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.
Bwerani m Chewa
Means "come" or "come back" in Chewa.
Byamugisha m Kiga
Means "things of luck" in Rukiga.
Byénáama m Kiga
Means "things of secrets" in Rukiga.
Caa'isha f Somali (Rare)
Somali variant of Aisha.
Cabaas m Somali
Somali form of Abbas.
Cabdi m Eastern African, Somali
Somali form of Abdi.
Cabdille m Somali
Somali form of Abdullah.
Cabdullahi m Somali
Somali form of Abdullahi.
Cabh'a f Kabyle
Possibly means "beautiful" in Kabyle.
Cacile f Ndebele
Means "clear" in Ndebele.
Cadnaan m Somali
Somali form of Adnan.
Calvinia f South African
Feminine form of Calvin.
Cámad m Afar
Afar form of Hamad.
Canab f Somali
Means "grape" in Somali.
Carelia f Afrikaans, Spanish (Mexican), Spanish (Latin American), Danish (Archaic)
Afrikaans feminine form of Carel and Spanish and Danish variant of Karelia.
Caria f English (Rare), South African
Possibly a variant of Carrie or Cara, or from the ancient place name Caria... [more]
Carike f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Carel.
Cartan m Somali
The name Cartan may be linked to terms or concepts in Somali language that emphasize strength or steadfastness, though its exact root is difficult to pinpoint. Many Somali names are descriptive, referring to virtues or traits that parents hope their child will embody, such as courage or leadership.
Cashile f Zulu (Rare)
Possibly derived from cashisa meaning "conceal, hide."
Caster f South African
Possibly a variant of Castor.
Caweys m Somali
Means "night" in Somali.
Cawil m Somali
A name that means "replacement." A family may give the name to a male whose father or older brother has died.
Cawo f Somali
A name that comes from the Somali word cawo which means "luck." Outside of Somalia, Somalis may spell it as Awo.
Caynaanshe m Somali
Means "cotton" in Somali.
Cebisa f & m Xhosa, Southern African
Means "to suggest, to give advice" in Xhosa.
Cecile f English, Dutch, Afrikaans, Filipino, Medieval English
English, Dutch and Afrikaans form of Cécile.
Čʼena m Sidamo
Means "little" in Sidama.
Cetshwayo m Zulu
Means "advised" in Zulu. This was the name of a Zulu King,
Çetulo f Bandial
Means "died coming" in Bandial. This is considered a 'death prevention' name.
Cézanne f & m English, Afrikaans
From the French artist, Paul Cézanne. This name is sometimes used as a feminine name by Afrikaners in South Africa due to its similarity to Suzanne.
Chalpang f Dagbani
Means "forgive" in Dagbani.
Chaltu f Eastern African, Oromo
Means "being the best of the best" in Oromo.
Chamirai m Shona
Means "be focused and diligent" in Shona.
Chamsia f Eastern African
Possibly a Comorian form of Shams. A notable bearer is Comorian singer Chamsia Sagaf (1955-).
Chamu m Southern African
Short form of Chamunorwa. This is the nickname of Zimbabwean cricketer Chamu Chibhabha. His real name is Chamunorwa.
Chan m Dinka
Means "male child in the first pair of twins" in Dinka.
Chanique f African American (Rare), Afrikaans
Variant of Shanique, the spelling perhaps influenced by Chanel.
Chaniya f Swahili
Means "wealthy" in Swahili.
Chapanjira f Chewa
Means "of the road, of the journey" in Chewa.
Chapansi f & m Nsenga
Child born after many miscarriages
Chapasi f & m Tumbuka
Means "earth, dirt, belongs to earth" in Tumbuka, often given after other children in the family have died.
Charl m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Charles.
Charle m Afrikaans, Norman
Cotentinais Norman and Afrikaans form of Charles.
Chat f Nigerian
F, Bajju name from nigeria; it means, love or like
Chausiki f Swahili
Means "born at night" in Swahili.
Chawanangwa m Tumbuka
Means "blessing, gift" in Tumbuka.
Chawanzi m & f Nsenga
Meaning gift or freely given
Cheikh m Western African, Arabic (Maghrebi)
Western African and Maghrebi variant of Sheikh.
Cheikha f Arabic (Maghrebi, Rare), Western African (Rare)
Feminine form of Sheikh (chiefly Algerian and Mauritanian).
Cheja f Kaguru
Means "we came" in Chikaguru.
Chekwubechukwu m & f Igbo
Means "hope in God" in Igbo.
Chemutai f Kalenjin
Derives from the East African tribe, the Kalenjins. Like many other Kalenjin names, the first part of the name relates to the gender of the person and the second part is how, when, or where they were born... [more]
Chengetai m & f African, Shona
To protect/to take care of
Chenjerai m Shona
Chenjerai means "Be on guard, wisen up". Chenjerai Hunzvi the Zimbabwean Freedom Fighter is one bearer of this name.
Chentiwuni f & m Dagbani
Means "leave it to God" in Dagbani.
Chenzira m & f Southern African, Shona
Means "born on a journey" in Shona.
Chepkirui f Kalenjin
Means "one who was born while people slept” in Kalenjin.
Cheri f Amharic
Means "graceful" in Amharic.
Chérif m Western African, Arabic (Maghrebi)
Form of Sharif used in North Africa and parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Chernet m Amharic
Means "charity" in Amharic.
Cheru m Amharic
Means "the benign one, the charitable one" in Amharic.
Cheslin m South African
Transferred use of the surname Cheslin.
Chetanna m & f Igbo
Means "remember the father" in Igbo.
Cheusi m Swahili
Means "black" in Swahili.
Cheyeza m & f Tsonga
Means "bright" in Xitsonga.
Chezelle f Afrikaans, French
South African name, probably derived from the French, it might be from a place name in France, derived from the Occitan, meaning "hill". Or accordingly to another theory it may mean "house of her".
Chiazam f & m Igbo
Means "God answered me" in Igbo.
Chiazo m & f Igbo
Means "God saves" in Igbo.
Chibinkhe m Tumbuka
Means "the dark (coloured) one" in Tumbuka.
Chibuifem m & f Igbo (Latinized, Rare)
Means "God is my light" in Igbo.
Chibuzor f & m Igbo
Means "God is the way" in Igbo.
Chibvwimbo m Tumbuka
Means "bird's nest" in Tumbuka, with implications of working hard or providing shelter and comfort.
Chibwe m Southern African
"A big rock or stone." Opposite name: Kabwe
Chidee m Igbo
Variant of Chidi.
Chidera m Igbo
Means "God is here" in Igbo.
Chidie f Igbo
Feminine variant of Chidi.
Chidili m Igbo
Means "God be with me" in Igbo.
Chidiomimi m Igbo
"God is Mysterious"... [more]
Chidirim f & m Igbo
Means "God is With me" in Igbo.
Chido f Shona
Means "wish, desire; love" in Shona.
Chidochashe f Shona
"God'will" / "God's desire"
Chidochemoyo f Shona
Meaning "the desire of the heart", shorter forms of the name include Chido meaning "desire", Chemoyo meaning "of the heart", or simply Moyo meaning "heart".
Chidumebi f & m Igbo
A name commonly used among the Igbo people of southeast Nigeria. Particularly in Imo state, the name translates to, "God is at my side" or conversely, "God is with me". While it is used by men, the name is more commonly given to girls
Chidy m Igbo
Variant of Chidi.
Chiedozie m Igbo
Means "God will repair" in Igbo.
Chiedza f African
Meaning Light/Dawn... [more]
Chiejina m & f Igbo
Means "let the night not come" in Igbo.
Chiekwe m & f Igbo
Means "Chi 2 has allowed it" in Igbo.
Chiemeela m Igbo
This is a name that is given among the Igbos usually it has a celebratory undertone to it. It is formed by joining two words "CHI-EMEELA" - "God thank you" Chi-God and Emeela-thank you/well done Usually it is given to baby boys when the parents are satisfied or do not wish to have more children, especially if the gender of the child was sought after.
Chigbata m Nigerian
Igbo man and he is from Anambra state,Nigeria
Chigenda m Kaguru
Means "let us go" in Chikaguru.
Chikairanyelu f Igbo
Means "We’ve committed it to God" / "In God’s hands" in Igbo.
Chikamara m & f Igbo
Means "God knows best" or "God is wisdom" in Igbo.
Chikanma f & m Igbo
Means "God is the best" in Igbo.
Chikatizyo f Nsenga
Means "helper" in Nsenga.
Chikhulupiliro m & f African
Chichewa, means faith.
Chikodinaka f African, Igbo
Means "in God's hands" in Igbo.
Chikomborero f & m African
Means"Blessings. comes from Zimbabwe
Chikomera m & f Chewa
Means "goodwill, compassion" in Chewa.
Chikwendu m Igbo, African
Means "God agrees to life", taken from the Igbo phrase o buru na chukwu kwe ndu ga-adi "if god agrees there will be life".
Chilongola m Kaguru
Means "first" in Chikaguru.
Chilufya m & f Bemba
Means "the one who is lost" in Bemba.
Chimaijem f Igbo
Means “god has provided for me” in Igbo.
Chimamanda f Igbo
Means "my God will not fail me" in Igbo. A famous bearer is Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Chimango m Chewa
Means "builder" in Chewa.
Chimdindu m Igbo
Means "my God is alive" in Igbo.
Chimere m Igbo
Said to be an Igbo (Nigerian) name meaning "God's deed", in part from chi "god, spiritual being".
Chimika f & m Tumbuka
After miscarriage(s), family would use traditional medicine (herbs, roots, barks) to prevent a potential next miscarriage. Kumika means "to stop, halt, prevent". Chimika is what you use to stop, prevent, halt... [more]
Chimola m Kaguru
Means "seizer, breaker of things" in Chikaguru.
Chimurenga m Shona
Chimurenga is a Shona word roughly translated to English as, "revolutionary struggle". The Shona language is spoken by the Shona people of Zimbabwe. This word is sometimes used as a given name.
Chinangunga m & f African
Variety of vernacular language among people living along lake Nyasa in Tanzania.
Chinasaokwu m Igbo
Means "God is my advocate" in Igbo.
Chinaza m Chewa
Means “what happened” in Chichewa.
Chincia f Igbo
Variant of Chinasa.
Chinelo m Igbo
Means "the thoughts of God" in Igbo.
Chinemere m & f Igbo
Means "God is doing" in Igbo.
Chineto f & m Igbo
"God praises" "God uplifts" "God glorifies" "God gives talent"
Chinomnsọ m & f Igbo
Translated to God is near
Chinoza m African
Zezuru name for one who knows much but says less
Chinua m African, Nigerian, Igbo
meaning: god's own blessing... [more]
Chinualumogu m Igbo
Means "may God fight on my behalf" in Igbo. This was the full birth name of Chinua Achebe (1930-2013), a Nigerian writer.
Chinue f African
Means "God's blessing".
Chinwemmeri f & m Igbo
Chinwe is a short form of a variety such as Chinwendu, Chinweizu, Chinwemmeri and others. Chinwe in itself means "God's own." Chinwemmeri means "God's own victory." These names are synonymous with the Igbo ethnic group from the south eastern Nigeria.
Chinwendum m & f Igbo (Modern, Rare)
Means "I am consecrated to God" or "I am owned by God" in Igbo.
Chioke m Chewa
Means “wake up” in Chichewa.
Chionye m Igbo
Means "God will give to him what he prays for" in Igbo.
Chipochashe f Shona
Meaning “gift of God”, the most common shorter form of this name is Chipo.
Chipocherudo f Shona
Meaning "gift of the love", this name corresponds with the name Nduma. Shorter forms of this given name include Chipo meaning "gift", Cherudo meaning "of love," or simply Rudo meaning "love".
Chipovisule m & f Chewa (Dutchified, Rare)
"Chipovisule" is a name of African origin, specifically from Malawi. In Chewa, it means "God is with us" or "God is among us." It carries a sense of divine presence and protection.
Chipukizi f Swahili
Means "bud, sprout, shoot" in Swahili.
Chiratidzo f Shona
Meaning "a sign" or "a symbol.
Chishuwo m Shona
Meaning “a wish”.
Chitemo m Kaguru
Means "axe" in Chikaguru.
Chithuzi m Tumbuka
Means "shadow, picture" in Tumbuka, often given after repeated deaths in the family.
Chitundu m Chewa
Means “nation” in Chichewa.
Chivimbiso f Shona
Means "the promise" in Shona.
Chiwa f Yao
Means "death" in Yao.
Chiwetel m Igbo
Means "God brings" in Igbo.
Chiyo f Shona
Meaning "grain".
Chizaram m & f Nigerian, Igbo
Means 'God answered me' in Igbo.
Choguel m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unknown.
Chokomera m & f Chewa
Means "compassion" in Chewa.
Chokwadi m Shona
Means "truth" in Shona.
Chosaning'oma m Tumbuka
Means "remove bad things" in Tumbuka.
Chriselda f Afrikaans, South African, Filipino
Presumably a variant of Griselda, influenced by names beginning with "Chris-", such as Christine.
Christien f Dutch, Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans
Dutch and Afrikaans form of Christine.
Chriszette f Afrikaans
Compound name of Christine and Suzette.
Chriztie f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Chrizanne, also can be the Afrikaans form of Christy. In 2022 in South Africa, Chriztie was given for 150 girls.
Chuchu m & f African
Chu meaning "Life" it can be used as both a girl or boy name. It also link to another name Chuchu or Chu-Chu meaning double life.... [more]
Chuki f & m Swahili
Means "born during a time of hatred" in Swahili.
Chukwubuikem m Igbo
Means "God is my strength" in Igbo.
Chukwucheta m Igbo
Means "let God remember" in Igbo.
Chukwudubem m & f Igbo
Means "God, lead me" in Igbo.
Chukwudumebi m & f Igbo
Means "God is living with me" in Igbo.
Chukwueneka m Igbo
Means "God has dealt kindly with" in Igbo.
Chukwufumnanya f Igbo
Combination of Chukwu and Fumnanya.
Chukwumaeze m Igbo
Means "God knows the king" in Igbo.
Chukwunenye m Igbo
Igbo name from Eastern Nigeria. It originates from the belief that children are gifts from God and means "God gives". The feminine variant is Chinenye, which also has the same meaning
Chukwunonso m African
Igbo land Eastern Nigeria - Chukwu(Almighty God) no(is) nso(near). God is near
Chukwunwike m & f Igbo
Means "God has the power" in Igbo.
Chuma m & f Bemba
Means "wealth" in Bemba.
Chyà m Central African
A Kom name.
Chydee m Igbo
Variant of Chidee.
Cigaal m Somali
Means "turban" in Somali.
Ciise m Somali
Somali form of Isa 2.
Cilmi m Somali
A name that derives from the word cilmi which means "knowledge" or "learning."
Ciokaraine f Eastern African
A famous bearer of the name was the Kenyan Meru human rights activist and female diviner Ciokaraine from Igembe, Kenya. She was a fierce supporter of women's rights and is known for having offered up her son's life in order to prevent a famine during the Mau Mau Uprising.
Clementiane f Central African, Southern African
It is a variant of the name Clementine, corresponding with Clementine's other variants.
Coenie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Coenraad. This name is borne by South African rugby player Coenie Oosthuizen (1989-) and South African musician Coenie de Villiers (1956-).
Collen m South African
Either a variant of Colin 2 or a transferred use of the surname Collen.
Confidence f English (Puritan), South African
Meaning, "the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust." From late Middle English, from Latin confidentia, from confidere ‘have full trust.' Referring to the confidence one may have in God.
Consensus m Western African
From the french word consensus "consens".
Constand m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Constant.
Corlia f Afrikaans
Contracted form of Cornelia.
Coumba f Western African, Fula
Means "the one who has the strength" in Fula.
Criske f Afrikaans
Merging of the names Christen and Marike.
Cumar m Somali
Somali form of Omar 1.
Daahir m Somali
Variant of Dahir.
Dadirai f Shona
Means "show off" in Shona.
Dagim m Oromo
Means 'again' or 'the second (junior)' in Oromiffa.
Dagm m Amharic
It's from Amharic language and Geez which is ancient ethiopian language which is dated 3000 years with Hebrew origins, it means Twice or repeated . Usually given when you look like your parents
Dagmawit f Eastern African, Amharic
Means "again, the second" in Amharic.
Dagne f Amharic
Dagne means "judge" and is of Amharic origin.
Dahama m & f Dagbani
Means "riches" in Dagbani.
Dahir m Somali
Somali form of Tahir.
Dai m Swahili
Means "demand" in Swahili.
Dakalo m & f Venda
Means "happiness" in Tshivenda.
Dalanda f Western African, African American
Means "creative" in Fulani.
Dalili f Swahili (Rare)
Means "omen, symbol" in Swahili.
Daliri f & m Dagbani
Means "good fortune" in Dagbani.
Daliso m Chewa
A variant of Dalitso. ... [more]
Dalmar m Somali
Derived from the words dal meaning "land" or "country" and mar meaning "to pass through" or "travel". The name can be interpreted as "traveler of the land" or "one who journeys through the country." It reflects a heritage of movement and exploration, significant in Somali culture, where nomadic life and migration were historically important... [more]
Damamli f Eastern African
beautiful vision
Dambisa f Southern African
A Zambian feminine name borne by the economist Dambisa Felicia Moyo.
Dambuzgho f Tumbuka
Means "troublesome" in Tumbuka, often given to babies whose mothers were unwell during pregnancy.
Dami m & f Igbo, Yoruba
Short form of Damilola.
Damilare m Yoruba
Yoruba... [more]
Damilola m & f Yoruba
Means "God makes me wealthy" in Yoruba.
Dammenech f Amharic
Means "she was cloudy" in Amharic.
Dammy m & f Nigerian, Yoruba
Diminutive of Damilola and other Yoruba names containing dam.
Damya f Berber, Northern African, History
Tamazight feminine given name, an alternative possible given name of the Berber warrior-queen and leader Kahina.
Dananai m & f Shona
Means "love each other" in Shona.
Danat m Ge'ez
Coptic Christian (Ge'ez) word for the piercing on Jesus' left palm.
Danata f Ge'ez
Feminine form of Danat.
Dančile f Sidamo
Means "fine" in Sidama.
Dandauda m Hausa
Is the name given to Sulaiman
Dané f Afrikaans
Variant of Danaë.
Dangana m & f Dagbani
Means "confidence" or "trust in the goodness of God" in Dagbani.
Daniachew m Amharic
Means "arbitrate between them" or "you be the judge" in Amharic.
Daniat f Tigrinya
Means "judge" in Tigrinya.
Danie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Daniël.
Danismo m Southern African
The meaning of Danismo is "Jubilant and Content with one's life and experiences." Commonly used to describe someone who has had good fortune recently.
Daniwa f Shona
Meaning "be called".
Ɗantala m Hausa
From the Hausa ɗan meaning “son of” and Tàlātā̀ meaning “Tuesday”.
Daraar-tu f Sidamo
Means "she blossomed" in Sidama.
Daraima m Efik
Means "celebrate love" in Efik.
Daramfon m & f Ibibio
Means "rejoice at grace" in Ibibio.
Darasimi m & f Nigerian
the name come from Nigeria and it can be use for any gender and it mean god love you
Dativa f Late Roman, History (Ecclesiastical), Eastern African, Portuguese (Rare), Spanish (Rare), Filipino (Rare)
Feminine form of Dativus. This was the name of a 5th-century Christian martyr from North Africa. It is mostly used in Eastern Africa (mainly in Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda).
Dative f French (African), Eastern African
French form of Dativa, mostly used in Rwanda.
Daubode m Ijaw
Means "father has returned" in Ijaw.
Dauda m Hausa
Hausa form of David.