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.
Nsovo m & f Tsonga
Means "grace" in Xitsonga.
Nsuka f Kongo
Means "last born; youngest child" in Kongo.
Nsuku m & f Tsonga
Means "gold, golden" in Xitsonga.
Nsulo f Tsonga
Wipe away the tears and bring joy
Nsuukidem m & f Ibibio
Means "humility" in Ibibio.
Nsṍwaa f Akan
Means "seventh born" in Akan.
Ntakuseni m & f Venda
Means "help me up" in Tshivenda.
Ntambwa m Luba
Means "lion" in Luba-Kasai.
Ntanda m & f Southern African, Bemba
Means "star" in Bemba.
Ntando m & f Ndebele
Means "will" in Ndebele.
Ntare m Rwandan
Meaning "lion" in Kinyarwanda and Kirundi. Famous people with that name includes five kings of the Kingdom of Burundi: Ntare I Rushatsi Cambarantama, Ntare II Kibogora, Ntare III Kivimira Semuganzashamba, Ntare IV Rutaganzwa Rugamba and Ntare V Ndizeye and american actor Ntare Mwine.
Ntebogeng m & f African
Tswana name meaning: thanking me
Ntfombi f Swazi
Swazi form of Ntombi.
Nthabi f Sotho
Means "make me happy" in Sotho.
Nthabiseng f Sotho
Means "make me happy" in Sotho.
Nthati f Sotho
Means "one to love me" in Sotho.
Nthuseni m & f Venda
Means "help me" in Tshivenda.
Ntimi m Eastern African, Swahili (?)
From southern Tanzania, Mbeya region meaning a pastor.
Ntinu m Kongo
King
Ntirelang f Tswana
Means "do it for me" in Setswana.
Ntlakuso f Tsonga
Means "elevation, high position" in Xitsonga.
Ntokozo f African, Zulu
Means "happiness" or "joy" in Zulu.
Ntombenhle f Ndebele
Means "beautiful girl" in Ndebele.
Ntombhekya f South African, Xhosa
Means "girl of the house" in Xhosa, from ntombi "girl" and khaya "home, household".
Ntombifikile f Xhosa
Means "a girl has arrived" in Xhosa.
Ntombikayise f Zulu
Means "father's girl" in Zulu.
Ntombiyesizwe f Zulu
Means "girl of the earth" in Zulu.
Ntombiyezulu f Zulu
"girl of heaven" in Zulu
Ntombizanele f African, Zulu
Means "enough girls" in Zulu, from ntombi meaning "lady".
Ntombntombi f Xhosa
Means “little girl” in Xhosa.
Ntomboxolo f Xhosa
Means "girl of peace" in Xhosa.
Ntsakisi f Tsonga
Means "source of happiness" in Xitsonga.
Ntsako m & f Tsonga
Means "joy, happiness" in Xitsonga.
Ntsebo f Sotho
Means "whispers" in Sotho.
Ntsetselelo m & f Tsonga
Means "mercy" in Xitsonga.
Ntshephang m & f Tswana
Means "trust me" in Setswana.
Ntshuxeko m & f Tsonga
Means "freedom" in Xitsonga.
Ntsoaki f Sotho
Means "girl amongst boys" in Sotho, often given to a daughter with many brothers.
Ntsu m Sotho
Means "eagle" in Sesotho.
Ntsumi f Tsonga
Means "angel" in Xitsonga.
Ntswaki f Sotho
Means "girl amongst boys" or "girl with many brothers" in Sotho.
Ntui m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Derived from the Jagham and Kenyang word ntûfâm meaning "chief".
Nturu m Chaga
Means "forest" in Chagga.
Ntuthuko f Zulu
Means "prosperity" in Zulu.
Ntwali m Rwandan
Means "hero" in Kinyarwanda. People with this name includes rapper Ntwali and the football midfielder Evode Ntwali.
Ntwanano m & f Tsonga
Means "understanding" in Xitsonga.
Ntwenhle f Zulu
Means "beautiful thing" in Zulu.
Nua f Ogoni
Means "second daughter" in Khana,... [more]
Nubari f & m Ogoni
Khana for "God's thing"... [more]
Nuhu m Hausa, Swahili
Hausa and Swahili form of Noah 1.
Nukunu f & m Ewe
Meaning miracle or wonder
Nula f Swahili
Variant of Nola and Nala 2.
Nuname m African, Ewe
Means Gift. Used by the Ewe tribe of Ghana, Togo and Benin of West Africa.
Nṱungufhadzeni m & f Venda
Means "make me sad" in Tshivenda.
Nunurai m & f Shona
Means "rescue" or "save us" in Shona.
Nuong f Western African, Dagarti
Means "sweet; bloom" in Dagarti, spoken in Ghana.
Nusesi m & f Ewe
Means "the powerful hand" in Ewe.
Nusetor m Ewe
The Mighty One
Nuusiku f Ovambo
Feminine form of Uusiku.
Nuux m Somali
Somali form of Noah 1.
Nwaaku f Igbo
Means "child of wealth" in Igbo.
Nwaamaka f Igbo (Rare)
Allegedly means "child is good".
Nwaanyiabia f Igbo
Means "a woman has come" in Igbo.
Nwabudike m African, Swahili
A name in the Swahili language, which means "the son is the father's power," or "the strength of a father comes from his son."... [more]
Nwabueze m Igbo
Means "child is king" in Igbo.
Nwabugo f Igbo
Means "child is glory" in Igbo.
Nwachukwu m Igbo
Means "child of God" in Igbo.
Nwakaego f Igbo
Means "child surpasses money" in Igbo.
Nwakanma f Igbo
This feminine name means "Child is better" in Igbo.
Nwakauba m & f Igbo
Means "a child is more valuable than wealth" in Igbo.
Nwankasiobi m & f Igbo
Means "child of consolation" in Igbo.
Nwankwo m Igbo
Means "born on Nkwo market day" in Igbo. Nwankwo Obiora is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Académica de Coimbra as a defensive midfielder.
Nwaokocha m Igbo
Means "son of a fair man" in Igbo.
N'wayitelo f Tsonga
Means "smile" in Xitsonga.
Nweke m Igbo
Means “alone” in Igbo.
Nwinuamene m & f Ogoni
Child bring riches/wealth
Nwoye m African
Very uncommon, but mostly used by the Igbo people. Means "boy born on Orie" to the Igbo people. A less popular meaning it's thought to have is: "His mother's pride"
Nwoyi m & f Western African, Yakö
Means "he/she knows" in Yakö language.
Nxalati f Tsonga
Means "happiness" in Xitsonga.
Nǃxau m Khoekhoe
Meaning unknown. Notable bearer of this name is Nǃxau ǂToma, a Namibian bush farmer and actor (1944-2003).... [more]
Nya f Swahili
Derived from the Swahili word "Nia," meaning "purpose."
Nyabeel f Nuer
Means "girl of the corn" in Nuer.
Nyaboke f Gusii
From Ekegusii oboke "honey"
Nyachero f Alur, African Mythology
Likely meaning ‘Tomorrow’ in Alur, Nyachero is a character in Alur Mythology, a princess of her kingdom.
Nyadol f Luo, Anyuak
Of uncertain meaning.
Nyadzayo m & f Shona
Zimbabwean
Nyagũra f Kikuyu
Means "the one who buys" in Kikuyu.
Nyakallo f & m Sotho
Means "joy" in Sotho.
Nyakeru f Kikuyu (Rare)
Yours means someone in the ancestry or kin of those who had lighter complexion "nyamweru" was your first or in some cases little one from the wilderness for the wilderness is known as "werú"
Nyakwêzi f Kiga
Short form of Nyinakwezi.
Nyaliep f Nuer, African Mythology
Nuer Goddess of the River.
Nyam m Afizere
Means "deer" in Afizere.
Nyamayarwo m & f Nyoro
This name means ‘meat for Death’, indicating the worst of luck.
Nyambeni f & m Venda
Means "speak about me" in Tshivenda.
Nyambugi f Kikuyu
Means "the one with bells as anklets" in Kikuyu.
Nyame m Akan
The name of the sky god for the Akan people. Meaning "he who knows and sees everything".
Nyaméama f Akan
Means "premature" in Akan.
Nyamekyε m & f Akan
Means "God's gift" in Akan.
Nyamewa f Akan
Means "creation" in Akan.
Nyamihanda f Kiga
Means "mother of paths" in Rukiga.
Nyamiti f Kaguru
Means "medicine" in Chikaguru.
Nyampweji f Lunda
Means "streams of tears" in Lunda.
Nyanjúra f Kiga
Means "mother of rain" in Rukiga.
Nyankómàgó f Akan
The name traditionally given to the child born after Tawia.
Nyanza m & f Chewa
Means "lake" in Chewa.
Nyapal f Nuer
Nyapal is the mean of let's pray ... [more]
Nyaradzai f Shona
Means "console" in Shona.
Nyaradzo f Shona
Means "peacemaker" or "comforter" in Shona.
Nyaring f Dinka
Literally "running" in Dinka. It could be given to a baby whose mother was running (or getting out) while the labour started.
Nyaruai f Kikuyu (Rare)
More curious to know what ruai means with that you can get to know the name for it means one who comes from 'the ruai'
Nyasha f Shona
Means "merciful" in Shona.
Nyashadzashe m & f Shona
its from zimbabwe and is in the shona language it means Gods grace
Nyashanu m & f Shona
Meaning "the fifth one". It was also the name of a Shona historical figure and King, Nyashanu, who was the ruler of a Shona people known as the Hera.
Nyasi f Swahili
Means "grass" in Swahili.
Nyawĩra f Kikuyu
Means "the hardworking one" in Kikuyu.
Nyeedeh m African (Rare)
From the bassa african word meaning "blessing."
Nyeleti f Tsonga, Southern African
Means "star" in Xitsonga.
Nyemera f African
Bantu names by the Bagwere a tribe found in Uganda East Africa.
Nyemwererai f Shona
Means "smile" in Shona.
Nyemya m African
Swahili Kenya-Tanzania East Africa
Nyenganyenga f Shona
Means "swallow" in Shona.
Nyengeterai f Shona
Means "pray for" in Shona.
Nyeredzi m & f Shona
It means "star".
Nygeisza f African
''colourful''
Nyika f Shona
Means "unity" in Shona.
Nyikiwa m & f Tsonga
Means "given" in Xitsonga.
Nyiko f & m Tsonga
Means "gift" in Tsonga.
Nyimak f Northern African
Means "little fire" in a Sudanese language.
Nyimbo m & f Chewa
Means "melody" in Chewa.
Nyimenka f Nigerian
Nyimenka is used in Nigeria, particularly in Eleme, and means 'good mother.'
Nyina f Akan
From the Akan onyina meaning "kapok tree".
Nyinakwezi f Kiga
Means "mother of the moon" in Rukiga.
Nyirej f Northern African
Means "little fish" in a Sudanese language.
Nyokabi f Kikuyu (Archaic)
Kikuyus call the maasai "ukabi" this was for girls born from this intermarriage meaning she who came from maasai land
Nyoni f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "bird".
Nyota f Swahili, Lingala
Derived from Swahili and Lingala nyota meaning "star".
Nyuki f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "bee".
Nzaya f Kongo
knowledge
Nzembo m & f Lingala
Means "song" in Lingala.
Nzero m Shona
Meaning “wisdom; insight; sagacity”, it corresponds with the name Njere.
Nzeru m & f Chewa
Means "wisdom" in Chewa.
Nzota m Pare
Etymology uncertain, this name is traditionally given to babies born during drought.
Nzuzi m & f Kongo
Means "second born twin" in Kikongo.
Oabile m Tswana
Means "He (God) gave" in Tswana.
Oabona m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) sees" in Tswana.
Oagile m Tswana
Means "He (God) built" in Tswana.
Oaitse m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) knows" in Tswana.
Oarabile m & f Tswana
Means "he (god) has answered" in Tswana.
Oasetso m Sotho
Means "child of tradition".
Oba m & f Yoruba, Yoruba Mythology
Means "king, ruler" in Yoruba. It can refer to Obaluaye, a spirit associated with infectious disease and healing.
Obafemi m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the king loves me" in Yoruba.
Obasenwoyi f & m Western African, Yakö
Means "God knows" in Yakö from obase meaning "God" and nwoyi meaning "he/she knows".
Obasi m Jagham, Kenyang
Derived from ò-βàsì meaning "God" in Jagham, Kenyang and various Ekoid languages.
Obax f Somali
It means “as delicate and beautiful as a flower” in Somali.
Obera m Luo
"handsome"
Obey m Igbo
From “obe” meaning “cross”.
Obiajulu m Igbo
Obiajulu is an Igbo name; and it simply means my heart has cool down.
Obianuju f Igbo
Means "born at the time of plenty" in Igbo.
Obichukwu m Igbo, Nigerian
"Heart of God," which could be the same as OBINNA.... [more]
Obinze m Igbo, Literature
The love interest of Ifemelu in 'Americanah' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Obioma f & m African, Igbo, Nigerian
Grace, Goodness, Favor. Literally - "Good Heart"
Obiora m Igbo
Means "the mind of the people" in Igbo.
Obong m Efik
Means "God" in Efik.
Obumneke m & f Igbo
Meaning: "Am I The Creator?"... [more]
Obumneme m & f Igbo
Means "am I the one causing it?" in Igbo.
Oburu m Luo
"born during a funeral"
Ochola m Luo
"birthed after the death of the father"
Ockie m Afrikaans
Short form of Ockert.
Ocogbe m & f Agatu
Means "God is great" in Agatu.
Ocogbolan m & f Agatu
Means "God does not sleep" in Agatu.
Ocoje m & f Agatu
Means "God knows" in Agatu.
Ocolodah m & f Agatu
Means "God has authority" in Agatu.
Ocolohili m & f Agatu
Means "God is wise" in Agatu.
Ocolongwa m & f Agatu
Means "to God be thanks" in Agatu.
Odafin m Yoruba (?)
Literally meaning 'lawmaker' or 'the establisher of laws'.
Odayi m Ijaw (Anglicized)
Means "of his father" in Ijaw.
Odera m & f Nigerian
Nigerian name meaning "fate, fortune, destiny".
Odinakachukwu m & f Igbo
Means "it's in the hand of God" in Igbo, from o "it's", di "in", na "the", áká "hand" (compare Akachi) and Chukwu "God".
Odion m Western African, Esan
Means "the elder twin" in Esan.
Odirachukwunma m & f Igbo
Means "once it pleases God" in Igbo.
Odirile m Tswana
Means "he has done, created, made" in Tswana.
Odo m & f Efik
Odongo m Luo
"second born of twins"
Odu m & f Yoruba
A name from the Yoruba language of Nigeria, possibly meaning "womb" but more likely meaning "mystery", in particular to refer to the sacred mystery of God. ... [more]
Odum m Akan
Means "mahogany" in Akan.
Oduola m Yoruba
The name belongs to an (oracle priest), Ifa the oracle has brought big wealth.
Oduor m Luo
Means "born in the middle of the night" in Luo.
Oduwa m Western African, Edo
Means "road to wealth" in Edo.
Oduwa f & m Yoruba
Means "rainbow" in Yoruba.
Ofeibea f African
The name Ofeibea is borne by the journalist Ofeibea Quist-Arcton from Ghana.
Ofonime m & f Efik
Means "it's good to be patient" in Efik.
Oforiwaa f Akan
One who is Royal
Oforiwaa f Akan
The name Oforiwaa is a feminine given name of Akan origin and it means "From A Royal Home" or "Beautiful Royalty"
Ofu m Idoma
Means "power, strength" in Idoma.
Ofure m & f African, Esan, Nigerian
Means "peace, it is well" in Esan.
Ogbagzy m Ge'ez
Means "protection of our Lord" in Ge'ez.
Ogbodo m & f Igbo
Ogbodo is an ancient name. It is used/ popularly heard in the Eastern part of Nigeria. ... [more]
Ogbotubo f & m Ijaw
Means "child of the soil" in Ijaw.
Ogenga m Acholi
This name is only given to poweerful people in the area for example, a professor, great politician can name their children "Ogenga"
Ogezimo m & f Ijaw
Means "born during a festival" in Ijaw.
Oghenegaren m & f Western African, Urhobo
Means "God is great" in Urhobo.
Ogheneoboakpororo m Isoko, Urhobo, Nigerian
Its origin is isoko and uhrobo, in Delta state, Nigeria. ... [more]
Oghenevwemu m & f Urhobo
Means "God owns all things" in Urhobo.
Ogola f & m Ijaw
Means "judgement" in Ijaw.
Ogonoebi m Ijaw
Means "the sky is beautiful" or "heaven is beautiful" in Ijaw.
Ogotseng m Tswana
Means "make it" in Setswana.
Ohejitahi m & f Igede
Means "God with us" in Igede, spoken in Nigeria.
Ohenwam f & m Igede
Means "God is my satisfaction" or "God has satisfied me" in Igede, spoken in Nigeria.
Ohuntuntun m & f Yoruba
Yoruba by Ibironke
Oilonye m & f Agatu
Means "a child is sweet" in Agatu.
Oiwehi m & f Agatu
Means "A child is a gift" in Agatu.
Oiwodu m & f Agatu
Means "a child is wealth" in Agatu.
Ojamalia f Nigerian
anambara
Ojifyoi m & f Agatu
Means "What is more than a child?" in Agatu.
Ojilima f Idoma
Means "honour, respect" in Idoma.
Ojo m Yoruba
This name is given when a child is born with the umbilical cord around their neck.
Ojonubi f & m Nigerian
Means "God's protection is mine always even when I am not paying attention" in Igala. The Igala ethnic group is one of the large ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Ojwang m Luo
"survived despite being neglected"
Oke m & f Yoruba
Means "child born inside an unbroken membrane."
Okech m Luo
"birthed during a famine"
Okechwukwu m Igbo
Means "God's share" in Igbo.
Okello m Luo
"born after twins or third born of triplets"
Okenna m Igbo
derived from the combination of two words of the Igbo origin,"OKE" and "NNA" literally meaning "GREAT" and "FATHER".... [more]
Okeyo m Luo
"birthed during harvesting time"
Oki m Ijaw
Shark
Okieriete m Nigerian
This is the name of Okieriete Onaodowan, who plays Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in the broadway show Hamilton.
Okon m Efik
Means "born at night" in Efik.
Okonofua m Nigerian
This is a Nigerian surname.
Okoth m Luo
Means "born during the rainy sea" in Luo.
Okoye m Igbo (Archaic, ?)
This name originates from the Igbo tribe in Western Africa.... [more]
Okpara m Igbo
Firstborn son
Oku m & f Efik
Means Priest
Okwan m Akan
Means "on the road" in Akan.
Okwuchukuw m Igbo
Means "God's word" in Igbo.
Olabisi f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "joy is multiplied" or "salvation increases" in Yoruba, composed of the element õlà "salvation, that which saves, cause of salvation" combined with bi-si "to multiply, increase, replenish"... [more]
Olabowale f Yoruba
Means "wealth has come home" in Yoruba.
Oladapo m Yoruba
Means "wealth has been mixed together" in Yoruba.
Oladeji m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "wealth has doubled" in Yoruba.
Oladele m Western African, Yoruba
Means "wealth has come home" in Yoruba.
Oladepe f Yoruba
Means "complete wealth has come" in Yoruba.
Oladigbolu m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth has collapsed on me" in Yoruba.
Oladigbolu f & m Yoruba
First of the most-loyal governing antonym of the native black jew. The name was bestow to the only first kin of orunmila
Oladiipo m & f Yoruba
Means "honour is multiplied" in Yoruba.
Oladipupo m Yoruba
"Abundant Happiness" as told to me by a Nigerian immigrant I met named Oladipupo.
Olaedo f & m Igbo
Interpretation: "Ola edo" means a yellowish precious metal, a jewel; it is Igbo for "gold." Hence a child so name is adjudged "precious" and "golden."
Olaide m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth rolled in" in Yoruba.
Olaitan m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth is inexhaustible" in Yoruba.
Olajide m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "wealth arose" or "wealth has awakened".
Olajumoke f Yoruba
Means "wealth concerts to cherish" in Yoruba.
Olamigoke m Yoruba
Means "my wealth has increased" in Yoruba.
Olaniran m Yoruba
Means "nobility (or wealth) has pedigree" in Yoruba.
Olaniyan m Yoruba, African
means "honors surround me"
Olaoluwa m & f Yoruba (Modern)
Means "the grace of God" or "the wealth of God" in Yoruba.
Olariche f African
Comes from the language of Nigerians. (igbo)... [more]
Olaseni m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth is achievable" in Yoruba.
Olasinbo m Yoruba
Means "wealth is on the way" in Yoruba.
Olasunkanmi m & f Yoruba
Means "God is by my side" in Yoruba.
Olatayo m & f Yoruba
Means "happiness" in Yoruba.
Olatokunbo m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth or nobility returns from overseas" in Yoruba. It is typically given to a child born abroad and later brought home.
Olatunde m Yoruba
Means "honour returns" or "wealth returns" in Yoruba.
Olaudah m History, Igbo (Anglicized, ?), Afro-American (Slavery-era)
Possibly a form of the Igbo name Olaedo. This was borne by former slave, anti-slavery campaigner and autobiographer Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797), the son of a West African village chief.
Olayide f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "wealth rolled in" in Yoruba.
Olekamma f Igbo
Means "how many are better?" in Igbo.
Olekina m & f Eastern African, Maasai
Best known as the given name of a Maasai Politician from Kenya.
Olekwugoco m & f Agatu
Means "will of God" in Agatu.