This is a list of submitted names in which the usage is African; and a substring is a.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Panganai m ShonaMeans "to consult or advise each other" in Shona.
Panji m & f TumbukaMeans "maybe", given after the death of the first born to say maybe he will grow.
Paradzai m ShonaParadzai means "destroy". This is possibly addressing an adversary challenging them to destroy what you have if they can".
Pasipao f & m TumbukaMeans "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.
Penda m AfricanPenda is a shortend name of the Name Pendapala meaning "to be brave" or "be brave" in the ovomba language, indigeonous to the ovamo peolple of Namibia. ... [
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Petina f ShonaThe name of the Zimbabwian writer Petina Gappah.
Pikirayi m ShonaVow to it. Promise. Name of a Zimbabwean journalist Pikirayi Deketeke.
Pinaere f IjawPINAERE an ijaw tribe name of west Africa meaning "LIGHT SKINNED WOMAN"
Pina Popobawa m SwahiliName of a shape-shifting shetani (evil spirit) in Zanzibar mythology. It is derived from Swahili elements
popo (bat) and
bawa (wing), therefore literally meaning "bat-wing" or "winged bat"... [
more]
Prah f Western AfricanUsed in Ghana, West Africa among Akan peoples. Shortened form of the name of the river spirit Bohsum-Prah. Usually used together with Nana: Nana-Prah.
Praisthel f South African (Rare)The name comes from the the phrase Praise the Lord. Some of the letters from the pharse are removed to turn it into a name.
Pumbaa m Popular Culture, SwahiliMeans "to be foolish, silly, weak-minded, careless, negligent" in Swahili. This is the name of the warthog in Disney's 'The Lion King' (1994).
Qaloon m Somalialoon is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [
more]
Qassi m & f Berber (Arabized, Rare), Persian (Modern, Rare)Arabized form of
Kaci. In Arabic, Qassi (قاسي) means "hard", "tough", or "stern". For example, قاسي الملامح (qāsī al-malāmiḥ) is a phrase meaning "stern features" (used to describe someone with a tough or serious expression)... [
more]
Raage m SomaliMeans "he who delayed at birth" in Somali.
Rafiki m & f Eastern African, Popular CultureMeans "friend, comrade" in Swahili. This Swahili word is derived from Arabic رَفِيق
(rafīq) "companion" (see
Rafiq). This is the name of the baboon mentor of Simba and Mufasa in the Disney movie 'The Lion King' (1994).
Rangariro f & m ShonaIt means "recollection; remembrance", from the verb
kurangarira.
Ratsebo f SothoDerived from the Sesotho
tsebo meaning "knowledge".
Raviro f ShonaMeans "promise, oath or pledge" in Shona.
Regai m ShonaRegai means "Let it be, leave it alone"
Revai m & f ShonaMeans "Talk or gossip about".
This is a name given to address neighbours that continue to gossip about your family Reydan f AfricanThe name Reydan means "Gift of God, Handsome King". The most time this name was used was in 2017 when only 5 boys were named Reydan
Rhangani m TsongaPossibly from the Xitsonga word
rhanga meaning "to begin".
Roṋewa m & f VendaMeans "we are given" or "we are blessed" in Tshivenda.
Rolihlahla m Xhosa, Southern AfricanMeans "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.
Ronelda f AfrikaansFeminine form of
Ronald. Ronelda Kamfer (born 1981) is an Afrikaans-speaking South African poet.
Rua m & f Swahiliused mainly among swahili community for both boys and girls. ... [
more]
Rwesang m & f TswanaMeans "place on (someone's) head" in Setswana.
Saartjie f AfrikaansDiminutive of
Sara. This name was borne by Sarah "Saartjie" Baartman, an African slave (member of the Eastern Cape Khoisan, the indigenous herding tribe that once populated part of South Africa) who was displayed in Europe in the early 19th century.
Sadau m & f HausaFrom the Hausa
sā̀du meaning "get together”.
Sade f Yoruba, English (Modern)Short form of
Folasade. It was popularized in the mid-80s due to the Nigerian-born British singer Sade Adu (born Helen Folasade Adu, 1959-) and her eponymous smooth jazz band Sade.
Sadiki m Egyptian, Arabic, SwahiliTranslating to “faithful” or “loyal,” it can always remind baby to stay dedicated to the people they love. Whether it’s through a ride-or-die friendship or sticking by their own beliefs, the name Sadiki is a constant reminder to keep a steadfast heart.
Sado m Oromo (Anglicized)A form of the arabic name
Sa'id, meaning "happy, lucky", used by the Oromo people of Ethiopia. Notable people with this name includes Junedin Sado, a former Ethiopian Cabinet Minister, Haji Adam Sado, a political leader, and his father, Sado Sheka.
Safari f & m Swahili, Bantu, American (Modern, Rare)Means "journey" in Swahili, from Arabic سَفَر
(safar). It is commonly used by Eastern Bantus in Kenya, given to babies born when traveling or given in reference to a lot of traveling by a relative... [
more]
Saga m MossiOne known bearer of the name is Naba Saga (king Saga) of Tenkodogo, who died in 2016.
Sagal f SomaliA name that derives from the word sagal which means morning rays of the sun during the rainy season.
Saheed m African American, AfricanIn the Middle East, Saheed holds a special place within the region’s diverse cultural mosaic. It is embraced by countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt, where it represents a deep connection to religious and spiritual beliefs... [
more]
Sallau m HausaFrom the Hausa
sallā̀ meaning “prayer, religious holiday”.
Samatar m SomaliThis Somali name means "doing good" or just "good."
Samba f LubaMeans "to console" in Luba-Kasai.
Samkeliso m SwaziIn Swazi culture this means, a gift has been given. In Swaziland, the meaning of names is determined by the circumstances around the birth.
Sandisiwe f XhosaMeans "increased" or "we have been added to" in Xhosa.
Sãngo f BaribaName traditionally given to girls born on a Sunday.
Sanusi m Indonesian, Malay, Nigerian, Fula, HausaFrom Arabic سَنُوسِيّ
(sannūsī), the name of a Sufi order and clan that existed in Libya and the Sudan region. The sect was named after its founder, Muslim theologian Muhammad ibn Ali al-Sanusi (1787-1859).