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.
Senatla f Tswana
Means "hard worker" in Setswana.
Senyagwa m Kaguru
Means "eloquent" in Chikaguru.
Senzeni m & f Ndebele
Means "what did we do?" in Ndebele.
Sereba m & f Akan
Means "silver" in Akan.
Seretse m Tswana
Means “the clay that binds" in Tswana.... [more]
Serval m Western African
Directly taken from the name of the African cat species.
Sesan m Yoruba
Means "God has avenged me" in Yoruba.
Sethekele f Ndebele
"We visited"
Sethina f Western African
Meaning as of yet unknown. This name is predominantly used in Ghana.
Setifene m Sotho
Sotho form of Stephen.
Setjhaba m Sotho
Means "nation" in Sesotho.
Setshaba m Tswana
Means "nation" in Setswana.
Setshego f Tswana
Means "laughter" in Setswana.
Setshwano f Tswana
Means "resemblance" in Setswana.
Setugne m Amharic
Means "they gave me" in Amharic.
Sevuri m Pare
Etymology uncertain, this name is traditionally given to babies born during the rainy season.
Sewelo f Tswana
Means "rare" in Setswana.
Seyi f & m Yoruba
Short form of Oluwaseyi.
Seynab f Somali
Somali form of Zaynab.
Seyni m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unknown.
Shaadiyya f Somali
Somali form of Shadya.
Shacbaan m Somali
Somali form of Shaban, the name of the eighth month of the Islamic calendar.
Shadari m Hausa
Means "born during the cold season" in Hausa.
Shadein f Shona, Chewa
Means "child of God" in Shona and Chewa.
Shadreck m English (African), Southern African
Variant of Shadrach. It is particularly popular in Southern African countries.
Shafawu f African
Am a Ghanaian and from the northern region of Ghana.
Shairi f African
Means "song" in Swahili.
Shameel m Indian (Muslim), Urdu, South African
Variant transcription of Shamil.
Shamiel m South African
Meaning unknown.
Shamiso f Shona
Means "amazing" in Shona.
Shandukani m & f Venda
Means "to change" in Tshivenda.
Shané f African American, Afrikaans
Probably a variant spelling of Shanae.
Shango m Western African
The name of a fire god in the traditional Yoruba religion.
Shani f African American, Swahili (?)
Allegedly means "wonder" in Swahili.
Shanono m & f Hausa
Means "drink milk" in Hausa. This name is traditionally given to a child born when calves are being delivered.
Shareu m Amharic
Means "God exonerated him" in Amharic.
Sharifiya f Hausa
Means "born during Ramadan" in Hausa.
Sharlto m South African (Rare)
Alternative Anglicization of Sìoltach.
Sharmaarke m Somali
A name that means "see no evil" or "protect from evil." The prefix shar- means "evil."
Sharmarke m Eastern African, Somali
Variant spelling of Sharmaarke, used outside of Somalia.
Shebashi m Amharic
Means "thousand by thousand" in Amharic.
Shekarau m Hausa
From the Hausa shḕkarà meaning “spend the year”.
Shelini f South African (Rare), Fijian (Rare), Indian (Rare)
Possibly related to the Indian name Shalini.
Shermake m Somali
Means "someone who is really lucky and brings good fortune along with them" in Somali.
Shermarke m Somali
Means "one who brings good fortune" in Somali.
Shevan m Persian, African
From the Persian, meaning "lion".
Shibkan m Hausa
Means "beans in the sowing season" in Hausa.
Shida m & f Swahili, Persian
The name is originated from Arabic language meaning horrible, suffering, hardness or struggles
Shiluva m & f Tsonga
Means "flower" in Xitsonga.
Shima m & f Tiv
Shima means heart in Tiv language
Shingirayi f & m Shona
Means "be strong" in Shona.
Shingirirai f Shona
Means "perseverance" in Shona.
Shitobu m Dagbani
Name of the founder of Dagbong Kingdom
Shoko m & f Shona
It means "word", a longer form of the name is Shokorashe.
Shola m & f Yoruba, African
Short form of names that end with "sola", such as Olusola or Adesola. R&B singer Shola Ama is a well-known bearer.
Shorai m & f African
it delive from shona tribe name in Zimbabwe and it means criticise
Shotah f & m South African
Meaning as of yet unknown.
Shumba m Shona
It means "lion".
Shumbusho f & m Rwandan, African
God's consolation. Used both as a family name or a first name.
Shumirai f Shona
Meaning “praise” or “express admiration, adoration or reverence.”
Shumise f Xhosa
10 shillings or 10 bob, created by the father of Alice Jean Shumise Madinga.... [more]
Shungudzemwoyo m Shona
Means "yearnings of the heart" in Shona.
Siaka m Western African
Siaka, meaning ''chief'', was the one who made the tribes in primarily West Africa. In old culture every family had to name at least one son Siaka.
Sias m Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare), German (Archaic)
Short form of Josias. Known bearers of this name include the Dutch sculptor Sias Fanoembi (1949-2013) and the South African statesman Sias Hoffman (1807-1879).
Sibagege f Nyakyusa
Means "let matters face you" in Nyakyusa.
Sibakhulule m & f Ndebele
Means "we have liberated them" in Ndebele.
Sibhakabhaka f Zulu
Means "sky" in Zulu.
Sibiri m Dagbani
"Saturday Born" Sibdoo
Sibongiseni m Zulu
Meaning "(you), be thankful with us" in Zulu.
Siboniso m South African, Zulu
Means "being a leader" in Zulu.
Sicalo m Swazi
A famous bearer is Sicalo Dlamini (1987-) son of Mswati III, King of Eswatini and his first wife Queen laMatsebula.
Siendou m Manding
This name is originally from the Arabic name Said. Among West Africa's Manding people, mainly in Northern Cote d'Ivoire in places like Kong, Dabakala, Satama Sokura and Sokoro. A variant of the name in Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea where the same Mande people with differing dialects live, Seydou... [more]
Sifa m & f Swahili
Means "Praise"
Sifaw m Ancient Berber, Berber
Means "torch; ray of light" in Amazigh.
Sihawukele m Ndebele
Means "have mercy on us" in Ndebele.
Sihon m Western African
Masculine name often found in Burkina Faso & neighboring regions.
Síilene m & f Bandial
Means "they (cows) make (birds) fly" in Bandial.
Sijuola f Yoruba
Means "wealth opener" or "open the eyes of wealth" in Yoruba.
Sikena f English (American, Rare), African
Transferred use of the surname Sikena.
Sikhalele m Tsonga
Means "outcry" in Xitsonga.
Sikhangezile f Ndebele
Means "we're receiving" in Ndebele.
Sikhethiwe f Ndebele
Means "we are chosen" in Ndebele.
Sikhulekile f Ndebele
Means "we prayed" in Ndebele.
Sikhululekile m & f Ndebele
Means "we are free" in Ndebele.
Siku m & f Swahili
Means "day" in Swahili.
Silam f & m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "peace" in Amharic.
Silibele m Ndebele
Means "we're unaware" in Ndebele.
Silina m Berber
Means "the sunsets " or "charm "
Silina f Berber
Means "sunset" or "charm"
Silindile f Xhosa, Zulu
Means "we are waiting" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Siman f Berber (Rare)
Siman stands for 'two souls', referring to parents, the name in away implies the child is their combination or fruit.
Simangaliso f Ndebele
Means "miracle" in Ndebele.
Simangele f South African, Zulu
Means "surprise" in Zulu.
Simbarashe m Shona
Means "power of God" in Shona
Simbiso f Shona
Means "One who strengthens or source of encouragement".
Simbo m Chaga
Means "harvest, divine gift" in Chagga.
Simdingile m & f Xhosa, Zulu
Possibly means "we need this", derived from Xhosa and Zulu dinga meaning "to need, to require".
Simera f Arabic, Amharic, Ethiopian
Means "good listener" in Arabic.
Simi f Yoruba
Short form of Simidele.
Simidele f Yoruba
Means "follow me home" in Yoruba. ... [more]
Simileoluwa f & m Yoruba
I rest on the Lord
Simo f Kaguru
Means "story, legend" in Chikaguru.
Simosihle f South African, Zulu
Means "beautiful feeling" in Zulu.
Simphiwe m & f Zulu
Meaning "we have been given him/her" in Zulu.
Simretab m Ge'ez
Means "service of the Father" in Ge'ez.
Simukai m Shona
Means "rise up" in Shona.
Simuyobewe m & f Rundi
Means "I know him/her" in Kirundi.
Sinazo f Xhosa
Means "we have it" in Xhosa.
Sindisa m & f Southern African (Rare), Zulu (Rare)
From Zulu sindisa meaning "save, redeem, rescue".
Sindisiwe f Zulu
Means "saved" in Zulu.
Sindiswa f Southern African, Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi
Means "saved" in Zulu and Xhosa.
Sinedu f Eastern African
Ethiopian name.
Sinegugu f Zulu
Means "we have treasures" in Zulu.
Sinenhlanhla f Zulu
Means "we have luck" in Zulu, from sine "we have" and inhlanhla "luck".
Sinethemba f South African, Zulu
Means "we have hope" in Zulu.
Sinmiloluwa f & m Yoruba
Means "rest in the lord" in Yoruba.
Sintayehu f Ethiopian
Meaning "what I have been through" or "what I have seen."
Siphamandla m South African, Zulu
Means "give us strength" in Zulu.
Siphelele m Zulu
Means "we are complete" in Zulu.
Siphephelo f Zulu
Means "refuge" in Zulu.
Siphesihle m Zulu
Means "beautiful gift" in Zulu.
Siphilanzima m & f Ndebele
Means "we are surviving hardships" in Ndebele.
Siphokazi f Zulu
Feminine form of Sipho.
Siphosami f Shona
Means "my gift, present" in Shona.
Siphosomzi m Zulu
Means "freedom, joyful, hard worker" in Zulu.
Sípimbore m & f Bandial
Means "they (cows) face each other" in Bandial.
Sira f Ogoni
Means "first daughter" in Khana.
Siraad f Somali
Means "lantern" in Somali.
Siri f African
Kenya-Tanzania... [more]
Sirlord m Western African
Probably composed from the English words sir and lord.
Sisaye f Amharic
The feminine form of Sisay.
Sisi f African
Means "born on a Sunday" in Fante.
Sisipho f Xhosa, Zulu, Southern African
Means "it is a gift" in Zulu and Xhosa.
Sitefanu m Yoruba (Rare)
Yoruba form of Stephen.
Sithabisile f Ndebele
Means "we are very happy" in Ndebele.
Sithandazile f Ndebele
Means "we prayed" in Ndebele.
Sithandilizwe m & f Ndebele
Means "we love our country" in Ndebele.
Sithenjiwe f Ndebele
Means "we are trusted" in Ndebele.
Sitota m Amharic
Means "gift" in Amharic.
Sitshengisiwe f Ndebele
Means "we were shown" in Ndebele.
Sivuyile m South African, Xhosa
Means "we are happy" in Xhosa.
Siya f & m English (American, Modern, Rare), South African
As an English feminine name, it is likely a modern respelling of Sia.... [more]
Siyamthanda f & m Xhosa
Means "we love him/her" in Xhosa.
Siyanda m Zulu
Means "we are increasing" in Zulu.
Siyavuya m Xhosa
Means "we are happy" in Xhosa.
Sizakele f & m Zulu
Means "be helped, be assisted" in Zulu.
Sizani f Zulu
Means "you all help" in Zulu.
Skhumbuzo m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "reminder, remembrance" in Zulu and Xhosa.
S'kulekile m Zulu
Means “it’s good” in Zulu.
Smiso m South African
Means "rule".
Sogo m & f Yoruba
Means "makes glory", a short form of Oluwasogo.
Solomoni m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Solomon.
Solomzi m Xhosa
Means "eye of the home" in Xhosa, figuratively "guardian of the family".
Solonzi m Xhosa (Modern)
Possibly a variant of Solomzi.
Somayina f & m Igbo
The name of Igbo origin means "I am not alone."
Somto m Igbo
The name Somto is a name with Igbo origin. In Igbo, Somto is a shortened form of Somtochukwu, which translates to "Join me in praising God" or "Rejoice with me in the Lord."
Somtochukwu f & m Western African, Igbo
Means "praise God with me" in Igbo.
Sona f Western African
Meaning unknown.... [more]
Songa'nzila f Kongo
Means “the guide” in Kongo.
Sonnika f Afrikaans
Either an elaboration of Sonya or derived from the German word Sonne "sun".
Sonomo f & m Ijaw
Means "seven" in Ijaw. It is typically given to a seventh child, or a child born prematurely in the seventh month.
Sonwabile m Xhosa
Means "we are content" or "we are happy" in Xhosa.
Sooyaan m Somali
Means "make up" in Somali.
Sope m & f Yoruba
Means "be grateful" in Yoruba.
Sordum f & m Ogoni
Means "time of life" in Khana.
Sorelle f Central African
Unknown, possibly an invented name with the suffix -elle. It is specially popular in Cameroon.
Sorle f & m Ogoni
Khana for "there's time" (as in, you have time to do something)... [more]
Sorniabari f & m Ogoni
Means "when it pleases God" in Khana, (when it pleases God for him to do something, like "God's time")... [more]
Sotonte m Ijaw
Means "Heaven/God has decided"
Souleymanou m Western African
Form of Sulayman used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Soumaïla m Western African
Form of Isma'il used in parts of French-influenced western Africa (particularly Mali).
Sowunmi m Yoruba, African
Means "the sorcerer is attractive to me" in Yoruba.
Soyaphi m Tsonga
Means "where will we go?" in Xitsonga.
Sroda f Western African
Means "respect".
Stanilde f Medieval English, Central African (Rare), English (Rare)
Means "Stone battle". It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon elements stan 1 meaning "Stone", and hild meaning "Battle".
Stephanetta f Afrikaans (Rare)
Feminine form of Stephan. Stephanetta Johanna Paulina (Nettie) Bredell (1877-1920) was a granddaughter of Paul Kruger (Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger), President of the South African Republic (or Transvaal) from 1883 to 1900.
Steyn m Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans
Dutch variant and Afrikaans form of Steijn. In the case of the Afrikaans name, it can also be a transferred use of the Afrikaans surname.
Sthandekile f Ndebele
Means "we are loved" in Ndebele.
Stiaan m Afrikaans
Short form of Christiaan.
Suanu f & m Ogoni
Means "wisdom, knowledge" in Khana.
Suara m Yoruba
Derived from Ash-Shu‘ara (The Poets), the name of the 26th chapter of the Quran.
Suban m Somali
Suban is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Subilaga f Nyakyusa
Means "to have patience" in Nyakyusa.
Sudaysi m Somali (Arabized, Modern)
Based on the name of sheikh Abdul Rahmane Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais, Imam of the great mosque of Mekka. Arab al-sudais means "the sixth".
Sufyaan m Somali
Somali form of Sufian.
Sugaal m Somali
Means "wait" in Somali.
Suglo m & f Dagbani
Means "patience" in Dagbani.
Sugrinongma m & f Mossi
Means "patience is sweet" in Mossi, spoken in Burkina Faso.
Suhidoo m & f Dagbani
Means "peace" in Dagbani.
Suhipelli m & f Dagbani
Means "happiness" in Dagbani.
Suhiyini m & f Dagbani
it literally means one heart, denoting `clean heart`
Sulaimanu m Hausa
Hausa form of Solomon.
Suleekha f Somali
Somali form of Zuleikha.
Suleman m Arabic, Urdu, Amharic, Indonesian
Alternate transcription of Arabic سليمان (see Sulayman), as well as the Urdu, Amharic and Indonesian form.
Sulemanu m Hausa
Hausa form of Solomon.
Sulemon m African (Rare)
Likely a rare variant of Sulaiman and Salomon that appears to be used in Nigeria.
Suleymaan m Somali
Somali form of Solomon.
Sulola f Yoruba
Of Yoruba origin, but the meaning of the name is yet unknown to me.
Sulwe m & f Luo (Modern)
"shining star"
Sunebari m & f Ogoni
Means "give to God" in Khana.
Sunette f English (American, Rare), Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Meaning uncertain. In the English-speaking world, the name might perhaps be a combination of the English word sun with the French feminine diminutive suffix -ette, which would essentially give the name the meaning of "little sun"... [more]
Sungani m Chewa, Tumbuka
Means "custodian, keeper" in Chewa and Tumbuka.
Sungara f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "rabbit, hare".
Sunnybooi m Southern African
Namibian name.
Suntwe m & f Tonga
Means "hyena" in Tonga.
Sunubai f & m Ijaw
Means "born on Sunday" in Ijaw.
Suoton f Ijaw
Means "as planned" in Ijaw.
Suoyo f & m Ijaw
Means "profit or gain" in Ijaw.
Sura f Muslim, Berber
Means "highness of status, highness of rank, glory" in Arabic.
Susara f Afrikaans
Contraction of Susanna and Sara.
Susarah f Afrikaans
Variant of Susara.
Suubban f Somali
Means “goodbye” in Somali.
Suubban f Somali
Means "modest" in Somali.
Suubi f & m Eastern African
Means "Hope" in Luganda.
Suwilanji m & f African
From the namwaanga tribe of Northern Zambia and the adjuscent part of Tanzania.... [more]
Svikire m & f Shona
Meaning "to arrive upon".
Swaa m Bariba
Means "road" in Bariba, this name is given to a child born on a journey.
Swala f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "antelope".
Swelia f African
African variation of Swela, from Arabic name Suela, meaning "beautiful and even".
Sylidio m Eastern African
The given name of the Rwandian politician Sylidio Dusabumuremyi who was stabbed to death in September 2019.
Symphoria f Late Roman, African (Rare), German (Archaic)
Feminine form of Symphorius. It should also be noted that like Symphorina, this name is sometimes encountered as a corruption (or perhaps short form in this case) of Symphoriana.
Syokimau f Eastern African
The Kamba Spiritual Predictor Syokimau was a famous bearer of the name.
Taali-mbo f & m Dagbani
Means "thank you so much" in Dagbani.
Tabaro m & f Tooro, Kiga, Nkore
Meaning unknown.
Tabi m Akan
Meaning unknown.
Tabia f African
From the Swahili word for “talented.”
Tadairaishe m & f Shona (Anglicized, Rare)
Those who answered God's call/agreed or believed in God's word
Tadalesh m Somali
Means "person who possesses a lot of good luck" in Somali.
Tadêfi f Berber
Means "sweetness" in Berber.
Taderfit f Berber (Rare)
Means "liberation" in Berber.
Tadisa f & m Shona
It means "we have loved profusely/a great deal", from the verb 'kudisa' meaning "to love a lot/profusely". A longer form of the name may be Tadisisa.
Tadisisa f & m Shona
It means "we have loved profusely/a great deal and with much abundance", from the verb 'kudisisa' meaning "to love a lot/profusely and with great abundance". A shorter form of the name may be Tadisa.
Tadiswanashe f Shona
Means "We've been loved by God" in Shona.
Tadiwanashe m & f Shona
Zimbabwean name....it mean God is proud of us
Tadiwanashe m Shona
Means "God loves us" in Shona.
Tadiwanashe m Shona
It isa Zimbabwean based name meaning God loves us
Tadjidine m Comorian
Comorian form of Taj al-Din.
Tadla f Berber (Rare)
Means "branches" in Berber.