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HelpAfrican Names
I recently decided that I want to give at least one future child an African name, either a FN or MN. Since my grandfather died before I was born, and he and my grandmother were divorced, I've never been very close with my black relatives (except for my mom, obviously). From the little I know of them, my aunts, uncles, and cousins are wonderful people; and I definitely respect my heritage. Using an African name would be a great way to honour both my heritage and those family members, IMO.
After perusing African names for a while, I've come up with a short list. I'd love to hear opinions. But I don't want to hear a bunch of "NMS" or "too weird" comments. Obviously, African names will look and sound unusual to a board of (mostly) English speakers. I am not interested in whether these names would "work" for an American kid; honestly, I couldn't care less.
One more thing--several of these names have joy-related meanings. Yes, they are shameless attempts to honour myself. If you know of any other joy-related, but not god-related African names, I'd be especially interested in hearing them.
Okay, enough of my rambling. On with the list.
Girls:
Nkiruka - "the best is still to come"
Though it isn't joy-related, this is currently my favourite. The meaning is unique and profound, and it looks beautiful. I could even use Kiri as a NN! But I'm not entirely sure how to pronounce it. I'm saying n-kee-roo-ka, but that probably isn't correct. I should make a post on Facts about it.
Dayo - "joy arrives"
Sekai - "be humourous"
Marjani - "coral"
Sethunya - "bloom, flower"
Furaha - "joy, happiness"
Dada - "curly hair"
Nuru - "light"
Mirembe - "peace"
Funanya - "love"
Kirabo - "gift"
Nyarai - "be humble"
Boys:
Amadi - "free man"
Isn't an African name meaning "free man" beyond perfect? I love this.
Ayo - "joy"
Thabo - "joy"
So far, my favourite "joy" name is Thabo.
Kayode - "he brought joy"
Xolani - "peace
Dakarai - "rejoice"
I also quite like Makena, which means "happy one" in Kikuyu, but McKenna's ruined it for me.
So WDYT? I am open to any and all suggestions! Please, suggest away! There are hundreds of African names not listed on BtN, so if you like some, feel free to share.
Actually, I'll ask a separate question. What are your favourite African names?
Thanks for wading through this post!
After perusing African names for a while, I've come up with a short list. I'd love to hear opinions. But I don't want to hear a bunch of "NMS" or "too weird" comments. Obviously, African names will look and sound unusual to a board of (mostly) English speakers. I am not interested in whether these names would "work" for an American kid; honestly, I couldn't care less.
One more thing--several of these names have joy-related meanings. Yes, they are shameless attempts to honour myself. If you know of any other joy-related, but not god-related African names, I'd be especially interested in hearing them.
Okay, enough of my rambling. On with the list.
Girls:
Nkiruka - "the best is still to come"
Though it isn't joy-related, this is currently my favourite. The meaning is unique and profound, and it looks beautiful. I could even use Kiri as a NN! But I'm not entirely sure how to pronounce it. I'm saying n-kee-roo-ka, but that probably isn't correct. I should make a post on Facts about it.
Dayo - "joy arrives"
Sekai - "be humourous"
Marjani - "coral"
Sethunya - "bloom, flower"
Furaha - "joy, happiness"
Dada - "curly hair"
Nuru - "light"
Mirembe - "peace"
Funanya - "love"
Kirabo - "gift"
Nyarai - "be humble"
Boys:
Amadi - "free man"
Isn't an African name meaning "free man" beyond perfect? I love this.
Ayo - "joy"
Thabo - "joy"
So far, my favourite "joy" name is Thabo.
Kayode - "he brought joy"
Xolani - "peace
Dakarai - "rejoice"
I also quite like Makena, which means "happy one" in Kikuyu, but McKenna's ruined it for me.
So WDYT? I am open to any and all suggestions! Please, suggest away! There are hundreds of African names not listed on BtN, so if you like some, feel free to share.
Actually, I'll ask a separate question. What are your favourite African names?
Thanks for wading through this post!
This message was edited 7/24/2008, 8:12 AM
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
Do you have any idea what ethnic group your grandfather came from? "African" by itself is extremely broad. I understand descendants of displaced Africans might not have many clues to narrow it down, though.
I don't really have opinions on the names you've got here, other than that Mirembe seems pretty and I wouldn't use Thabo because of Mbeke.
See: http://www.africanholocaust.net/html_ah/africangirl_names.htm for more African names. I like that site because it lists the originating language/ethnic group for many of the names. There's a link to boy names at the top of the page.
I don't really have opinions on the names you've got here, other than that Mirembe seems pretty and I wouldn't use Thabo because of Mbeke.
See: http://www.africanholocaust.net/html_ah/africangirl_names.htm for more African names. I like that site because it lists the originating language/ethnic group for many of the names. There's a link to boy names at the top of the page.
This message was edited 7/24/2008, 11:00 AM
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He was African American.
That's all any of my family members know. Since we have no way of narrowing it down, "African" is the most specific I can get. My mom once mentioned a DNA test that can trace African roots... but that's probably pretty expensive. I would be very interested in knowing, though.
Thanks so much for the link! It's very fascinating and helpful.
That's all any of my family members know. Since we have no way of narrowing it down, "African" is the most specific I can get. My mom once mentioned a DNA test that can trace African roots... but that's probably pretty expensive. I would be very interested in knowing, though.
Thanks so much for the link! It's very fascinating and helpful.
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Here is the DNA test you were talking about
I read about that yesterday. I was so excited about it. I want to get it done one day. It costs 350+ per kit.
http://www.africanancestry.com/
I read about that yesterday. I was so excited about it. I want to get it done one day. It costs 350+ per kit.
http://www.africanancestry.com/
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That DNA test looks awesome! I don't personally need it but I think it is awesome!
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Oh, cool! I thought it would be more expensive than that; $350 isn't so bad (though it is out of my price range right now). Hopefully I can get it done one day, too.
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Great site!
Thank you for listing it. I am going to go through it. Lots of beautiful names on there. I am sure I'll be adding some to my personal list.
I as a Black American don't know 'exactly' where my ancestors were taken from, but I love the idea of using a name from the continent. I guess I could restrict myself to Western African to be more 'correct' but I appreciate names from everywhere.
Thank you for listing it. I am going to go through it. Lots of beautiful names on there. I am sure I'll be adding some to my personal list.
I as a Black American don't know 'exactly' where my ancestors were taken from, but I love the idea of using a name from the continent. I guess I could restrict myself to Western African to be more 'correct' but I appreciate names from everywhere.
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That's a really nice way to honor your family!
Girls:
Nkiruka - "the best is still to come" - I really like it! The meaning is so unusual and uplifting. As for the pronounciation, n-kee-ru-ka seems right, but don't take my word for it. :P
Dayo - "joy arrives" - It's not my favorite, but I have to smile every time I say it out loud.
Sekai - "be humourous" - Perfect! The meaning is so unusual. Sekai is really pretty.
Marjani - "coral" - I don't like that the begining sounds like Marge. If the J is pronounced more as a ZH I would like it quite a lot.
Sethunya - "bloom, flower" - I love it! It has such a bold, regal sound.
Furaha - "joy, happiness" - It seems "wispy," I think because the H makes the last syllable get lost. I do like it, though.
Dada - "curly hair" - The repeated syllable makes it sort of nickname-y.
Nuru - "light" - I love it! The concept of light fascinates me and is in a lot of my writing used as a figurative thing, so the meaning really stands out to me.
Mirembe - "peace" - Gorgeous; it sounds musical. You can't go wrong with "peace," either!
Funanya - "love" - Elegant and flat-out happy at the same time.
Kirabo - "gift" - The best meaning ever! I love this name. Very sweet and straightforward. You could use Kiri for this, too.
Nyarai - "be humble" - The meaning is cool but the prn. is confusing me. I'm saying NEE-a-rye, which I think is fairly pretty. How would you say it?
Boys:
Amadi - "free man" - I love it! You're right, the meaning is just excellent.
Ayo - "joy" - It's adorable IMO.
Thabo - "joy" - I love it.
Girls:
Nkiruka - "the best is still to come" - I really like it! The meaning is so unusual and uplifting. As for the pronounciation, n-kee-ru-ka seems right, but don't take my word for it. :P
Dayo - "joy arrives" - It's not my favorite, but I have to smile every time I say it out loud.
Sekai - "be humourous" - Perfect! The meaning is so unusual. Sekai is really pretty.
Marjani - "coral" - I don't like that the begining sounds like Marge. If the J is pronounced more as a ZH I would like it quite a lot.
Sethunya - "bloom, flower" - I love it! It has such a bold, regal sound.
Furaha - "joy, happiness" - It seems "wispy," I think because the H makes the last syllable get lost. I do like it, though.
Dada - "curly hair" - The repeated syllable makes it sort of nickname-y.
Nuru - "light" - I love it! The concept of light fascinates me and is in a lot of my writing used as a figurative thing, so the meaning really stands out to me.
Mirembe - "peace" - Gorgeous; it sounds musical. You can't go wrong with "peace," either!
Funanya - "love" - Elegant and flat-out happy at the same time.
Kirabo - "gift" - The best meaning ever! I love this name. Very sweet and straightforward. You could use Kiri for this, too.
Nyarai - "be humble" - The meaning is cool but the prn. is confusing me. I'm saying NEE-a-rye, which I think is fairly pretty. How would you say it?
Boys:
Amadi - "free man" - I love it! You're right, the meaning is just excellent.
Ayo - "joy" - It's adorable IMO.
Thabo - "joy" - I love it.
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Nkiruka - The meaning is the best thing about this name. I don't particularly care for the multiple k sounds, but it doesn't hurt my ears or anything.
Dayo - Lovely.
Sekai - Nice.
Marjani - I LOVE this name. It is one of my very favorites ever. My combo for it was Marjani Eloise. Love it!
Sethunya - This name is gorgeous. It has a quite strength about it. Very nice
Furaha - Sounds like laughter. Very appropriate :0)
Dada - I think this is a very common name. I hesitate to like it because it sounds like someone calling their father DaDa like a baby
Nuru - Pretty
Mirembe - Like this too
Funanya - Beautiful meaning. Sort of hard for me to say. Nice though
Kirabo - Sounds masculine
Nyarai - How are you pronouncing it?
Boys:
Amadi - It is beyond perfect. I made a post about Freeman the other day. I'm going to add this one to my list.
Ayo - Okay
Thabo - Okay
Kayode - Okay. Sounds like Coyote though. That could be a good thing
Xolani - Love this! Just love it!
Dakarai - Very nice. Sounds like daquiri ??? though
My fave African names are
Marjani -- My fave of the girl names
Imani
Safiya
Subira
Zuri / Uzuri
Abeni
Tendai
Eshe
Uttara
Nzinga
Farai
Dafina
Omorose / Omorosa
Adaora
Ajani
Asante
Jelani
Tinashe -- my fave of the boy names
Dayo - Lovely.
Sekai - Nice.
Marjani - I LOVE this name. It is one of my very favorites ever. My combo for it was Marjani Eloise. Love it!
Sethunya - This name is gorgeous. It has a quite strength about it. Very nice
Furaha - Sounds like laughter. Very appropriate :0)
Dada - I think this is a very common name. I hesitate to like it because it sounds like someone calling their father DaDa like a baby
Nuru - Pretty
Mirembe - Like this too
Funanya - Beautiful meaning. Sort of hard for me to say. Nice though
Kirabo - Sounds masculine
Nyarai - How are you pronouncing it?
Boys:
Amadi - It is beyond perfect. I made a post about Freeman the other day. I'm going to add this one to my list.
Ayo - Okay
Thabo - Okay
Kayode - Okay. Sounds like Coyote though. That could be a good thing
Xolani - Love this! Just love it!
Dakarai - Very nice. Sounds like daquiri ??? though
My fave African names are
Marjani -- My fave of the girl names
Imani
Safiya
Subira
Zuri / Uzuri
Abeni
Tendai
Eshe
Uttara
Nzinga
Farai
Dafina
Omorose / Omorosa
Adaora
Ajani
Asante
Jelani
Tinashe -- my fave of the boy names
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