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.
Anoeschka f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Anuschka. This is borne by Namibian author Anoeschka von Meck (1967-).
Anofara m & f Shona
Meaning "one who is happy or joyous".
Anoni m Swahili
Variation of Anno.
Antobam f Akan
Means "posthumous child" in Fante. It is typically given to a child whose father died before they were born.
Anuarite f Central African (Rare)
Of uncertain origin, allegedly meaning "one who laughs at war". This is best known as the name of the Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta (1939-1964), a Congolese nun who was killed at the age of 24 during the Congo Crisis; she was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1985.
Añuget m & f Bandial
Means "the black one" in Bandial.
Anulika f Chewa
Means “light up” in Chichewa.
Anuoluwapo m & f Yoruba
Means "God's mercy is plenty" in Yoruba.
Anwilika f Igbo
Means "joy is greater" in Igbo.
Anya-kati m & f Afizere
Means "favour" in Afizere.
Anyang f Luo
Means "crocodile" in Luo.
Anyango f Luo
Meaning born in the mid morning
Anyim m Nigerian
A notable bearer is Anyim Pius Anyim, a Nigerian politician.
Anzansi m & f Dagbani
Means "courage" or "persistence" in Dagbani.
Anzél f Afrikaans
Variant of Anzelle.
Anzelle f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Ancelle.
Aondongu m Tiv
Means there is a God
Aoro f Luo
"born during a very dry season"
Aoua f Western African
Variant of Awa. A notable bearer was Malian independence activist Aoua Kéita (1912-1980).
Apaadi m Yoruba
Means "hell" in Yoruba.
Apapa m Ijaw
Means "groundnut" in Ijaw.
Apeke f Yoruba
Means "called to be pampered" in Yoruba, from "to call, summon, invoke" and kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
Apeloko f Yoruba
Means “apocalypse” in Yoruba.
Aphelele m & f Xhosa, Zulu
Means "complete, whole, all present" in Xhosa and Zulu. Often given to the last child to be born in a family.
Aphiwe m & f African
Means "given" in Zulu.
Apiyo f Luo
"firstborn of twins"
Apolot f Eastern African
Origin- Iteso people of eastern Uganda and Western Kenya, from the Ateso language, a derivative of the Teso-Turkana language and eastern Nilotic culture. ... [more]
Apputi m & f Bandial
Means "the tiny one" in Bandial.
Araarsame m Somali
The name Araarsame is also rooted in Somali language and culture.... [more]
Araba f African
Girl born on a Tuesday, in Akan. (Same as Abena)
Arabang f Sotho
Means "reply" in Sotho.
Arachie m & f Igbo
Possibly means "to have chosen a portion ahead of another; to supplant" in Igbo.
Aragsan f Somali
Means "see" in Somali.
Aralola f Yoruba
Means "family is wealth" in Yoruba.
Aranchi f Tigrinya
Means "orange (fruit)" in Tigrinya.
Araya m Tigrinya
Means "leader by example" in Tigrinya.
Archibong m Efik
Anglicised version of the Name Asibong.... [more]
Ardo m Fula
Meaning "chief" or "ruler".
Areksim m Berber
Means "caracal" in Amazigh.
Arenaya f Sotho
Means “He (God) gave us” in Sesotho.
Areneha f Sotho (Rare)
Means "he gave us".
Areneha f Sotho (Modern)
He gave us, God being the ‘He’
Aret f Efik
Means "born on a market day" in Efik.
Arezki m Kabyle
Probably derived from Arabic رِزْق (rizq) meaning "wealth, fortune" or "nourishment, sustenance".
Arezqi m Kabyle
Variant transcription of Arezki.
Arike f Yoruba
Means "seen and cared for" in Yoruba.
Arina f Hungarian, Dutch, Afrikaans
Hungarian contracted form of Adriána and Dutch and Afrikaans contracted form of Adriana.
Arinola f & m Yoruba
Means "one amongst honour" or "in the midst of wealth" in Yoruba, from àárín "centre, middle" combined with either ọlá "honour, respect" or ọlà "wealth"... [more]
Ariyo m Yoruba
Means "one who is seen and rejoiced" in Yoruba, from "to see" and yọ̀ "to rejoice".
Armana f Tigrinya
Neans "our flag" in Tigrinya.
Armed m Indonesian, Nigerian
Indonesian and Nigerian form of Ahmed.
Arogo f Igbo
Means “rise, go up” in Igbo.
Arouna m Western African, Kwa
Form of Harun. Possibly a name from the Kwa languages.
Arsema f Amharic
Amharic form of Hripsime.
Artwell m Shona, English (African), Ndebele
Zimbabwe origin meaning 'Creative' or 'Excellent Creation'.
Aruk f Efik
Of Eniong Origin
Arukubu f & m Ijaw
Means "a child born in a canoe" in Ijaw.
Arumirirarudo f Shona
It means "she has waited for love", or "one who has waited on love", a shorter form of the name can be Arumi or Rudo.
Arusi f Swahili
Means "born at wedding time" in Swahili.
Arziki f Hausa
Means "wealth, riches; prosperity" in Hausa.
Asaaseasa m & f Akan
Means "the land is finished" in Akan. The implication of this name is that there is no more land for the dead to be buried - so the child is encouraged to live as there will be no more space for his/her burial.
Asaba m & f Tooro
Asabi f Yoruba
Means "one selected for birth" in Yoruba.
Asade m & f Western African
West African form and rare feminine form of Asad.
Asadi m Eastern African
Masculine name in the Rotooro language, Uganda East Africa.
Asafar m Berber
Means "remedy" in Tamazight.
Asafu m Berber
Means "torch" in Tamazight.
Asali f Swahili
Means "honey" in Swahili.
Asamahle f Nguni
Means "she is still beautiful" in Nguni.
Asamkele f Nguni
Means "let us accept" in Nguni
Asamoah m & f Western African, Akan
Means "apostles" in Akan. It is also a surname. A famous bearer is Ghanaian soccer player Asamoah Gyan (1985-).
Asana f African, Dagbani
The name Asana is a derivative of Hassan. ... [more]
Asani m Swahili
Means "rebellious" in Swahili.
Asanti f & m Swahili, African
means "thank you"
Asanye m & f Efik
Asari f Efik
The name Asari, which is originally an Efik name, means "choosy","selective".
Asatira f Swahili
Means "history, legend" in Swahili.
Asavela f & m Xhosa
Means "they still appear" in Xhosa. A famous bearer is South African actress Asavela Mngqithi.
Asaye f African
From Africa/Ghana
Aseda f & m Akan
"Praise"
Asegelile m Nyakyusa
Means "He is close to me" in Nyakyusa.
Aseka m Shona
Meaning “he laughs; he who has laughed”.
Asekei m Shona
It is a name which asks a question, meaning “what does he laugh at?” or “what has made him laugh?”
Aseye f African
african, Means Happiness
Aseyiowu m Yoruba
Means "success" in Yoruba.
Asfru m Berber
Means "poem, ode" in Tamazight.
Ashe f Yoruba
From Yoruba àṣẹ meaning "power, authority, command". In Yoruba religion, àṣẹ is the natural power that makes things happen and produces change.
Asheazi f Eggon
A beautiful woman, precious woman
Ashegari f Amharic
Means "may he make you perfect" in Amharic.
Ashilame m Nigerian, Eggon
Means "he saves me" in Eggon.
Ashira m & f Shona
Meaning “receive; accept; welcome”, the fuller version of the name is Gashira.
Ashon m Akan
Means "seventh born son" in Akan.
Ashu m & f Kenyang, Jagham
From Kenyang sǒ meaning "wash, clean, clear." Alternatively it could stem from the verb sǔ in Ejagham which has the same meaning.
Asian m & f Ibibio
Means "one who is proud" in Ibibio.
Asipa m Yoruba
Means "pathfinder, one who leads the way" in Yoruba, from ṣí "to open up" and ipa "path".
Asirem m Berber
Means "hope" in Amazigh.
Asisat f Nigerian
The name of the professional woman football player Asisat Oshoala, playing for FC Barcelona.
Askale f Amharic (Rare)
Probably based on "Askal of Mary" (A type of flower).
Asli f Somali
Means "amber" in Somali.
Asmeret f Tigrinya
Means "united, unity" in Tigrinya.
Asmerom m Tigrinya
Eritrean and Tigray used name, the meaning is to unite.
Asmini f Swahili
Swahili form of Jasmin 1.
Asmun m Berber
Means "companion" in Amazigh.
Asrat m & f Ge'ez
Means "tithe" in Ge'ez.
Assane m Western African
Form of Hassan used in parts of French-influenced western Africa, especially in Senegal.
Assata f African
Unknown Country- West African- adopted by Revolutionary Black activist Assata Shakur. Assata means "she who struggles", Shakur means "thankful one"
Assemahegn m Amharic
Means "you made me famous" in Amharic.
Assie f Oromo
varint of aussie
Ássuma m & f Bandial
Means "the nice one" or "the unselfish one" in Bandial.
Aster f Amharic
Amharic form of Esther.
Astur f Somali
Means "repose, seclusion" in Somali.
Asulil m Berber
Means "rock" in Tamazight.
Aswa m & f Western African
Means "one who moves through darkness toward the light".
Ata m Western African, Akan
Means "one of twins" in Fante, dialect of Akan.
Atai m & f Efik
Atanda m Yoruba
Means "created to shine" in Yoruba, from tàn "to shine, brighten" and "to create".
Atang m & f Tswana
Means "multipy" in Setswana.
Atarelang m & f Tswana
Means "receive with cupped hands" in Setswana.
Atasaone m Tswana
Means "His (God's) hand" in Setswana.
Atbir m Berber
Means "dove" in Amazigh.
Atem f & m Jagham, Kenyang
Means "friends" in Jagham and Kenyang as it's the plural of ǹ-tèm meaning "friend".
Atepekoungo m Zulu, Esan, Kongo, Mossi, Tooro, Yao
First used by King Atepekoungo of the Kingdom of Äsikoluboru in modern day Zïare.
Ateri f Nigerian, Eggon
Means "victory" in Eggon.
Athiambo f Luo
"born late in the evening". Thought to be an intelligent person.
Athumani m Swahili
Means "third one" in Swahili.
Atiba m & f Yoruba
Means "understanding" in Yoruba.
Atidaishe m & f Shona
Means "the Lord has loved us" in Shona.
Atiena f Swahili
Means "guardian of the night" in Swahili.
Atimango f Alur
Means "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.
Atlantis f & m English (Modern, Rare), South African (Rare)
Taken from the name of the mythological place of the Atlantis, derived from the Greek Ἀτλαντὶς νῆσος meaning “island of Atlas.”
Atsede f Ge'ez
Means "white" in Ge'ez.
Atsen m Afizere
Atsen which means"Visitor" is a male given name among the Afizere people of Nigeria. who are predominantly in Jos Plateau and Bauchi State Nigeria.
Atsi m Afizere
Means "priest" in Afizere.
Atta m Akan
Means "twin" in Fante, an Akan language.
Átuay m & f Bandial
Means "the white one" in Bandial.
Aturinda m & f Eastern African, Nkore
Means "He -God- protects us" in Nkole, spoken in Uganda.
Auma f Luo
"someone delivered with the face down or through the caesarean process"
Auwal m Western African, Hausa
Derived from Arabic أول ('awwal) meaning "first". This name is commonly given to the first of multiple children with the same name.
Avhatendi m & f Venda
Means "they do not believe" in Tshivenda.
Awami f Nguni
Means "belongs to me" in Nguni.
Awaran m & f Ijaw
Means "a child born during the august break in the rainy season" in Ijaw.
Awash m Amharic
Means "lender" in Amharic.
Awet f Tigrinya
Means "victory" in Tigrinya.
Awino f Luo
Means "born with the cord around" in Luo.
Awiti f Luo
"someone birthed after a misfortune, such as a difficult birth process"
Awlagh m Berber
Means "little rabbit" in Amazigh.
Awolaye m & f Yoruba
Means "the oracle cannot explain this" or "the oracle cannot lie" in Yoruba, from ao "oracle, occult, Ifa", the negation prefix ò‎, and "to have" combined with either àyè "explanation, understanding" or ayè "lie, falsehood"
Awonke m & f Xhosa
Means "united" or "we are all here" in Xhosa, often given to the last-born child in a family.
Awotwe m Akan
Means "eighth born" in Akan.
Awsim m Berber
Means "fawn" in Tamazight.
Awugoco m & f Agatu
Means "wonder of God" in Agatu.
Awuor f Luo
Means "the greedy one" in Luo.... [more]
Awusung m & f Western African, Saya
Means "extremely sweet and great" in Saya, spoken in Nigeria.
Axhoba m Xhosa
Means "they are armed".
Axil m Berber (Rare)
Means "cheetah" in Berber.
Aya f Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé ya "Friday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Friday".
Ayaba f African American (Rare), Yoruba (Rare), Nigerian (Rare), African (Rare)
From the Yoruba ayaba meaning "queen".
Ayabonga m & f Zulu
Means 'they are thankful' in Zulu.
Ayah f & m Jagham, Kenyang
From à-yà meaning "river" in Ejagham.
Ayakha f & m Xhosa
Means "they build" in Xhosa.
Ayakpo f & m Ijaw
Meaning "new world or life" in Ijaw.
Ayamba f & m Jagham, Kenyang
Means "he/she opened the way" in Ejagham, used for the first of twins.
Ayamma f Efik
Means "will you love me?" in Efik.
Ayan f Somali
Variant of Ayaan 2.
Ayana f Amharic
Means "beautiful flower" in Amharic.
Ayana f Kongo
support, protect, sustain
Ayanda f Shona
Means "we are many" in Shona.
Ayanfeoluwa f & m Yoruba
It means the Lord's beloved
Ayani m Kongo
"helpers, protectors, those who support, support or protect" comes from the verb kuyana
Ayanle m Somali
Masculine form of Ayan 3.
Ayanleh m Eastern African
Means "lucky". This name spelling is most commonly used in Djibouti and is also used as a surname.
Ayanmo m & f Yoruba
Means "fate" in Yoruba.
Ayanti m & f Efik
Means "will you remember me?" in Efik.
Ayatu m Ge'ez
Means "his likeness" in Ge'ez.
Ayebatonye m & f Ijaw
Means "what God has destined" or "destiny" in Ijaw.
Ayebaye m & f Ijaw
Means "God's property" in Ijaw.
Ayelech f Amharic, Ethiopian
Means "she who is powerful" in Amharic.
Ayen f Dinka
Related with a specific kind of cow in Dinka language.
Ayesu m & f African
Muslim African
Ayibaemi f & m Ijaw
Means "God exists" in Ijaw.
Ayibaifie f Ijaw
Means "God's own time" in Ijaw.
Ayibanua f & m Ijaw
Means "thank God" in Ijaw.
Ayibatonbara f & m Ijaw
Means "the will of God" in Ijaw.
Ayinde m & f Yoruba
Means "we gave praises and he came" in Yoruba.
Ayita f English (Modern, Rare, ?), African American (Rare), Western African (Rare)
The origins of this name are uncertain. Though it is popularly claimed to mean "first to dance" in Cherokee, this appears to be untrue.... [more]
Aylintá f Western African
The name Aylintá comes from the West African nation of Senegal and means Bearer of Light or Bringer of Light.
Aynjel m & f African, African American, Jamaican Patois, Caribbean
A strongly phonetic spelling of the world "angel", especially used by those who speak Jamaican Patois and other English-based dialects of Caribbean Creole.
Ayobami m & f Yoruba
Means "joy has met me" in Yoruba.
Ayodeji m Yoruba
Means "joy has become two" in Yoruba.
Ayofela m & f Yoruba
Ayofela means Joy enlarges/increases ... [more]
Ayoka f Yoruba
Means "one we rejoice to pluck" in Yoruba.
Ayomidele m & f Yoruba
Means "my joy has come home" in Yoruba.
Ayoola m & f Yoruba
Means "the joy of success" in Yoruba.
Ayotimofe m & f Yoruba
It means the Joy or Happiness that I desire or want
Ayotundun f Yoruba
Means "joy is sweet" in Yoruba.
Ayou f Amharic, Ethiopian
Diminutive of Ayelech.
Ayrad m Berber
Means "lion" in Amazigh.
Ayrad m Berber
Means Lion in Tarifit.
Ayuk m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Means "they have heard" in Jagham and Kenyang, from the pronoun and root á meaning "they" and yúk meaning "to hear".
Ayuub m Somali
Somali form of Ayyub.
Ayyur m Berber
Means "moon" in Tamazight.
Azagba m Western African
Means "born out of town".
Azazi m Ge'ez
Means "one who commands" in Ge'ez.
Azêllay m Berber
Means "pendant" in Amazigh.
Azelle f French (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Possibly a feminization of Azel.
Azenkwed m Berber
Means "male gazelle" in Amazigh.
Azenzêr m Berber
Means "sunshine" in Tamazight.
Azibo m Nigerian
Azibo means “youth” in Nigerian. It also means “Earth” in Egyptian.
Azille f Afrikaans
Variant of Azelle.
Azindoo m Dagbani
"Friday male Born"
Azizi f & m African American (Rare), Swahili
Means "treasure, rarity, something valuable; lover" in Swahili, derived from Arabic عَزِيز‎ (ʕazīz); compare Aziz. A known (female) bearer is American model Azizi Johari (1948-), in whose case it is a pseudonym.
Azland f African, English (American, Rare)
As an African name it means "powerful". As an English name, it is an alternate spelling of Azlan which is a variant of Aslan, a Turkish name meaning "lion"... [more]
Azmar m Berber
Meaning unknown.
Azmera f Amharic
Means "harvest, crop" in Amharic.
Azrur m Berber
Means "handsome" in Tamazight.
Azu m Igbo
Means "fish" in Igbo.
Azubike m Igbo
Variant of Azubuike.
Azuka m Igbo
Means "the past is greater" or "my back is greater" in Igbo.
Azumi f Hausa
Means "month of fasting" in Hausa, traditionally given to girls born during Ramadan.
Azuz m Berber
Meaning unknown.
Azwianewi m & f Venda
Means "something that cannot be told" in Tshivenda.
Azwihangwisi m & f Venda
Means "unforgettable" in Tshivenda.
Baaitse m & f Tswana
Means "they know" in Tswana.
Baakantse f Tswana
Means "they thought" in Tswana.
Baakanyang m & f Tswana
Means "mend, repair" in Tswana.
Baall-ičč-a m Sidamo
Means "feathered one" in Sidama.
Baall-itt-e f Sidamo
Feminine form of Baall-ičč-a.
Babacar m Western African
Form of Abu Bakr used in parts of western Africa.
Babalola m Yoruba
Means "father is wealth" in Yoruba.
Babatope m & f Yoruba
A responsible father.
Babatu m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unknown.
Babiker m Northern African, Arabic
Sudanese name possibly derived from the given name Bakr or from Arabic بَكَرَ (bakara) meaning "first born" or "to be early, to rise early".
Baboucarr m Wolof, Western African
Variant of Boubacar in many Western African languages.
Babsie f South African
Short and familiar form of Barbara.
Babusi m Tswana
Means "leaders" in Setswana.
Bada m Yoruba
Possibly from Yoruba meaning "togerher with" and meaning "mix". It is likely a short form of another name.
Bade m Nigerian
The use of the name in Nigeria is likely due to the Bade Emirate, a traditional state in Yobe State, Nigeria, the home of the Bade people.
Badiambila m & f Luba
Means "let them speak among themselves" in Luba-Kasai.
Badigwala m & f Kassena
Means "they have defeated the slave raider" in Kasem.
Badinabi f Central African, Luba
Means "they have riches" in Luba-Kasai.
Badis m Berber (Rare)
The meaning of this name is unknown but several kings had this name.
Badra m & f Western African, Arabic
Possibly a variant of Badr.
Badumedi f Tswana
Means "believe" in Setswana.
Badúwaa f Akan
Means "tenth born" in Akan.
Bafana m Zulu
Derived from Zulu abafana, the plural form of umfana, meaning "boy, young man."
Bafiske f Tumbuka
Means "let them do as they please" in Tumbuka.
Bahaar f African
An African girl's name derived from "Bahar", meaning "Spring"
Bahari f & m Swahili
Means "sea" or "ocean" in Swahili.