito f African
Origin Meru "Rich woman"
Naïvane f Kongo
Naïvane means: the one I gave in Kikongo
Najuma f Swahili
Means "abounding in joy" in Swahili.
Nakaggwa f Ganda
second child (girl) after twins
Nakai f Shona
From Shona naka meaning "beautiful, good".
Nakedi m & f Tswana
Means "striped polecat" in Setswana.
Naki f Swahili
the first born girl in the family
Nakiso f Shona
Meaning “the beautifier; one who makes things beautiful”.
Nala f Sotho
“Prosperity” , a Sesotho name used in the motto of Lesotho
Nalado m Hausa
Means "born on a Sunday" in Hausa.
Nalane f & m Sotho
it means history in sesotho
Naleli f Sotho
Means "star" in Sotho.
Naleli-yameso f Sotho
Meaning, Morning Star in Sesotho
Namale m & f African (?)
Means "Peaceful" or "Positive"
Namari m & f African American (Rare), South African
Combination of the sounds found in names such as Jamari, Amari and Kamari.
Namatai m Shona
Namatai means "Pray or praise and worship God".
Namatembu f Ovambo
Means "moving, departure" in Ovambo.
Namatinbo m & f Ijaw
Means "a hunter" in Ijaw.
Nambeho f Pare
Feminine form of Kombeho.
Nambi f Ganda, Bantu, African Mythology
Wife to the first man in Buganda Kingdom in Uganda, who is also believed to be the first living person
Nambitha f Xhosa
Means "to savour, to enjoy" in Xhosa, encouraging the child to savour life.
Nametsegang f Tswana
Means "be of good cheer" in Setswana.
Namibia f Kongo
Shield
Namiri m Kongo
Protector of the village
Namori m Western African
Used in Ivory Coast. A famous bearer is Namori Meite (born 1988) a French-born Côte d'Ivoirean basketball player currently member of the Côte d'Ivoire national basketball team.
Namutenya f Ovambo
Feminine form of Amutenya.
Nandi f Zulu
Means "sweet" in Zulu. This was the name of the mother of Shaka, famed warrior king of the Zulus in colonial South Africa (though her grave is marked Nindi).
Nangamso f & m Xhosa
Means "future" or "even tomorrow" in Xhosa, figuratively "thank you". Often intended as being part of a phrase such as ungadinwa nangomso meaning "don’t be tired tomorrow". Meant to convey gratitude, and the hope for more of the same in the future.
Nṱanganedzeni m & f Venda
Means "accept me" in Tshivenda.
Nangula f Ovambo
Feminine form of Angula.
Nantwi m & f Akan
Means "bull" or "cow" in Akan.
Nanzota f Pare
Feminine form of Nzota.
Napaga f Dagbani
It's a name popular with royals of the Dagbani tribe of Northern Ghana. It means the queen's mother.
Napari f & m Dagbani
it means someone born after twins
Narai f Hausa
Means "born on a Wednesday" in Sokoto Hausa.
Naravas m Berber
Personal name of Naravas, a Berber Numidian king and Hannibal's brother in law.
Nardos f Ethiopian, Biblical, Spanish
"An amazing scent. Appears in the bible as a perfume used on Jesus."... [more]
Nasara f & m Dagbani
It means ''victory'' or ''success'' in Dagbani.
Naserian f Eastern African
Means “one born during peaceful times” in Maasai.
Naserian f Eastern African
Means “the lucky one" in Samburu, a variant of Maasai language.
Nashaad f Somali
Means "vibrant" in Somali.
Nashipie f Swahili
This is a Maasai name given to young girls, meaning "joy"
Nasi f & m Amharic
Means "brass" in Amharic.
Nasicha f Western African
Name given to female children during the locust season
Nasra f Arabic, Somali, Swahili
Means 'helper, support" in Arabic.
Nassool-a m Sidamo
Means "soulmate" in Sidama.
Nassoole f Sidamo
Feminine form of Nassool-a.
Nasteexo f Somali
A name from the word meaning "advice, counsel."
Nasteho f Somali
Means "advice" or "counsel" in Somali.
Natasha f Bemba
Means “I am thankful” or "thank you" in Bemba, a Zambian language.
Nathari f Swahili
Means "prose" in Swahili.
Nathinge f Ovambo
Means "summer" in Ovambo.
Nato m South African
Diminutive of Ignatius.
Natota m & f Southern African
Means "thank you" in Lamba, a Zambian language.
Natsai f Shona
Means "make good" in Shona.
Natsinet m Tigrinya, Ge'ez
From Tigrinya ናጽነት (naṣnät) "freedom".
Natukunda m & f Kiga, Tooro, Nkore
Meaning ‘He loves us’ in Nkore and Kiga.
Nauwara f Nigerian
Derived from Arabic نَيِّر (nayyir) meaning "luminous, brilliant".
Navil m Berber
Berber form of Nabil.
Navuri f Pare
Feminine form of Sevuri.
Nayfa f Swahili
Means "benefit" in Swahili.
Nbangzaa m & f Dagbani
It means "I have known them"
Ncuti m Rwandan, English (African)
From the Kinyarwanda word incuti meaning "friend".
Ndabezinhle f Zulu
Means "good news" in Zulu.
Ndabicacile m Ndebele
Means "the story's clear" in Ndebele.
Ndabiti m Nyamwezi
Nyakyusa form of David.
Ndafadzwa f Shona
Means "I am happy" in Shona.
Ndaheni f Tsonga
Means "instruct me" in Xitsonga.
Ndakaitei f Shona
Means "What did I do?" This name is an expression of regret by a parent. Usually given by a single mother whose partner does not take responsibility of the child born.
Ndakakuda m Shona
Means "I have loved you" in Shona.
Ndakasharwa f Shona
Means "I have been chosen" in Shona.
Ndale f & m African, Western African
The younger one... [more]
Ndamukong m African
Means "House of Spears" in the Ngema tribe of Cameroon. A famous bearer is Ndamukong Suh, the defensive tackle for the college football team Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Ndanatsei f Shona
Means "Am I good?" in Shona.
Ndanshau m Chaga
Means "bull" in Chagga.
Ndarama m & f Shona
It means "gold", this name serves as a given name and a surname.
Ndewangisio m Chaga
Means "get confirmation" in Chagga.
Ndhe'neza m Tsonga
Means "the thing", implying "the secret", in Xitsonga.
Ndianabasi m & f Ibibio
Close to God
Ndiane m Kaguru
Means "I have eaten with them" in Chikaguru.
Ndidiamaka f Igbo
Means "patience is very good" in Igbo.
Ndigwako f Nyakyusa
Means "I am yours" in Nyakyusa.
Ndikubwayo m Rundi
Means "I am alive thanks to God" in Kirundi.
Ndimbuni f Nyakyusa
Means "I am saved" in Nyakyusa.
Ndini m & f Dagbani
”My own”
Ndiyafhi m & f Venda
Means "where do I go?" in Tshivenda.
Ndleleni m Zulu
Means "on the road" in Zulu.
Ndochii f Shona
Means "What is this?" in Shona.
Ndodana m Ndebele
Means "son" in Ndebele.
Ndomba m Luba
Means "ask me" in Luba-Kasai.
Ndombolo f Kongo
It is the name of a Congolese music genre and dance style derived from the Congolese Rumba and Kwassa Kwassa during 1990s.
Ndondoloza f Zulu
Possibly means "I will guard" in Zulu.
Ndonga f Eastern African, Kikuyu (?)
Unknown meaning. This name shows up specifically in Kenya.
Ndonsa f Zulu
Means "morning star" in Zulu.
Ndosi f Punu
Means "dream" in Punu.
Ndubisi m & f African
Ndubisi is an Igbo name derived from Ndu(Life) Bu isi(The first or of priority).This then means "Life is first or of Priority.
Ndudi f Igbo
Means "there is life" in Igbo.
Nduefuna m & f Igbo
Means "let life not be lost" in Igbo.
Ndukari m Ijaw
Means "pray for long life" in Ijaw.
Ndulu m Igbo
Means “life is precious, life is valuable” in Igbo.
Nduma f Shona
Means "token of love" in Shona.
Ndumiso f Zulu
Means "praise" in Zulu.
Nduna m & f Southern African, Central African
Means "head (wo)man" in Luvale, languege spoken in Zambia and Angola.
Nduvho m & f Venda
Means "praise" in Venda.
Ndzalama f Tsonga
Means "emerald" in Xitsonga.
Nebiri f Amharic
Means "leopard" in Amharic.
Nedochi f Nigerian
It means child of God in Igbo.
Neerá f Kongo
Eternal Soul
Nega m African
Dawn - One of Ethiopian General who fought and defeated Italian army in the 19th Century in in a place called Dogali, Ethiopia.
Negash m Amharic
Means "one who rules" in Amharic.
Negasi m Ethiopian
The meaning of Negasi is ‘he will wear a crown’.
Negatu m Amharic
Means "the dawn" in Amharic.
Negese m Amharic
Means "he ruled" in Amharic.
Negewo m Amharic
Means "your dawn" in Amharic.
Negus m African American, Tigrinya
Means "king" in Tigrinya.
Neguse m Amharic
Means "my king" in Amharic.
Nehemia m Hawaiian, Biblical Hawaiian, Afrikaans, Biblical Finnish
Hawaiian, Finnish and Afrikaans form of Nehemiah.
Neira f & m Dagbani
It means Bright one
Neisim f & m Dagbani
Means "brightness" in Dagbani.
Nekemiyah f Kongo
Comforted by God
Nelah f Swahili (Rare)
Gift with purpose. Composition if Nia (meaning purpose) and Nala (meaning gift)
Nelbe f & m Sotho
Means "the net" in Sotho.
Nelisiwe f Zulu
Means "satisfied" in Zulu.
Nelius m English (American), Afrikaans, Norwegian (Rare)
Afrikaans and Norwegian short form of Cornelius.
Nelugendo f Kaguru
Means "traveller" in Chikaguru.
Nenaunir m & f Maasai, African Mythology
Of uncertain meaning, likely linked to rain. Nenaunir is the villainous god of rain in Maasai mythology, being depicted as a rainbow snake.
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.
Nengimote f & m Ijaw
Ijaw name Meaning "OVERCOMER OR VICTORY" NENGI for short
Nenritdung f African, Ngas, Nigerian
A common name used among the Jos Plateau people of Nigeria. Meaning "God is good"
Nenrot f & m African, Ngas, Nigerian
A common name used among the Jos Plateau people of Nigeria. Meaning "God loves"
Neoyame m & f Tswana
Means "my gift" in Setswana.
Neoyaone f & m Tswana
Means "His (God's) gift" in Setswana.
Neqa-tibeb m Ge'ez
Means "wisdom is vigilant" in Ge'ez.
Nerutendo f Shona
Meaning "with belief" or "with thanks; with gratitude", another form of the name is Norutendo. It derives from the verb kutenda.
Neššo f Sidamo
Means "small statured" in Sidama.
Nesuha f Ethiopian
Possible from an Arabic root nasuh which means something like sincerity, often found in the religious context taubat-an-nasuha meaning sincere return or repentance.
Netsanet m Ethiopian
ethiopia.limbo13.com... [more]
Neway m Ge'ez
Means "vessel" in Ge'ez.
Nfamara m Manding, Wolof, Western African
Alternative spelling of the Manding name Famara closer to the original name of ruler Nfamara Mané.
N'famory m Western African
Possibly a variant of Nfamara. This name is primarily used in Guinea.
Ngale f Chewa
Means "jewel" in Chewa.
Ngalula m & f Luba
Variant of Tshiandanda.