African Submitted Names

African names are used on the continent of Africa, covering a wide number of languages. See also about African names.
gender
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Jawaat-a m Sidamo
Means "strong" in Sidama.
Jeanique f French (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), French (Belgian, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Blend of Jeanne with any feminine name ending in -ique, such as Monique and Véronique... [more]
Jebet f African
Kalenjin name from the Rift Valley area of Kenya. Means born 'during the day'.
Jegede m Nigerian (Modern)
A very active person that moves around a lot
Jekesai f Shona
"Make it clear". Meant to speak to neighbor or family to make clear their position or purpose.
Jelani m Swahili
Powerful
Jemaine m & f South African (Rare), English (Rare)
Most likely a variant of Jermaine. A famous bearer of this name is New Zealand actor Jemaine Clement (1974-).
Jemal m Abkhaz, Amharic, Georgian
Abkhaz, Amharic and Georgian form of Jamal.
Jemda m & f Dagbani
Means "worshipper" in Dagbani.
Jemere m Amharic
Means "he began" in Amharic.
Jenda m & f Dagbani
It means Outstanding or exceptional when used as a verb, but when used as a noun it means responsibility
Jenilee f English (Modern), South African
Probably a combination of Jenny and the popular phonetic suffix lee. This name was popularized by the American television actress Jenilee Harrison (1958-).
Jeremia m Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish (Rare), Norwegian (Rare)
Dutch, Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian variant of Jeremias.
Jesaja m Biblical, Swedish (Rare), Dutch, Biblical German, Afrikaans
Dutch, German, and Swedish form of Isaiah.
Jesam m & f Nigerian (Modern)
Originally, an expression used to indicated ... [more]
Jessic m Western African
Probably a masculine form of Jessica.
Jesubori f Yoruba
Meaning "Jesus is the winner" or "Jesus overcomes" in Yoruba
Jesumbo m & f Yoruba
It is a Yoruba name,a tribe in South-Western Nigeria which mean "JESUS IS COMING BACK" and in Hebrew Maranatha. It can be beared by both sexes reminding the hearer(s) of the second coming of the Lord Jesus who left this world over two thousand(2000) years ago...
Jesusemen m Esan
Meaning: Jesus is enough for me
Jeta m Nigerian
Meaning unknown. A known bearer of this name is the Nigerian filmmaker Jeta Amata (b. 1974).
Jibbanno m & f Bandial
Means "we have returned" in Bandial.
Jibirila m Hausa
Variant of Jibirilu.
Jibirilu m Hausa
Hausa form of Gabriel.
Jibriil m Somali
Somali form of Gabriel.
Jibrila m Hausa
Variant of Jibrilu.
Jibrilu m Hausa
Hausa form of Gabriel.
Jibrin m Nigerian
From the name of the historical Arabic town, بيت جبرين (Bayt Jibrin or Jubrin), meaning "house of the powerful." It may also be a variant of Jibril.
Jidenna m Igbo
"Hold the Father"
Jidji f Berber
Means "flower" in Tamazight.
Jiho m & f Shona
Meaning “ultisol” in Shona.
Jiilaal m Somali
Jiilaal is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Jilañulo f & m Jola
Means "we have come back" in Jola.
Jilele m Tumbuka
Means "rear yourself" or "be self reliant" in Tumbuka. Can be given to orphans, or to children expected to be independent early in life.
Jilma f & m Dagbani
Means "honour, respect" in Dagbani.
Jimo f & m Yoruba
Means "awake child" in Yoruba, derived from jí meaning "wake up; arise" and ọmọ meaning "child". It is also used as diminutive of longer names such as Ajírọ́mọgbé.
Jina f Swahili
Means "to walk" in Swahili.
Jiñappu m & f Bandial
Means "the little one" in Bandial.
Jinga m & f Shona
Meaning “piedmont; towards or near the foundation; base.” Longer forms of the name include Jingarechikomo, Jingachinga or Jingarashe.
Jintora m & f Dagbani
Means "counselor" in Dagbani.
Jipareol f Bandial
Means "get ready for her" in Bandial.
Joalane f Sotho
Possibly derived from Sotho joala, meaning "alcohol, beer".
Joas m Ethiopian (Germanized)
German transliteration of Iyoas.
Jobe f & m Igede
Means "give thanks" in Igede, spoken in Nigeria. Alternative meanings are "gratitude" or "be grateful".
Joesoef m Indonesian, Afrikaans (Rare)
Indonesian variant transcription of Jusuf (based on Dutch orthography) and Afrikaans form of Joseph.
Johani m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of John.
Johanika f Afrikaans (Rare)
Diminutive of Johanna (compare Johanneke).
Joikea f African
Means "joy" in the Nuer language.
Jojo m Akan
variant of Kwadwo
Jok m Dinka, African Mythology
Jok is the Supreme God in Lango, Dinka and Alur Mythologies. In A Dictionary of African Mythology, Jok, the supreme being, is described like moving air; he is omnipresent, like the wind, but is never seen, though his presence may be felt in whirlwinds or eddies of air, in rocks and hills, in springs and pools of water, and he is especially connected with rainmaking... [more]
Jokichana f Alur, African Mythology
Of uncertain meaning. Jokichana is a rock spirit in Alur Mythology.
Jolette f English, Afrikaans
Likely a combination of the name Jo and the suffix -lette.
Jomarie f Afrikaans
Contraction of Johanna Maria.
Jomo m African (Rare)
Jomo Kenyatta was the first Prime Minister and President of Kenya.
Jona m Croatian, Serbian, Swedish, Norwegian (Rare), Sorbian, Afrikaans
Croatian, Serbian, Sorbian, Afrikaans and Scandinavian form of Jonah.
Jonase m Sotho
Sesotho form of Jonah.
Jonathena f South African, American
Feminine form of Jonathan, possibly influenced by Athena.
Jonnie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Johan.
Jopie m & f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Diminutive of Joop for men and of the related name Johanna for women.
Jorica f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Feminine form of Joric.
Jorika f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Feminine form of Jorik.
Jorley m African
Name of African origin, meaning "peace".
Josephy f Chewa
Variant of Joseph.
Joshi m African
Means "galloping" in Swahili.
Joshuwa m Shona
Shona version of the name Joshua.
Josua m German, Afrikaans, Swedish, Romansh
German, Afrikaans, Romansh and Swedish form of Joshua.
Joswa m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Joshua.
Jua m & f Swahili
Means "sun" in Swahili.
Juané f Afrikaans
Feminine variant of Juane.
Juanelle f English (American, Rare), South African (Rare)
Elaboration of Juana, perhaps inspired by Janelle.
Juanette f English (American), South African
Semi-hispanicization of Jeannette, or semi-anglicized form of Juanita.
Juba m Berber
Juba I was a King of Numidia. He was the son and successor to King of Numidia Hiempsal II. Juba was the father of King of Numidia and later Mauretania Juba II
Jumaane m Swahili
Means “Tuesday” in Swahili.
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.
Justiniani m Swahili
Swahili variation of Justinianus.
Jutka f Hungarian, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Originally a Hungarian diminutive of Judit and a Dutch diminutive of Judith, occasionally used as a given name in its own right.
Jwana f Sotho
Sotho form of Johanna.
Kaakyire m Akan
Means "last born" in Akan.
Kaari f Eastern African (Rare), Meru
The name kaari is a name popular used among the Ameru (Meru) community of Kenya. The name is given to a child named after a younger sister of one of the parents. It is especially given by the grandparents... [more]
Kaarr-o f Sidamo
Means "space between upper incisors" in Sidama, this is traditionally held to be a sign of beauty.
Kaayy-am-o m Sidamo
Means "a lucky one" in Sidama.
Kábananukye m Kiga
Means "let them be happy" in Rukiga.
Kabanga m Luba
Means "the second-born or youngest twin" in Luba.
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.
Kabilibili m Chewa
Means "plush green vegetation" in Chewa.
Kabinda m & f Luhya
Derived from the Luhya word binda meaning "to enclose doorway with posts". This name is traditionally given to the last child.
Kabunji m Hausa
Means “afraid, scared” in Hausa.
Kabwe m & f Southern African
"A small rock or stone." Opposite name: Chibwe
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.
Kadihungila m Kaguru
Means "surprised" in Chikaguru.
Kadoa f Kassena
Means "born on a rainy day" in Kasem.
Kaedabi m & f Akan
Means "remember the past" in Akan.
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"
Kaggwa m Ganda
second child (boy) after twins
Kagisoyame m Tswana
Means "my peace" in Setswana.
Kagwala f Kassena
Means "woman who behaves like a slave raider" in Kasem.
Kahandi m Pare
Means "knife" in the Athu language of the Pare people.
Kahena f Berber, History
Variant of Kahina.
Kahinu m Eastern African, Ge'ez, Amharic, Tigrinya
Means "clergyman" in Ge'ez and other Ethiopic languages.
Kahúngu m Kiga
Means "butterfly" in Rukiga.
Kaijage m Haya
Means "has come with fortune" in Haya.
Kaima f African
Name of African origin, meaning "Our God", or "the God we know", or also "gift of God".
Kaïna f Berber, French
French variant spelling of Kahina.
Kaito m & f Igbo
Means "let us glorify God" in Igbo.
Kaitochi f Igbo
The name originates from the Igbo tribe in the Eastern part of Nigeria, West Africa. It means "let us praise God"; referring to the Christian God.
Kajuna m Haya
Means "he helps" in Haya.
Kakanyo m & f Tswana
Means "thought" in Setswana.
Kaku m Akan
Variant of Akua.
Kakuju m Nyakyusa
Means "ficus tree" in Nyakyusa.
Kalala m & f Luba
Kalidou m Western African
Form of Khalid used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Kalifa f Somali
Means "chaste, holy" in Somali.
Kalindabwalo m Nsenga
Kalinda is guard or watchman,... [more]
Kalkidan f Amharic
Amharic for "promise", root words "qal" (ቃል) meaning word, and "kidan" (ኪዳን), meaning covenant, from the Ge'ez language
Kallamu m Hausa
Kallamu means Musa in Hausa
Kallamu m Hausa
Means "word (of God)" in Hausa. This name is closely tied with the name Musa.
Kalu m Igbo (Rare)
Kalu is a shortened name of, or derived from; Kamalu or Kamanu, the deity of thunder. Kamalu is an important deity in the traditional belief system of the people of many subethnic Igbo people (an ethnic group of southeastern Nigeria)... [more]
Kaluwa f Swahili
Means "forgotten one" in Swahili.
Kamanyi m & f Lunda
Means "prosperity from hard work" in Lunda.
Kamas m Somali
Kamas is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Kambeu m Shona
Kambeu means "little seed". This name may be given to a child who was very small at birth
Kambondoo m Dagbani
This is one of the death prevention names among the Dagbamba. When a woman gave birth up to three to four times and each time she give birth the children die. To prevent this names like this is given to a child to prevent it from dying.
Kamfunti m & f Lunda
Means "the one who has come back" in Lunda.
Kamharida f Igbo
Means "may I not fall" in Igbo
Kamini m Lingala
A famous bearer is French singer Kamini Zantoko (1979-) of Congolese ancestry.
Kamkhwala m & f Tumbuka
Means "of medicine, of herbs" in Tumbuka. Similar usage to Chimika.
Kamogelo f Tswana
Means "acceptance" in Setswana.
Kamohelo m & f Sotho
Means "acceptance" or "welcome" in Sotho.
Kamoyo m Tumbuka, Chewa
Means "life" in Tumbuka and Chewa, often given to babies born prematurely.
Kampata f Lingala
Means “campus” in Lingala.
Kamtochukwu m Igbo
"I will praise God"
Kamuzu m Southern African
Means "little root" in Chichewa.
Kamuzyu f Nsenga
Means "roots" in Nsenga.
Kamwendo m Chewa
Means "walking from place to place; traveller" in Chewa language.
Kananelo f & m Sotho
Means "approval" or "appreciation" in Sotho.
Kanau m African
Allegedly used among the Limba people of Sierra Leone.
Kanayochukwu m & f Igbo
Means "Let's keep asking God" in Igbo.
Kande f Hausa
Unknown etymology. This name is usually given to a girl born after two or more successive boys.
Kaneme m & f Igbo
Means "let's keep doing" in Igbo.
Kangmi m & f Western African, Goemai
Means 'joining of clans' in Goemai, spoken in Nigeria.
Kangwa m & f Southern African, Bemba
Means 'healing tree" in Bemba.
Kanika f Mwera
Meaning “black cloth”.
Kano m Sidamo
Means "bright" in Sidama.
Kanyisa f Xhosa
Means "giving light to the future" in Xhosa.
Kaodinna m Igbo
Means "the way it pleases God" in Igbo.
Kaoni f Nigerian
Long awaited child
Kaosisochukwu m & f Igbo
Means "as it pleases God" in Igbo.
Kara f & m Ogoni
Means "pray, prayer" in Khana, a dialect of Ogoni language from Nigeria.
Karama f Swahili
Means “gift” in Swahili.
Karambeni f Jola
Means "to help you" in Jola.
Karamoko m Manding, Western African
Means "cleric-teacher" in the Manding languages.
Kariara f Ijaw
Means "I prayed for her" in Ijaw.
Kariebi m & f Ijaw
Means "the blessing we prayed for" in Ijaw.
Karikoga m Shona
Means "one who is alone". The name may be given to say that one who lives alone or was born alone without siblings.
Karlien f Flemish, Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Dutch and Afrikaans form of Carline.
Karmami m Hausa
Means "cornstalk" in Hausa.
Karo m African
It is Isoko name, Niger Delta Nigeria.
Kʼarooyye m & f Sidamo
Means "wise, clever" in Sidama.
Karugendo m & f Haya
Means "pertaining to a journey" in Ruhaya.
Karúngi f Kiga
Means "something good, beautiful" in Rukiga.
Karungi f Haya
Means "the one who is beautiful" in Haya.
Kasambayi f Chewa
Means “page” in Chichewa.
Kashangaki m Swahili
Means "surprise" in Swahili.
Kashim m Nigerian, Kanuri
Kanuri form of Qasim, Cassim and Kassim.
Kasi f & m Dagbani
It means 'neat or clean'
Kasinda f Kongo
Means “child who was born at dawn” in Kikongo.
Kaskazi f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "north wind" or "hot season, summer".
Kasomo m Bemba
Means "leader, flag-bearer" in Bemba.
Kassa m & f Amharic
Means "compensation, reparation" in Amharic.
Kasuba m Bemba
Means "sun" in Bemba.
Kataali f & m Dagbani
It means have no sins
Kataka m African
From the Kenyan Luhya tribe for a leader or elder.
Katakyie m Akan
Means "the strong man" in Akan.
Katavi m African Mythology, Nyamwezi
A demonic being in the popular belief of the Nyamwezi people of Tanzania. He is reputed to be the chief of the water-spirits, but he also haunts the barren lands and deserts.
Katekani f Tsonga
Means "be blessed" in Xitsonga.
Kathaulo m Tumbuka, Chewa
Means "small cloth, handkerchief" in Tumbuka and Chewa.
Katryn f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Katrijn.
Katsiru f Shona
Means "female cow" in Shona.
Katuma m Luba
Derived from the Luba word kàtùmà meaning "last-born of triplets", ultimately from the word tùmà meaning "to send". Superstition suggests that third-born children with this name, because of their name, should not be sent on errands or deliveries.
Katyayana f Rwandan
Means “that’s right, correct” in Kinyarwanda.
Kauna f Hausa
Means "love" in Hausa.
Kaunda f & m African
swahilli... [more]
Kawesa m Ganda
"blacksmith" Kovacs
Kayaga m & f Nyoro
Means “The windy month” in Bunyoro.
Kayen m African
(Nigerian)"celebrated", (Yoruba)" long-hoped-for child"
Kayokwa m Southern African, Bemba
Means "sugar, sweet" in Bemba.
Kazah m & f Nigerian
Means "God" in Bajju.
Kazoka m Pare
Means "axe" in the Athu language of the Pare people.
Kbra f Tigrinya
Used in Eritrea and Tigray, meaning: her glory, her dignity
Keabetswe m & f Tswana
Means "I have been given" in Setswana.
Kealeboa m Sotho
Means "thank you" in Sotho.
Kealeboga m & f Tswana
Means "thank you" in Setswana.
Keamogetse m & f Tswana
Means "I have received" in Setswana.
Keamogetswe m & f Tswana
Means "I am welcomed" in Setswana.
Keatlaretse f Tswana
Means "to receive with open hands" in Tswana. It is usually used as a sign of respect.
Keatlile m Tswana
Means "I have increased" in Setswana.
Kebabonye f Tswana
Means "I saw them" in Setswana.
Kebarutile f Tswana
Means "I have taught them" in Setswana.
Kebasadi f Tswana
Means "these are women" in Setswana.
Kebe m Mabaan, Nigerian
Meaning, "Strong man with no fear."
Kebere m Amharic
Means "he is honoured" in Amharic.
Kébirunga f Kiga
Means "child of crowns" in Rukiga.
Kebitsemang m Tswana
Means "whom shall I call?" in Setswana.
Kebra f & m Eastern African, Ge'ez
Means "glory, praise" in Ge'ez, a liturgical language from Ethiopia. ... [more]
Kedisaletse m Southern African
Botswanian name.
Kedumetse f Tswana
Means "I have agreed" in Setswana.
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.
Keemenao m & f Tswana
Means "I am with you" in Setswana.
Kefentse f Tswana
Means "I have won" in Tswana.
Kegomoditswe m & f Tswana
Means "I have been comforted" in Setswana.
Kehumile f Tswana
Means "I am rich" in Setswana.
Keita m Eastern African
"Worshipper" in Eastern African, specific country unknown
Kekeletso m Sotho
Means "addition" in Sesotho.
Kekeli f Ewe
Kekeli is of Ewe origin & means, 'light, lightness.'
Kelebileone f Tswana
Means "I am watching Him (God)" in Setswana.
Kelebohile m Sotho
Means "I am grateful" in Sesotho.
Kelefetswe f Tswana
Means "they have done it for me" in Setswana.
Kelemi f Amharic
Means "colorful" in Amharic.
Keletso m & f Tswana
Means "wish" in Setswana.
Kemba f & m African, Caribbean
Means "peel" in Swahili and "full of faith" in a Central African language.... [more]
Kembo m Kongo
Means "heaven" in Kongo.
Kemelayefa m Ijaw
Means "nothing is greater than a human being" in Ijaw.
Kemi f Yoruba
Means "cherish me; caring for me" in Yoruba. It is also a diminutive of other names such as Oluwakemi.
Kémigisha f Kiga
Means "child of luck" in Rukiga.
Kemmonye f Tswana
Means "I have seen her" in Setswana.
Kenalemang m Tswana
Means "who is with me?" in Setswana.
Kenam f Southern African
Transferred use of the surname Kenam.
Kenanao m Tswana
Means "I am with Him (God)" in Tswana.
Kenaya f & m Lingala
Kembo Na Yawé ; Glory of God