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.
Akatendeka m & f Shona
Meaning "one who is faithful", deriving from the verb kutendeka.
Akawel m Berber
Means "the black" in Amazigh.
Akaziwe f Nguni
Means "she must be introduced" in Nguni.
Akech f Luo
"birthed during a famine"
Akeelah f African American (Modern, Rare), South African (Modern, Rare)
Variant of Akilah popularized by the 2006 movie 'Akeelah and the Bee'.
Akeer f Dinka
The name Akeer is often associated with strength, leadership, and resilience in Dinka culture, native to South Sudan.
Akello f Luo
Means "born after twins" in Luo.
Akeredolu m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "one who becomes prominent at a young age" or "he who reduces (humbles) himself in order to become king" in Yoruba.
Akersim m Berber
Means "caracal" in Tamazight.
Aketch f Luo
Means "born during a famine" in Luo.
Akhere m & f Western African, Esan
Means "the younger twin" in Esan.
Akiiki f Luo, Nyoro, Tooro
A variant of Akiki, Meaning ‘friend’ in Luo, Nyoro and Tooro.
Akiki m Eastern African, Nkore
Means "friend" in Nkore, spoken in Uganda.
Akili m Swahili (Rare)
From Swahili akili meaning "mind, inteligence".
Akin m Yoruba
Means "the brave one" in Yoruba.
Akinbolade m Yoruba
Means "bravery comes with wealth" in Yoruba.
Akinfela m Yoruba
Means "bravery expands the coast of wealth" in Yoruba.
Akinleye m Yoruba
Means "bravery is honourable" or "valour has dignity" in Yoruba, from akín "courage, valour; brave person, warrior" and either ni "to be" or "to have, possess" combined ẹ̀yẹ "honour, respect, dignity".
Akintunde m Yoruba
Means "bravery returns" in Yoruba.
Akissi f Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.
Akissi f 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".
Akkalenjayi f & m Bandial
Means "she torments her mother" or "he torments his mother" in Bandial.
Akkayil m Bandial
Means "he surpasses them" in Bandial.
Aklilu m Tigrinya
Means "laurel wreath" in Tigrinya.
Akobundu m Igbo
Means "wisdom is life" in Igbo.
Akol m & f African
From Iteso in eastern uganda. Meaning nicelooking.
Akoma m & f Central African, African Mythology
Akoma is the creator god of Pahuin mythology. His name Means “creator” in Pahuin, a common language in parts of São Tomé and Principe, southern Cameroon, much of northern Gabon, and mainland Equatorial Guinea.
Akomo f Luo
"someone delivered during planting or prosperous times of the year"
Akon m African American, Western African
One of the given names of the musician known as Akon.
Akonawe m Isoko
Means "let the teeth laugh" in Isoko.
Akosia f Western African, Akan
A name of Ashanti origin meaning "born on a Sunday" in Akan culture. Notable name bearers include actor Akosia Sabet and mononymic musician Akosia. Akosua is a variation of this name.
Akoth f Luo
Feminine of Okoth, meaning born while it was raining
Akou f Ewe
Akou is a name often given to a girl born on a Wednesday in Ewe culture.
Akpadiaha m Ibibio
Means "first son of first daughter" in Ibibio.
Akpo m & f Edo
Means "short person" in Edo.
Akpoebi f & m Western African, Ijaw
Means "life is good" in Ijaw.
Akpomatunemibofa m & f Ijaw
Means "nobody has a knowledge of the world" in Ijaw.
Akpomofa f & m Ijaw
Means "the world is not as you think of it" in Ijaw.
Aksil m Berber, Northern African, History
Means "cheetah" or "leopard" in Shawiya Tamazight. This was the real name of Kusaila (كسيلة), a 7th-century Berber king.
Aku m Igbo
Means "wealth" in Igbo.
Akú f Akan
Means "Wednesday" in Akan.
Akúá f Akan
Variant of Akua.
Akunna f Igbo
Means "father's wealth" in Igbo, from aku meaning "property, wealth" and nna meaning "father".
Akuwueziuka f & m Igbo
Means "prosperity is a good talk" in Igbo.
Akwa m Efik, Ibibio
Means "elder, senior" in Efik and Ibibio.
Akwaowo m Ibibio
Means "great man" in Ibibio.
Akwasi m Akan
variant of Kwasi
Akwenye m Ovambo
Means "spring (season)" in Ovambo.
Akwete f Western African
Means "eldest of twins" in Ga.
Akwokwo f African
Means "younger of twins" in Ga.
Alabi m & f Yoruba
Means "born of the white cloth, born of purity" in Yoruba, from ala "white cloth, purity" and "to give birth, be born".
Alabrah m Ijaw
Means "how long" in Ijaw.
Aladegbuji m Yoruba (Rare)
Means "royalty has accepted shade" in Yoruba.
Aladeinyefa f & m Ijaw
Means "nothing is superior to royalty" in Ijaw.
Aladejana m & f Yoruba
Means "royalty has found the right path" in Yoruba.
Aladelusi m & f Yoruba
Means "the king has prestige" in Yoruba.
Alademomi m & f Yoruba
Means "royalty knows me" in Yoruba.
Aladesanmi m Yoruba
Means "royalty befits me" in Yoruba.
Alaere f Ijaw
Means "queen, woman of substance" in Ijaw.
Alafia f & m Yoruba
Means "peace" in Yoruba.
Alake f Yoruba
Means "survived to be cherished" in Yoruba, from "to survive" and kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
Alame m Amharic
Means "my world" in Amharic.
Alaowei m Ijaw
Means "noble man" in Ijaw.
Alara m Yoruba, History
Possibly from the title of the traditional monarch of either Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín or Ará-Èkìtì, from Yoruba oni-, a possessive forming prefix, and either Ìlárá "the ones who possess many relatives” or Ará, of unknown etymology... [more]
Alata f Ijaw
Means "royal wife" in Ijaw.
Alatari m & f Ijaw
Means "king's love" or "love of royalty" in Ijaw.
Alawo f & m Yoruba
Alawo means "white, green" in Yoruba.... [more]
Alayingi f Ijaw (Rare)
Means "royal mother" in Ijaw.
Alazar m Ethiopian
Ethiopian form of Eliezer.
Alazidei m Ijaw
Meaning "I have given birth to royalty" in Ijaw.
Alazimo f & m Ijaw
Means "born into royalty" in Ijaw.
Albarka f Hausa
Feminine form of Barak 2.
Aldjya f Kabyle
Means "doll" in Kabyle.
Aleeki m Somali
Means "brave lion" in Somali.
Alejehen m & f Bandial
Means "the one who trivialises things" in Bandial.
Alek f Eastern African, Dinka
Means "black-and-white cow" in Dinka.... [more]
Alemu m Amharic
Means "they dreamt" in Amharic.
Alera f & m Ogoni
Means "enough" or "it is enough" in Khana.
Aletta f Dutch, Swedish (Archaic), Afrikaans, Icelandic (Modern, Rare), Hungarian
Archaic Swedish diminutive of Alhet and Dutch variant of Aleida as well as a Hungarian adoption of the Dutch name... [more]
Alhajiahmad m Western African (Modern)
Combination of Alhaji meaning "the pilgrim" with Ahmad meaning "most commendable, most praiseworthy".
Alheri f & m Dagbani
Means "gift" or "kindness" in Dagbani.
Aliaune m Western African (Rare)
The first of the given names of the musician known as Akon (1973-).
Alika f Nigerian
Means “most beautiful” in Nigerian.
Alile f Yao
Means "she weeps" in Yao.
Alimata f Western African
Form of Alima used in western Africa.
Alimazi f Amharic
Means "diamond" in Amharic.
Alinda f Dutch, Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish (Rare), Hungarian, Gascon
Dutch, Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish and Hungarian contracted form of Adelinda and Gascon contracted form of Aidelina.
Aliou m Western African
Form of Ali 1 used in parts of western Africa.
Alioune m Western African
Form of Ali 1 used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Alitash f & m Ethiopian
Means "may I not lose you"
Aliza f Hungarian, Basque, Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Basque form of Alice, Hungarian variant of Alíz and Dutch and Afrikaans variant of Alisa.
Allswell m & f Western African (Rare), English (African, Rare, ?)
Presumably from the English phrase all's well.
Almasi f Swahili
Means "diamond" in Swahili.
Almaz m & f Tatar, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Azerbaijani, Eastern African, Amharic
Means "diamond" in various languages, all derived from Persian الماس (almas). It is only used as a masculine name in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan while it is feminine in Azerbaijan and Ethiopia.
Alongi m & f Lingala
Means "victorious" in Lingala.
Alouette f English (Modern, Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Spanish (Mexican, Rare)
Derived from French alouette "lark, skylark". Alouette is a popular Quebecois children's song, commonly thought to be about plucking the feathers from a lark. Although it is in French, it is well known among speakers of other languages as many US Marines and other Allied soldiers learned the song while serving in France during World War I and took it home with them, passing it on to their children and grandchildren.... [more]
Alozie f Nigerian
From the Nigerian, meaning "branch".
Altine f Hausa
From the Hausa word Lī̀tìnîn "Monday". This name is traditionally given to girls born on Monday.
Aluoch f Luo
Means "born on overcast morning" in Luo.
Aluwani m & f Venda
Means "be prosperous" or "grow up" in Tshivenda.
Alworunga m Alur
Of uncertain meaning.
Alzena f Indonesian (Rare), South African (Rare)
Possibly derived from Arabic النِسَاء‎ (an-nisāʾ) meaning "the woman".
Amadika f African
Is of African-Rhodesia origin and means "to be beloved".
Amahoro m & f Rundi
From Amohoro meaning “Peace” in Rundi.
Amaitari m Ijaw
Means "the town loves me" in Ijaw.
Amakai f & m Western African
Meaning unknown.
Amakama m Ijaw
Means "feast for the town" in Ijaw.
Amakedi m Ijaw
Means "look upon the town" in Ijaw.
Amaku m & f Efik
Of Eniong Origin
Amalu m Berber
Means "shadow" in Tamazight.
Aman m Tigrinya
Means "handsome" in Tigrinya.
Amandla f & m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "power, strength" in Xhosa and Zulu.... [more]
Amani f Swahili
Means "peace" in Swahili.
Amani f Tigrinya
Means "faith" in Tigrinya.
Amankwah m Akan, Western African
Comes from Akan aman meaning ‘nation(s)’ + kwa meaning ‘free’.
Amanuel m Tigrinya
Variant of Emanuel.
Amanyire f & m Eastern African, Nyoro, Tooro, Nkore, Kiga
Means "God knows" in Nyoro, Tooro, Nkore, and Kiga.
Amarachukwu f Nigerian, Igbo
Means "God's grace" in Igbo. (See Amara and Chukwu).
Amari m African, Yoruba, Western African
A noted bearer was a Damel of Cayor, Amari Ngoné Ndella, who ruled from 1790 AD to 1809 AD. The Kingdom of Cayor was one of the largest of most powerful kingdoms in what is now Senegal, existing from 1549 AD to 1879 AD.
Amastane m Northern African, Berber
Variant transcription of Amastan.
Amaynu m Berber
Means "new" in Amazigh.
Amazie f & m African (Modern)
Gifted with purpose
Amazie f & m Zulu
Happy and beloved
Amazigh m Northern African, Berber
From Tamazight ⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖ (Amaziɣ), which is the self-designation of the Berber (Amazigh) people of North Africa. The name itself is of unknown meaning, though folk etymologies claim the meaning of "free-man", derived from Taznatit (Gurara) aze meaning "to be strong" and Tamasheq jeɣeɣ meaning "to be brave".
Amazu m Igbo
Means “I don’t know” in Igbo.
Ambelu m & f Amharic
Possibly means "commander" in Amharic.
Ambesa m Ethiopian (Modern)
The meaning of this Ethiopian names is "lion".
Ambesa f Tigrinya
Means "lioness" in Tigrinya.
Ambilike m Nyakyusa
Means "He heard me" in Nyakyusa.
Ambo m & f Efik
Amburo f Somali
Transferred use of the surname Amburo.
Amefia m Ewe
Amefia means 'people's king' in Ewe. Amefia is a surname that has significant transferred usage to a given name.
Amenaghawon f & m Western African, Edo
Literally translated to "the water you shall drink" in Edo, from the proverb Amen na gha won ighi le se omwan rhae, meaning "the water you shall drink will surely come to be", implying that what is destined to be, will be.
Amenzu m Kabyle
Means "the first" in Kabyle.
Amesemi f Eastern African, African Mythology
Amesemi was goddess of the ancient Kingdom of Kush, and wife of the god Apedemak.
Amessan m Berber
Means "wise" in Tamazight.
Ametepee m Ewe
Not available.
Amewusika f Ewe
Means "people are more valuable than material things" in Ewe.
Ameyo f Akan
Means "Saturday" in Akan.
Ameziane m Berber, Northern African
Variant of Meziane (chiefly Algerian and Moroccan).
Amezwaru m Berber
Meaning "The one who helps" or "The helper."
Amêzyan m Berber
Means "cadet" or "small" in Amazigh.
Amibesa f Amharic
Means "lioness" in Amharic.
Amigaat m & f Bandial
Means "He/she has a skinny leg" in Bandial.
Amile m Zulu
something keeping a structural holding making sure things are balanced in life.
Amilna f Southern African
Amilna Estêvão is an Angolan model.
Aminatta f Western African (Rare)
Variant of Aminata. This is borne by Aminatta Forna (1964-), a British writer of Scottish and Sierra Leonean descent.
Amino f Somali, African
Somali variant of Amina.
Amlan f 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".
Amleset f Tigrinya
Means "she made it return" in Tigrinya.
Ammenguyyah m Bandial
Means "he has many graves" in Bandial.
Amobi m Igbo
Means “who knows what the people want, one who understands the minds of the people” in Igbo.
Amogechukwu f Igbo
Means "no one knows God's timing" in Igbo.
Amohelang m Sotho
Means "receive" in Sotho.
Amoin f 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".
Amoke f & m Yoruba
Means "known and cherished" in Yoruba, from mọ̀ "to know" and kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
Amondi f Swahili
Swahili form of Amani.
Amoré f Afrikaans (Modern)
Afrikaans form of Amore.
Ampie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Abraham.
Amron m Amharic
Meaning you wanted a certain masculine thing. Calling a baby boy Amron could mean that you wanted that baby.
Amukelani m & f African, Tsonga
Means "acceptance" in Tsonga.
Amukelo m & f Tsonga
Means "acceptance" in Xitsonga.
Amukudzaishe m Shona
It is a name that means, "He has put the Lord in a high place" or "He has exalted the Lord", a shorter version of the name is Amukudza.
Amul-yaakaar m & f Wolof
Means "she/he has no hope" in Wolof. This is considered a 'death prevention' name.
Amunime m Ovambo
Means "big lion" in Ovambo.
Amusa f Southern African
It is a Silozi or Lozi Name. Silozi or Lozi is a Zambian language.
Amusan m Yoruba
Means "one who holds the whip" in Yoruba, from "to hold, grasp" and ìṣán, a kind of whip or cane used in Egúngún (or Masquerade) festivals. Usually given to children born holding the umbilical cord, with a membrane "mask" covering their head, or the third-born of triplets.
Amutenya m Ovambo
Means "midday" in Ovambo. This name is traditionally given to children born during the afternoon.
Amyoli f South African
Name of South African origin, meaning "sweet and calm".
Anaishe f & m Shona
Derived from Shona anashe, meaning "who is with God".
Anaiya f African
Similar to Anaya meaning "look up to god".
Anamzooya m Dagbani
Means "your power is great" in Dagbani.
Anané m Akan
Means "fourth born" in Akan.
Ananeya m Ethiopian (Modern, Archaic)
Originates from the name 'Hananiah'
Ananse m Akan
Variant of Anansi.
Anansia f African
Feminine form of Anansi.
Anarouz m Berber, Northern African
Variant transcription of Anaruz.
Anaruz m Berber, Northern African
Means "hope" in Tamazight.
Anasa f Swahili
Means "joy" in Swahili.
Anastatia f English (Rare), South African
Variant of Anastasia. Apparently, this name is most prevalent in South Africa and Ireland.
Anazia f African American (Modern), Nigerian
Transferred use of the surname Anazia.
Anbesa m Amharic (Modern)
Means "Lion" in Amharic.
Anbessa m Tigrinya
Means "lion" in Tigrinya.
Andani m Dagbani
Family name of one of the royal gates of Dagbong. Inherited traditional name".
Andereya m & f Nyoro, Ganda, Kiga, Tooro
Nyoro, Ganda, Tooro and Kiga variant of Andrew and Andrea 2.
Andi m & f Dagbani
Means "you will win" or "victor" in Dagbani.
Andino m & f Efik, Ibibio
Means "God the giver" in Ibibio and Efik.
Andisiwe f & m Xhosa
Means "expanded, increased" or "extension" in Xhosa.
Andricia f Afrikaans (Rare)
Possibly a variant of Andriesia.
Andrietta f Swedish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Romansh
Swedish and Afrikaans variant of Andriette and Romansh feminine form of Andriu.
Andronica f South African, Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Feminine form of Andronicus. This is also the Latinized form of Andronika.
Andronika f Ancient Greek, Greek (Rare), Greek (Cypriot, Rare), Bulgarian (Rare), Albanian (Rare), South African
Feminine form of Greek Andronikos and Bulgarian Andronik. This name was borne by Andronika 'Donika' Arianiti (1428-1506), also known as Donika Kastrioti, the wife of Albanian national hero Skanderbeg, leader of a revolt against the Ottoman Empire.
Andulile m Nyakyusa
Means "He helped me" in Nyakyusa.
Andwele m Swahili
Means "God brings me" in Swahili.
Andzani m & f Tsonga
Means "multiply, grow" in Xitsonga.
Andzile m & f Tsonga
Means "multiplied and increased" in Xitsonga.
Anebdad m Berber
Means "support" in Amazigh.
Aneke f Afrikaans
Variant of Anneke.
Anekwe m Igbo
Means "let the gods not agree to bad things" in Igbo.
Anele m & f Zulu
Means "be enough; be sufficient; be adequate" in Zulu.
Anemi f Shona
It means "He (the Lord) is with you", or "one who is with you".
Anenjere m & f Shona
Meaning "one who has wisdom", this name can be shortened to Njere.
Anesu f Shona
A Shona name for girls. It means "God is with us".
Anesuishe f & m Shona
Meaning "the Lord is with us", also a longer form of the name Anesu.
Anfani m & f Dagbani
Means "benefit" in Dagbani.
Angabiirwe m & f Kiga
Means "he/she was given to me" in Rukiga.
Angari f Eastern African, Kikuyu
Variant of Wangari. Also a surname.
Angavu m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "clear, lucid".
Angula m Ovambo
Means "morning" in Ovambo. This name is traditionally given to children born in the morning.
Angweng f Luo
"birthed during the season of white ants (termites, i.e. rainy season)"
Aniamaowo f Efik
Means "who likes you" in Efik.
Aniebietabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "Who is like god?" in Ibibio.
Aniefiok m & f Nigerian, Ibibio
Means "who knows tomorrow?" in Ibibio.
Aniekan m & f Efik
Diminutive of Aniekanabasi.
Aniekanabasi m & f Western African, Ibibio, Efik
Means "who is greater than God?" in Ibibio and Efik.
Aniekpeno m & f Ibibio
Means "Who would have given me?" in Ibibio.
Anietie m Efik
Means "who could you compare to God?" in Efik.
Anike f Yoruba
Means "had to cherish" in Yoruba, from "to have, possess" and kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
Anindo f Luo
means that the mother slept a lot during pregnancy
Anir m Berber, Northern African
Means "angel" in Tamazight.
Anisung f & m Dagbani
Means "good intention" in Dagbani.
Aniyom m & f Efik
Anje f Dutch, Afrikaans, Flemish
Diminutive of An.
Anjolaoluwa f Yoruba
Enjoying the blessings/wealth of God
Ankia f Afrikaans
Variant of Ankie.
Ankoma m Western African, Akan
Means "last born of parents" in Akan.
Annaleen f Afrikaans
Contraction of Anna and names ending in -leen, such as Heleen and Magdaleen.
Annan m Akan
Variant of Anan 1.