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.
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
Kenechi m Igbo
Means "thank God" or "thanks be to God" in Igbo (compare Ekene, Chi 2).
Keneilwe f Tswana
Means "I have been given" in Setswana.
Keneoue f Sotho (Rare)
Means "I have been given" in Sotho.
Keneuwe f Sotho
Means "I have been given" in Sesotho.
Kengani m Kongo
Kengani is an African language, that belongs to Bantu people, designated from Congo kingdom in area that now is called Angola(Uige province).Which is used for Kings, liders, Boss, or heroes.... [more]
Kenhinde m & f Yoruba
One coming last. Often used for the second of twins.
Keniabarido f & m Ogoni
Khana for "as it pleases God (for him to do)"... [more]
Kenna m Ethiopian
Famous bearer is Kenna Zemedkun, musician.
Kennake f Tswana
Means "she is my sister" in Setswana.
Kenyangi m Swahili
Means “in the countryside” in Swahili.
Kenyetta f Eastern African, English
Possibly a feminine form of Kenyatta. Asante (1991) gives it the meaning "she is beautiful music".
Kényonyóozi f Kiga
Means "born of the stars" in Rukiga.
Keolebogile f & m Tswana, African
I thanked (God).
Kerapetse m & f Tswana
Means "I have prayed" in Setswana.
Kereeditse m & f Tswana
Means "I am listening" in Setswana.
Kereemang f Tswana
Means "who should I say this to?" in Setswana.
Kérobiwa f Bandial
Means "why go there?" in Bandial.
Keromang f Sotho
Means "one who has been sent" in Sesotho.
Kershia f Akan
Means "queen".
Kerubo f Eastern African, Kisii
Means "marsh, plain" in Kisii, given to girls born in the plains.
Kesegofetse f Tswana
Means "I am blessed" in Setswana.
Ketase f Tumbuka
Means "cooperation" in Tumbuka.
Ketsela-work f Ge'ez
Means "diadem of gold" in Ge'ez.
Ketshephaone m & f Tswana
Means "I trust Him (God)" in Setswana.
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.
Kgabareya m Sotho
Sotho form of Gabriel.
Kgabu m & f African, Zulu
Means "to decorate richly" in Zulu.
Kgakgamatso f Tswana
Means "wonders" in Setswana.
Kgalalelo f Tswana
Means "glory" in Setswana.
Kganya f & m Sotho
Means "brightness" or "(God's) light" in Sesotho.
Kgethang m Sotho
Sesotho form of Khethang.
Kgodi m & f Sotho
Means "mist" in Sotho.
Kgolo m Tswana
Means "growth" in Setswana.
Kgomotso m & f Tswana
Means "comfort" in Tswana.
Kgosiemang m Tswana
Means "who is the king?" in Setswana.
Kgotso f Southern African
Botswanian name.
Khaalid m Somali
Somali form of Khalid.
Khabane m Sotho
Means "precious" in Sesotho.
Khadidiatou f Western African
Form of Khadija used in western Africa.
Khadiija f Somali
Somali form of Khadija.
Khadijatou f Western African
Form of Khadija used in French-influenced western Africa.
Khadijo f Somali, Eastern African
Somali variant of Khadija.
Khadra f Somali
Means "lucky, fortunate" in Somali
Khalidou m Western African
Form of Khalid used in Senegal.
Khalif m Arabic, Somali, African American
Alternate transcription of Khalifa as well as the Somali form.
Khamani m Swahili
Meaning “son of king”, “first born”, or “great king” in Swahili.
Khamisi m Swahili
Means “Thursday” in Swahili.
Khangezile f Zulu
Means "our hands are open" in Zulu.
Khanya m Zulu
Means "shine" in Zulu.
Khanyisa f Tsonga
Means "brighten" in Xitsonga.
Khanyisile f Zulu (Modern)
Means "bringer of light" in Zulu.
Khanyiso m Xhosa
Means "to light, to illuminate" in Xhosa.
Khanyokulhe f Zulu
Means "guide on the way" in Zulu from the word khanyo meaning "guide" and kuhle meaning "way".
Khathutshelo m & f Venda
Means "forgiveness" in Tshivenda.
Khauhelo f & m Sotho
Means "pity" or "compassion" in Sotho.
Khayalethu m Zulu
Means "our home" in Zulu.
Khayelihle f Ndebele
Means "good home" in Ndebele.
Khayizeni m Tsonga
Means "rebuke" in Xitsonga.
Khedduj f Berber
Berber form of Khadija.
Khensa f Nubian (Archaic), Northern African (?)
Khensa is a Nubian name.... [more]
Khensani m & f Tsonga
Means "grateful, give thanks" in Xitsonga.
Khethang m Sotho
Means "choose" in Lesotho.
Khethiwe f African, Zulu
Means "chosen, the one who is chosen" in Zulu.
Khethukuthula f Zulu
Means "choose to be quiet" in Zulu.
Khoeli m Sotho
“Moon”
Khomelani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga khomela meaning "forgive".
Khongelani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga khongela meaning "pray".
Khosi m Sotho
Means "king" in Sotho.
Khothatso f Sotho
Means "encouragement" in Sotho.
Khotso m & f African
Means 'Peace'Tshwana(South African)
Khotsofalang m Sotho
Means "be satisfied" in Lesotho.
Khule f Zulu
Means "it is beautiful" in Zulu.
Khulekani f Zulu
Means "salute" in Zulu.
Khululiwe f Zulu
Means "exonerated" in Zulu.
Khumbireko m Chewa
Means "to admire" in Chewa.
Khumbuza m Tsonga
Means "remember" in Xitsonga.
Khumiso m & f Tswana
Means "they are making us rich" in Setswana.
Khumo m & f Tswana
Means "wealth" in Tswana.
Khumoetsile m & f Tswana
Means "wealth has come" in Setswana.
Khutsafalo m & f Tswana
Means "melancholy" in Tswana.
Khwezi m & f Zulu
Means "bright morning star" in Zulu.
Kia f Kongo
Powerful
Kiah f Swahili
Means "dawn" in Swahili.
Kianda f African Mythology, Southern African
Kianda (or Dandalunda) is a goddess of the sea, of the waters, and a protector of fishermen in traditional Angolan culture. Kianda was traditionally worshipped by throwing offerings such as food and clothing into the sea... [more]
Kiapo m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "oath".
Kibafupia f Swahili
The name originates from the Swahili words Kibali "acceptance" and Fupi "low". The combination of words combine to make the phrase, "to accept being low", referencing the people in Swahili countries who are poor or lack education... [more]
Kibibi f Swahili
Means "little lady" in Swahili.
Kibriye m Amharic
Means "my honour" in Amharic.
Kiburi f & m Swahili
Means "pride" in Swahili.
Kidane m Ge'ez
Means "my covenant" in Ge'ez.
Kidest f Amharic
Alternate transcription of Amharic ቅድስት (see Kidist).
Kieruka f Igbo
Variant of Nkiruka.
Kiesse f & m Southern African
Bantu name meaning "happiness" or "joy".
Kigongo m & f Ganda
Born before twins
Kigotho m Kikuyu
Kukuyu name meaning Father of many children
Kihani m Kongo
First King
Kijana m & f Swahili, African American (Modern)
Means "young person" in Swahili. This is the nickname of American football player Kenneth Leonard 'Ki-Jana' Carter (1973-), given to him by his mother, who was inspired by a minor character in the movie Shaft in Africa (1973).
Kijani m Swahili
Means "warrior" in Swahili.
Kike f Yoruba
Means "caring for" in Yoruba.
Kikelomo f Yoruba
Means "child whom everyone loves pampering" in Yoruba.
Kilasa f Nyakyusa
Means "to be outspoken" in Nyakyusa.
Kimana f English, Eastern African
Possibly an invented name, an elaboration of Kim 1 with the name suffix -ana, or a feminine form of Kimani, or from the name of the town in Kenya.... [more]
Kimani m African
"Adventurous" or "sailor" Kukiyu tribe in the nation state of Kenya.
Kimbilio m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "refuge".
Kimelo m Nyakyusa
Means "seedlings" in Nyakyusa.
Kiminu f Central African
Kikongo for "faith".
Kimiya f Kongo
Peace
Kimoya f Kongo
Queen of Hearts
Kimpa-vita f Kongo
The name of a congolese prophetess and religious leader who lived at the end of the 17th century.
Kimursi m Kalenjin, Eastern African
Meaning unknown.
Kimya f Swahili
Means "silent" in Swahili. This is the name of musician Kimya Dawson.
Kinaya f Swahili
Means "independance" in Swahili.
Kinfeosioluwa f Yoruba
Means "I may love you more (my lord)" in Yoruba.
Kingsford m Scottish, African
Transferred use of the surname Kingsford.
Kinuani m & f Lingala
'adventure'
Kinubi m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "harp".
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.
Kiojah f Swahili
Means "miracle" in Swahili.
Kioko m Eastern African, Kamba
Means "born in the morning" in Kamba.
Kiona f Kongo
Soul crusher
Kipenzi f & m Swahili, African
means "darling", "favorite", "loved one"
Kipepeo f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "butterfly".
Kipkirui m Kalenjin
Means "one who was born while people slept" in Kelenjin.
Kirikuba m Bariba
Means "a carved idol" in Bariba.
Kirui m & f Kalenjin
Diminutive of Chepkirui and Kipkirui.
Kisa f Nyakyusa
Means "grace" in Nyakyusa.
Kisi f & m Ogoni
Means "move/ go forward" or "progress" in Khana,... [more]
Kisima f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "water spring".
Kissa f Ganda (?)
Allegedly a Luganda name meaning "born after twins".
Kisundi m Pare
Means "deep night" in the Athu language of the Pare people.
Kitheko f Pare
Means "laughter" in the Athu language of the Pare people.
Kithure m Meru
Of uncertain meaning.
Kitoko m & f Lingala
Means "beautiful" in Lingala.
Kitso m & f Tswana
Means "knowledge, wisdom" in Tswana.
Kittaw m Amharic
Means "tame him" in Amharic.
Kituru m Bariba
Means "rain god" in Bariba.
Kiume m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "stamina, strength".
Kiura m Kikuyu
Means "frog" in Kikuyu.
Kivuvu f & m Central African
Kikongo for "hope".
Kiwanuka m Ganda, African Mythology
Kiwanuka is the hammer wielding God of Thunder and Lightning in Ganda Mythology. His name means “someone who was born on a Thursday”.
Kiwara f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "savannah".
Kiya f Eastern African
Allegedly means "mine" in Oromo.
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.
Kizza m & f Ganda
"born after twins"... [more]
Kobe m Akan
variant of Kwabena
Kobi m & f Western African, Akan
Short form of Kobina.
Kobie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Jacobus.
Kobinah m Akan
handsome/precious boy born on tuesday
Kodee f Akan
Means "eagle" in Akan.
Koffi m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé fue "Saturday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Saturday".
Kofo m & f Yoruba
Diminutive of Kofoworola.
Kofoworola m & f Yoruba
Means "He/She did not buy this wealth with money" in Yoruba, derived from kò meaning "(he/she) didn't", fi meaning "use", owó meaning "money", rà meaning "buy" and ọlá meaning "wealth".
Kokebe m Amharic
Means "my star" in Amharic.
Kokebi f Amharic
Means "star" in Amharic.
Koket f & m Amharic
"What is mine is yours."
Koketso m & f Tswana
Means "increase" in Setswana.
Koko m & f Efik
Diminutive of Kokoete and Kokoeka.
Kokolo m Kongo
Of unknown meaning.
Koku m Akan
Variant of Akua.
Kokugonza f Haya
Means "the one to be loved" in Haya.
Kokuhumuliza f Haya
Means "the one who soothes" in Haya.
Kokumaramara f Haya
Means "the one who consoles" in Haya.
Kokumo m & f Yoruba
Means "he will not die anymore" in Yoruba, typically given to an Abiku child. Abiku are spirits that are believed to enter a pregnant woman and move in a constant cycle of birth, death, and rebirth... [more]
Kokunura f Haya
Means "the one who is sweet" in Haya.
Kokushekya f Haya
Means "the one who makes people laugh" in Haya.
Kola m Yoruba
Means "gathers wealth" in Yoruba, derived from kó meaning "gather" and ọlá meaning "wealth". It is also used as diminutive of Kolawole, Kolade and Kolapo.
Kolade m Yoruba
Means "brings lots of wealth" in Yoruba, derived from kó meaning "gather" combined with ọlá meaning "honour, wealth, success, notability" and dé meaning "arrive, return".
Kolajo m African
An Ancient name of Yoruba Origin, it means 'gather wealty'
Kolapo m Yoruba
Means "gather wealth together" in Yoruba.
Kolawole m Yoruba
Means "he brings nobility, wealth, honour, into the house" in Yoruba.
Kombeho m Pare
Etymology uncertain, this name is traditionally given to babies born during winter.
Komla m African
Used in Ghana, West Africa. Means Tuesday born boy in Ewe
Komlan m Akan
Means "Tuesday" in Akan.
Konadu f & m African
Used among Akan peoples in Ghana, West Africa. Can be used as a first name and surname.
Konan m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé mlan "Wednesday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Wednesday".
Konanani m & f Venda
Means "be good to one another" in Tshivenda.
Kondanani m & f Tumbuka
Means "love one another" in Tumbuka and Chewa.
Kondo m Swahili, African
means "war"
Kongola f Chewa
Means "beautiful" in Chewa.
Konijo f Amharic
Means "beautiful" in Amharic.
Konjo f & m Amharic
"Beauty" (typically used in a feminine context).
Konradi m Swahili
Variation of Conrad.
Konyek m Eastern African, African Mythology
Konyek is a character from Maasai Mythology. His name has no known meaning.
Kornelis m Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Dutch and Afrikaans variant of Cornelis.
Kosau m Hausa
Means "well fed" in Hausa.
Kosisochi m & f Igbo
Kosisochi Meaning: As it Pleases God. ... [more]
Kosisochukwu m & f Igbo
Means "as it pleases God" in Igbo.
Kossola m Yoruba
Means "I do not lose my fruits anymore" or "my children do not die any more" in Yoruba.... [more]
Kosy f African
Nigerian
Kotani m Tsonga
Possibly from the Xitsonga kota meaning "able, talented".
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.
Kouadio m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé jɔlɛ "Tuesday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Tuesday".
Kouakou m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé we "Thursday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Thursday".
Kouamé m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé mɔnnɛn "Sunday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Sunday".
Kouassi m Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.
Kouassi m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé kisie "Monday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Monday".
Kovu m Swahili
It's Kiswahili for "Scar" and possibly, and is used in the Lion King 2. Kovu was chosen by Scar to become King before Simba returned to Pride Rock. Kovu's Mother Zira almost let Simab kill him when he was just a cub when they were caught in the Pridelands, but Simba told her to take him and leave before departing with his own daughter Kiara... [more]
Kpadia m Ijaw
Meaning unknown. It was the name of an Ijaw king.
Kponoabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "honour god" in Ibibio.
Krim m Kabyle, Arabic (Maghrebi)
Possibly a variant of Karim. Krim Belkacem was an Algerian revolutionary and politician who was a notable figure during the Algerian War.
Kromanti m African
War god of ghana
Kubanthree f South African, Indian
South Africans of Indian origin... [more]
Kuchanua f Swahili
Means "blossom" in Swahili.
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.
Kuchinei m Shona
Kuchinei means "What more is left to do, to see or to say" This name may be given by a parent who is at their wit's end. The Zimbabwean singer of the 1970-80s Kuchinei Chikupo was one well known bearer of this name.
Kuda m & f African (?)
Means "love" in Zimbabwe.
Kudakwashe m & f Shona, Southern African
Means "the Lord's will" in Shona.
Kudighe m & f Ibibio
Means "fear not" in Ibibio.
Kudirat f Yoruba
Possibly from the Yoruba kúdírátù meaning "power".
Kudzai m & f Shona
Means "respect" in Shona.
Kudzaishe f Shona
Means "respect God" in Shona.
Kudzanayi m & f Shona
Means "respect each other" in Shona.
Kudzoka f Shona
Means "to come back" in Shona.
Kufara f Shona
Means "happiness" in Shona.
Kufreabasi m & f Ibibio, Efik
Means "do not forget God" in Ibibio and Efik.
Kuhlula m & f Tsonga
Means "win" in Xitsonga.
Kulu f Igbo
Shortened form of Kamalu, the name of the traditional Igbo god of thunder and lightning, used for girls.
Kulukulu m & f Central African
Unknown meaning. It has seen some usage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Kuma f Efik
Means "I'm still in love with you" in Efik.
Kumba f African
A name given to the second girl child from a tribe in the Lofa county of Liberia by the kissi tribes.
Kumi m & f Akan
"forcefulness"
Kundai f Shona
Means "overcome" in Shona.
Kunle m Yoruba
Means "(one that) fills the house" in Yoruba, derived from kún meaning "fill" and ilé meaning "house, home". This is a usual short form of Adekunle, Olukunle, Ibikunle, Oyekunde or Ogunkunde.
Kunombarang m & f Afizere
Means "God has added" in Afizere.
Kunomnok m & f Afizere
Means "God has given" in Afizere.
Kunyonywa m Nyakyusa
Means "you need" in Nyakyusa.
Kurhula m Tsonga
Means "peace" in Xitsonga.
Kurisani f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga kurisa meaning "increase".
Kuroyefa m & f Western African, Ijaw
Means "nothing is difficult in life" in Ijaw.
Kurunzi m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "torch".
Kurwa f & m Swahili
Means "first of twins" in Swahili.
Kusayla m Berber (Anglicized)
Kusayla or koceïla or kasîla was a berber chief from the end of the 7th century.
Kuseka f Shona
Means "to laugh" in Shona.
Kusiima m Ganda (Modern), Swahili, Kiga
Means "thankful" in Swahili, Kiga, and Ganda.
Kusu m Bariba
Means "partridge" in Bariba.
Kutenda f & m Shona
Means "faith" or "to thank" in Shona.
Kutha m Chewa
Means "destiny" in Chewa.
Kutloisiso f & m Sotho (Rare)
Means "understanding" in Sotho.
Kutlwano f Sotho
Means "mutual understanding" in Sesotho.
Kutlwisiso f Sotho
Means "understanding" in Lesotho.
Kuttayibe m Nigerian, Kanuri
Kanuri form of Qutaybah.
Kuuku m Akan
Variant of Akua.
Kuvhanganani m & f Venda
Means "come together" in Tshivenda.
Kuwala m & f Chewa
Means "shining light" in Chewa.
Kuwame m Akan
Means "Saturday" in Akan.
Kuwilileni f African (Rare)
This name is used by a Buzzfeed Employee.
Kuyana f Kongo
"person supported or who comes to support, support, protect something"
Kuyikabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "do not doubt god" in Ibibio.
Kuziva m & f African
Zimbabwe/Shona
Kuzivakwashe f Shona
Means "God's will" in Shona.
Kwada m Bariba
Means "last son of the throne" in Bariba.
Kwamboka f Gusii
From Ekegusii tamboka, "to cross over"
Kwamena m Akan
variant of Kwame
Kwanaya f Shona
Meaning “it has rained”, rain is seen as a symbol of new life as its waters are a source of nourishment for natural life.
Kwanele m Zulu
Means “enough” in Zulu.
Kwatisa f Tsonga
Means "made furious" in Xitsonga.