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.
Regai m Shona
Regai means "Let it be, leave it alone"
Rehana f Tswana
Means "we are here" in Setswana.
Relebohile f Sotho
Means "we are grateful" in Sesotho.
Remaketse f Sotho
Means "we are surprised" in Sesotho.
Remi f Yoruba
Short form of Oluremi.
Rendani m & f African
MEANS: PRAISE... [more]
Reneilwe m Sotho
This is borne by the retired South African soccer player Reneilwe 'Yeye' Letsholonyane (1982-).
Resego m & f Tswana
Means "we are blessed" in Setswana.
Retief m Afrikaans
Transferred use of the surname Retief.
Revai m & f Shona
Means "Talk or gossip about". This is a name given to address neighbours that continue to gossip about your family
Reydan f African
The name Reydan means "Gift of God, Handsome King". The most time this name was used was in 2017 when only 5 boys were named Reydan
Rezki m Kabyle
Variant of Arezki.
Rhabela f Tsonga
Means "pray" in Xitsonga.
Rhandzu m & f Tsonga
Means "love" in Xitsonga.
Rhangani m Tsonga
Possibly from the Xitsonga word rhanga meaning "to begin".
Rhengu m & f Tsonga
Means "plan" in Xitsonga.
Rhulani m & f Tsonga
Means "to have peace" in Xitsonga.
Riaan m Dutch, Afrikaans
Short form of Adriaan.
Riana f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Rian.
Riana f Dutch, Afrikaans
Variant of Rianna.
Rianie f Afrikaans
Likely a variant of Riane.
Ricus m Afrikaans
Short form of names ending in -ricus, such as Ulricus or Henricus.
Riette f Afrikaans
Variant of Riëtte.
Rifa m Shona
It means "legacy; inheritance".
Rifumu m Tsonga
Means "wealth" in Xitsonga.
Rindzela m & f Tsonga
Means "expect, wait for" in Xitsonga.
Ripfumelo f Tsonga
Means "belief" in Xitsonga.
Risima m & f Tsonga
Means "value" in Xitsonga.
Risuna f Tsonga
Means "agreeable scent" in Xitsonga.
Ritek m & f Afizere
Means "goodness" in Afizere.
Rivoningo f Tsonga
Means "light" in Xitsonga.
Robinah f English (African), Eastern African
Variant of Robina primarily used in Uganda. The current prime minister of Uganda (as of 2021) is named Robinah Nabbanja.
Roble m Eastern African, Somali
Variant of Rooble, used outside of Somalia.
Roeh m African (Modern, Rare)
Bassa African pronunciation of the hebrew word "Rapha," meaning "heals." Native to Ghana and Monrovia Liberia.
Roṋewa m & f Venda
Means "we are given" or "we are blessed" in Tshivenda.
Rofhiwa m & f Venda
Means "we are blessed" in Tshivenda.
Rokhaya f Western African
Form of Ruqayyah used in parts of western Africa (particularly Senegal).
Rolihlahla m Xhosa, Southern African
Means "pulling the branch of a tree" in Xhosa, colloquially "stirring up trouble" or "troublemaker". This was the given name of Nelson Mandela (Rolihlahla Mandela) and is now typically attributed to him as a middle name.
Romelu m Central African (Modern, Rare)
This name is best known for being the name of the Belgian professional soccer player Romelu Lukaku (b. 1993), who is the eldest son of the Congolese professional soccer player Roger Menama Lukaku (b... [more]
Romodan m Eastern African
Eritrean name, which is possibly derived from the Arabic name Ramadan.
Ronelda f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Ronald. Ronelda Kamfer (born 1981) is an Afrikaans-speaking South African poet.
Ronella f Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), English (Rare)
Feminine form of Ronald, created by combining its short form Ron 1 with the popular feminine name suffix -ella.
Ronika f African (?)
Most likely a short form of Veronika. Ronika Tandi (born 1975) is a Zimbabwean sculptor.
Rooble m Somali
A Somali name that means "rain man" or "one who brings rain." The Somali word roob means "rain."
Roor-ì m & f Sidamo
Means "exceed!" in Sidama.
Ropafadzo f Shona
Means "blessing from God" in Shona.
Rorisang f Tswana
Means "praise Him (God)" in Setswana.
Rotimi m Yoruba
Means "stay with me" or "stand by me" in Yoruba. Sometimes used as a short form for Olurotimi or Oluwarotimi.
Rotji m Nigerian, Ngas
A common name used among the Jos Plateau people of Nigeria. Meaning of the name is "love has come"
Rotshidzwa m & f Venda
Means "we have been saved" in Tshivenda.
Rua m & f Swahili
used mainly among swahili community for both boys and girls. ... [more]
Rual m English (American, Rare), Spanish (Mexican, Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), South African (Rare)
Possibly a variant of Reuel (anglophone world) and Raul (Latin America).... [more]
Ruan m Afrikaans
Combination of Rudolf and Johan.
Ruandi f Afrikaans (Modern, Rare)
Most probably a combination of Ruan and Yolandi.
Rubani m Swahili
A pilot
Rugarabamu m Haya
Means "he who succeeds" in Haya.
Rugare m Shona
Means "peace, well being" in Shona.
Ruhan m Afrikaans
Variant of Ruan.
Ruhiu m Swahili
Means “spirit” in Swahili.
Rukariro f & m Shona
Means "hope" in Shona.
Ruƙayyatu f Hausa
Hausa form of Ruqayyah.
Rukidi m Nyoro, Tooro
From kidi, meaning ‘stone’.
Rukuba m & f Nyanga, Central African, Eastern African, African Mythology
Rukuba is a folk hero in Nyanga mythology, who happens to be a Basenji dog. His name has an unknown meaning.
Rumanyika m Haya
Means "he is famous" in Haya.
Rumánzi m Kiga
Means "brave one" in Rukiga.
Rumardo m & f Afrikaans
Derived from the latin "Romanus" and "Renaldo"from german Raginald.
Runako m & f Shona
Means "beauty" in Shona.
Rungano f Shona
Means "story" in Shona.
Rungo m Swahili
The name Rungo has different meaning but they all mean the same thing. It mewns a “”weapon of war”” mostly a “”war club””... [more]
Runyararo f Shona
Means "peace" in Shona.
Ruramai m & f Shona
Means "be righteous" in Shona.
Ruregerero m Shona
Ruregerero means "Forgiveness". This name may be given by a parent seeking forgiveness.
Rushesha f Shona
Meaning “sand”.
Rutáiruka m Kiga
Means "one who does not run away" in Rukiga.
Rutasingwa m Haya
Means "he who is never defeated" in Haya.
Rute f Shona
The Shona version of the name Ruth 1.
Ruva f Shona
Means "flower" in Shona.
Ruvarashe f Shona
Means "the Lord's flower" in Shona.
Ruvaredenga f Shona
It means "the flower of heaven".
Ruvheneko m & f Shona
Means "Enlightenment". This name is a declaration that we have seen or received enlightenment or better circumstances
Ruvimbo f Shona
Means "trust" in Shona.
Ruwadzano f Shona
Means "togetherness" in Shona.
Ruweyda f Somali
Somali form of Ruwaida.
Ruzvidzo f Shona
Meaning "contemptuous, despise", it derives from the verb kuzvidza, meaning "to show contempt; to despise"
Rwechungura m Haya
Means "he who never despairs" in Haya.
Rwesang m & f Tswana
Means "place on (someone's) head" in Setswana.
Rynhard m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Rijnhard.
Saadiya f Western African, Indian (Muslim)
Form of Sa'dia used in Western Africa and India.
Saante f Sidamo
Means "coin" in Sidama.
Saarabi m & f Akan
Means "just like that" in Akan.
Saare m Tigrinya
Means "winner" in Tigrinya.
Saartjie f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Sara. This name was borne by Sarah "Saartjie" Baartman, an African slave (member of the Eastern Cape Khoisan, the indigenous herding tribe that once populated part of South Africa) who was displayed in Europe in the early 19th century.
Saasamo m Sidamo
Means "equal" in Sidama.
Sabo m Hausa
Means "new" in Hausa.
Sabola m Yao
Means "pepper" in Yao.
Sabre m African, Muslim, Northern African, Iranian, Arabic (Egyptian)
African, Islamic name for boys meaning patient, sharp and enduring.
Sacdiyo f & m Somali
Most likely a Somali variant of Sadia.
Sadaka m Swahili
Means "a religious offering" in Swahili.
Sadao f Swahili
Means "leader" in Swahili.
Sadatu f Western African
Name of Liberian Orgin
Sadau m & f Hausa
From the Hausa sā̀du meaning "get together”.
Sade f Yoruba, English (Modern)
Short form of Folasade. It was popularized in the mid-80s due to the Nigerian-born British singer Sade Adu (born Helen Folasade Adu, 1959-) and her eponymous smooth jazz band Sade.
Sadiki m Swahili
Means "believe" in Swahili.
Sadiki m Egyptian, Arabic, Swahili
Translating to “faithful” or “loyal,” it can always remind baby to stay dedicated to the people they love. Whether it’s through a ride-or-die friendship or sticking by their own beliefs, the name Sadiki is a constant reminder to keep a steadfast heart.
Sado m Oromo (Anglicized)
A form of the arabic name Sa'id, meaning "happy, lucky", used by the Oromo people of Ethiopia. Notable people with this name includes Junedin Sado, a former Ethiopian Cabinet Minister, Haji Adam Sado, a political leader, and his father, Sado Sheka.
Sador m Ethiopian, Literature
Coptic Christian (Ge'ez) word for the piercing on Jesus' ribs by the lancet.... [more]
Sadora f Ethiopian, English (American)
Sador is the Coptic Christian (Ge'ez) word for the piercing on Jesus' ribs by the lancet. Adding an "a" at the end feminizes it.... [more]
Sadzamari f Shona
Means "income" in Shona.
Saɛid m Kabyle
Kabyle form of Sa'id.
Safari f & m Swahili, Bantu, American (Modern, Rare)
Means "journey" in Swahili, from Arabic سَفَر‎ (safar). It is commonly used by Eastern Bantus in Kenya, given to babies born when traveling or given in reference to a lot of traveling by a relative... [more]
Safiatou f Western African
Form of Safiyyah used in western Africa.
Safiri f Swahili
Means “traveler” in Swahili.
Safwaan m Somali
Somali form of Safwan.
Sagal f Somali
A name that derives from the word sagal which means morning rays of the sun during the rainy season.
Sagaria m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Zachariah.
Sagtiti m & f Dagbani
This name means "Agree with us" or "Accept us"
Saha f & m Dagbani
Means "good luck" in Dagbani.
Saheed m African American, African
In the Middle East, Saheed holds a special place within the region’s diverse cultural mosaic. It is embraced by countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt, where it represents a deep connection to religious and spiritual beliefs... [more]
Sahlu m Ge'ez
Means "his mercy" in Ge'ez.
Sahra f Somali, Arabic, German (Modern, Rare), Turkish, English (Modern, Rare)
Literally from Arabic صحراء (ṣaḥrāʾ) meaning "desert" as well as a variant of Zahrah.
Saïdou m Western African
Form of Sa'id used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Sa'idu m Hausa
Hausa form of Sa'id.
Sainab f Somali, Thai (Muslim), Indonesian (Rare)
Somali, Thai and Indonesian form of Zaynab.
Sainabou f Western African
Form of Zaynab used in Gambia.
Saiti m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Said.
Sakabeju f Nyakyusa
Means "potato leaf" in Nyakyusa.
Sakabwesye f Nyakyusa
Means "to win" in Nyakyusa.
Sakalenge f Nyakyusa
Means "made of flowers" in Nyakyusa.
Sakariye m Somali
Somali form of Zechariah.
Sakhile m Zulu
Means "we have built" in Zulu.
Sakinah f Hausa
Means "tranquility, peace of mind" in Hausa.
Sakura m Western African (?)
Mansa Sakura, sixth mansa of the Mali Empire, was a famous bearer.... [more]
Sakuwaha m Lunda
Means "handsome man" in Lunda.
Sale m Western African, Hausa
Hausa form of Salih.
Saleebaan m Somali
Somali form of Sulayman.
Salemite m Efik
Means "offspring of peace" in Efik.
Salimata f Western African
Form of Salima used in parts of western Africa.
Saliou m Western African
Form of Salih used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Sallan m Hausa
Means "born on a feast day" in Hausa.
Sallau m Hausa
From the Hausa sallā̀ meaning “prayer, religious holiday”.
Salomie f Afrikaans
Variant of Salome.
Salpawuni m & f Dagbani
"Human is not God" denoting "man is not God"
Salujoja f Nyakyusa
Means "of the feathers" in Nyakyusa.
Salume f Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Salome.
Samakaab m Somali
Means "charity" in Somali.
Samalasele f Nyakyusa
From the Nyakyusa name for a type of bird.
Samanya f Kaguru
Means "she who is unknown" in Chikaguru.
Samatar m Somali
This Somali name means "doing good" or just "good."
Samb m Western African
Senegalese name
Samba m Western African, Fula
Senegalese Fula name used to denote a second-born son.
Samba f Luba
Means "to console" in Luba-Kasai.
Sambala f Hausa
Feminine form of Sambali.
Sambali m Hausa
Means "tall, well-formed" in Hausa.
Sambazya m Tumbuka
Means "to enrich" or "to become rich" in Tumbuka.
Samere m Shona
Shona form of Samuel.
Samero m Shona
Shona form of Samuel.
Samhuri m Shona
Means "family head" in Shona.
Samiiro f Somali
Somali form of Samira 1.
Samkeliso m Swazi
In Swazi culture this means, a gift has been given. In Swaziland, the meaning of names is determined by the circumstances around the birth.
Samrawit f Amharic
Means "she unifies" or "she is unity" in Amharic.
Samukelisiwe f African, Zulu
Means "we have received" in Zulu.
Samuu'eel m Somali
Somali form of Samuel.
Samweli m Swahili
Swahili form of Samuel.
Samweri m Shona
The Shona version of the Biblical name Samuel.
Sanama f Efik, Ibibio
Means "completely pure" in Efik and Ibibio.
Sandisiwe f Xhosa
Means "increased" or "we have been added to" in Xhosa.
Sando m Dagbani, Kusaal
Means "stranger" or "traveler" in Dagbani and Kusaal.
Sangawaka f & m Tumbuka
Means "to easily find" in Tumbuka.
Ṣàngó m Western African
Yoruba spelling of Shango.
Sãngo f Bariba
Name traditionally given to girls born on a Sunday.
Sango m Shona
It means "jungle".
Sangwani m & f Tumbuka
Derived from Tumbuka sangwa, meaning "rejoice".
Sankhani m Chewa, Tumbuka
Means "choose" in Chewa and Tumbuka.
Sannayt f Ge'ez
Means "beautiful" in Ge'ez.
Santu m & f Lingala
Means "saint" in Lingala.
Sanusi m Indonesian, Malay, Nigerian, Fula, Hausa
From Arabic سَنُوسِيّ (sannūsī), the name of a Sufi order and clan that existed in Libya and the Sudan region. The sect was named after its founder, Muslim theologian Muhammad ibn Ali al-Sanusi (1787-1859).
Saone f African
Seems to be predominantly used in Botswana.
Sarabi f Swahili, Popular Culture
Means "mirage" in Swahili. This is the name of the mother of Simba and mate of Mufasa and in the Disney movie The Lion King (1994).
Sarafina f Swahili
Apparently means "bright star" in Swahili. The name might be best known from the South African musical "Sarafina!" Also, the name is often easily confused with the Hebrew name Seraphina, but despite looking similar in appearance, both names clearly have completely different etymologies.
Saran f Western African, Manding, Jula
Means "joy" in Jula.
Saratu f Hausa
Hausa form of Sara.
Saredo f Somali
Etymology uncertain, possibly from the Somali sare meaning "high, advanced".
Sarel m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Charles.
Sariaha f African, English (African)
Name introduced in the early 2010s.
Sarki m Hausa
Means "chief" in Hausa.
Saro m Ogoni
Means "first son" in Khana.
Sarraounia f Hausa
From the name of Sarraounia Mangou, a Nigerian chief or priestess who fought the French colonial troops of the Voulet–Chanoine Mission at the Battle of Lougou in 1899. According to Wikipedia, her name means "queen" or "female chief".
Sarudzai f Shona
Means "Be selective or discriminate". #Depending on circumstances the name may be a call to be selective in what you do or maybe blaming someone for being discriminating"
Sarura f Shona
It means "choose; make a selection".
Sasavona m & f Tsonga
Means "helper" in Xitsonga.
Saseka f Tsonga
Means "pretty" in Xitsonga.
Sasekani f Tsonga
Means "beautiful" in Xitsonga.
Sasekisa f Tsonga
Means "beautiful, decorate" in Xitsonga.
Satou f Western African
Short form of Isatou.... [more]
Sauti f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "voice, noise".
Sayina f Tsonga
Means "sign" in Xitsonga.
Sayo f & m Yoruba
Means "make joy" in Yoruba.
Schalk m German (Archaic), Afrikaans
From Old German scalc meaning "servant".
Schola f African
Latin word used in reference to singing and learning. May be used as a diminutive of Scholastica.
Sebaga m & f Tswana
Means "a bead" in Setswana.
Sebie f Ethiopian
Meaning "Autumn".
Sebolai m Sotho
Means "assassin" in Sotho.
Sebutlana f Tswana
Means "small rabbit" in Setswana.
Sechaba m Sotho
The meaning is 'nation' as in 'our nation', 'the country we live in'.
Sedireng m Tswana
Means "do it" in Setswana.
Seef m & f Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Limburgish (Rare)
This name is more often seen on men than on women. For men, the name is a short form of Josephus and in some cases also of Severinus and its Dutch form Severijn... [more]
Seetsele f Tswana
Means "medal" in Setswana.
Sefanja m & f Swedish (Rare), Afrikaans, Dutch, Dutch (Surinamese)
Swedish, Afrikaans and Dutch form of Zephaniah.
Sefeniya f Kongo
God has hidden
Sega m Wolof, Manding
Unknown meaning, possibly related to the Wolof word ségg ("tiger, leopard").
Segametsi f Tswana
Means "that which draws water" in Setswana.
Segolame f Tswana
Means "my luck" in Setswana.
Segomotso f Tswana
Means "comfort" in Setswana.
Segula f Jewish, Northern African
Hebrew word name, it has several meanings.... [more]
Sehin f Amharic
Means "incense" in Amharic.
Sehlolo m Sotho
Means "disaster" in Sotho.
Seiakumokumo f Ijaw
Means "do not take me in a bad way" in Ijaw.
Seif m Arabic (Maghrebi), Arabic (Egyptian), Swahili
Maghrebi and Egyptian transcription of Saif.
Seihia f Tiv
The name Originates from Tiv and it means "Peaceful Bird" or "One of a kind"
Seilatsatsi f Sotho
Meaning unknown. Seilatsatsi is a character in some Sotho tales.
Seithati f Tswana
Means "loves herself" in Tswana.
Sekaryaah m Somali
Somali form of Zechariah.
Sekelelani m Chewa, Tumbuka
Means "be happy, boisterous" or "laugh" in Chewa and Tumbuka.
Sekkura f Kabyle
Possibly means "partridge" in Kabyle.
Seko m & f Western African
child of the sun
Sekou m Fula
Fula form of the Arabic title Sheikh.
Seku m Fula
Older form of Sekou.
Sekwo m African
from kasem language in northern part of Ghana that is upper east region of Ghana in the west africa
Selam f & m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "peace" in Amharic.
Sele f & m Ijaw
Means "judge or plan carefully" in Ijaw.
Selebaleng f Tswana
Means "don't forget" in Setswana.
Seledebo m & f Ijaw
Means "the chosen one" in Ijaw.
Selekumo m Ijaw
Means "don't abound me" in Dagbani.
Selemo f Tswana
Means "summer" in Setswana.
Sella f African, Southern African, Eastern African, Indonesian
Meaning unknown. It may be a loan word from Arabic صَلَّى‎ (ṣallā), meaning "to pray, to bless," or Arabic سَلَّى‎ (sallā), meaning "to amuse, entertain, comfort." It may also be a variation of Selah.
Sélom m Western African
Komi Sélom Klassou is Prime Minister of Togo.
Selom m & f Western African
A Western African name used for both genders.
Selorm m & f Western African, Ewe
Means "God loves me" or "divine love" in Ewe.
Semakaleng m & f Sotho
Means "surprise" in Sotho.
Semegne m Amharic
Means "while I was wishing" in Amharic.
Semere m African, Ethiopian
ethiopian name. meaning Everything goes fine
Semhar f & m Tigrinya
Means "Eritrean region" in Tigrinya.
Semira f Amharic, Turkish, Bosnian
Feminine form of Semir.
Semshak m African, Nigerian, Ngas
A common name used among the Jos Plateau people of Nigeria. Means "stay together".
Sena f & m Ewe
Means "destiny gives" in Ewe.