Browse Submitted Names

This is a list of submitted names in which the usage is African; and the order is random.
gender
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Tinnie f & m Igbo
Used for very small children.
Tadairaishe m & f Shona (Anglicized, Rare)
Those who answered God's call/agreed or believed in God's word
Abikanile f Yao
Meaning "listen" in Yao.
Houevi f Ewe, African
Name of Ewe origin, meaning "joy".
Theonie f Afrikaans (Rare)
Afrikaans form of Théonie.
Molara f Yoruba
Diminutive of Omolara.
Joswa m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Joshua.
Iwuanyanwu m & f Igbo
Means “the law, lawful” in Igbo.
Samba f Luba
Means "to console" in Luba-Kasai.
Chinelo m Igbo
Means "the thoughts of God" in Igbo.
Tizazu m Amharic
Means "His command" in Amharic.
Athumani m Swahili
Means "third one" in Swahili.
Ritek m & f Afizere
Means "goodness" in Afizere.
Ndiane m Kaguru
Means "I have eaten with them" in Chikaguru.
Legakwa f Tswana
Means "crystal" in Setswana.
Shandukani m & f Venda
Means "to change" in Tshivenda.
Sehma m African
Variant of Sahma.
Adwin m Akan
Means "creative" in Akan.
Inqu m Ge'ez
Means "precious stone" in Ge'ez.
Rooble m Somali
A Somali name that means "rain man" or "one who brings rain." The Somali word roob means "rain."
Nkuba m Haya
Means "thunder" in Haya.
Fatimoh f Thai (Muslim), Nigerian
Form of Fatimah used in Thailand and Nigeria.
Ndomba m Luba
Means "ask me" in Luba-Kasai.
Unetu m Amharic
Means "the truth" in Amharic.
Mairiga m Hausa
From the Hausa mài meaning "possessing" and rī̀gā meaning "gown".
Kimpa-vita f Kongo
The name of a congolese prophetess and religious leader who lived at the end of the 17th century.
Masamanisi f & m Southern African, Shona
Means "summons (to court)", ultimately from the English word summons.
Hirsi m Eastern African, Somali
Variant spelling of Xirsi, which is used outside of Somalia.
Zigza m Berber
Means "green" from the root zgz.
Aghadinuno m Igbo
Means "war is in the house" in Igbo.
Dooakpo f & m Ijaw
Means "peaceful world" in Ijaw.
Atiena f Swahili
Means "guardian of the night" in Swahili.
Oagile m Tswana
Means "He (God) built" in Tswana.
Mobutu m Central African
Mobutu Sese Seko (1930-1997), born Joseph-Desiré Mobutu, was the military dictator and President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (which Mobutu renamed Zaire in 1971) from 1965 to 1997. He also served as Chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity in 1967-1968.
Khumoetsile m & f Tswana
Means "wealth has come" in Setswana.
Tepwanji f Southern African, Eastern African
Means "patience" in Mwanga, a language spoken in Zambia and Tanzania.
Gabra f Ethiopian
Ethiopian girl's name, meaning "The gift of offering"
Tafara m Shona
We are happy
Aluoch f Luo
Means "born on overcast morning" in Luo.
Akwasi m Akan
variant of Kwasi
Idili f & m Amharic
Means "luck, opportunity" in Amharic.
Liwoli f Southern African
Malawian name.
Habsade m Eastern African, Somali
Variant of Xaabsade, which is used outside of Somalia.
Ayinde m & f Yoruba
Means "we gave praises and he came" in Yoruba.
Bayenkhu f Tumbuka
Means "where will they go?" in Tumbuka.
Nyokabi f Kikuyu (Archaic)
Kikuyus call the maasai "ukabi" this was for girls born from this intermarriage meaning she who came from maasai land
Betserai f Shona
Meaning "help, aid, or give assistance", another form of the name is Etserai or Batsirai.
Eromosele m Esan
Means "prayer has been answered" in Esan.
Udoka m Nigerian, Igbo
Allegedly an Igbo name meaning "peace is above all else"; compare Udo 2.
Dembe m & f Eastern African
Meaning "peaceful", origin is Ugandan.
Segolame f Tswana
Means "my luck" in Setswana.
Agbor m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Means "he/she has fallen" in Jagham and Kenyang, spoken in Nigeria and Cameroon. It derives from the Jagham root gbɔ̌ meaning "to fall" maybe referred to God's blessings falling from above.
Ocolongwa m & f Agatu
Means "to God be thanks" in Agatu.
Ekejiuba m Nigerian
Chineke ji uba... [more]
Maÿroumfa m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unknown. It was the name of an Askia dynasty member of the Dendi Kingdom straddling what are now Benin and Niger.
Migiyo f Tsonga
Means "the dancer" in Xitsonga.
Fhulufhedzani m & f Venda
Means "be hopeful" in Tshivenda.
Asulil m Berber
Means "rock" in Tamazight.
Miempie f Afrikaans
Possibly related to Miem, Miems or Miep.
Niyokuri f & m Rwandan
Feminine and masculine name, perhaps honorific after famed professor of agriculture Aristide Niyokuri.
Neguse m Amharic
Means "my king" in Amharic.
Omonigho m & f Urhobo
Omonigho is a name of Edoid (Benin, Isoko, Urhobo) origin and it means "A Child is greater than money."
Sthandekile f Ndebele
Means "we are loved" in Ndebele.
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.
Gondai m Shona
Means "to trust or place hope in" in Shona.
Chiratidzo f Shona
Meaning "a sign" or "a symbol.
Demilade f & m Western African, Igbo, Yoruba
Means "God has crowned me with joy" in Yoruba.
Nyamiti f Kaguru
Means "medicine" in Chikaguru.
Machiveyi f Shona
"What do you seek or covert?" Situational name given in circumstance where family has covetous neighbours or kin.
Guor m Eastern African, Dinka
Meaning unknown. ... [more]
Jessic m Western African
Probably a masculine form of Jessica.
Ugwu m Igbo
From Igbo Ùgwù meaning "respect; reverence; dignity" or Úgwú meaning "hill, mountain; highland" or also "north". ... [more]
Kweli m Swahili (Rare), African American (Modern, Rare)
From Swahili kweli meaning "truth".
Chukwueneka m Igbo
Means "God has dealt kindly with" in Igbo.
Pamilekunayo m & f Yoruba
Means "cause me to cry tears of joy" in Yoruba.
Kuhlula m & f Tsonga
Means "win" in Xitsonga.
Dikaya m & f Manjak
Means "is going nowhere" in Manjak. This name is given to protect the child from an early death.
Diji m Igbo
Means "a farmer" in Igbo.
Djenaba f Western African
Western African name derived from Arabic Zeynab (see also Zeinabou).
Bruk m Amharic
Amharic form of Brock.
Ayoka f Yoruba
Means "one we rejoice to pluck" in Yoruba.
Thobekile f Ndebele
Means "polite" in Ndebele.
Dintoli m & f Dagbani
It means own
Ijuba f Zulu
Commonly it is meaning Dove or Peace. Less common in means storm or fighting. It also means freedom in some local tribes. It is said many years ago a great war loomed. Fighting had started but one warrior championed the cause of peace and unity... [more]
Retief m Afrikaans
Transferred use of the surname Retief.
Yedder m Berber (Rare)
Though this name symbolizes immortality, it indicates a sense of unbroken spirit or uncaptured soul.
Izemrasen m Berber (Rare)
Means "powerful" in Berber.
Sugaal m Somali
Means "wait" in Somali.
Birabiro f Amharic
Means "butterfly" in Amharic.
Tshiamo f & m Tswana
Means "goodness" in Tswana.
Tiyani m & f Tsonga
Means "be strong" in Xitsonga.
Shadreck m English (African), Southern African
Variant of Shadrach. It is particularly popular in Southern African countries.
Nghenakwe m Kaguru
Means "one who sees on his own" Chikaguru.
Nzembo m & f Lingala
Means "song" in Lingala.
Egal m Eastern African, Somali
Variant spelling of Cigaal, used outside of Somalia.
Abrihet f Tigrinya
Means "light" in Tigrinya.
Cawil m Somali
A name that means "replacement." A family may give the name to a male whose father or older brother has died.
Akani m Tsonga
Means "build, build together" in Xitsonga.
Tlafulki f Berber
Means "beauty" in Tamazight.
Kobie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Jacobus.
Njau m Kikuyu
Meaning "young bull".
Oluwafisayo m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God has added to my joy" in Yoruba.
Taweh m Western African
Means "go there!" in Vai, spoken in Liberia.
Kofoworola m & f Yoruba
Means "He/She did not buy this wealth with money" in Yoruba, derived from kò meaning "(he/she) didn't", fi meaning "use", owó meaning "money", rà meaning "buy" and ọlá meaning "wealth".
Kʼarooyye m & f Sidamo
Means "wise, clever" in Sidama.
Itohan f Western African, Edo, Ijaw
Means "mercy" in Edo and "I don't wish you bad" in Ijaw.
Simangaliso f Ndebele
Means "miracle" in Ndebele.
Mouhamed m Arabic (Maghrebi), Western African
Arabic alternate transcription of Muhammad chiefly used in northern Africa as well as the form used in parts of western Africa.
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.
Átuay m & f Bandial
Means "the white one" in Bandial.
Matinunura m & f Shona
Means "you have rescued us" in Shona.
Kundai f Shona
Means "overcome" in Shona.
Fuani f Kongo
Kongo form of Fanny.
Baitumetse m Tswana
Means "they are happy" in Setswana.
Sainab f Somali, Thai (Muslim), Indonesian (Rare)
Somali, Thai and Indonesian form of Zaynab.
Lyndall f & m English, South African
Transferred use of the surname Lyndall. This was (first?) used as a given name by the South African author, political activist and feminist Olive Schreiner (1855-1920) for the heroine in her most famous novel, The Story of an African Farm (1883)... [more]
Sambazya m Tumbuka
Means "to enrich" or "to become rich" in Tumbuka.
Nkonkoni f Zulu
Means "champion" in Zulu.
Poukon m & f Ijaw
Means "born on the riverside" in Ijaw.
Digil m Somali
"Digil" refers to a Somali clan known for agriculture and pastoralism. It symbolizes community and resilience.
Berlina f Indonesian, South African, Filipino, Dutch (Rare)
Clearly feminine form of Berlin or a simplified form of Berlinda.
Hamse m Eastern African, Somali
Variant of Xamse, which is used outside of Somalia.
Khensani m & f Tsonga
Means "grateful, give thanks" in Xitsonga.
Dyondzani m Tsonga
From the Xitsonga dyondza meaning "learn".
Zamanu m Amharic
Means "time, era" in Amharic.
Zuo m & f Ijaw
Means "protection" in Ijaw.
Makatleho f Sotho
Means "Achievements" in Sotho.
Girly f Filipino, South African, Malayalam (Rare), Malaysian (Rare), Various
Perhaps from the English word girly which is both an adjective meaning "girl-like, girlish, feminine" and a noun meaning "little girl" (from girl combined with a diminutive suffix). Also compare Girlie.
Oluwasolafunmi m & f Yoruba
Means "God has made wealth for me" in Yoruba.
Fassil m Amharic
Means "Ethiopian king" in Amharic.
Lukhona m & f Zulu (Modern)
Means "it's available" in Zulu.
Tagutswa m Shona
Means "we are pleased" in Shona.
Amakai f & m Western African
Meaning unknown.
Gebre-tsadik m Ge'ez
Means "servant of the righteous" in Ge'ez.
Maygaag m Somali
Means "bath" in Somali.
Ousseynou m Western African
Form of Husayn used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Nkosiphendule m Zulu
Means "God has answered" in Zulu.
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.
Tutu m & f Western African, South African
Means "cliff dweller".
Ofu m Idoma
Means "power, strength" in Idoma.
Noumidia f Berber (Rare), Arabic (Maghrebi, Rare)
A modern coinage derived from the name of the Ancient Berber kingdom and later Roman province Numidia.... [more]
Masia f South African (?)
Probably means "leader".
Mugeni m & f Kaguru
Means "stranger" in Chikaguru.
Folayan f Yoruba, African
means "to walk in dignity"
Mahari m & f Yoruba
Means "one who forgives" or "forgiver" in Yoruba.
Mayibongwe f Ndebele
Means "give thanks" in Ndebele.
Noag m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Noah 1.
Diekololaoluwa f Yoruba
Means "god's blessing is not small" in Yoruba.
Emmanuelina f English (African), Eastern African
Feminine form of Emmanuel, particularly used in Tanzania and Uganda.
Nyasha f Shona
Means "merciful" in Shona.
Adeniji m Yoruba
Means "the crown has fame" in Yoruba.
Orisabunmi f Yoruba
Means "the gods have provided for me" in Yoruba.
Mbo m & f Dagbani
Means "good" in Dagbani.
Mmagwulaku f Igbo
Means "beauty that exhausted wealth" in Igbo.
Kayokwa m Southern African, Bemba
Means "sugar, sweet" in Bemba.
Tcham m Central African
From Tcham N'Toya-Zoa (born 3 November 1983 in Kinshasa, DR Congo),a French-Congolese footballer.
Yetbarak m Amharic
Means "may he be blessed" in Amharic.
Uchi m African, Literature
Uchi is of African-Igbo origin. Uchi is a derivative of the African and Igbo Uchechi. This is the name of Uchi Akimbo, a character in the "Harry Potter" series written by J.K. Rowling.
Mlamuleli m Ndebele
Means "one who intervenes" in Ndebele.
Olaitan m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth is inexhaustible" in Yoruba.
Zwelethu m & f Ndebele
Means "our nation" in Ndebele.
Zawe f Eastern African
Short form or diminutive of Zawedde.
Murisi m Tsonga
Means "shepherd" in Xitsonga.
Abdikadir m Eastern African, Somali
Somali form of Abd al-Qadir, used outside of Somalia.
Munachimso f Igbo
Means "me and my God".
Marai f Upper German, German (Austrian), German (Swiss), Afrikaans
German variant of Marei and Afrikaans variant of Maria.
Azmar m Berber
Meaning unknown.
Chikodinaka f African, Igbo
Means "in God's hands" in Igbo.
Ja'ebun m African
Used for the warrior of the tribe KIKI in Nigeria
Rushesha f Shona
Meaning “sand”.
Kolawole m Yoruba
Means "he brings nobility, wealth, honour, into the house" in Yoruba.
Ayibaemi f & m Ijaw
Means "God exists" in Ijaw.
Ntwali m Rwandan
Means "hero" in Kinyarwanda. People with this name includes rapper Ntwali and the football midfielder Evode Ntwali.
Willanie f Afrikaans
Willanie is a female compound name. The "Will" is derived from "Willem" (German variant of William) which means determination and will. The "anie" is derived from the name Stephanie which means crown, victorious... [more]
Bediako m Akan
Means "came to engage in wars" in Akan.
Teawa m & f Akan
Means "the slim one" in Akan.
Njeinwei m Central African (Rare)
Rare first name from Cameroon.
Sulola f Yoruba
Of Yoruba origin, but the meaning of the name is yet unknown to me.
Adua f Tigrinya (Italianized, Rare), Italian (Rare)
Italian form of ዓድዋ also spelled Adwa or Aduwa. This is an Ethiopian town whose name means "village of Awa (people)" in Tigrinya.... [more]
Zenabu m Amharic
Means "the rain" in Amharic.
Kebitsemang m Tswana
Means "whom shall I call?" in Setswana.
Qumman f Somali
Means "upright, honest" in Somali.
Lemohang m Sotho
Means "take cognisance" in Sesotho.
Toroabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "thank god" in Ibibio.
Atasaone m Tswana
Means "His (God's) hand" in Setswana.
Tasché f Afrikaans
It probably derives from the hebrew "tach", meaning "crown".
Panganayi m Shona
Variant of Panganai.
Hannelie f Afrikaans
Contraction of Hanne 1 and Elisabeth.
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".
Geeldoon m Somali
Geeldoon is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Tinyiko m & f Tsonga
Means "gifts" in Xitsonga.
Metamia ? Northern African (Archaic)
Name from an Old Nubian visitor's inscription by a priest, found in Banganarti, present-day Sudan.
Simosihle f South African, Zulu
Means "beautiful feeling" in Zulu.
Ndudi f Igbo
Means "there is life" in Igbo.
Kofo m & f Yoruba
Diminutive of Kofoworola.
Nusesi m & f Ewe
Means "the powerful hand" in Ewe.
Yewondwossen m Amharic
Means "man of the border" in Amharic.
Anuarite f Central African, Bantu (Gallicized), History (Ecclesiastical)
Borne by the Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta (1939-1964), a beatified Congolese nun who was killed at age 24 during the Congo Crisis. According to the Dictionary of African Christian Biography, she belonged to the Wabudu tribe and her name means "one who laughs at war".
Nnamso m & f Ibibio
Means "What have I done?" in Ibibio.
Berneen f South African (Modern, Rare), Irish
Irish short form of Bernadette using the diminuitive suffix ín.
Thenjiwe f Zulu
Means "trusted one" in Zulu.
Ndonga f Eastern African, Kikuyu (?)
Unknown meaning. This name shows up specifically in Kenya.
Zugsung m & f Dagbani
Means "good luck" or "good fortune" in Dagbani.
Motsamai m Sotho
Means "traveller" in Sesotho.
Alafia f & m Yoruba
Means "peace" in Yoruba.
Tiloleko f Nsenga
We shall see
Bejide m Yoruba
Means "(one that) come(s) with rain" in Yoruba.
Mustafe m Somali
Somali form of Mustafa.
Bheki m Zulu
"The person that's broadminded, able to think further about future needs and wants".
Salujoja f Nyakyusa
Means "of the feathers" in Nyakyusa.
Titilolami f African
Means "my wealth is eternal"... [more]
Olekamma f Igbo
Means "how many are better?" in Igbo.
Tufitri f Berber
Means "more beautiful than a star" in Tamazight.
Yahaya m Malay, Western African, Hausa
Malay and Hausa form of Yahya.
Ikeoluwa f Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the care of God" in Yoruba.
Ayanleh m Eastern African
Means "lucky". This name spelling is most commonly used in Djibouti and is also used as a surname.
Magaya f Kaguru
Means "endurances" in Chikaguru.
Ayou f Amharic, Ethiopian
Diminutive of Ayelech.
Sufyaan m Somali
Somali form of Sufian.
Hazviperi m & f Shona
"It does not end". Situational name given in circumstances where family faced unending troubles or trials.
Karlien f Flemish, Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Dutch and Afrikaans form of Carline.
Kodee f Akan
Means "eagle" in Akan.
Banga m Shona
Means "knife" or "sword" in Shona. Banga is the name of a Ngbandi god of water.
Hodman f Somali
Possibly linked to the name Hodan
Ziperela f & m Ijaw
Means "born to meet wealth" in Ijaw.
Jesam m & f Nigerian (Modern)
Originally, an expression used to indicated ... [more]
Annobea f Western African
W. African, mainly Ghana.
Aseye f African
african, Means Happiness
Osazuwa m Bini, African
Origin from Edo State of Nigeria, West Africa..it means God has chosen wealth for me
Ondoutuapere f & m Ijaw
Means "add more life to me" in Ijaw.
Modesola f Yoruba
"I have come into wealth"
Goitseone m & f Tswana
Means "it is he (god) who knows" in Tswana.
Galbeyte m Somali
Means "in the west" in Somali.
Jasimini f Amharic
Amharic form of Jasmine.
Rhabela f Tsonga
Means "pray" in Xitsonga.
Ngor m Dinka
Means "male child in a pair of twins" in Dinka.
Sanama f Efik, Ibibio
Means "completely pure" in Efik and Ibibio.
Maaouya m Western African
A known bearer is Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya (1941-), a Mauritanian military officer who served as the president of Mauritania from 1984-2005.
Kaci m & f Berber
Can be derived from the Amazigh root qas or kass, which may mean "to share" or "to divide." Can be feminine in the form of Moroccan Kassi.
Kottia m Western African
Meaning unknown. It is mostly used in Côte d'Ivoire.
Zayaan f & m South African (Rare), Muslim (Rare)
Variant transcript of Zayyan.
Marthelle f Afrikaans
Combination of Martha and Elle
Temilola f Yoruba
Means "mine is wealth" in Yoruba.
Oto-obong f Efik
Means "from God" in Efik.
Apolot f Eastern African
Origin- Iteso people of eastern Uganda and Western Kenya, from the Ateso language, a derivative of the Teso-Turkana language and eastern Nilotic culture. ... [more]
Niama f & m Western African
The name of an 18th century Senegalese princess who was enslaved, sold to Mauritius and later freed by her owner.... [more]
Doudou m Western African, French (African)
From a French African term of endearment meaning "beloved, darling".
Kijana m & f Swahili, African American (Modern)
Means "young person" in Swahili. This is the nickname of American football player Kenneth Leonard 'Ki-Jana' Carter (1973-), given to him by his mother, who was inspired by a minor character in the movie Shaft in Africa (1973).
Meleke f Manding
Meleke is Bambara for the following word. "Angel"
Kabanga m Luba
Means "the second-born or youngest twin" in Luba.