Submitted Names in Senegal

Gyrano m African

Habibou f & m Western African
Western African variant of Habiba or Habib.

Habibu m Western African, Hausa
Hausa form of Habib.

Habraham m African (Rare), Spanish (Latin American, Rare)
Variant of Abraham, occasionally found in Latin America and French-speaking African countries.

Habu m Western African, Hausa
Short form of Abu Bakr.

Hadadangi m & f Western African, Hausa
Means "joining of clans" in Hausa.

Hadiatou f Western African
Western African elaboration of Hadia.

Hafisa f African

Haïssatou f Western African
Variant of Aïssatou.

Haleluya m & f Indonesian, Amharic, Eastern African, Southern African, Western African
Indonesian and African form of Hallelujah

Hamadou m Western African
Form of Hamad or Hammad used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.

Hamady m Western African
A variant of the Arabic name Hamad, meaning "praiseworthy".

Hamidou m Western African
Form of Hamid 1 or Hamid 2 used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.

Hanzila f & m African

Happiness f American (Modern, Rare), English (African)
From the English word happiness.

Happyness f English (African)
Derived from the English word happiness. It is most common in Tanzania.

Hasia f Western African
Probably a spelling variant of Hassia.

Hassane m Arabic (Maghrebi), Western African
Alternate transcription of Hassan as well as the form used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.

Hassia f Western African

Hassina f African, Arabic
Variant of Haseena used most often in Africa.

Hawanatu f Western African
Possibly a form of Hawa, used in Sierra Leone.

Heidilene f Portuguese (African)

Helaria f African

Hellena f English (African)
Variant of Helena.

Helvécio m Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), Portuguese (African, Rare)
Portuguese form of Helvetius.

Henrie m Dutch, English (African, Rare)
Dutch form of Henry and English variant of Henry.

Hermenegilda f Spanish, Portuguese (African), Kashubian, Polish (Rare)
Feminine form of Hermenegild.

Hiérothée m History (Ecclesiastical), French (African, Rare)
French form of Hierotheus, which is the latinized form of Hierotheos.

Hillaria f English (African)
Variant of Hilaria.

Hondo m Shona, African
means "war"

Honest m & f English (Puritan), African
From the English word meaning "honorable, virtuous". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans around the 17th century.

Honeste f French (African, Rare), African American (Modern, Rare)
French feminine form of Honest 2. As an African American name, it may be used as a variant of Honesty.

Honnête m & f French (African)
Derived from French honnête, meaning "honest".

Horácia f Portuguese (African), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), Hungarian
Portuguese and Hungarian form of Horatia.

Hortence f French (African), French (Rare), French (Belgian, Rare), Dutch (Surinamese), Flemish (Rare)
Variant of Hortense.

Houevi f Ewe, African
Name of Ewe origin, meaning "joy".

How m English (African, Rare), African American
Short form of Howard.

Hyelni f African
Name means 'God has given me'. It is used by the burah's of Garkida in Adamawa state of Nigeria.

Ibironke f African
Nigerian meaning 'you are to be cared for and pampered' or 'family has someone to care for.'

Ibiye m & f African
An ancient Kalabari meaning Good mainly used as a prefix.

Ibou m Western African

Ide m Western African

Igolo f & m African
Meaning: Biblical name (in Nigeria of Africa) that means 'the star that the three wise men followed when Christ was born.'... [more]

Ikana m African (Rare)

Ikeem m African
africa

Ikuto m & f African

Iliman m Wolof (Rare)
Standard spelling of Ilimane in Wolof.

Ilimane m Wolof (Gallicized)

Illuminée f French (Quebec, Archaic), French (African)
French form of Illuminata, mainly used in Rwanda. It is also a French vocabulary word meaning "illuminated, brightened, filled with light".

Imagine f English (African, Rare)
Taken from the English word imagine. This can also be used as a variant of Imogene.

Ima-obong f African
Nigerian(Akwa-Ibom)

Immaculate f English (African), Filipino (Rare), Indian (Christian, Rare)
English form of Inmaculada. It is mainly used in African countries where English is one of the official languages.

Immaculée f French (African, Rare)
French cognate of Inmaculada. A known bearer is Rwandan writer Immaculée Ilibagiza (1972-), a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Imohimi m & f Western African, Edo
Means "I have a support" in Edo language.

Imoni f African American, African
Variant of Imani.

Imose f Western African, Edo
Means "beauty" in Edo.

Inalegwu m African
popular among the Idoma people of Benue State of Nigeria.translate in English 'as Innocent'.

Inemesit f & m Western African, Ibibio
Means "happiness" in Ibibio.

Inesia f English (Rare), Louisiana Creole, Portuguese (African)
Elaboration of Ines.

Inezia f Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), Portuguese (African, Rare)

Ini f & m Western African, Ibibio
Means "time" in Ibibio.... [more]

Iniabasi m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "God's time" in Ibibio.

Innocence f & m English (African, Rare)
From the English word innocence.

Inocência f Portuguese (African)
Portuguese feminine form of Innocentius (see Innocent).

Inocêncio m Portuguese (African)
Portuguese form of Innocentius (see Innocent).

Iporuru f English (African)

Irebabofo m Western African
Origin: Ghana

Iredia m Western African, Esan
Means "stay" in Esan. ... [more]

Irekanmi f African, Yoruba
"It is now my turn for good things"

Ireneu m Catalan, Corsican, Sicilian, Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese (African), Galician
Catalan, Corsican, Sicilian, Galician and Portuguese form of Ireneus.

Iruka f & m African (Rare)

Isaachar m Filipino (Rare), English (African)
Form of Issachar.

Isabellah f English (African)
Variant of Isabella, primarily used in Kenya.

Isaih m English (American, Rare), English (African, Rare)
Variant of Isaiah.

Isália f Portuguese, Portuguese (African), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare)
Cognate of Isalia.

Isatou f Western African
Probably derived from Aisha, compare the West African name form Aïssatou.

Isatu f African

Isélia f Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), Portuguese (African, Rare)

Ismaïla m Western African
Western African form of Ismail (see Ishmael).

Isménia f Portuguese (African), Greek Mythology (Portuguese-style)
Portuguese form of Ismene.

Isongke f & m Western African, Anaang
Means "nothing is impossible" in Anaang, spoken in Nigeria.

Issaka m Western African
Form of Ishaq used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.

Isyaku m Western African, Hausa
Hausa form of Ishaq.

Itohan f Western African, Edo, Ijaw
Means "mercy" in Edo and "I don't wish you bad" in Ijaw.

Itohanosa f Western African, Edo
Means "the mercy of God" in Edo language.

Itunu f African

Iury m Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese (African)
Variant of Iuri.

Ivoire f English (American, Rare), French (African, Rare)
Derived from French ivoire meaning "ivory", which makes this name a cognate of Ivory.

Iwani f African
Means "speak out".

Iyeoka f Western African, Yoruba
Means "mother who speaks the word" in Yoruba.... [more]

Iyoka f Western African, Yoruba
Variant of Iyeoka.

Jabai m African
Named after a african serial killer in the 5th century.

Jabree m African (Americanized, Rare)

Jackline f English (African), Swedish (Rare)
Variant of Jacqueline.

Jacquelina f Dutch (Rare), Dutch (Surinamese), Flemish, Spanish (Latin American), Spanish (Mexican), French (African)
Latinate form of Jacqueline.

Ja'ebun m African
Used for the warrior of the tribe KIKI in Nigeria

Jahali f Bandial
Means "worried" in Bandial.

Jalaysia f English (African, Modern)
Possibly a combination of Jayla and Alicia, Alice, Asia 1 or Malaysia

Jamilu m Western African, Hausa
Hausa form of Jamil.

Janeiro m Portuguese (African), Spanish (Caribbean), Spanish (Latin American)
Derived from Portuguese janeiro "January".

Janvière f French (African), French (Belgian, Rare)
Feminine form of Janvier.

Jasiba f African (Rare)
Meaning "wealthy noble princess" and "one who descends from the highest regal nobility" ... [more]

Javerine f French (African)

Jeancy m French (African)

Jebet f African
Kalenjin name from the Rift Valley area of Kenya. Means born 'during the day'.

Jeems m English (African)

Jeizan m African (Rare)

Jeneba f Western African

Jenifa f English (African)

Jephté m French (African), Biblical French
French form of Jephthah.

Jéssia f Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), Portuguese (African, Rare)

Jessic m Western African
Probably a masculine form of Jessica.

Jesuína f Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese (African)
Feminine form of Jesuíno.

Jibbanno m & f Bandial
Means "we have returned" in Bandial.

Jilañulo f & m Jola
Means "we have come back" in Jola.

Jimu m African (?)

Jiñappu m & f Bandial
Means "the little one" in Bandial.

Jipareol f Bandial
Means "get ready for her" in Bandial.

Jireh m & f Filipino, English (African, Rare), French (African, Rare), Spanish (Latin American, Rare)
From the second part of the place name יְהוָה יִרְאֶה‎ (YHWH yir'e) in the land of Moriah, meaning either "the Lord sees" (also "will see" or "will see to it") or "the Lord will provide," so named by Abraham after God provided a ram to sacrifice in place of his son Isaac.

Jocaste f Greek Mythology (Gallicized), French (African, Rare)
French form of Jocasta.

Joikea f African
Means "joy" in the Nuer language.

Jomo m African (Rare)
Jomo Kenyatta was the first Prime Minister and President of Kenya.

Joor f Wolof

Jorjine f French (African, Rare)
Likely a variant spelling of Georgine.

Jorley m African
Name of African origin, meaning "peace".

Josélia f Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese (African)
Variant of Jocélia.

Josemar m Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese (African)
Variant of Josmar.

Joshi m African
Means "galloping" in Swahili.

Josimar m Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese (African), Spanish (Latin American)
Variant of Josmar. A famous bearer of this name is Brazilian soccer player Josimar Higino Pereira, who popularized "Josimar" as an independent name.

Jospin m French (African)
Archaic northern French diminutive of Josse.

Jourdin m French (African)
Transferred use of the surname Jourdin.

Jovia f English (African)
Likely a feminine form of Jove or a variation of Jovita

Joyceline f English (American, Rare), Dutch (Antillean), English (African)
Variant of Joycelyn.

Joyeuse f French (African)
Direct adoption of the adjective joyeuse, the feminine form of the adjective joyeux, "joyful".

Judithe f Portuguese (Brazilian), French (African), Haitian Creole, Greenlandic, English (Rare), Danish (Rare)
Portuguese variant of Judite, English and French variant of Judith and Danish and Greenlandic variant of Juditha.

Juditte f French (African), Haitian Creole, Norwegian (Archaic)
Variant of Judith.

Juliah f English (American, Rare), English (African, Rare)
Variant of Julia.

Juliena f English (African, Rare)
Variant of Juliana, possibly influenced by Julienne.

Julienna f French (Rare), French (Belgian, Rare), French (African, Rare), French (Caribbean, Rare), English (Modern, Rare)
Latinate form of Julienne.

Julitha f English (African), English (American, Rare, Archaic)
Elaboration of Julith with an additional -a. This name is chiefly used in Tanzania.

Jumoki f & m African, Yoruba, Nigerian
Jumoki which in Nigerian means "everyone loves the baby". There is a dog on youtube named Moki, which is short for Jumoki.

Justicia f English (African), Indonesian (Rare), Puerto Rican
An elaborated form of the English word justice. Justicia is also a genus of flowering plants in the bear's breeches family, Acanthaceae. The genus name honors the Scottish horticulturist James Justice.

Jutomu m Western African

Jyne f Filipino (Rare), English (African, Rare)

Kabayao m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unavailable.

Kabena f & m English, African
Allegedly a form of Kwabena. While this name seems to be used exclusively as a masculine name in Africa, in English-speaking countries it is predominantly used as a feminine name.

Kabiru m Western African, Hausa
Hausa form of Kabir.

Kadiatu f Western African
Western African form of Khadija.

Kadidia f Western African
Form of Khadija used in parts of western Africa.

Kadidiatou f Western African
Form of Khadija used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.

Kafele m African
Origin uncertain, possibly a Chewa name.

Kaffe m & f Western African, Akan
Variant of Kofi.

Kafi f & m African, Muslim
means "sufficient" and "quiet"

Kah m Western African

Kahlimma f & m African (Rare)

Kaielle f English (African)
Combination of the names Kai 1 and Elle.

Kaima f African
Name of African origin, meaning "Our God", or "the God we know", or also "gift of God".

Kaleema f African (Rare)

Kalembe f African

Kalidou m Western African
Form of Khalid used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.

Kamilu m Western African, Hausa
Hausa form of Kamil 1.

Kanau m African
Allegedly used among the Limba people of Sierra Leone.

Kangmi m & f Western African, Goemai
Means 'joining of clans' in Goemai, spoken in Nigeria.

Karambeni f Jola
Means "to help you" in Jola.

Karamoko m Manding, Western African
Means "cleric-teacher" in the Manding languages.

Karo m African
It is Isoko name, Niger Delta Nigeria.

Kataka m African
From the Kenyan Luhya tribe for a leader or elder.

Kataya f African

Kaunda f & m African
swahilli... [more]

Kayen m African
(Nigerian)"celebrated", (Yoruba)" long-hoped-for child"

Kéehu m & f Manjak
Means "the one who dies" or "the dead one" in Manjak. This name is given to protect the child from an early death.

Kemba f & m African, Caribbean
Means "peel" in Swahili and "full of faith" in a Central African language.... [more]

Kendero m African

Keolebogile f & m Tswana, African
I thanked (God).

Kérobiwa f Bandial
Means "why go there?" in Bandial.

Ketugay m & f Jola
Means "Die till you get tired of it" in Jola. This name is given to an infant who is believed to be a spirit child who has been coming and going between life and death.

Kgabu m & f African, Zulu
Means "to decorate richly" in Zulu.

Khadidiatou f Western African
Form of Khadija used in western Africa.

Khadijatou f Western African
Form of Khadija used in French-influenced western Africa.

Khadjatou f Western African
Variant of Khadijatou.

Khalidou m Western African
Form of Khalid used in Senegal.

Khethiwe f African, Zulu
Means "chosen, the one who is chosen" in Zulu.

Khotso m & f African
Means 'Peace'Tshwana(South African)

Kimani m African
"Adventurous" or "sailor" Kukiyu tribe in the nation state of Kenya.

Kimara f African (Modern)

Kingdavid m English (American, Modern, Rare), English (African)
Combination of King and David, possibly used in reference to the Biblical character, King David of Israel.

Kingdom m English (American, Rare), English (African)
Either a transferred use of the surname Kingdom or else directly from the English word, perhaps taken from the biblical phrase kingdom of God... [more]

Kingsford m Scottish, African
Transferred use of the surname Kingsford.

Kinsa f African (Rare)

Kinya f English (Rare), Western African (?)
May be a variant of Kenya or a name of Ghanaian origin (uncertain as to which language the name belongs to) in which the meaning is unknown.

Kipani f African

Kipenzi f & m Swahili, African
means "darling", "favorite", "loved one"

Kizito m African
Means "Gift from God" or "Child who God loves". St. Kizito is the youngest of the 22 Ugandan martyrs. He is the patron saint of children and primary schools.

Knowledge f & m English (Puritan), Literature, English (African)
From Middle English (originally as a verb in the sense ‘acknowledge, recognize’, later as a noun) from an Old English compound based on cnāwan meaning "know."... [more]

Kobi m & f Western African, Akan
Short form of Kobina.

Koco f & m Western African

Kolajo m African
An Ancient name of Yoruba Origin, it means 'gather wealty'

Kolo m Western African

Komla m African
Used in Ghana, West Africa. Means Tuesday born boy in Ewe

Konadu f & m African
Used among Akan peoples in Ghana, West Africa. Can be used as a first name and surname.

Kondo m Swahili, African
means "war"

Korotoumou f Western African

Kosia m & f African

Kosy f African
Nigerian

Kotatee m & f Western African, Kru
It means "sit down here" in Kru/Klao language spoken in Liberia.

Kottia m Western African
Meaning unknown. It is mostly used in Côte d'Ivoire.

Kromanti m African
War god of ghana

Kucheli f African
Name used by the people of northern Borno state, and Garkida area in Adamawa state. They are called the burah's and paburs.

Kuda m & f African (?)
Means "love" in Zimbabwe.

Kumba f African
A name given to the second girl child from a tribe in the Lofa county of Liberia by the kissi tribes.

Kurai m African

Kuroyefa m & f Western African, Ijaw
Means "nothing is difficult in life" in Ijaw.

Kuwilileni f African (Rare)
This name is used by a Buzzfeed Employee.

Kuziva m & f African
Zimbabwe/Shona

Kwoth m African, Nuer
The supreme god of the Nuer (South Sudan) who manifests himself in natural phenomena. They believe he is benign god who protects the poor and the unhappy.

Kyerewaa f Western African (Rare)

Kyha f African (Modern), Indigenous American (Modern)
Variant of Kaia

Laamiiɗo m Fula
A Fulani honorific term, derived from the root laamu, meaning “leadership”

Lacina m Western African

Laïka f French (African)

Lakia f African
Means "treasure" in Swahili.

Lameck m African
Variant of Lamech.

Lamido m Fula (Anglicized), Nigerian
Anglicized form of Laamiiɗo.

Lamin m African
Given to the first born boy in The Gambia

Lamine m Western African, Arabic (Maghrebi)
Form of Al-Amin used in parts of western Africa as well as an Arabic alternate transcription chiefly used in northern Africa.

Langton m English (African)
Transferred use of the surname Langton, chiefly used in Zimbabwe.

Laquinta f African American (Rare), English (African, Rare)
Feminine form of Laquan

Larona f English (African)

Latir m Serer
Meaning "chief" or "landowner"

Laurenne f French (Rare), French (African, Rare), French (Swiss, Rare), French (Belgian, Rare), Flemish (Rare)
French form of Lauren which first surfaced in the 1950s.

Lawalo m Manding, African Mythology, Western African
Lawalo is a figure in the oral tradition of the Keita dynasty, who claim descent from Lawalo as one of the sons of Bilal... [more]

Lawrent m English (African)
Variant of Laurent.

Lazarous m English (African)
Variant of Lazarus.

Leeanne f African

Lefils m Haitian Creole, French (African)
Transferred use of the surname Lefils.

Leïticia f French (African, Rare), Arabic (Maghrebi)

Lekie f & m African, Ogoni, Nigerian

Lendl m English (African, Rare), Caribbean
Transferred use of the surname Lendl.

Lenira f Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese (African)
Likely a variant of Lenir.

Lenneisha f African
a african bug

Leões m Portuguese (African)
"lions" in Portuguese

Léonelle f French (Rare), French (African, Rare)
Feminine form of Léonel, predominantly found in French-speaking African countries.

Léonora f French, French (African)
French form of Leonora. This name is borne by Léonora Miano (1973-), an award-winning Cameroonian writer.

Levis m English (African)

Leviticus m English (American, Rare), English (African, Rare), African American
From the name of the book of the Old Testament, which means "of the Levites, of the tribe of Levi". Some parents in the United States view it as a full form or more formal version of the name Levi.

Liano m English (African)
Masculine Form Of Liana

Lidiop m Western African
The name of a Senegalese Reggae artist.

Light m & f English (African)
From the English word light meaning "Electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range visible to the human eye (about 400–750 nanometers); visible light".... [more]

Lightness f English (African)
From the English word lightness meaning "the amount of lights". This name is mainly found in Tanzania.

Likanos m African, Ethiopian

Liliano m Portuguese (African)
Masculine form of Liliana.

Lindalva f Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese (African)
Contraction of Linda and Dalva. This name was borne by Blessed Lindalva Justo de Oliveira.

Lionelle f French (Rare), French (African, Rare), French (Swiss, Rare), Flemish (Rare), French (Belgian, Rare), English (Rare)
Feminine form of Lionel.

Lionnel m French, French (African), French (Belgian, Rare)
Variant of Lionel.

Living m English (African)
Either from the English word living or a short form of Livingstone.

Livingstone m English (African)
Transferred use of the surname Livingstone.

Livona f African

Locardia f African (Rare), English (Rare)
Locardia Ndandarika (1945-) is a Zimbabwean sculptor, the first woman in her country to take up stone carving professionally.

Lololi f Western African, Ewe
Means "there is always love" in Ewe.

Longji m Western African, Ngas
Means "wealth has come" in Ngas, spoken in Nigeria.

Lordina f English (African)
Feminine form of Lord. This name is primarily used in Ghana.

Lossémy m Western African

Loveday f & m English (African), English (British, Rare), Cornish (Rare), Medieval English, Literature
Medieval form of the Old English name Leofdæg, literally "beloved day". According to medieval English custom, a love day or dies amoris was a day for disputants to come together to try to resolve their differences amicably... [more]

Loveness f English (African)
From the rare English word loveness meaning "love".

Lovenie f African
From the word "love".

Lual m African

Lucresse f Medieval French, French (Rare), French (African, Rare), English (Rare, Archaic)
Middle French form of Lucretia, still occasionally found in French-speaking Africa.

Ludimila f Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese (African, Rare)
Variant of Ludmila.

Luseni m Western African (Rare)
Unknown meaning. This name is used in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Lutendo f & m African
Means: Faith... [more]

Maammarou m Songhai, Western African
Songhai form of Mamur.

Maaouya m Western African
A known bearer is Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya (1941-), a Mauritanian military officer who served as the president of Mauritania from 1984-2005.

Mabinty f Western African

Macaire m French (Rare), French (African)
French form of Macarius.

Macmillan m English (African)
Transferred use of the surname MacMillan.

Maculate f English (African)
Truncated form of Immaculate.

Madaleno m Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), Portuguese (African, Rare), American (Hispanic, Rare)
Masculine form of Madalena.

Madou m African

Maelyn f English (African, Modern, Rare)
Combination of Mae and the popular name suffix lyn.

Magaajyia f Songhai, Western African
Meaning unknown.

Magdalane f English (African, Rare)
Variant of Magdalene.

Magdalène f French (Archaic), French (African)
Earlier form of Madeleine, as well as a more learned borrowing of Magdalena. This form is now mainly used in French-speaking African countries.

Magdelène f French (Archaic), French (African)
Variant of Magdalène. This form is now mainly used in French-speaking African countries.

Mahama m Western African, Thai (Muslim)
Form of Muhammad used in western Africa and Thailand.

Mahammoud m Western African (Rare)
A conflation of Muhammad with Mahmud, in this form extremely rare.

Maïmouna f Western African
Form of Maimuna used in French-influenced western Africa.

Maimouna f Western African
Western African form of Mahmuna (see Maymunah).

Makafan m African

Makane m African

Makemen f & m Western African (Rare)
Liberia and Guinean

Makhtar m Western African, Wolof
Senegalese form of Mukhtar.

Makida f African
In Ethiopia, Makida was another name for the Queen of Sheba.

Makiese m & f African, Kongo
Means "happiness" in Kikongo.

Malang m Western African

Maleba m African
African name, originally from Angola

Malick m Western African
Form of Malik 1 used in parts of western Africa.

Malidoma m Western African
According to the Burkinabé writer Malidoma Patrice Somé (1956-2021), his name means "he who befriends the enemy" or "friend of the stranger" in the Dagaare language.

Mallen m English (African)
Transferred use of the surname Mallen.

Mama f Western African, Akan
Means "born on Saturday" in Fante, a dialect of Akan.

Mamadi m Western African, Manding
Possibly a variant form of Mamadu.