Browse Submitted Names

Kihani m Kongo
First King

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).

Kijani m Swahili
Means "warrior" in Swahili.

Kilasa f Nyakyusa
Means "to be outspoken" in Nyakyusa.

Kimana f English, Eastern African
Possibly an invented name, an elaboration of Kim 1 with the name suffix -ana, or a feminine form of Kimani, or from the name of the town in Kenya.... [more]

Kimani m African
"Adventurous" or "sailor" Kukiyu tribe in the nation state of Kenya.

Kimara f African (Modern)

Kimiya f Kongo
Peace

Kimoya f Kongo
Queen of Hearts

Kimpa-vita f Kongo
The name of a congolese prophetess and religious leader who lived at the end of the 17th century.

Kimya f Swahili
Means "silent" in Swahili. This is the name of musician Kimya Dawson.

Kinaya f Swahili
Means "independance" in Swahili.

Kinfeosioluwa f Yoruba
Means "I may love you more (my lord)" in Yoruba.

Kinsa f African (Rare)

Kinuani m & f Lingala
'adventure'

Kinya f English (Rare), Western African (?)
May be a variant of Kenya or a name of Ghanaian origin (uncertain as to which language the name belongs to) in which the meaning is unknown.

Kiojah f Swahili
Means "miracle" in Swahili.

Kiona f Kongo
Soul crusher

Kipani f African

Kirikuba m Bariba
Means "a carved idol" in Bariba.

Kisa f Nyakyusa
Means "grace" in Nyakyusa.

Kisakye f Eastern African

Kisima f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "water spring".

Kissa f Ganda (?)
Allegedly a Luganda name meaning "born after twins".

Kittaw m Amharic
Means "tame him" in Amharic.

Kiura m Kikuyu
Means "frog" in Kikuyu.

Kiwanuka m Ganda, African Mythology
Kiwanuka is the hammer wielding God of Thunder and Lightning in Ganda Mythology. His name means “someone who was born on a Thursday”.

Kiwara f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "savannah".

Kiya f Eastern African
Allegedly means "mine" in Oromo.

Kizza m & f Ganda
"born after twins"... [more]

Klarissa f English (Rare), German, Afrikaans (Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), Filipino (Rare), Dutch (Rare)
Variant of Clarissa.

Kobinah m Akan
handsome/precious boy born on tuesday

Kobugabe f Tooro

Koburunga f Tooro

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".

Kokoeka f Efik

Kokugonza f Haya
Means "the one to be loved" in Haya.

Kokuhumuliza f Haya
Means "the one who soothes" in Haya.

Kokumaramara f Haya
Means "the one who consoles" in Haya.

Kokunura f Haya
Means "the one who is sweet" in Haya.

Kokushekya f Haya
Means "the one who makes people laugh" in Haya.

Kola m Yoruba
Means "gathers wealth" in Yoruba, derived from kó meaning "gather" and ọlá meaning "wealth". It is also used as diminutive of Kolawole, Kolade and Kolapo.

Kolade m Yoruba
Means "brings lots of wealth" in Yoruba, derived from kó meaning "gather" combined with ọlá meaning "honour, wealth, success, notability" and dé meaning "arrive, return".

Kolajo m African
An Ancient name of Yoruba Origin, it means 'gather wealty'

Kolapo m Yoruba
Means "gather wealth together" in Yoruba.

Kolawole m Yoruba
Means "he brings nobility, wealth, honour, into the house" in Yoruba.

Komla m African
Used in Ghana, West Africa. Means Tuesday born boy in Ewe

Komlan m Akan
Means "Tuesday" in Akan.

Konadu f & m African
Used among Akan peoples in Ghana, West Africa. Can be used as a first name and surname.

Konan m 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".

Konanani m & f Venda
Means "be good to one another" in Tshivenda.

Kondanani m & f Tumbuka
Means "love one another" in Tumbuka and Chewa.

Kongola f Chewa
Means "beautiful" in Chewa.

Konradi m Swahili
Variation of Conrad.

Kopano m Nigerian

Kosau m Hausa
Means "well fed" in Hausa.

Kosia m & f African

Kossola m Yoruba
Means "I do not lose my fruits anymore" or "my children do not die any more" in Yoruba.... [more]

Kotani m Tsonga
Possibly from the Xitsonga kota meaning "able, talented".

Kotatee m & f Western African, Kru
It means "sit down here" in Kru/Klao language spoken in Liberia.

Kottia m Western African
Meaning unknown. It is mostly used in Côte d'Ivoire.

Kouadio m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé jɔlɛ "Tuesday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Tuesday".

Kouakou m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé we "Thursday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Thursday".

Kouamé m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé mɔnnɛn "Sunday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Sunday".

Kouassi m Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.

Kouassi m 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".

Kpadia m Ijaw
Meaning unknown. It was the name of an Ijaw king.

Kponoabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "honour god" in Ibibio.

Kromanti m African
War god of ghana

Kubanthree f South African, Indian
South Africans of Indian origin... [more]

Kuchanua f Swahili
Means "blossom" in Swahili.

Kuda m & f African (?)
Means "love" in Zimbabwe.

Kudakwashe m & f Shona, Southern African
Means "the Lord's will" in Shona.

Kudirat f Yoruba
Possibly from the Yoruba kúdírátù meaning "power".

Kudzai m & f Shona
Means "respect" in Shona.

Kudzaishe f Shona
Means "respect God" in Shona.

Kudzanayi m & f Shona
Means "respect each other" in Shona.

Kudzoka f Shona
Means "to come back" in Shona.

Kufara f Shona
Means "happiness" in Shona.

Kufreabasi m & f Ibibio, Efik
Means "do not forget God" in Ibibio and Efik.

Kuhlula m & f Tsonga
Means "win" in Xitsonga.

Kulani m & f South African

Kuma f Efik
Means "I'm still in love with you" in Efik.

Kumba f African
A name given to the second girl child from a tribe in the Lofa county of Liberia by the kissi tribes.

Kundai f Shona
Means "overcome" in Shona.

Kunombarang m & f Afizere
Means "God has added" in Afizere.

Kunyonywa m Nyakyusa
Means "you need" in Nyakyusa.

Kurai m African

Kurhula m Tsonga
Means "peace" in Xitsonga.

Kurisani f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga kurisa meaning "increase".

Kuroyefa m & f Western African, Ijaw
Means "nothing is difficult in life" in Ijaw.

Kurwa f & m Swahili
Means "first of twins" in Swahili.

Kusayla m Berber (Anglicized)
Kusayla or koceïla or kasîla was a berber chief from the end of the 7th century.

Kuseka f Shona
Means "to laugh" in Shona.

Kusiima m Ganda (Modern), Swahili, Kiga
Means "thankful" in Swahili, Kiga, and Ganda.

Kutenda f & m Shona
Means "faith" or "to thank" in Shona.

Kutha m Chewa
Means "destiny" in Chewa.

Kutlwano f Sotho
Means "mutual understanding" in Sesotho.

Kuttayibe m Nigerian, Kanuri
Kanuri form of Qutaybah.

Kuvhanganani m & f Venda
Means "come together" in Tshivenda.

Kuwala m & f Chewa
Means "shining light" in Chewa.

Kuwame m Akan
Means "Saturday" in Akan.

Kuyana f Kongo
"person supported or who comes to support, support, protect something"

Kuyikabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "do not doubt god" in Ibibio.

Kuziva m & f African
Zimbabwe/Shona

Kuzivakwashe f Shona
Means "God's will" in Shona.

Kwada m Bariba
Means "last son of the throne" in Bariba.

Kwamboka f Gusii
From Ekegusii tamboka, "to cross over"

Kwamena m Akan
variant of Kwame

Kwanaya f Shona
Meaning “it has rained”, rain is seen as a symbol of new life as its waters are a source of nourishment for natural life.

Kwanele m Zulu
Means “enough” in Zulu.

Kwatisa f Tsonga
Means "made furious" in Xitsonga.

Kwayedza m & f Shona
Meaning “the sunlight or morning light has dawned” or “the sunrise has dawned”.

Kwena m & f Sotho
Means "crocodile" in the Sotho and Tswana languages. This name is chiefly used by Northern Sotho people.

Kwestantinos m Ge'ez
Ge'ez form of Constantinus (see Constantine). This name was borne by two medieval emperors of Ethiopia.

Kwizera f Rwandan

Kxamshe f Southern African, San (Bushmen), !Kung
Possibly means "mouth" in !Kung (a Khoi-San language) coming from the word kxám.

Kyaun m & f Hausa
Means "beautiful" in Hausa.

Kyerewaa f Western African (Rare)

Kyha f African (Modern), Indigenous American (Modern)
Variant of Kaia

Kyómugisha f Kiga
Means "something that brings luck" in Rukiga.

Laal-ì m & f Sidamo
Means "grow!" in Sidama.

Laamiiɗo m Fula
A Fulani honorific term, derived from the root laamu, meaning “leadership”

Laazis m Tiv
Mr laazis is an english name of a gospel singer

Lacina m Western African

Ladan f Somali
A name that means "healthy."

Laeeqah f South African

Lafia m & f Yoruba
Means "life". ... [more]

Lafiya f Hausa
Means "health" in Hausa.

Lah m Ogoni
Means "second son" in Khana.

Lahari m & f Dagbani
It means "Sunday Born"

Laheli f Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Rachel.

Lahja f Southern African

Lailati f Indonesian, Swahili
Derived from Arabic لَيْل (layl) meaning "night".

Laini f Swahili
Means "fine, soft, smooth" in Swahili.

Lakhela f Swazi

Lakia f African
Means "treasure" in Swahili.

Lakiwe f Zulu

Lalla f Berber
This name means "Lady"... [more]

Lameck m African
Variant of Lamech.

Lamessa m Oromo
It is spoken by the Oromo people in Ethiopia. The meaning of the name come from Lama; which means two. And Lamessa means "the second." It is a name given to a person that comes next to the first born: male or female in the family.

Lami m Eastern African, Oromo
Means 'nation' in Oromo.

Lami f Hausa
From the Hausa Àlhàmîs meaning “Thursday”.

Lamidi m Yoruba
Yoruba form of the Arabic name الحميد al-Hamid (see Hamid 1).

Lamido m Fula (Anglicized), Nigerian
Anglicized form of Laamiiɗo.

Lamin m African
Given to the first born boy in The Gambia

Laminde f Hausa
Etymology uncertain. Traditionally given to girls born on Thursdays.

Lamine m Western African, Arabic (Maghrebi)
Form of Al-Amin used in parts of western Africa as well as an Arabic alternate transcription chiefly used in northern Africa.

Lamrot f Amharic
Means beautiful or knowledgable. Also common as a surname in Ethiopia.

Landi f Afrikaans
Short from of Yolandi. This name is borne by South African model Landi Swanepoel (b. 1979).

Landzani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga landza meaning "follow".

Langa m Zulu
From Zulu ilanga "sun, sunshine, day".

Langalibalele m Zulu
Means "shining sun" in Zulu.

Langavi m & f Tsonga
Means "flame" in Xitsonga.

Langelihle f & m Zulu
Means "beautiful day" in Zulu.

Langutani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga languta meaning "look".

Lansana m Eastern African

Laraba f Hausa
Derived from the Arabic رَابِعَة‎ (rābiʿa) meaning "fourth". This name is traditionally given to girls born on Wednesdays.

Lassam m Southern African

Latir m Serer
Meaning "chief" or "landowner"

Latorunwa f Yoruba
Means "one who has descended from heaven" in Yoruba.

Laurian f English (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Laurianne.

Laurienne f French (Rare), French (Quebec, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), French (Belgian, Rare)
French form of Lauriana, which is occasionally used in non-francophone countries.

Laurika f Afrikaans, Slovak
Afrikaans elaboration and Slovak diminutive of Laura. Laurika Rauch is a South African singer who performs in both Afrikaans and English.

Lauritta f Nigerian

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]

Layomi m & f Yoruba
It means God is my joy in Yoruba

Leabua m Sotho
Means "one who speaks" in Sotho.

Leago m & f Tswana
Means "His (God's) alter" in Setswana.

Leana f Sotho
It’s raining

Leandri f Afrikaans
Possibly a variant of Leandra.

Lebari m Ogoni

Lebia f Ogoni
Means "pretty girl/ lady" or "good girl/lady" in Khana,... [more]

Lebna f & m Amharic
Means "spirit, essence" in Amharic.

Leeanne f African

Leensaa f Ethiopian

Lefa m Sotho
Means "inheritance" in Sotho.

Lefika m Sotho
“My Rock” It’s used in Lesotho and South Africa

Legakwa f Tswana
Means "crystal" in Setswana.

Leihlo-larona m & f Sotho
Our eye

Lekia m Ogoni
Means "good journey" in Khana.

Lelosa f Nigerian
Means "Follow God." in Benin; an ethnic group in Nigeria.

Lemogang m Tswana, Sotho
A known bearer is South African actor Lemogang Tsipa (1991-), who was born to a Pedi father and a Tswana mother.

Lemohang m Sotho
Means "take cognisance" in Sesotho.

Lemta f Berber
Etymology unknown. This is the name of the mythological mother of the Tuaregs.

Lenana m & f Eastern African
Lenana was a famous Maasai Laibon (Spiritual Leader) bearing the name.

Lenganji m & f Mwanga (Modern, Rare)

Lenneisha f African
a african bug

Lepita f South African (Rare)

Lera f & m Ogoni
Means "praise" in Khana,... [more]

Lerabari f & m Ogoni
Means "praise God" in Khana,... [more]

Lerata f South African

Lesedilaone f Tswana
Means "His (God's) light" in Setswana.

Lesegolame m & f Tswana
Means "my luck" in Setswana.

Leshay f African American (Rare), South African (Rare)
Variant of Lashay.

Letang m & f Tswana
Means "wait" in Setswana.

Letlanang m & f Tswana
Means "unite" in Setswana.

Letsatsi m Sotho
Means "sun" in Sotho.

Letticia f Afrikaans (Rare), South African (Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), Spanish (Mexican, Rare), Spanish (Latin American, Rare)
Variant of Leticia and Lettice.

Leverna f English (American), South African
Variant of Laverne.

Lewapi m Tswana
Means "sky" in Setswana.

Lewatle m Sotho
Means "ocean" in Sotho.

Leya f Central African, Southern African
Unknown origin. It is specially popular in the RD Congo, Zambia and Uganda.

Liani f English (Modern), Afrikaans

Lianie f Afrikaans

Lianja m & f Lingala, Central African, African Mythology
The name of a major demigod in the Lingala/Mongo-Nkundo mythology complex.

Liban m Arabic, Somali
The name Liban, meaning persevere in ancient arabic is prodominatley used in the northern region of Somalia (now Somaliland). Usually given to boys who are seen as handsome at birth.

Libanza m Lingala

Lifalakhe f Ndebele
Means "her inheritance" in Ndebele.

Liibaan m Somali
Means "victory, winning" in Somali.

Likanos m African, Ethiopian

Liksia m Central African (Rare, ?)

Lilandi f Afrikaans

Lilanie f South African, Afrikaans

Lilitha f Xhosa
Means "light" in Xhosa.

Limakatso f Sotho
Means "surprises" in Lesotho.

Linda m Zulu
Means "wait!" in Zulu (note that this is the imperative singular form of -linda).

Lindelani f Zulu
Means "wait, be patient" in Zulu.

Lindia f English, South African (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Elaboration of Linda.

Lindima m Nyakyusa
Means "tremble, roar" in Nyakyusa.

Lingadani f Ndebele
Means "don't be sad" in Ndebele.

Linja f German (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Linmaré f South African (Modern, Rare)
Combination of Lynn and Maré, a variant of Marie.

Lipalesa f Sotho
Means "flowers" in Lesotho.

Lisanga m & f Lingala
Means "united" in Lingala.

Lithea f South African

Litšehoana m & f Sotho
Means "little laughter" in Sotho.

Livhuwani m & f Venda
Means "be thankful" in Tshivenda.

Livona f African

Liya f Eastern African, Ethiopian
Possibly an Amharic form of Leah. It is borne by Ethiopian model Liya Kebede (1978-).

Liyabona f & m Xhosa
Means "it sees" or "you see" in Xhosa, sometimes taken from the phrase liyabona igama le Nkosi meaning "the name of the eye of God".

Liyana f Zulu, English (Modern, Rare)
Directly taken from Zulu liyana "it is raining". As an English name, it is a variant of Liana.

Liyema f & m Xhosa
Means "to stop" or "to stand, to be standing" in Xhosa, often taken from the phrase liyema ikhaya "the home is standing" to indicate stability in the family.

Locardia f African (Rare), English (Rare)
Locardia Ndandarika (1945-) is a Zimbabwean sculptor, the first woman in her country to take up stone carving professionally.

Lodya f Ganda

Lola m & f Lingala
Means "heaven" in Lingala.

Lolia f Ijaw
Means "star" in Ijaw.

Lomana m Central African
Trésor Lomana LuaLua (/ˈtrɛzɔr ləˈmɑːnə luːˌɑːluːˈɑː/; born 28 December 1980) is a Congolese footballer who plays for Turkish Süper Lig club Akhisar Belediyespor and the Congo DR national team.

Lonwabo m South African

Looyaan m Somali
Means "unconsciously" in Somali.

Looyan m Somali
Refers to an advocate or one who resolves disputes.

Loraina f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), French (Rare), Italian (Rare), Spanish (Latin American, Rare)
Variant of Lorraine.

Lorato f & m Tswana
Means "love" in Tswana.

Lorica f Romanian, Afrikaans

Lorika f Afrikaans
Variant of Laurika.

Lotambii'n m Igbo
Used by the Igbo fiction charachter Uzochi Lotambii'n Ihejirika, and has no meaning.

Louzanne f Afrikaans

Lovedelia f South African (Rare)

Loza f Amharic
The Amharic form of Luz, the name of a place in the Bible where it is believed Jacob saw his ladder.

Lual m African

Lubabalo m Xhosa
Means "it is grace" or "grace of God" in Xhosa.

Lucea f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Luchulumancolwenkosi f Xhosa
This name is a scared name. Taken from words the Ancient King of the AmaMpondomise clan King Vukuzumbethe. He used to say “ lulo uchulumanco lwenkosi” which meant “this is God’s happiness”... [more]

Lucricia f South African, English (American)
Variant of Lucretia.

Lufima f Kongo (Rare)
A feminine Kongo name from Dessin Animée congolais.

Lugano m Kaguru
Means "much" in Chikaguru.

Lukhanyo m South African

Lukhona m & f Zulu (Modern)
Means "it's available" in Zulu.

Lukinda m & f Kongo

Luladay f Ge'ez
Etymology uncertain.

Lulia f Tigrinya, Various
Said to mean "Diamond" in Tigrinya. Of Eritrean origin, this name gained some popularity around the world.

Lunia f Kongo
Delicacy of taste

Lunja f Berber (Rare)
Lunja stands for a fairytale princess.

Lusajo m Nyakyusa
Means "blessings" in Nyakyusa.

Lusea f Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Lucea.

Lusinda f English, South African
Variant of Lucinda.

Lutalo m Ganda
Famous bearer is Lutalo Muhammad (born 1991) a British taekwondo athlete.

Luthando m & f Southern African, Xhosa
Means "it's love" in Xhosa.

Luula f Somali

Luya f Xhosa
Diminutive form of Luyanda.

Luyanda m & f South African, Zulu, Xhosa
Means "it is growing, increasing" in Zulu and Xhosa, referring to love or the child’s family.

Luyando m & f Tonga
Means “To Love” in Tonga. Related to the Tongan name Yandwa.

Luyindama m Kongo
Also congolese footballer Christian Luyindama.

Lwando m Southern African
Transferred use of the surname Lwando.

Lwazi m South African, Zulu
Means "knowledge" in Zulu.

Lwiza f Ancient Berber, Berber
Means "lemon verbena" in Amazigh (species Aloysia citrodora).

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]

ǂMa f Khoekhoe

Maame f Central African (Latinized, Rare)
Maame comes from Africa, and is said to mean 'pearl', or 'mother', depending on the variation.

Maammarou m Songhai, Western African
Songhai form of Mamur.

Maana f Somali
Possibly a variant of Maanah.... [more]

Maanda m & f Venda
Means "power, stength" in Tshivenda.

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.

Maatla f Tswana
Means "strength, power" in Setswana.

Maax m Somali
Maax (pronounced "Mah-ah") is a Somali name. It is not one of the most common names but is still recognized within the Somali community. Somali names often have meanings tied to culture, nature, or qualities.

Mabasen m & f Khoekhoe
Name mainly used by damara speaking people in Namibia.The name means "stand for yourself" used to encourage and teach an individual independance.

Mabasi f Tswana
Mabasi is an African Tswana Name... [more]

Mabayoje m & f Yoruba
Means "do not destroy joy" in Yoruba.

Mabinty f Western African

Mabior m Dinka, African Mythology
Means "white bull" in Dinka. The white bull is the most prized and is sought after for sacrifices in celebration.

Mabok m Dinka
Means "grey bull" in Dinka.

Mabratu m Amharic
Means "his lamp" in Amharic.

Mabvuto m & f Nsenga
Name given to a child born when there was trouble/problem in the family or community. For instance war, drought, pestilence

Macammád m Afar
Afar form of Muhammed.

Machanda m & f Nyoro
Machanda is the Bunyoro month where sesame seeds are planted and sown.

Machar m Dinka
Means "black bull" in Dinka. Black bulls are the second most important for sacrifices.

Machie m & f Nigerian
Meaning the "replacement of a lost gem"

Machiveyi f Shona
"What do you seek or covert?" Situational name given in circumstance where family has covetous neighbours or kin.

Madaha f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "grace".

Madaya f Guanche, Berber (Archaic)
From Guanche *madăyya, meaning "beautiful thing to see". Besides the Canary Islands, this name was also used in Northern Africa.