This is a list of submitted names in which the gender is feminine; and the usage is African.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Liyabona f & m XhosaMeans "it sees" or "you see" in Xhosa, sometimes taken from the phrase
liyabona igama le Nkosi meaning "the name of the eye of God".
Liyema f & m XhosaMeans "to stop" or "to stand, to be standing" in Xhosa, often taken from the phrase
liyema ikhaya "the home is standing" to indicate stability in the family.
Loza f AmharicThe Amharic form of Luz, the name of a place in the Bible where it is believed Jacob saw his ladder.
Luchulumancolwenkosi f XhosaThis name is a scared name. Taken from words the Ancient King of the AmaMpondomise clan King Vukuzumbethe. He used to say “ lulo uchulumanco lwenkosi” which meant “this is God’s happiness”... [
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Luchumo m & f XhosaPossibly means "expanding, flourishing" or "prosperity" in Xhosa.
Lulia f Tigrinya, VariousSaid to mean "Diamond" in Tigrinya. Of Eritrean origin, this name gained some popularity around the world.
Luwi m & f LundaMeans "mercy, kindness" in Lunda.
Luyando m & f TongaMeans “To Love” in Tonga. Related to the Tongan name Yandwa.
Lyndall f & m English, South AfricanTransferred use of the surname
Lyndall. This was (first?) used as a given name by the South African author, political activist and feminist Olive Schreiner (1855-1920) for the heroine in her most famous novel,
The Story of an African Farm (1883)... [
more]
Mabasen m & f KhoekhoeName mainly used by damara speaking people in Namibia.The name means "stand for yourself" used to encourage and teach an individual independance.
Mabvuto m & f NsengaName given to a child born when there was trouble/problem in the family or community. For instance war, drought, pestilence
Machanda m & f NyoroMachanda is the Bunyoro month where sesame seeds are planted and sown.
Machiveyi f Shona"What do you seek or covert?" Situational name given in circumstance where family has covetous neighbours or kin.
Madaya f Guanche, Berber (Archaic)From Guanche
*madăyya, meaning "beautiful thing to see". Besides the Canary Islands, this name was also used in Northern Africa.
Mafamadi m & f AkanMeans "I have taken it for free" in Akan.
Magajiya f HausaMeans "heiress" in Hausa. In some dialects this means "madam" and is avoided.
Magool f SomaliPossibly from the Somali
magooli meaning "blossom".
Mahado f SomaliPossibly from the Somali
mahad meaning "thanks".
Mahari m & f YorubaMeans "one who forgives" or "forgiver" in Yoruba.
Mairak f HausaMeans "daughter of a chief" in East Hausa.
Maita f ShonaA Shona (Zimbabwean) name that implies gratitude for something that has been done well. It may be spelt as Mayita or Mazvita depending on the area of origin of the speaker.... [
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Maitaishe m & f ShonaIt means "You have done it Lord" or simply, "Thank you Lord."
Majani f SwahiliSwahili feminine name meaning "leaves (of a plant)".
Makanaka f ShonaMakanaka means "You are good". #This name is usually given in praise of God".
Makida f AfricanIn Ethiopia, Makida was another name for the Queen of Sheba.
Makini m & f SwahiliMeans "of good character" or "strength of character" in Swahili.
Malkat f Northern African, MuslimPossibly means "queen of the house", deriving from the Arabic element
malaka ("queen"). Name borne by a prominent Sudanese author known for her realist novel The Wide Void.
Mamphaki f SothoThe name Mamphaki originates from the Northern Region of South Africa within the Bapedi people. The name was originally given to the first wife of Ntsetse Mailula - Mamphaki 'aMasekela. It was passed down within the Mailula family down to this day.
Mangeni f & m Africanmeans "baby who was born when there is plenty of fish" and is of Bantu origin
Mansa m & f Manding, AkanTitle for "king" or "ruler", now also used as a name. Can also mean "third daughter" in Twi, which is in the Akan language family.
Marieta f Spanish (Rare), Romanian (Rare), Bulgarian, Armenian, Afrikaans, Polish (Rare), Latvian (Rare), Slovene, Croatian, Lengadocian, Provençal, Gascon, Portuguese, Greek, AlbanianCognate of
Marietta.
Maru m & f TswanaMeans cloud. In setswana culture anything which has to do with water, which is a precious commodity is loved. Clouds bring rain and so are welcomed wherever they appear.
Mashgash m & f IgboPosh name. Meaning: Intelligence and beauty
Mashudu m & f AfricanMashudu is a name used the Vha-Venda tribe in the far north of South Africa (Limpopo Province). The name means Luck
Masiye m & f ChewaMeans "orphan" in Chichewa, literally translating as "leavings", as in something left behind by a dead person.
Massa f BerberA term of respect meaning "Mistress" and a name usually given to high born.
Matamela m & f Southern African, VendaPossibly means "the one who does not hold grudges" in Venda. It is the first name of the South African president Cyril Ramaphosa (1952-).
Matemasie m & f AkanMeans "I have heard and concealed the fact" in Akan.
Maurisha f AfricanIt's a female version of Maurice, which means "from Mauritania", current Morocco.
Mazvita f ShonaMeans "we are grateful" or "many thanks" in Shona.
Mbalienhle f Ndebele, ZuluMeans "beautiful flower" in Zulu and Ndebele, from
mbali "flower, flowers" and
enhle "something that is beautiful of nice".
Mbarka f Arabic (Maghrebi), BerberFeminine form of
Mubarak used in Northern Africa. This was the name of a possibly legendary Berber princess who ruled the ksar or oasis town of El Menia in Algeria.
Mbia m & f Kenyang, JaghamFrom Kenyang
ḿbyáy meaning "pumpkin leaves", a plant species indigenous to Southern Nigeria.
Medius f & m English (African), Eastern AfricanBorrowed from Latin
medius meaning "middle; half; moderate; indifferent." It is mostly used in Uganda where, compared to other surrounding countries, it is usually feminine in usage.
Megafu m & f IgboMeans "do for all to see" in Igbo.
Meghighda f BerberEtymology unknown. This was the name of a famous poetess.
Meissa f Western African, AstronomyVariant of
Maïssa; from Arabic
maḥīṣ meaning "shining, glittering". This is also the traditional name of Lambda Orionis, a star in the Orion constellation.
Meleke f MandingMeleke is Bambara for the following word. "Angel"