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.
Aissa f Western African
Form of Aisha used in West African countries (primarily Mali, Senegal, and Cameroon).
Uduakabasi m & f Ibibio, Efik
Means "will of God" in Ibibio and Efik.
Ukpono m & f Ibibio
Means "respect" in Ibibio.
Nolwazi f Zulu (Rare)
Means "knowledgeable" in Zulu.
Eyram m African
Ghanian name.
Ricus m Afrikaans
Short form of names ending in -ricus, such as Ulricus or Henricus.
Chat f Nigerian
F, Bajju name from nigeria; it means, love or like
Wariboko f Ijaw
Derived from the Ijaw word wari meaning "house" and boko meaning "harbinger of riches".
Sambali m Hausa
Means "tall, well-formed" in Hausa.
Lihle f & m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "beautiful" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Lawalo m Manding, African Mythology, Western African
Lawalo is a figure in the oral tradition of the Keita dynasty, who claim descent from Lawalo as one of the sons of Bilal... [more]
Akonawe m Isoko
Means "let the teeth laugh" in Isoko.
Mbi m & f Kenyang
Means "road" in Kenyang.
Nafissatou f Western African
West African form of Nafisa.
Moges m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "charm, elegance, grace" in Amharic.
Dimena f Lingala
Means “to be close, to be nearby” in Lingala.
Ajala m & f Yoruba
Means "fights and survives" in Yoruba, from "to fight, struggle" and "to survive". Alternatively, the final element could be "to lick; to become worn out".
Hamandishe m Shona
Meaning “one’s relative or family is God”, this name may be given by and/or to someone who is devoted to God, who is an orphan, has no relatives or was abandoned.
Tahiil m Somali
Means "someone who is well balanced" in Somali.
Nanzota f Pare
Feminine form of Nzota.
Nyaradzai f Shona
Means "console" in Shona.
Abaka f Akan
Means "first born" in Akan.
Nelbe f & m Sotho
Means "the net" in Sotho.
Awolaye m & f Yoruba
Means "the oracle cannot explain this" or "the oracle cannot lie" in Yoruba, from ao "oracle, occult, Ifa", the negation prefix ò‎, and "to have" combined with either àyè "explanation, understanding" or ayè "lie, falsehood"
Amakai f & m Western African
Meaning unknown.
Hlekani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga hleka meaning "laugh".
Babatope m & f Yoruba
A responsible father.
Adedire m & f Yoruba
Means "the crown has become good fortune" in Yoruba, from adé "crown, royalty" combined with di "become, change into" and ire "luck, good fortune, goodness".
Ashira m & f Shona
Meaning “receive; accept; welcome”, the fuller version of the name is Gashira.
Riaan m Dutch, Afrikaans
Short form of Adriaan.
Monja f German, Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Croatian (Rare), Afrikaans, Dutch
Variant transcription of Russian Моня (see Monya).
Lesegolame m & f Tswana
Means "my luck" in Setswana.
Lebone f & m Sotho
means “light”
Ndimbuni f Nyakyusa
Means "I am saved" in Nyakyusa.
Ketshephaone m & f Tswana
Means "I trust Him (God)" in Setswana.
Ntlakuso f Tsonga
Means "elevation, high position" in Xitsonga.
Umoh m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "wealth" in Ibibio.
Hamunyari f Shona
Hamunyari means "Have you no shame". This name is given in a feuding situation.
Ntswaki f Sotho
Means "girl amongst boys" or "girl with many brothers" in Sotho.
Yusupha m Western African
Form of Yusuf used in West Africa.
Fuseini m African, Dagbani
In Northern Ghana, it is the name given to the second born of a pair of twin girls. The first born twin is named Fuseini According to superstition, the second twin is considered to be the older twin because it is said that during the trauma of birth, the older twin send the younger twin ahead to make sure the world is safe.
Ajanlekoko f Yoruba
Means “predatory” in Yoruba.
Maikarifi m Hausa
Means "the strong one" in Hausa.
Tandzile f Swazi
Means "a female addition to the family" in Swazi.
Limpho f Sotho
Means "gifts" in Lesotho.
Kpadia m Ijaw
Meaning unknown. It was the name of an Ijaw king.
Mwongeli f African
AFRICAN NAME FROM KENYA. USED IN KAMBA TRIBE.THE NAME IS MOSTLY USED IF FOR SOME REASON A MOTHER HAS A GIRL AFTER ANOTHER TO MEAN YOU ARE BLESSED WITH ANOTHER GIRL.ITS A FEMALE NAME.MAY ALSO BE USED TO MEAN A BLESSING
Ḓembe m & f Venda
Means "miracle" in Tshivenda.
Bahaar f African
An African girl's name derived from "Bahar", meaning "Spring"
Thayi m & f Tswana
Decendants of the Nyambane speaking people in Mozambique and descendants of Tswana speaking people in Botswana met in South Africa in the early 1800. The great Nyanale from Mozambique "Nambane" came to South Africa to work in mines.
Kissa f Ganda (?)
Allegedly a Luganda name meaning "born after twins".
Bamikole m Yoruba
BUILD ME A HOUSE, MEANING: CREATING A STRONG AND CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP AMONG PEOPLE AS A FAMILY
Mwaziona m & f Nsenga
This is a Nsenga name given to both boy and girls. It means "Have you seen" or "Have you seen yourselves".
Yeddes m Tuareg
Means "he will be organised", from the Tuareg verb ddes meaning "organised".
Kinubi m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "harp".
Silibele m Ndebele
Means "we're unaware" in Ndebele.
Bola f Yoruba
Short form of Bolanle, meaning "wealth coming". It is composed of bo ("come, coming") plus ǫlà ("riches, wealth").
Garang m Dinka, African Mythology
According to the Dinka myths Garang is the First Man, created by Nhialic.
Mhlava m Tsonga
Means "earth" in Xitsonga.
Abra f Ewe
Means "Tuesday-born girl" in Ewe.
Nduefuna m & f Igbo
Means "let life not be lost" in Igbo.
Nsovo m & f Tsonga
Means "grace" in Xitsonga.
Uwa f Hausa
Means "mother" in Hausa.
Onyemowo f Idoma
Means "Who knows God's thoughts" or "Who knows God's plans" in Idoma.
Nnete f Tswana
Means "truth" in Setswana.
Aitong m & f Kikuyu
Means "darling child" in Kikuyu.
Djénéba f Western African
A variant form of Zeinebou (chiefly Malian).
Yeremiya m Bulgarian (Rare), Ganda
Luganda and Bulgarian form of Jeremiah.
Anaruz m Berber, Northern African
Means "hope" in Tamazight.
Tafuma m Shona
We are now rich, we are enriched
Suleman m Arabic, Urdu, Amharic, Indonesian
Alternate transcription of Arabic سليمان (see Sulayman), as well as the Urdu, Amharic and Indonesian form.
Oluwaremilekun m & f Yoruba
Means "God has dried my tears" in Yoruba.
Tima m Efik
Means "remember love" in Efik.
Simangaliso f Ndebele
Means "miracle" in Ndebele.
Maryama f Arabic (Maghrebi), Somali
Maghrebi and Somali variant of Maryam.
Guyyah m Bandial
Means "graves" in Bandial, originally a short form of Ammenguyyah. This is considered a 'death prevention' name.
Adaku f Igbo
Means "daughter of wealth" in Igbo.
Yawa f Western African, Ewe
Means "born on Thursday" in Ewe.
Xareed m Somali
Means "rain" in Somali.
Siku m & f Swahili
Means "day" in Swahili.
Quamdeen m Yoruba
Means "pillar of (the) faith" in Yoruba.
Oluwatimileyin m & f Yoruba
The name OLUWATIMILEYIN is of Yoruba language Origin in Nigeria which means "God Supported me".Children in Nigeria are widely named Oluwatimileyin because of the Cultural believe that the name holds a Prayer with it "God supported me" or "God, support me".
Akili m Swahili (Rare)
From Swahili akili meaning "mind, inteligence".
Alile f Yao
Means "she weeps" in Yao.
Nṱoḓeni m & f Venda
Means "look for me" in Tshivenda.
Mawuena f African
god is the giver... [more]
Zeidane m Western African
Variant of Zaydan (chiefly Mauritanian).
Diric m Somali
A name that comes from the Somali word diric which means "bold; fearless or daring." The name connotes courage or heroism. Outside of Somalia, a Somali person may spell the name as DIRI.
Yesine f Amharic
Means “artwork” in Amharic.
Tubbo m Luhya
Means "lover of bees; friend of all" in Luhya.
Tamayyurt f Berber
Means "full moon" in Tamazight.
Shima m & f Tiv
Shima means heart in Tiv language
Ousseynou m Western African
Form of Husayn used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Agbaakin m Yoruba
Means "elderly warrior" or "most senior of the brave ones" in Yoruba, from àgbà "elder, adult" and akin "bravery, valour; a brave person, warrior".
Xidig m Somali
Means "star" in Somali.
Loryn f & m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Lorijn.
Qaqamba f African
Means "be bright" in Xhosa.
Kaito m & f Igbo
Means "let us glorify God" in Igbo.
Oluwatoni m & f Yoruba (Modern, Archaic)
Means "the lord is worth having" in Yoruba.
Mungoni m & f Shona (Rare)
May mean abiding in grace
Mthulisi m Ndebele
Means "one who consoles" in Ndebele.
Fwasa m Tumbuka
Means "to be calm" in Tumbuka.
Yewondwossen m Amharic
Means "man of the border" in Amharic.
Akobundu m Igbo
Means "wisdom is life" in Igbo.
Caa'isha f Somali (Rare)
Somali variant of Aisha.
Mthunzi f Zulu
Means "shade" in Zulu.
Muogboo m Igbo
Means "let the spirits intervene or settle the matter" in Igbo.
Omanukwue m & f Igbo
Means "let the one who knows speak" in Igbo.
Genat f Amharic
Means "heaven" in Amharic.
Luyanda m & f South African, Zulu, Xhosa
Means "it is growing, increasing" in Zulu and Xhosa, referring to love or the child’s family.
Jannie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Johannes.
Kponoabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "honour god" in Ibibio.
Amastane m Northern African, Berber
Variant transcription of Amastan.
Ntuthuko f Zulu
Means "prosperity" in Zulu.
Khotsofalang m Sotho
Means "be satisfied" in Lesotho.
Mashudu m & f African
Mashudu is a name used the Vha-Venda tribe in the far north of South Africa (Limpopo Province). The name means Luck
Iniemem f & m Efik
"Time of peace"
Boboto m & f Lingala
Means "peace" in Lingala.
Liyana f Zulu, English (Modern, Rare)
Directly taken from Zulu liyana "it is raining". As an English name, it is a variant of Liana.
Diambu m Central African
Means "quiet warrior".
Teshome m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "he was appointed, he was promoted" in Amharic.
Jojo m Akan
variant of Kwadwo
Mahlatse m & f Sotho
Means "lucky" in Sotho.
Beritda m Ngas
BERITDA in Ngas language of plateau state means."""it turns out to be good?... [more]
Ayaba f African American (Rare), Yoruba (Rare), Nigerian (Rare), African (Rare)
From the Yoruba ayaba meaning "queen".
Caydiid m Somali (Rare)
Derived from the Somali words cay, meaning "insult," and diid, meaning "to reject," interpreted as "rejects insults".
Dammy m & f Nigerian, Yoruba
Diminutive of Damilola and other Yoruba names containing dam.
Beke m & f Ijaw, Ogoni
Means "America" or "American" in Khana and "English" in Ijaw.
Adeniran m Yoruba
Means "the crown has a lineage" in Yoruba.
Keolebogile f & m Tswana, African
I thanked (God).
Nhlakanipho f Zulu
From Zulu inhlakanipho meaning "wisdom".
Uzoechina m & f Igbo
Means "let the road not be closed" in Igbo.
Engai m Eastern African, African Mythology, Maasai
Engai is a deity from Maasai Mythology. His name means “god” in the Maasai language.
Auma f Luo
"someone delivered with the face down or through the caesarean process"
Rangariro f & m Shona
It means "recollection; remembrance", from the verb kurangarira.
Irikidzai f Shona
Means "to add to" in Shona.
Somayina f & m Igbo
The name of Igbo origin means "I am not alone."
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]
Abike f Yoruba
Means "born to treasure" or "born to be pampered" in Yoruba, from "to give birth, be born" and kẹ́ "to cherish, care for".
Ruvaredenga f Shona
It means "the flower of heaven".
Ekejiuba m Nigerian
Chineke ji uba... [more]
Pelaji m Swahili
Variation of Pelagius.
Bomani m Yao
Means "warrior" in Yao.
Mohamed m Somali
In Somalia, as in many Muslim-majority countries, the name Mohamed is extremely common, often as part of a longer name or combined with other names. It is not unusual for a Somali person to have multiple family members named Mohamed, so nicknames or other identifiers are often used to distinguish between individuals with the same name.
Nyoni f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "bird".
Ketase f Tumbuka
Means "cooperation" in Tumbuka.
Kirikuba m Bariba
Means "a carved idol" in Bariba.
Worb-a m Sidamo
Means "brave" in Sidama.
Kingsford m Scottish, African
Transferred use of the surname Kingsford.
Kaakyire m Akan
Means "last born" in Akan.
Nekemiyah f Kongo
Comforted by God
Nyota f Swahili, Lingala
Derived from Swahili and Lingala nyota meaning "star".
Banbangtaba m & f Dagbani
Means "those who know each other" in Dagbani.
Akpo m & f Edo
Means "short person" in Edo.
Faf m Afrikaans (Rare)
Afrikaans diminutive of François. A notable bearer is South African rugby player Faf de Klerk (1991-), whose given name is François.
Gwaggo f Hausa
Means "aunt" in Hausa.
Hulisani m & f Venda
Means "respect" in Tshivenda.
Jinga m & f Shona
Meaning “piedmont; towards or near the foundation; base.” Longer forms of the name include Jingarechikomo, Jingachinga or Jingarashe.
Ifedayo f Yoruba
Means "love turned to joy" in Yoruba.
Xaaji m Eastern African, Somali
Somali form of Haji.
Chentiwuni f & m Dagbani
Means "leave it to God" in Dagbani.
Adeleke f Yoruba
Means "crown achieves happiness" in Yoruba.
Asafu m Berber
Means "torch" in Tamazight.
Kwoth m African, Nuer
The supreme god of the Nuer (South Sudan) who manifests himself in natural phenomena. They believe he is benign god who protects the poor and the unhappy.
Zula m & f Tigrinya
Means "brilliant" in Tigrinya.... [more]
Ikolo m Lingala
Means “chief, leader” in Lingala.
Keleya f African Mythology, Manding (Archaic)
Keleya is a character in "Sundiata", an epic of old Mali. Keleya was known as the best cook in the Sosso Kingdom in the 11th-12th Century.... [more]
Thandoluhle m Zulu
Means "good love" in Zulu.
Kgabareya m Sotho
Sotho form of Gabriel.
Motsamai m Sotho
Means "traveller" in Sesotho.
Quintilla f Ancient Roman, Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), English (Rare), Italian (Archaic), Spanish (Latin American, Rare)
Latin diminutive of Quinta, which thus makes this name the feminine equivalent of Quintillus.
Akkalenjayi f & m Bandial
Means "she torments her mother" or "he torments his mother" in Bandial.
Ominira m & f Yoruba
Means "freedom, independence" in Yoruba.
Zende m Swahili
Means "strong, firm" in Swahili.
Cámad m Afar
Afar form of Hamad.
Ibraahiim m Somali
Somali form of Abraham.
Molatadi m Sotho
Means "one who denies all" in Sotho.
Salemite m Efik
Means "offspring of peace" in Efik.
Jorica f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Feminine form of Joric.
Tobi m & f Yoruba
Short form of Olutobi, Oluwatobi or Oluwatobiloba.
Angula m Ovambo
Means "morning" in Ovambo. This name is traditionally given to children born in the morning.
Garba m Western African, Hausa
Hausa variant of Abu Bakr.
Bibuwa m Swahili
Means “boss” in Swahili.
Namori m Western African
Used in Ivory Coast. A famous bearer is Namori Meite (born 1988) a French-born Côte d'Ivoirean basketball player currently member of the Côte d'Ivoire national basketball team.
Cabh'a f Kabyle
Possibly means "beautiful" in Kabyle.
Letang m & f Tswana
Means "wait" in Setswana.
Tendeka f Shona
Meaning “be faithful; be true”, a longer form of the name is Tendekamunashe.
Fatoumia f Comorian
Comorian form of Fatima.
Pasipao f & m Tumbuka
Means "their ground, earth" in Tumbuka, often given after repeated deaths in the family. Refers to the fact that the child will eventually also die and be buried in the earth.
Saga m Mossi
One known bearer of the name is Naba Saga (king Saga) of Tenkodogo, who died in 2016.
Mosa m & f Sotho
Means "grace" in Sotho.
Dalanda f Western African, African American
Means "creative" in Fulani.
Giorgis m Eastern African, Amharic, Greek (Rare)
Form of George used in Ethiopia, as well as a Greek variant of Georgios.
Chibvwimbo m Tumbuka
Means "bird's nest" in Tumbuka, with implications of working hard or providing shelter and comfort.
Dricky f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Hendrika.
Napaga f Dagbani
It's a name popular with royals of the Dagbani tribe of Northern Ghana. It means the queen's mother.
Kokolo m Kongo
Of unknown meaning.
Ilays m Somali
Means "light" in Somali
Rabelani m & f Venda
Means "to pray" in Tshivenda.
Aijuka m Swahili
Aijuka means "he knew' or 'he understands' in reference to gaining knowledge & education.
Luxon m South African
Transferred use of the surname Luxon.
Nakai f Shona
From Shona naka meaning "beautiful, good".
Sintayehu f Ethiopian
Meaning "what I have been through" or "what I have seen."
Kalu m Igbo (Rare)
Kalu is a shortened name of, or derived from; Kamalu or Kamanu, the deity of thunder. Kamalu is an important deity in the traditional belief system of the people of many subethnic Igbo people (an ethnic group of southeastern Nigeria)... [more]
Tintadêfi f Berber
Means "sweetness, of sweetness" in Tamazight.
Zale m Western African (Rare, ?)
Unknown meaning. It has seen some use in Senegal.
Nkrumah m Akan
Means “ninth born” in Akan.
Aadaan m Somali
Somali form of Adhan.
Rubani m Swahili
A pilot
Zegeye m Amharic
Means "he delayed" in Amharic.
Abam f African
Abam’s meaning is “second child after twins”
Tamemt f Berber
Means "honey" in Berber.
Cheja f Kaguru
Means "we came" in Chikaguru.
Oluwasogo m & f Yoruba
Means "God makes glory" in Yoruba.
Chiyo f Shona
Meaning "grain".
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".
Nebiri f Amharic
Means "leopard" in Amharic.
Nyabeel f Nuer
Means "girl of the corn" in Nuer.
Carelia f Afrikaans, Spanish (Mexican), Spanish (Latin American), Danish (Archaic)
Afrikaans feminine form of Carel and Spanish and Danish variant of Karelia.
Deobia m Nigerian
Short form of Oladeobia.
Chawanzi m & f Nsenga
Meaning gift or freely given
Johani m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of John.
Samweli m Swahili
Swahili form of Samuel.
Isiyaka m Hausa
Hausa form of Isaac.
Siboniso m South African, Zulu
Means "being a leader" in Zulu.
Tabaro m & f Tooro, Kiga, Nkore
Meaning unknown.
N'wayitelo f Tsonga
Means "smile" in Xitsonga.
Oyintari f & m Ijaw
Means "God loves me" in Ijaw.
Hodari f Swahili
Means “strong” in Swahili.
Migiyo f Tsonga
Means "the dancer" in Xitsonga.
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".
Honest m & f English (Puritan), African
From the English word meaning "honorable, virtuous". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans around the 17th century.
Jesumbo m & f Yoruba
It is a Yoruba name,a tribe in South-Western Nigeria which mean "JESUS IS COMING BACK" and in Hebrew Maranatha. It can be beared by both sexes reminding the hearer(s) of the second coming of the Lord Jesus who left this world over two thousand(2000) years ago...
Disaaka m & f Akan
Means "you deserve saying it" in Akan.
Tyjah m & f African, African American (Modern)
Apparently means "smart" in one of the languages on the African continent. However, the name can also be derived from the name abbreviation (or initials) T.J., which is typically pronounced as "tee-jay" and its pronunciation henceforth developed into a first name of its own right (Teejay).
Thapelo m & f Sotho
Means "prayer" in Sotho.