Browse Names

This is a list of names in which the gender is feminine; and the usage is African American or Western African.
gender
usage
Aaliyah f Arabic, English (Modern), African American (Modern)
Feminine form of Aali. It was popularized in the English-speaking world by the singer Aaliyah Haughton (1979-2001), who was known simply as Aaliyah. This name received a boost in popularity after she released her debut album in 1994, and also in 2001 after her untimely death in an airplane crash.
Aaminata f Fula
Fula form of Amina 1.
Abena f Akan
Means "born on Tuesday" in Akan.
Abeni f Yoruba
Means "we prayed and we received" in Yoruba.
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.
Adaeze f Igbo
Means "eldest daughter of the king" in Igbo.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Africa 1 f African American (Rare)
From the name of the continent, which is of Latin origin, possibly from the Afri people who lived near Carthage in North Africa. This rare name is used most often by African-American parents.
Afua f Akan
Means "born on Friday" in Akan.
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.
Akilah f Arabic, African American
Alternate transcription of Arabic عقيلة (see Aqila).
Akosua f Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.
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.
Alheri f Hausa
Means "the charitable, the good" in Hausa, from Arabic خير (khayr).
Ama f Akan
Means "born on Saturday" in Akan.
Amaka f Igbo
Short form of Chiamaka.
Amara f Igbo
Means "grace" in Igbo.
Amarachi f Igbo
Means "God's grace" in Igbo.
Amari m & f African American (Modern)
Meaning uncertain, perhaps from Arabic Ammar. This name has risen in popularity in America at the same time as similar-sounding names such as Jamari and Kamari.
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.
Anan 1 m & f Akan
Means "fourth born child" in Akan.
Aniyah f African American (Modern)
An invented name, probably based on the sounds found in names such as Anita and Aaliyah.
Anuli f Igbo
Means "joy" in Igbo.
Asabe f Hausa
From Hausa Asabar meaning "Saturday" (of Arabic origin).
Asma'u f Hausa
Hausa form of Asma.
Awa f Western African
Form of Hawa typical of West Africa.
Awotwi m & f Akan
Means "eighth born child" in Akan.
Ayanna f African American
Meaning uncertain. In 1970 it was featured in The Book of African Names by Chief Osuntoki with a listed meaning of "beautiful flower". American comedian and activist Dick Gregory used it for his daughter in 1971.
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.
Ayomide f & m Yoruba
Means "my joy has arrived" in Yoruba.
Ayotunde m & f Yoruba
Means "joy has come again" in Yoruba.
Baako m & f Akan
Means "first born child" in Akan.
Bamidele m & f Yoruba
Means "follow me home" in Yoruba.
Beyoncé f African American (Modern)
Popularized by the American singer Beyoncé Knowles (1981-) whose given name came from her mother's maiden name (which was originally Beyincé, of Louisiana Creole origin). This name appeared on the United States top 1000 list in 2001, around the time her group Destiny's Child was at the height of their popularity.
Bilƙisu f Hausa
Hausa form of Bilqis.
Bolanle f Yoruba
Means "find wealth at home" in Yoruba.
Bose f Yoruba
Short form of Bosede.
Bosede f Yoruba
Variant of Abosede.
Bukola f Yoruba
Means "add to wealth" in Yoruba.
Chanté f African American (Modern)
From French chanter meaning "sing". This spelling corresponds with the past participle, meaning "sung".
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.
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.
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.
Chigozie m & f Igbo
Means "God bless" in Igbo.
Chijindum m & f Igbo (Rare)
Means "God holds my life" in Igbo.
Chika 1 f & m Igbo
Means "God is greater" in Igbo.
Chikelu m & f Igbo
Variant of Chikere.
Chikere m & f Igbo
Means "God created" in Igbo.
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.
Chinasa f Igbo
Means "God is answering" 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.
Chinwendu f & m Igbo
Means "God possesses life" 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".
Chisom f & m Igbo
Means "God goes with me" in Igbo.
Chizoba f & m Igbo
Means "God continues to save" in Igbo.
Dada m & f Yoruba
Means "curly hair" in Yoruba.
Dayo m & f Yoruba
Means "joy arrives" in Yoruba.
Deja f African American (Modern)
Means "already" from the French phrase déjà vu meaning "already seen". It received a popularity boost in 1995 when a character named Deja appeared in the movie Higher Learning.
Diamond f English (Rare), African American (Modern)
From the English word diamond for the clear colourless precious stone, the traditional birthstone of April. It is derived from Late Latin diamas, from Latin adamas, which is of Greek origin meaning "unconquerable, unbreakable".
Dubaku m & f Akan
Means "eleventh born child" in Akan.
Ebele f Igbo
Variant of Ebere.
Ebere f Igbo
Means "mercy, kindness" in Igbo.
Ebony f African American
From the English word ebony for the black wood that comes from the ebony tree. It is ultimately from the Egyptian word hbnj. In America this name is most often used in the black community.
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.
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.
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.
Enyonam f Ewe
Means "it is good for me" in Ewe.
Ese f & m Urhobo
Means "gift" in Urhobo.
Eseoghene m & f Urhobo
Means "God's gift" in Urhobo.
Esi f Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.
Faɗimatu f Hausa
Hausa form of Fatima.
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.
Folami m & f Yoruba (Rare)
Means "respect and honour me" in Yoruba.
Fumnanya f & m Igbo
Means "love me" in Igbo.
Funke f Yoruba
Short form of Olufunke.
Funmilayo f Yoruba
Means "give me joy" in Yoruba, also a short form of Olufunmilayo or Oluwafunmilayo.
Gbemisola f Yoruba
Means "carry me into wealth" in Yoruba.
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.
Haoua f Western African
Form of Hawa used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Hauwa f Hausa
Hausa form of Hawa.
Hauwa'u f Hausa
Hausa form of Hawa.
Idowu m & f Yoruba
Means "born after twins" in Yoruba.
Iesha f African American (Modern)
Variant of Aisha. It was popularized by the song Iesha (1991) by Another Bad Creation.
Ife f & m Yoruba
From Yoruba ìfẹ́ meaning "love".
Ifeoma f Igbo
Means "good thing" in Igbo, derived from ífé meaning "thing" and ọ́má meaning "good, beautiful".
Ifiok m & f Ibibio
Means "wisdom" in Ibibio.
Ifunanya f Igbo
Means "love" in Igbo (literally "to see in one's eye").
Ige f & m Yoruba
Means "born feet first" in Yoruba.
Ijeoma f Igbo
Means "good journey" in Igbo.
Imani f & m Swahili, African American
Means "faith" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic إيمان (ʾīmān).
Ime 1 m & f Ibibio
Means "patience" in Ibibio.
Iniobong m & f Ibibio
Means "God's time" in Ibibio.
Inyene m & f Ibibio
Means "wealth" in Ibibio.
Itoro m & f Ibibio
Means "praise, glory" in Ibibio.
Ivory m & f African American
From the English word for the hard, creamy-white substance that comes from elephant tusks and was formerly used to produce piano keys.
Iyabo f Yoruba
Means "mother has returned" in Yoruba.
Jaliyah f African American (Modern)
An invented name, based on the sound of Aaliyah.
Jamila f Arabic, Urdu, Hausa
Feminine form of Jamil. This was the name of a wife of the caliph Umar.
Janiyah f African American (Modern)
An invented name, blending the popular phonetic prefix ja with names like Shania and Aaliyah.
Jelani m & f African American (Modern)
This name began to be used rarely in the United States in 1973 after it was featured in a nation-wide newspaper article about African baby names. It probably represents the Arabic name Jilani, given in honour of the Sufi scholar Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (the meaning quoted by the newspaper article ("mighty") coincides with the meaning of Qadir).... [more]
Jummai f Hausa
From Hausa Jumma'a meaning "Friday" (of Arabic origin).
Kadiatou f Western African
Form of Khadija used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Kalisha f African American (Modern)
Combination of the name prefix ka and Lisha.
Kaliyah f African American (Modern)
An invented name, based on the sound of Aaliyah.
Kamari m & f African American (Modern)
Combination of the sounds found in names such as Jamari, Amari and Kamaria.
Kamiyah f African American (Modern)
An invented name, blending the popular phonetic prefix ka and Maya 2.
Kayin m & f Yoruba (Rare)
Means "celebrate" in Yoruba.
Kehinde m & f Yoruba
Means "comes last" in Yoruba. It is typically given to the second of twins.
Keisha f African American
Possibly invented, or possibly based on Keziah. It began to be used in the 1960s.
Kelechi m & f Igbo
Means "thank God" in Igbo.
Kenya f English, African American
From the name of the African country. The country is named for Mount Kenya, which in the Kikuyu language is called Kĩrĩnyaga meaning "the one having stripes". It has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world since the 1960s.
Kenyatta m & f African American
From a surname used by the first president of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta (1897-1978). He adopted the surname in his youth, supposedly from a type of ornamental belt worn by the Maasai people.
Keshia f African American
Probably a variant of Keisha.
Kunto f Akan
Means "third child" in Akan.
Kyauta m & f Hausa
Means "gift" in Hausa.
LaChina f African American (Rare)
Combination of the popular prefix la with the name China.
Ladi f Hausa
From Hausa Lahadi meaning "Sunday" (of Arabic origin).
LaDonna f African American
Combination of the popular prefix la with the name Donna.
Lagina f African American (Rare)
Combination of the popular prefix la with the name Gina.
Lakeisha f African American
Combination of the popular prefix la with the name Keisha. It can be spelled LaKeisha or Lakeisha.
Lakendra f African American (Modern)
Combination of the popular prefix la with the name Kendra. It can be spelled LaKendra or Lakendra.
Lakeshia f African American
Combination of the popular prefix la with the name Keshia. It can be spelled LaKeshia or Lakeshia.
Lakisha f African American
Combination of the popular prefix la with the name Kisha. It can be spelled LaKisha or Lakisha.
LaShawn f & m African American
Combination of the popular prefix la with the name Shawn.
Lashay f African American (Modern)
Combination of the popular phonetic elements la and shay.
Lashonda f African American
Combination of the popular prefix la with the name Shonda. It can be spelled LaShonda or Lashonda.
Latanya f African American
Combination of the popular prefix la with the name Tanya. It can be spelled LaTanya or Latanya.
Latasha f African American
Combination of the popular prefix la with the name Tasha. It can be spelled LaTasha or Latasha.
LaTonya f African American
Combination of the popular prefix la with the name Tonya.
LaToya f African American
Combination of the popular prefix la with the name Toya.
LaWanda f African American
Combination of the popular prefix la and the name Wanda. This name has been used in America since the 1910s. It peaked in popularity in 1977, the same year that actress LaWanda Page (1920-2002) finished portraying the character Aunt Esther on the television comedy Sanford and Son. It subsequently faded from the charts.
Lumusi f Ewe
Means "born face down" in Ewe.
Mariama f Western African
Form of Maryam common in West Africa.
Marquita f African American
Feminine variant of Marquis.
Maryamu f Hausa
Hausa form of Maryam.
Mawunyo m & f Ewe
Means "God is good" in Ewe.
Mojisola f Yoruba
Means "I wake up to wealth" in Yoruba.
Monifa f Yoruba (Rare)
Means "I am lucky" in Yoruba.
Naa f Ga
From a Ga word used as a feminine royal title.
Nairobi f African American (Modern)
From the name of the capital city of Kenya, derived from Maasai enkare nyrobi meaning "cold water".
Nakeisha f African American (Modern)
Combination of the phonetic prefix na and the name Keisha.
Nakisha f African American (Modern)
Combination of the name prefix na and the name Kisha.
Nana 4 m & f Akan
From an Akan word used as a title of a monarch.
Natisha f African American (Modern)
Variant of Natasha, probably modelled on Latisha.
Naya f African American (Modern)
Variant of Nia 2, probably modelled on Maya 2. It was borne by the actress Naya Rivera (1987-2020).
Ndidi f & m Igbo
Means "patience" in Igbo.
Ngozi f Igbo
Means "blessing" in Igbo.
Nia 2 f Swahili, African American
Means "purpose, aim" in Swahili, borrowed from Arabic نيّة (nīya).
Nichelle f African American
Combination of Nicole and Michelle. This name spiked in popularity in the late 1960s when the actress Nichelle Nichols (1932-2022) portrayed Nyota Uhura on the Star Trek television series. Nichols was given the name Grace at birth but it was changed at a young age.
Nkechi f Igbo
Short form of Nkechinyere.
Nkechinyere f Igbo
Means "this which God gave" in Igbo.
Nkemdilim f Igbo
Means "that which is mine belongs to me" in Igbo.
Nkiru f Igbo
Short form of Nkiruka.
Nkiruka f Igbo
Means "that to come is greater" in Igbo.
Nkruma m & f Akan
Means "ninth born child" in Akan.
Nneka f Igbo
Means "mother is greater" in Igbo.
Nnenna f Igbo
Means "father's mother" in Igbo. This name is given in honour of the child's paternal grandmother.
Nnenne f Igbo
Means "mother's mother" in Igbo. This name is given in honour of the child's maternal grandmother.
Nsia m & f Akan
Means "sixth born child" in Akan.
Nsonowa m & f Akan
Means "seventh born child" in Akan.
Nwanneka f Igbo
Means "sibling is greater" in Igbo.
Obi m & f Igbo
Means "heart" in Igbo.
Ogechi f Igbo
Means "God's time" in Igbo.
Ogechukwu f Igbo
Means "God's time" in Igbo (a variant of Ogechi using Chukwu as the second element).
Ogechukwukamma f Igbo (Rare)
Means "God's time is greater" in Igbo.
Oghenekaro m & f Urhobo
Means "God first" in Urhobo.
Oghenekevwe m & f Urhobo
Means "God provided for me" in Urhobo.
Oghenero m & f Urhobo
Means "God exists" in Urhobo.
Ogochukwu f & m Igbo
Means "favour of God" in Igbo.
Ola 3 m & f Yoruba
From Yoruba ọlà meaning "wealth" or the related ọlá meaning "honour, respect". It is also a short form of names containing those elements.
Olamide m & f Yoruba
Means "my wealth has arrived" in Yoruba.
Olayinka f & m Yoruba
Means "wealth surrounds me" in Yoruba.
Olubunmi f Yoruba
Means "God gives to me" in Yoruba.
Oluchi f Igbo
Means "work of God" in Igbo.
Olufunke f Yoruba
Means "God gives care" in Yoruba.
Olufunmilayo f Yoruba
Means "God gives me joy" in Yoruba.
Olufunmilola f Yoruba
Means "God gives me wealth" in Yoruba.
Olusola m & f Yoruba
Means "God makes wealth" in Yoruba.
Oluwakanyinsola f Yoruba (Rare)
Means "God has dropped honey into wealth" in Yoruba.
Oluwaseun m & f Yoruba
Means "God, thank you" in Yoruba.
Oluwaseyi f & m Yoruba
Means "God made this" in Yoruba.
Oluwatoyin f & m Yoruba
Means "God is worthy of praise" in Yoruba.
Oluwayemisi f Yoruba
Means "God honours me" in Yoruba.
Omobolanle f Yoruba
Means "child finds wealth at home" in Yoruba.
Omolara f Yoruba
Means "child is family" in Yoruba.
Oni f & m Yoruba
Means "today" in Yoruba.
Onyeka m & f Igbo
Short form of Onyekachi.
Onyekachi m & f Igbo
Means "who is greater than God?" in Igbo.
Onyekachukwu m & f Igbo
Means "who is greater than God?" in Igbo (a variant of Onyekachi using Chukwu as the second element).
Onyinye f Igbo
Means "gift" in Igbo.
Onyinyechi f Igbo
Means "gift from God" in Igbo.
Opeyemi f & m Yoruba
Means "gratitude is suitable for me" in Yoruba.
Otobong m & f Ibibio
Means "from God" in Ibibio.
Oumou f Western African
Form of Umm used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Oyibo m & f Urhobo
Means "white" in Urhobo.
Precious f English (African), African American (Modern)
From the English word precious, ultimately derived from Latin pretiosus, a derivative of Latin pretium "price, worth".
Qiana f African American (Modern)
From the word for the silk-like material, introduced by DuPont in 1968 and popular in the fashions of the 1970s.
Quanna f African American (Rare)
Elaboration of the phonetic element quan.
Rakiya f Hausa
Hausa form of Ruqayya.
Safiya f Hausa, Kazakh, Arabic
Hausa and Kazakh form of Safiyya. It is also an alternate transcription of the Arabic name.
Salamatu f Western African
Form of Salama used in West Africa.
Semaj m & f African American (Modern)
The name James spelled backwards.
Seynabou f Western African
Form of Zaynab used in parts of West Africa (mostly Senegal).
Shamika f African American (Modern)
An invented name, blending the popular phonetic prefix sha and the name Tamika.
Shanae f English (Modern), African American (Modern)
Combination of the popular phonetic elements sha and nay.
Shanice f African American (Modern)
Combination of the phonetic elements sha and nees.
Shanika f African American (Modern)
Combination of the popular phonetic elements sha, nee and ka.
Shaniqua f African American (Modern)
An invented name using the popular phonetic elements sha, nee and qua.
Shaniya f African American (Modern)
Variant of Shania, or simply a combination of the popular phonetic elements sha, ny and ya.
Shaquana f African American (Modern)
Combination of the phonetic elements sha, qua and na.
Sharonda f African American (Modern)
An invented name, a combination of the popular phonetic prefix sha and the name Rhonda.
Shavonne f English (Modern), African American (Modern)
Anglicized form of Siobhán. In some cases it might be considered a combination of the phonetic element sha and Yvonne.