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HelpRe: African Names
in reply to a message by Katie
Not being tied to Africa at all, I have never really considered named from African countries (unless you count Egypt, which is technically in Africa).
Here are a few that I do like and know:
Imani - I have a friend with this name. It's always been a highlight for her, and people love it. But, it is still simple enough and easy for everyone to say and read.
Chimdinma - A friend gave this middle name to her daughter Love. The father is Nigerian. It's quite pretty when said aloud.
Adanna - also and Igbo name, and possibly the name of Love's (see above) sister to be.
Ayodele - a Yoruba name I did consider, back when I planned to name all my children a name that means "joy". It's actually quite stunning (for a girl).
Dayo - the male version of the name above, and a simple yet charming boy's name.
Nia and Zuri are both Swahili names that I find simple and sweet. They are also quite universal to me.
Zuberi would be a male Swahili name that I like, though I would never use it. I just think it has a lot of quirky gumption to it.
Desta is a unisex name that was actually on our list for a long time, for a boy. My mother actually rooted for this when we were pregnant with Clarisse. We ended up having the name Evren as our male name if she turned out to be a boy... but Desta (another "joy" name") is on my original Excel file of names. I totally forgot that it was Amharic (Ethiopian).
My husband liked the name Tendai, which I thought was Japanese, but he says it is an African name. BtN says it is Shona, from the people of Zimbabwe. He knew a missionary there years ago. I think this is quite a spunky name and would actually use it irl.
That is all I got. I am not really versed on these names, but those few above have crossed my lists before.
YOURS:
Lanre - Is pretty cool, and I can see it used today.
Obi - very Star Wars. Love it.
Simba - Lion King, yes. But you could get away with using it, as long as you are not a WASP. That would just seems strange to me.
Xolani - Too feminine for a boy for me. I know one (pretty sure she spells it this way). It's incredibly beautiful when said aloud.
Imani - Like I said, I know one. It's pretty.
Amara - Verys tandard looking, and completely usable as well as sweet.
Ayo - like it's simplicity. This I found years ago, when looking for "joy" names, but it seemed incomplete. I would like to see it, but would never use it as is.
Dayo - hey. On my list too.
Madalitso - very cool! Masculine sounding to me, but cool.
Mayamiko - So pretty. I love these jointed names. Seems Asian to me, which is probably why I love it.
______________________________________________
"How wonderful it is that no one need wait a single moment before starting to improve upon the world." -Ann Frank
Mama to my "bright star" Clarisse Bituin and Wife to Julius. Mahal na mahal from our little family to yours!
Here are a few that I do like and know:
Imani - I have a friend with this name. It's always been a highlight for her, and people love it. But, it is still simple enough and easy for everyone to say and read.
Chimdinma - A friend gave this middle name to her daughter Love. The father is Nigerian. It's quite pretty when said aloud.
Adanna - also and Igbo name, and possibly the name of Love's (see above) sister to be.
Ayodele - a Yoruba name I did consider, back when I planned to name all my children a name that means "joy". It's actually quite stunning (for a girl).
Dayo - the male version of the name above, and a simple yet charming boy's name.
Nia and Zuri are both Swahili names that I find simple and sweet. They are also quite universal to me.
Zuberi would be a male Swahili name that I like, though I would never use it. I just think it has a lot of quirky gumption to it.
Desta is a unisex name that was actually on our list for a long time, for a boy. My mother actually rooted for this when we were pregnant with Clarisse. We ended up having the name Evren as our male name if she turned out to be a boy... but Desta (another "joy" name") is on my original Excel file of names. I totally forgot that it was Amharic (Ethiopian).
My husband liked the name Tendai, which I thought was Japanese, but he says it is an African name. BtN says it is Shona, from the people of Zimbabwe. He knew a missionary there years ago. I think this is quite a spunky name and would actually use it irl.
That is all I got. I am not really versed on these names, but those few above have crossed my lists before.
YOURS:
Lanre - Is pretty cool, and I can see it used today.
Obi - very Star Wars. Love it.
Simba - Lion King, yes. But you could get away with using it, as long as you are not a WASP. That would just seems strange to me.
Xolani - Too feminine for a boy for me. I know one (pretty sure she spells it this way). It's incredibly beautiful when said aloud.
Imani - Like I said, I know one. It's pretty.
Amara - Verys tandard looking, and completely usable as well as sweet.
Ayo - like it's simplicity. This I found years ago, when looking for "joy" names, but it seemed incomplete. I would like to see it, but would never use it as is.
Dayo - hey. On my list too.
Madalitso - very cool! Masculine sounding to me, but cool.
Mayamiko - So pretty. I love these jointed names. Seems Asian to me, which is probably why I love it.
______________________________________________
"How wonderful it is that no one need wait a single moment before starting to improve upon the world." -Ann Frank
Mama to my "bright star" Clarisse Bituin and Wife to Julius. Mahal na mahal from our little family to yours!
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