Central African Submitted Names

Central African names include those from Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equitorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo. 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.
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.
Ahamat m Thai (Muslim), Central African
Form of Ahmad used in Thailand and central Africa.
Ahmat m Indonesian, Malay, Central African
Indonesian and Malay form of Ahmad, also used in Chad.
Akoma m & f Central African, African Mythology
Akoma is the creator god of Pahuin mythology. His name Means “creator” in Pahuin, a common language in parts of São Tomé and Principe, southern Cameroon, much of northern Gabon, and mainland Equatorial Guinea.
Alongi m & f Lingala
Means "victorious" in Lingala.
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".
Ashu m & f Kenyang, Jagham
From Kenyang sǒ meaning "wash, clean, clear." Alternatively it could stem from the verb sǔ in Ejagham which has the same meaning.
Atem f & m Jagham, Kenyang
Means "friends" in Jagham and Kenyang as it's the plural of ǹ-tèm meaning "friend".
Ayah f & m Jagham, Kenyang
From à-yà meaning "river" in Ejagham.
Ayamba f & m Jagham, Kenyang
Means "he/she opened the way" in Ejagham, used for the first of twins.
Ayana f Kongo
support, protect, sustain
Ayani m Kongo
"helpers, protectors, those who support, support or protect" comes from the verb kuyana
Ayuk m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Means "they have heard" in Jagham and Kenyang, from the pronoun and root á meaning "they" and yúk meaning "to hear".
Badiambila m & f Luba
Means "let them speak among themselves" in Luba-Kasai.
Badinabi f Central African, Luba
Means "they have riches" in Luba-Kasai.
Bajikijayi m & f Central African, Luba-Kasai
Means "finish" or "destroy them" in Luba-Kasai.
Bakome m Lingala
Means “they are written” in Lingala.
Baleba f Luba
Means "they have birthed" in Luba-Kasai, one of the Luba languages.
Benkos m Central African, Manding, Afro-American (Slavery-era)
Benkos Biohó (died 1621), also known as Domingo Biohó, was said to have been born in either the Democratic Republic of Congo or Angola, where he was seized by the Portuguese slaver Pedro Gomez Reynel, sold to businessman Juan Palacios, and later, after transportation to what is now Colombia in South America, sold again to the Spaniard Alonso del Campo in 1596, in Cartagena de Indias... [more]
Betang m & f Kenyang
Derived from bɛtaŋ meaning "power" in Kenyang.
Beteck m & f Kenyang
From bɛtɨk meaning "work" in Kenyang.
Bismack m Central African, English (African)
Possibly a variant of Bismarck. This is borne by Congolese basketball player Bismack Biyombo (1992-).
Boboto m & f Lingala
Means "peace" in Lingala.
Bokele m Lingala
Bokele is the name of Lonkundo’s dad in Mongo mythology.
Bompaka m & f Kongo
Means "old age" in Kikongo
Bondeko m Lingala
Means "brotherhood" in Lingala.
Bonduwa f Lingala, African Mythology
Bonduwa was Lonkundo’s first wife in the Mongo mythology complex.
Bonga m Mbundu
Means "he who is looking" in Mbundu.
Bote m Kongo
The first given name of the German footballer Ridle Baku.
Busine f Punu
Means "wealth, richness, well-being" in Punu.
Chyà m Central African
A Kom name.
Clementiane f Central African, Southern African
It is a variant of the name Clementine, corresponding with Clementine's other variants.
Dia f African, Mbama
Means "love" in Lembaama.
Diambu m Central African
Means "quiet warrior".
Diba f Luba
Means "sun" in Tshiluba language spoken in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dikembe m Central African
From Dikembe Mutombo (born June 25, 1966) a Congolese American retired professional basketball player who played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Outside basketball, he has become known for his humanitarian work.
Dimena f Lingala
Means “to be close, to be nearby” in Lingala.
Diya f African, Mbama
Variant of Dia.
Dona f Kongo
Princess/ Queen
Dya f African, Mbama
Variant of Dia.
Edji m Central African
"What I wanted"
Elikya f & m Lingala
A Lingala word meaning "hope".
Elombe m Lingala
Means "brave one" in Lingala.
Elonga f Lingala
Means "victory" in Lingala.
Esengo m & f Lingala
Means "joy" in Lingala.
Eta m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Derived from ɛ́tá meaning "father" in Kenyang.
Evaleni f Jagham
This name originates from the Legbo, a language spoken by people from Ekoi tribe in Cross River. It means "God's gift".
Eyong m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Derived from ɛyɔŋ meaning "word, voice" in Jagham and Kenyang.
Fɨnyuyn f Central African
Means "bird" in Kom.
Fuani f Kongo
Kongo form of Fanny.
Fula-ngenge m Kongo
1) "one who is chosen by GOD to control the destiny of those who are less fortunate" in Lingala... [more]
Fumu m Kongo
Means "king" in Kikongo.
Hadidja f Central African, Comorian
Form of Khadija used in Central Africa and the Comoros.
Ikolo m Lingala
Means “chief, leader” in Lingala.
Ilánkaka f Lingala, African Mythology
Ilankaka means ‘the sun maiden’. She is one of the main characters in the Mongo mythology complex. She is the estranged wife of Lonkundo.
Kabanga m Luba
Means "the second-born or youngest twin" in Luba.
Kalala m & f Luba
Kamanyi m & f Lunda
Means "prosperity from hard work" in Lunda.
Kamfunti m & f Lunda
Means "the one who has come back" in Lunda.
Kamini m Lingala
A famous bearer is French singer Kamini Zantoko (1979-) of Congolese ancestry.
Kampata f Lingala
Means “campus” in Lingala.
Kasinda f Kongo
Means “child who was born at dawn” in Kikongo.
Katuma m Luba
Derived from the Luba word kàtùmà meaning "last-born of triplets", ultimately from the word tùmà meaning "to send". Superstition suggests that third-born children with this name, because of their name, should not be sent on errands or deliveries.
Kembo m Kongo
Means "heaven" in Kongo.
Kenaya f & m Lingala
Kembo Na Yawé ; Glory of God
Kengani m Kongo
Kengani is an African language, that belongs to Bantu people, designated from Congo kingdom in area that now is called Angola(Uige province).Which is used for Kings, liders, Boss, or heroes.... [more]
Kia f Kongo
Powerful
Kihani m Kongo
First King
Kiminu f Central African
Kikongo for "faith".
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.
Kinuani m & f Lingala
'adventure'
Kiona f Kongo
Soul crusher
Kitoko m & f Lingala
Means "beautiful" in Lingala.
Kivuvu f & m Central African
Kikongo for "hope".
Kokolo m Kongo
Of unknown meaning.
Kulukulu m & f Central African
Unknown meaning. It has seen some usage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Kuyana f Kongo
"person supported or who comes to support, support, protect something"
Lèo m Central African
Congolese form of Leo and the French equivalent Léo.
Leya f Central African, Southern African
Unknown origin. It is specially popular in the RD Congo, Zambia and Uganda.
Lianja m & f Lingala, Central African, African Mythology
The name of a major demigod in the Lingala/Mongo-Nkundo mythology complex.
Lidiě f Lingala (Rare)
Lingala form of Lidia.
Liel m Kongo
Liel means intelligence in Kikongo
Lisanga m & f Lingala
Means "united" in Lingala.
m Central African
A Kom name.
Lokenio m Lingala, African Mythology
Lokenio is a prince in Nkundo mythology. His name doesn’t have a known meaning.
Lola m & f Lingala
Means "heaven" in Lingala.
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.
Lufima f Kongo (Rare)
A feminine Kongo name from Dessin Animée congolais.
Lukeny m & f Central African, Mbundu
Means "little mouse" in the Kimbundu language of Angola.
Lumingu m Kongo
Means "Sunday" in Kikongo.
Lunia f Kongo
Delicacy of taste
Luwi m & f Lunda
Means "mercy, kindness" in Lunda.
Luyindama m Kongo
Also congolese footballer Christian Luyindama.
Maame f Central African (Latinized, Rare)
Maame comes from Africa, and is said to mean 'pearl', or 'mother', depending on the variation.
Mafuta m & f Lingala
Means "oil" in Lingala.
Mahamat m Central African, Thai (Muslim)
Form of Muhammad used in central Africa and Thailand.
Makambo m Lingala
Means "things" in Lingala.
Makana m Kongo
The first given name of the German football player Makana Baku.
Makanga m & f Kongo, African Mythology
Means “Wise Person” in Kongo.
Makiadi m & f Kongo
Means "misfortune" in Kikongo.
Makiese m & f African, Kongo
Means "happiness" in Kikongo.
Malundama f Kongo
Means "hidden things" in Kikongo.
Manoka m & f Kongo
Means "rain" in Kikongo.
Matadi m & f Kongo
Means "stone" in Kikongo.
Matondo m Kongo
Means "thanksgiving" in Kikongo.
Mavika f Kongo
A Bisingombe and Mboma feminine name.
Mayangi m & f Kongo (Modern)
Means "joy; happiness" in Kongo.
Mayela f Kongo
Intelligent
Mayingi f & m Kongo
Nicknamed: Yingi
Mbala m Central African
From Mbala Mbuta Biscotte, a Congolese soccer player
Mbi m & f Kenyang
Means "road" in Kenyang.
Mbia m & f Kenyang, Jagham
From Kenyang ḿbyáy meaning "pumpkin leaves", a plant species indigenous to Southern Nigeria.
Mbomela m & f Lingala, Luba
Means "sixth born child" in Lingala and Luba.
Mbù f Central African
A Kom name.
Mbuyi m Luba
Derived from the Luba word mbùùyì meaning "the firstborn of twins".
Mbwui m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Corruption of m̀-búi meaning "goat."
Menji m Kongo
"Wisdom"
Menkam m Bamileke, African
noble child, ... [more]
Mita f Bamileke
Bagangte, Cameroon
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.
Mohombi m Central African
From Mohombi Nzasi Moupondo, known professionally as Mohombi, a Swedish-Congolese singer-songwriter and dancer.
Mosantu m & f Lingala
Variant of Santu.
Motema m & f Lingala
Means "heart" in Lingala.
Mudiso m Kongo
Kongo form of Maurice and Morris.
Muzowa m & f Lunda
Means "rainy day" in Lunda.
Naïvane f Kongo
Naïvane means: the one I gave in Kikongo
Namibia f Kongo
Shield
Namiri m Kongo
Protector of the village
Ndomba m Luba
Means "ask me" in Luba-Kasai.
Ndombolo f Kongo
It is the name of a Congolese music genre and dance style derived from the Congolese Rumba and Kwassa Kwassa during 1990s.
Ndosi f Punu
Means "dream" in Punu.
Nduna m & f Southern African, Central African
Means "head (wo)man" in Luvale, languege spoken in Zambia and Angola.
Neerá f Kongo
Eternal Soul
Nekemiyah f Kongo
Comforted by God
Ngalula m & f Luba
Variant of Tshiandanda.
Ngondala f Kongo
Feminine form of Ngonda.
Ngondu m & f Luba
Means "moon" in Luba-Kasai.
Ngweji m Luba
Means "warrior; powerful man" in Luba-Kasai.
Njeinwei m Central African (Rare)
Rare first name from Cameroon.
Njiba m & f Luba
Means "stream, lake" in Luba-Kasai.
Nkanga m Central African
Kikongo for "eagle".
N’kelian m Kongo
N’Kelian means take care in Kikongo
Nkongho m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Means "follower, pursuant" from the Kenyang and Jagham root koŋó meaning "to follow".
Nordi m Central African
The given name of the French (with Congolese descendency) professional football player Nordi Mukiele.
Nsambanzary m Mbundu, Central African
Nsambanzary means strength, power. From Kimbundu the second-most-widely spoken Bantu language in Angola. It is concentrated in the north-west of the country including the Luanda Province, the Bengo Province, the Malange Province, and the Kwanza Norte Province.
Nsantu m & f Luba
Means "saint" in Luba-Kasai.
Nsimba m & f Congolese, Kongo, Ngombe, Mboma
Means "first-born twin" in Kongo and other Congolese languages. It is referred to the first-born child in a set of twins.
Nsongo f & m Lingala
Nsongo means ‘the sword’. It is the name of Lianja’s sister in the Lingala and Mongo-Nkundo mythology complex.
Nsuka f Kongo
Means "last born; youngest child" in Kongo.
Ntambwa m Luba
Means "lion" in Luba-Kasai.
Ntinu m Kongo
King
Ntui m & f Jagham, Kenyang
Derived from the Jagham and Kenyang word ntûfâm meaning "chief".
Nyampweji f Lunda
Means "streams of tears" in Lunda.
Nyota f Swahili, Lingala
Derived from Swahili and Lingala nyota meaning "star".
Nzaya f Kongo
knowledge
Nzembo m & f Lingala
Means "song" in Lingala.
Nzuzi m & f Kongo
Means "second born twin" in Kikongo.
Obasi m Jagham, Kenyang
Derived from ò-βàsì meaning "God" in Jagham, Kenyang and various Ekoid languages.
Powamana f Lunda
Means "beautiful woman" in Lunda.
Romelu m Central African (Modern, Rare)
This name is best known for being the name of the Belgian professional soccer player Romelu Lukaku (b. 1993), who is the eldest son of the Congolese professional soccer player Roger Menama Lukaku (b... [more]
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.
Sakuwaha m Lunda
Means "handsome man" in Lunda.
Samba f Luba
Means "to console" in Luba-Kasai.
Santu m & f Lingala
Means "saint" in Lingala.
Sefeniya f Kongo
God has hidden
Songa'nzila f Kongo
Means “the guide” in Kongo.
Sorelle f Central African
Unknown, possibly an invented name with the suffix -elle. It is specially popular in Cameroon.
Stanilde f Medieval English, Central African (Rare), English (Rare)
Means "Stone battle". It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon elements stan 1 meaning "Stone", and hild meaning "Battle".
Tambwe m Luba
Means "tiger" in Luba-Kasai.
Tcham m Central African
From Tcham N'Toya-Zoa (born 3 November 1983 in Kinshasa, DR Congo),a French-Congolese footballer.
Tchianga m Central African
Means "helper" in Fe'Fe', spoken in Cameroon.
Tiya f & m Kongo
Flame
Tonny m & f Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Dutch, Central African
Variant of Toni 1 and Toni 2, which are short forms of Anton and Antonia respectively... [more]
Tonta f Bamileke
Bagangte, Cameroon
Tshala f Luba
Meaning unknown. It comes from the Tshiluba language, spoken in DR Congo.
Tshela m & f Central African
Western Luba unisex name derived from the phrase cyela makàsà meaning "enfant born feet first".
Tshianda m & f Luba
Short form of Tshiandanda.
Tshiandanda m & f Luba
This name is given by Luba people when the newborn has at least four older siblings of the opposite gender.
Tshibola m & f Luba
Means "rotten" in Luba-Kasai.
Tshilobu m & f Luba
Means "brave" in Luba-Kasai.
Tshilongo m Luba
Means "flower" in Luba-Kasai.
Tshintu m & f Luba
Means "big object" in Luba-Kasai.
Tunani m Central African
Middle name of soccer player Benik Afobe.
Tutonda m Kongo
Means "to thank" in Kongo.
Tutondele m Kongo
Means "we thank you" in Kongo.
Urirasera f Central African, Bantu
Himba name of uncertain meaning.
Veliana f Kongo
Veliana means youthful in Kikongo
Visolela f & m Central African
From a proverb, meaning "good judgement". Origin is from the Ovimbundu of Angola. Ovisolela violomupa; vi pungula viopongala. English: Longing are Waterfalls; those you pick over are of the drying trays.
Wisi m & f Punu, African
Means "dawning" in Punu.
Wisliane m Kongo
Rich in Gold
Yaviche m Kongo
I confirm
Yawe m Theology, Lingala (Rare)
Lingala form of Yahweh.
Yenge f Kongo
Means "peace" in Kikongo.
Yesa f & m Punu
Means "chance, luck" in Punu.
Ytu f & m Punu, African
Means "hope" in Punu.
Zahina f Kongo
Knowing
Zaïre m Kongo
Zaïre means the river that never swallows in Kikongo
Zambo m Central African, Eastern African
Is a popular given name for boys in many West Central African nations. Also the name of an Italian Safari crime drama film and the duology of jungle themed Bollywood mad scientist films that inspired the Captive Wild Woman series.
Zohari m Kongo
Sunrise
Zolana f Kongo
Lover of hearts
Zolani f Kongo
Zolani means loving in Kikongo
Zuna f Lingala
Means "to be sweet" in Bangi, the main lexical source of Lingala.