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.
Mavuno m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "harvest time".
Mawanikwa f Southern African, Shona
Means "you have been found" and "married" in Shona.
Mawena f Ewe, African
Name of Ewe origin. meaning "God is good".
Mawuena f African
god is the giver... [more]
Maxahmed m Somali
Variant of Maxamed.
Maxamad m Somali
Variant of Maxamed.
Maxamud m Somali
Somali variant of Muhammad.
Maxamuud m Somali
Somali form of Mohammad.
Maxbuub m Somali
Somali form of Mahbub.
Mayangi m & f Kongo (Modern)
Means "joy; happiness" in Kongo.
Mayela f Kongo
Intelligent
Mayen m Dinka
Means a specific kind of ox in Dinka language.
Maygaag m Somali
Means "bath" in Somali.
Mayibongwe f Ndebele
Means "give thanks" in Ndebele.
Mayibongwinkosi m Ndebele
Means "give thanks to the Lord" in Ndebele.
Mayibuye m & f Ndebele
Means "let it come" in Ndebele.
Mayihlome m & f Ndebele
Means "let's take up arms" in Ndebele.
Mayingi f & m Kongo
Nicknamed: Yingi
Mayom m Dinka
A specific kind of ox in Dinka language.
Mayowa m & f African
Some sources say this name means "one who brings joy".... [more]
Maÿroumfa m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unknown. It was the name of an Askia dynasty member of the Dendi Kingdom straddling what are now Benin and Niger.
Mazaline f Nigerian
Of African origin meaning "the luxurious.”
Mazvita f Shona
Means "we are grateful" or "many thanks" in Shona.
Mbada f Shona
Means "leopard" in Shona.
Mbala m Central African
From Mbala Mbuta Biscotte, a Congolese soccer player
Mbalienhle f Ndebele, Zulu
Means "beautiful flower" in Zulu and Ndebele, from mbali "flower, flowers" and enhle "something that is beautiful of nice".
M'baŋba m & f Dagbani
"I have known them"
Mbarka f Arabic (Maghrebi), Berber
Feminine 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.
Mbazima f Tsonga
Means "they are tough" in Xitsonga.
Mbhoni f Tsonga
Means "witness" in Xitsonga.
Mbhurhi f Tsonga
Means "beautiful girl" in Xitsonga.
Mbi m & f Kenyang
Means "road" in Kenyang.
Mbia m & f Kenyang, Jagham
From Kenyang ḿbyáy meaning "pumpkin leaves", a plant species indigenous to Southern Nigeria.
Mbilime f Kaguru
Means "runner" in Chikaguru.
Mbiya f Chewa
Means “bowl” in Chichewa.
Mbo m & f Dagbani
Means "good" in Dagbani.
Mbogo m Haya
Means "buffalo" in Haya.
Mbomela m & f Lingala, Luba
Means "sixth born child" in Lingala and Luba.
Mboso m Ibibio, Nigerian
From the ibibio speaking tribe of Nigeria in West Africa.
Mboutidem m & f Ibibio
Means "faith" in Ibibio.
Mbù f Central African
A Kom name.
Mbulelo m Zulu, Xhosa
Means "thank you" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mbuso m Ndebele
Means "kingdom" in Ndebele.
Mbuyi m Luba
Derived from the Luba word mbùùyì meaning "the firstborn of twins".
Mbuyiseli m Xhosa
Means "one who returns or restores" in Xhosa.
Mbwui m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Corruption of m̀-búi meaning "goat."
Mduduzi m Zulu
Comforter
Meafnya f Datooga
Means "one who cannot be hidden" in Datooga.
Mearjeang’da m Datooga
Means "not at rest, restless" in Datooga.
Meaza m & f Ge'ez
Means "perfume" in Ge'ez.
Mebrahtu m Tigrinya
Means "His light" in Tigrinya.
Mebrate m Amharic
Means "my lamp" in Amharic.
Mechine f African (Modern, Rare)
African name meaning "Tears/Sadness." From common dialect of Bassa. Appearance in Liberia and Ghana.... [more]
Medene m Amharic
Means "my redeemer" in Amharic.
Mediferiash-work f Amharic
Means "your means of being bold is gold" in Amharic.
Medius f & m English (African), Eastern African
Borrowed 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.
Medupe m Tswana
Means "continuous rain" in Setswana.
Meenuba m Igbo
Means "make/cause wealth" in Igbo.
Megafu m & f Igbo
Means "do for all to see" in Igbo.
Megag m Eastern African, Somali
Variant of Maygaag, used outside of Somalia.
Meghighda f Berber
Etymology unknown. This was the name of a famous poetess.
Mehari m Ge'ez
Means "merciful" in Ge'ez.
Mehluli m Ndebele
Means "conquerer" in Ndebele.
Mehretab m Tigrinya, Amharic
From Tigrinya መሓሪ (mehari) meaning “mercy, compassion”, combined with ጣብ (ṭab) meaning “good, pleasant”.
Meissa f Western African, Astronomy
Variant of Maïssa; from Arabic maḥīṣ meaning "shining, glittering". This is also the traditional name of Lambda Orionis, a star in the Orion constellation.
Mej m Gusii, Ibibio (Latinized, Archaic)
Ibibio form of Mike and Gusii form of Matt.
Mejereksa f Datooga
Means "one who cannot be controlled" in Datooga.
Mekdes f African
African, Ethiopia
Mekioussa f Berber (Rare)
Of Kabyle Berber origin with an unknown meaning.
Mekre m Amharic
Means "my advice" in Amharic.
Melaher f Ethiopian
Means “wisdom of god”.
Melake-berhan m Ge'ez
Means "angel of light" in Ge'ez.
Melaku m Ethiopian
Means "the angel" in Amharic.
Meleke f Manding
Meleke is Bambara for the following word. "Angel"
Melubari m Ogoni
It is known among the Ogoni people of Southern Nigeria and it means "who is God?"
Membolu m Igbo
Means "do something to me and I retaliate" in Igbo.
Menari m & f Igbo
Means "do more than is expected" in Igbo.
Mene f & m Ogoni
Means "rich/ wealthy" in Khana,... [more]
Menebue m Ogoni
Means "Paramount Ruler", "Chief of a Community" or simply "A King"
Menegbo f & m Ogoni
Means "wealthy/ rich friend" in Khana,... [more]
Menelik m Ge'ez, Amharic
Means "son of the wise man" in Ge'ez and Amharic. According to the legend Menelik was the first emperor of Ethiopia. In the 10th century BC, he is said to have inaugurated the Solomonic dynasty of Ethiopia, so named because Menelik I is supposed to be the son of the biblical King Solomon of ancient Israel and Makeda, the Ethiopian Queen of Sheba.
Mengesha m African
A name once found mainly amongst the higher-up figures of Imperial Ethiopia, often superseding important titles of royal hierarchy. Now a much rarer name in modern Ethiopia.
Mengistu m Eastern African, Amharic
Derived from Amharic መንግሥት (mängśtə) or መንግስት (mängstə) meaning "government".
Menji m Kongo
"Wisdom"
Menkam m Bamileke, African
noble child, ... [more]
Menza f Berber
Meaning unknown.
Menzi m Southern African, Zulu
Means "creator" in Zulu.... [more]
Mepoho f Eastern African
A famous bearer of the name was the Mijikenda diviner Mepoho.
Meraai f Afrikaans
Variant of Maraai.
Merapelo f Tswana
Means "prayers" in Setswana.
Merhawi m Tigrinya
Means "here value; here glory" in Tigrinya.
Merinda f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
English variant of Marinda and Afrikaans variant of Marinda.
Meseret f & m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "foundation" in Amharic.
Mesfin m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "monarch, noble, prince" in Amharic.
Meshesha m Amharic
Means "refuge" in Amharic.
Meshindi m Zulu
Means "victor" in Zulu.
Mesi f Yao (Modern)
Modern variant of Miesi.
Meskerem f Ethiopian
Means "September" in Ethiopian.
Mesuli m & f Xhosa, Zulu
Means "wiper (of tears)" in Xhosa, suggesting someone who brings an end to sorrow.
Metamia ? Northern African (Archaic)
Name from an Old Nubian visitor's inscription by a priest, found in Banganarti, present-day Sudan.
Mezian m Berber (Rare), Northern African (Rare)
Variant of Meziane (chiefly Algerian and Moroccan).
Meziane m Berber, Northern African
Derived from Tamazight meẓyan meaning "young, little".
Mfaanga m Dagbani
Means "bravo, well done" in Dagbani.
Mfan'bomvu m Zulu
Means "red boy" in Zulu.
Mfọn m & f Ibibio
Means "grace" in Ibibio.
Mgbemena m & f Igbo
Means "whenever it's done" in Igbo.
Mhambi f Zulu
Means "traveler" in Zulu.
Mhara f Shona
Means "impala" in Shona.
Mheho m & f Tsonga
Means "breeze" in Xitsonga.
Mhizha m Shona
Means "Ironsmith" in Shona.
Mhlava m Tsonga
Means "earth" in Xitsonga.
Mhoze m Shona
The Shona equivalent of the name Moses, also a nickname for Mhozisi.
Mhuru m Shona
Means "calf" in Shona.
Mich m & f Luo (Modern)
"blessings"
Miehleketo m & f Tsonga
Means "thoughts" in Xitsonga.
Miempie f Afrikaans
Possibly related to Miem, Miems or Miep.
Miems f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Willemina.
Miesi f Yao
Means "water" in Yao.
Miga m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Micha 1.
Migael m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Michael.
Migil m Somali
Migil is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Migiyo f Tsonga
Means "the dancer" in Xitsonga.
Mihret m & f Ge'ez, Amharic
Means "mercy", ultimately from Ge'ez ምህረት
Mijaji f Tsonga
Means "the judge" in Xitsonga.
Mika'ila m Hausa
Hausa form of Michael.
Mikal f Ethiopian (?)
This name means who's like god.
Mikateko f Tsonga
Means "blessings" in Xitsonga.
Mikhenso m & f Tsonga
Means "thanksgiving" in Xitsonga.
Milkias m Eastern African
Eritrea variant of Malachi.
Million m African American (Modern, Rare), Ethiopian
From the English word million.
Minata f African
'mother of joy'
Minkah m African
Possibly means "Justice". This is the given name of an NFL player, Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Minki f Afrikaans
Short form of Willemien.
Mirach m Amharic
Means "choice" in Amharic.
Mirai f Shona
Means "wait" in Shona.
Miriraishe f Shona
What upon the Lord
Miriro f & m African, Shona
Started in the early 1900's. Name was given to the second born daughter of the family. Name means "to be expected." Basically the one who was waited for.
Miru f African
Swahili
Misgana f Ethiopian, English (American, Modern, Rare)
From Amharic ምስጋና (məsgana) "glory, praise, honour; thanks, gratitude".
Misuli f Swahili
Means "muscle" in Swahili.
Mita f Bamileke
Bagangte, Cameroon
Mitiku m Amharic, Ethiopian
Means "replacement" in Amharic.
Mixo m & f Tsonga
Means "dawn, morning" in Xitsonga.
Miyelani m & f Tsonga
Means "keep quiet" in Xitsonga.
Mizani f African
African,Ghana."Chemistry, Beauty, and Balance"
Mkarkara f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "passion flower".
Mkhuleko m Ndebele
Means "prayer" in Ndebele.
Mkhumbuleni m Zulu
Means "let's remember him" in Zulu.
Mlamuleli m Ndebele
Means "one who intervenes" in Ndebele.
Mlilo f Zulu
Means "fire" in Zulu.
Mlindeli m Ndebele
Means "guardian" in Ndebele.
Mlungisi m Ndebele
Means "the one who brings order" in Ndebele.
Mmaabo f Tswana
Means "their mother" in Tswana.
Mmagwulaku f Igbo
Means "beauty that exhausted wealth" in Igbo.
Mmaphefo f Sotho
Means "mother of cold" in Sotho.
Mmathapelo f Sotho
Means "mother of prayer" in Sotho.
Mmayen f Efik
Efik origin, Child's mother, alias for grandmother,
Mmemabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "I do love god" in Ibibio.
Mmenimabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "I do believe god" in Ibibio.
Mmenyenemem m & f Ibibio
Means "I now have peace" in Ibibio.
Mmesomachukwu m & f Igbo
Means "the kindness of God" in Igbo.
Mmini f Sotho
Means "dancer" in Sotho.
Mmoatia f Akan
This is a FAIRY from the stories about Ananse (from Ghana). She was the fairy that "no man sees". This explains why Ananse had to perform a complex trick to lure her to him.
Mmoloki m Tswana
Means "saviour" in Setswana.
Mmusi m Tswana, South African
Means "the ruler" in Tswana.... [more]
Mnotho m & f Zulu
Means "economy" or "rich, wealthy" in Zulu.
Moagi m Tswana
Means "builder" in Tswana.
Mobe m & f African
Meaning uncertain.
Mobiisola f Yoruba
meaning- literal translation "i gave birth to her in wealth" basically this child was born into a wealthy family,one highly esteemed in society. though the name is not gender selective, it is almost always used for females
Mobolaji f & m Yoruba
Means "born of wealth" in Yoruba.
Mobutu m Central African
Mobutu Sese Seko (1930-1997), born Joseph-Desiré Mobutu, was the military dictator and President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (which Mobutu renamed Zaire in 1971) from 1965 to 1997. He also served as Chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity in 1967-1968.
Moctar m Western African
Form of Mukhtar used in western Africa.
Modadeola m Yoruba
Means "man wearing a crown of wealth or affluence" in Yoruba.
Modesola f Yoruba
"I have come into wealth"
Modibo m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unavailable.
Modiri f Tswana
Means "the doer" in Setswana.
Modise m Southern African
Botswana name meaning, "shepherd."
Modupe f & m Yoruba
Means "I thank (God)"... [more]
Modupe-oluwa m & f Yoruba, African
Combination of Yoruba Modupe "I thank" or "thank you" and Oluwa meaning "God, lord".
Modurolọrilerioluwa m & f Yoruba
Means "one who stands on the promise of god" in Yoruba.
Moegammad m Afrikaans (Rare)
Form of Muhammad used in Afrikaans translations of the Qur'an.
Moeketsi m Sotho
It means "Multiplier/increase" in Sotho
Moeletsi m Sotho
Means "advisor" in Sesotho.
Moeng m Tswana
Means "guest, visitor" in Setswana.
Moesha f Popular Culture, African American (Modern), Jamaican Patois, Antillean Creole, South African
Invented name. It was used for the title character of the American television show Moesha (1996-2001), played by singer Brandy.
Mofenyi m Tswana
Means "the conquerer" in Setswana.
Mofolorunsọ m & f Yoruba
Means "one who is placed in god's care" in Yoruba.
Mofoluwakemi f Yoruba
Means "given for the lord's blessing" in Yoruba.
Mogad m Amharic
Means "wave" in Amharic.
Mogakolodi m Tswana
Means "one who advises" in Setswana.
Mogapi m Tswana
Means "conqueror" in Tswana.
Mogas m Amharic
Means "dignity" in Amharic.
Moges m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "charm, elegance, grace" in Amharic.
Mogotsi m Tswana
Means "fire builder" in Setswana.
Mohamadou m Western African
Form of Muhammad used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Mohamed m Somali
In Somalia, as in many Muslim-majority countries, the name Mohamed is extremely common, often as part of a longer name or combined with other names. It is not unusual for a Somali person to have multiple family members named Mohamed, so nicknames or other identifiers are often used to distinguish between individuals with the same name.
Mohamud m Somali
Somali version of Muhammad.
Mohand m Arabic (Maghrebi), Berber
Alternate transcription of Muhannad chiefly used in Northern Africa. It is also used as a Berber form of Muhammad.
Mohapi m Sotho
Means "victor" in Sotho.
Mohato m Sotho
Means "step" in Sesotho.
Mohau m Sotho
Means "pity" or "mercy" in Sesotho.
Mohombi m Central African
From Mohombi Nzasi Moupondo, known professionally as Mohombi, a Swedish-Congolese singer-songwriter and dancer.
Moipone f Sotho
Means "self-admirer" in Sotho.
Mojalefa m Sotho
Means "heir" in Sesotho.
Mojerisolaoluwa f & m Yoruba
I am a witness of God's goodness
Moji f Yoruba
Means "I rise" or "I wake" in Yoruba. It is often used as a short form of names beginning with moji, such as Mojisola.
Mojoyinade m & f Yoruba
Means "I enjoyed the splendor of being royalty" in Yoruba.
Mokgadi f Sotho, South African
Means "a girl among boys" in Sotho, often given to a daughter born after several sons.... [more]
Mokgethi m Sotho
Variant form of Mokhethi.
Mokhethi m Sotho
Means "chooser" in Lesotho.
Molapo m Sotho
Means "stream" or "river" in Sotho.
Molara f Yoruba
Diminutive of Omolara.
Molatadi m Sotho
Means "one who denies all" in Sotho.
Molayoninuoluwa f & m Yoruba (Rare)
Means "I have joy in the Lord" in Yoruba.
Molefi m Sotho
means "payer" in Sesotho.
Moluleloa m Sotho
Means "we have awaited your arrival" in Lesotho.
Momodou m African
Momodou means Mohammad it is an african name coming from an arabic name.... [more]
Momulu m Western African
Of unknown meaning.... [more]
Mongameli m Ndebele
Means "leader" in Ndebele.
Monja f German, Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Croatian (Rare), Afrikaans, Dutch
Variant transcription of Russian Моня (see Monya).
Monkgomotsi m Tswana
Means "my comforter" in Setswana.
Montlenyane f Tswana
Means "beautiful one" in Setswana.
Monubai f & m Ijaw
Means "born on Monday" in Ijaw.
Monyyak m Dinka
Means "man of the drought" in Dinka.
Moomba f Bemba (?)
Variant of Mumba.
Mor m & f Luo (Modern)
"happiness"
Moradeke f Yoruba
Means "I have gotten something precious to pamper" in Yoruba.
Morana f Maasai
Morana means a female warrior. It is a feminine derivative of Morani
Moráyọ̀ f & m Yoruba
A unisex name meaning "I have found joy" or "I have joy". Morayo Afolabi-Brown, a Nigerian media personality, is a bearer of this name.
Morciré m Manding (Gallicized)
Susu name of unknown meaning.
Morena m Sotho
Means "chief" in Sotho.
Morenike f Yoruba
Means "I have found someone to pamper" in Yoruba.
Moriba m African
The name Moriba originates from the Mali empire(Mandingo). The name means "a big and powerful man" in the region.
Morolaoluwa f Yoruba
Means "I have seen the slender of the lord God" in Yoruba.
Morowa f Akan
Means "queen" in Akan.
Mosa m & f Sotho
Means "grace" in Sotho.
Mosantu m & f Lingala
Variant of Santu.
Mosela f Sotho
Means "tail" in Sotho, idiomatically meaning "the last one" or "last child".
Mosetsanagape f Tswana
Means "a girl again" in Setswana.
Mosidi f Tswana, Sotho
Means "soot" in Sotho and Tswana.
Mosimanegape m Tswana
Means "a boy again" in Setswana.
Mote m Eastern African
Means "blessing; blessed" in Hehe, spoken in Tanzania.
Motema m & f Lingala
Means "heart" in Lingala.
Motheo m South African
Allegedly means "foundation" in Tswana. It is said to normally be given to a child who is viewed as the foundation of the family. Normally a first born. It signifies a new life or re-birth.
Mothusi m Tswana
Means "helper" in Setswana.
Motimifagha f & m Ijaw
Means "I will not end like this" in Ijaw.
Motlagomang f & m Southern African, Tswana, Sotho
Means "who are you going to?" in Tswana.
Motlalepula f Tswana
Means "she came with rain" in Setswana.
Motlalepule m Sotho
Means "rain bringer" in Sesotho.
Motsamai m Sotho
Means "traveller" in Sesotho.
Motshegetsi m Tswana
Means "supporter" in Setswana.
Motsi m & f Shona
Means "first one" or "one who has matted hair" in Shona.
Motsumi m Sotho
Means "seeker" in Sesotho.
Mouendou m Kongo (Gallicized), Vili
Means ‘Journey’ in Vili, a language in the Kongo subgroup of Bantu languages.
Mouhamadou m Western African
Form of Muhammad used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.