Eastern African Submitted Names

Eastern African names include those from Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. 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.
Aadaan m Somali
Somali form of Adhan.
Aadam m Urdu, Somali, Estonian
Urdu, Somali, and Estonian form of Adam.
Aaden m Somali
Somali form of Adam.
Aamiina f Somali
Somali form of Aminah 1.
Abadir m Near Eastern Mythology, Coptic (Bohairic), Coptic (Sahidic), Arabic (Archaic), Ethiopian, Somali (Archaic)
Means "mighty father". This was a Phoenician name for the highest deity. It was borne by a legendary Coptic saint who was martyred with his sister Irais (or Iraja, Herais, Rhais).
Abaynesh f Amharic
Means "you are the Nile" in Amharic.
Abderemane m Comorian
Comorian form of Abd al-Rahman.
Abdiaziiz m Somali
Somali form of Abdul Aziz
Abdikadir m Eastern African, Somali
Somali form of Abd al-Qadir, used outside of Somalia.
Abdillah m Indonesian, Malay, Comorian
Indonesian, Malay and Comorian variant of Abd al-Ilah.
Abdirahim m Somali
Somali form of Abdurrahim.
Abdirizak m Somali
Somali form of Abdur Razzaq. A notable bearer was the Abdirizak Haji Hussein (1924–2014), the former Prime Minister of Somalia.
Abdu m Swahili
Abdu is a name of Swahili origin meaning worshipper of God and the vowel at the end makes it sound like Abdul
Abdulkadir m Eastern African, Somali
Somali form of Abd al-Qadir, used outside of Somalia.
Abdullahi m Somali, Nigerian
Form of Abdullah used in Somalia and Nigeria.
Abduwali m Uyghur, Somali
Uyghur and Somali form of Abd al-Wali.
Abebech f Amharic, Ethiopian
Feminine form of Abebe.
Abedikani m & f Alur
Means "Where do I stay?" in Alur language. It is given to someone who is born to a parent or parents who are disliked by, or in conflict with, their familymembers or community.
Aber f & m Alur
Means "I'm better" or "I'm good" in Alur language.
Abera m Ethiopian
Means "light" or "he shines". Used as both a given name and a surname.
Abigaili f Biblical, Swahili
Swahili form of Abigail.
Abikanile f Yao
Meaning "listen" in Yao.
Abiy m Amharic
Means "father's joy" in Amharic.
Aboyo f Luo
Means "one who saunters" in Luo.
Abreham m Ethiopian
Ethiopian form of Abraham.
Abrihet f Tigrinya
Means "light" in Tigrinya.
Abshir m Somali
Means "congratulation" in Somali.
Abuk f African Mythology, Dinka
In Dinka mythology (south Sudan), the first woman. She is the patron goddess of women and gardens. Her emblem is a little snake. She is the mother of Deng (Danka).
Abukar m Somali, Ingush
Somali and Ingush form of Abu Bakr.
Abukar m Arabic, Somali
Possibly means "father of the unique".
Abungu f Luo
Means "of the forest" in Luo.
Abush m Oromo
Means, 'little boy' often used to denote the youngest child of a family.
Abuto f Luo
Means "I have hidden" in Luo.
Abyan m Somali
From the Somali word Abyee which translates to "to complete or to perfect"
Acan f & m Alur
Means "I suffer" in Alur language. The name may be given to a child born when the parents were experiencing poverty or suffering.
Achan f Dinka
Means "female child in the first pair of twins" in Dinka.
Adamu m Amharic, Swahili, Hausa
Amharic, Swahili, and Hausa form of Adam.
Adanech f Amharic
Means "she saved" or "she rescued" or "she has rescued them" in Amharic.
Addimew m Amharic
Means "invite him" in Amharic.
Addis f & m Amharic, Ethiopian
Derived from Amharic አዲስ (addis) "new".
Addisu m Ethiopian
Means "the new one".
Adede f Luo
Means "grasshopper" in Luo.
Adhra f Swahili
Means "apology" in Swahili.
Adia f Igede, Swahili
Means "queen" in Igede and "(valuable) gift" in Swahili, from Hausa adia "gift".
Adiam f Ge'ez, Amharic
Possibly means "fair, pretty".
Adimu f Swahili
Means “rare” in Swahili.
Admase m Amharic
Means "my diamond" in Amharic.
Admassu m Amharic
Means "his horizon" in Amharic.
Admasu m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "his horizon" from Amharic አድማስ (admas) meaning "horizon".
Adongo m & f Luo
Means "second of the twins" in Luo.
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]
Adugna m Ethiopian
Ethiopian name for men
Aduor f Eastern African, Luo
Means "born at dawn" in Luo.
Adut f Eastern African
This name is borne by Adut Akech Bior ( born 25 December 1999), a South Sudanese-Australian model.
Afeworq m Amharic
Means "mouth of gold" from Amharic አፍ (ʾäf) "mouth" and ወርቅ (wärḳ) "gold".
Afwerki m Tigrinya, Ethiopian
Means "mouth of gold" in Tigrinya.
Agwang f Luo
Means "wolf" in Luo.
Ahamada m Comorian
Comorian form of Ahmad.
Aijuka m Swahili
Aijuka means "he knew' or 'he understands' in reference to gaining knowledge & education.
Aika f Chaga
Aika is derived from Aikambe/Aikamai meaning thank you the Chagga language spoken by the Chagga people of the Mt. Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. ... [more]
Aimut m Amharic
Means "may he not die" in Amharic.
Ajuoga f Luo
Means "doctor" in Luo.
Akech f Luo
"birthed during a famine"
Akello f Luo
Means "born after twins" in Luo.
Aketch f Luo
Means "born during a famine" in Luo.
Akiiki f Luo, Nyoro, Tooro
A variant of Akiki, Meaning ‘friend’ in Luo, Nyoro and Tooro.
Akiki m Eastern African, Nkore
Means "friend" in Nkore, spoken in Uganda.
Akili m Swahili (Rare)
From Swahili akili meaning "mind, inteligence".
Aklilu m Tigrinya
Means "laurel wreath" in Tigrinya.
Akomo f Luo
"someone delivered during planting or prosperous times of the year"
Akoth f Luo
Feminine of Okoth, meaning born while it was raining
Alame m Amharic
Means "my world" in Amharic.
Alazar m Ethiopian
Ethiopian form of Eliezer.
Aleeki m Somali
Means "brave lion" in Somali.
Alek f Eastern African, Dinka
Means "black-and-white cow" in Dinka.... [more]
Alemu m Amharic
Means "they dreamt" in Amharic.
Alile f Yao
Means "she weeps" in Yao.
Alimazi f Amharic
Means "diamond" in Amharic.
Alitash f & m Ethiopian
Means "may I not lose you"
Almasi f Swahili
Means "diamond" in Swahili.
Almaz m & f Tatar, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Azerbaijani, Eastern African, Amharic
Means "diamond" in various languages, all derived from Persian الماس (almas). It is only used as a masculine name in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan while it is feminine in Azerbaijan and Ethiopia.
Aluoch f Luo
Means "born on overcast morning" in Luo.
Alworunga m Alur
Of uncertain meaning.
Amahoro m & f Rundi
From Amohoro meaning “Peace” in Rundi.
Aman m Tigrinya
Means "handsome" in Tigrinya.
Amani f Swahili
Means "peace" in Swahili.
Amani f Tigrinya
Means "faith" in Tigrinya.
Amanuel m Tigrinya
Variant of Emanuel.
Amanyire f & m Eastern African, Nyoro, Tooro, Nkore, Kiga
Means "God knows" in Nyoro, Tooro, Nkore, and Kiga.
Ambelu m & f Amharic
Possibly means "commander" in Amharic.
Ambesa m Ethiopian (Modern)
The meaning of this Ethiopian names is "lion".
Ambesa f Tigrinya
Means "lioness" in Tigrinya.
Ambilike m Nyakyusa
Means "He heard me" in Nyakyusa.
Amburo f Somali
Transferred use of the surname Amburo.
Amesemi f Eastern African, African Mythology
Amesemi was goddess of the ancient Kingdom of Kush, and wife of the god Apedemak.
Amibesa f Amharic
Means "lioness" in Amharic.
Amino f Somali, African
Somali variant of Amina.
Amleset f Tigrinya
Means "she made it return" in Tigrinya.
Amondi f Swahili
Swahili form of Amani.
Amron m Amharic
Meaning you wanted a certain masculine thing. Calling a baby boy Amron could mean that you wanted that baby.
Ananeya m Ethiopian (Modern, Archaic)
Originates from the name 'Hananiah'
Anasa f Swahili
Means "joy" in Swahili.
Anbesa m Amharic (Modern)
Means "Lion" in Amharic.
Anbessa m Tigrinya
Means "lion" in Tigrinya.
Andereya m & f Nyoro, Ganda, Kiga, Tooro
Nyoro, Ganda, Tooro and Kiga variant of Andrew and Andrea 2.
Andulile m Nyakyusa
Means "He helped me" in Nyakyusa.
Andwele m Swahili
Means "God brings me" in Swahili.
Angabiirwe m & f Kiga
Means "he/she was given to me" in Rukiga.
Angari f Eastern African, Kikuyu
Variant of Wangari. Also a surname.
Angavu m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "clear, lucid".
Angweng f Luo
"birthed during the season of white ants (termites, i.e. rainy season)"
Anindo f Luo
means that the mother slept a lot during pregnancy
Anoni m Swahili
Variation of Anno.
Anyang f Luo
Means "crocodile" in Luo.
Anyango f Luo
Meaning born in the mid morning
Aoro f Luo
"born during a very dry season"
Apiyo f Luo
"firstborn of twins"
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]
Araarsame m Somali
The name Araarsame is also rooted in Somali language and culture.... [more]
Aragsan f Somali
Means "see" in Somali.
Aranchi f Tigrinya
Means "orange (fruit)" in Tigrinya.
Araya m Tigrinya
Means "leader by example" in Tigrinya.
Armana f Tigrinya
Neans "our flag" in Tigrinya.
Arsema f Amharic
Amharic form of Hripsime.
Arusi f Swahili
Means "born at wedding time" in Swahili.
Asaba m & f Tooro
Asadi m Eastern African
Masculine name in the Rotooro language, Uganda East Africa.
Asali f Swahili
Means "honey" in Swahili.
Asani m Swahili
Means "rebellious" in Swahili.
Asanti f & m Swahili, African
means "thank you"
Asatira f Swahili
Means "history, legend" in Swahili.
Asegelile m Nyakyusa
Means "He is close to me" in Nyakyusa.
Ashegari f Amharic
Means "may he make you perfect" in Amharic.
Askale f Amharic (Rare)
Probably based on "Askal of Mary" (A type of flower).
Asli f Somali
Means "amber" in Somali.
Asmeret f Tigrinya
Means "united, unity" in Tigrinya.
Asmerom m Tigrinya
Eritrean and Tigray used name, the meaning is to unite.
Asmini f Swahili
Swahili form of Jasmin 1.
Assemahegn m Amharic
Means "you made me famous" in Amharic.
Assie f Oromo
varint of aussie
Aster f Amharic
Amharic form of Esther.
Astur f Somali
Means "repose, seclusion" in Somali.
Atepekoungo m Zulu, Esan, Kongo, Mossi, Tooro, Yao
First used by King Atepekoungo of the Kingdom of Äsikoluboru in modern day Zïare.
Athiambo f Luo
"born late in the evening". Thought to be an intelligent person.
Athumani m Swahili
Means "third one" in Swahili.
Atiena f Swahili
Means "guardian of the night" in Swahili.
Atimango f Alur
Means "What do I do?" in Alur language and may be given to someone who is born to parents who are facing an issue or problem.
Aturinda m & f Eastern African, Nkore
Means "He -God- protects us" in Nkole, spoken in Uganda.
Auma f Luo
"someone delivered with the face down or through the caesarean process"
Awash m Amharic
Means "lender" in Amharic.
Awet f Tigrinya
Means "victory" in Tigrinya.
Awino f Luo
Means "born with the cord around" in Luo.
Awiti f Luo
"someone birthed after a misfortune, such as a difficult birth process"
Awuor f Luo
Means "the greedy one" in Luo.... [more]
Ayan f Somali
Variant of Ayaan 2.
Ayana f Amharic
Means "beautiful flower" in Amharic.
Ayanle m Somali
Masculine form of Ayan 3.
Ayanleh m Eastern African
Means "lucky". This name spelling is most commonly used in Djibouti and is also used as a surname.
Ayelech f Amharic, Ethiopian
Means "she who is powerful" in Amharic.
Ayen f Dinka
Related with a specific kind of cow in Dinka language.
Ayou f Amharic, Ethiopian
Diminutive of Ayelech.
Ayuub m Somali
Somali form of Ayyub.
Azizi f & m African American (Rare), Swahili
Means "treasure, rarity, something valuable; lover" in Swahili, derived from Arabic عَزِيز‎ (ʕazīz); compare Aziz. A known (female) bearer is American model Azizi Johari (1948-), in whose case it is a pseudonym.
Azmera f Amharic
Means "harvest, crop" in Amharic.
Baall-ičč-a m Sidamo
Means "feathered one" in Sidama.
Baall-itt-e f Sidamo
Feminine form of Baall-ičč-a.
Bahari f & m Swahili
Means "sea" or "ocean" in Swahili.
Bahru m Amharic
Means "the sea" in Amharic.
Bahta m Tigrinya
Meaning unknown.
Bakaffa m Eastern African
Bakaffa (throne name Asma Sagad, later Masih Sagad Ge'ez መሲህ ሰገድ, "to whom the anointed bows") was nəgusä nägäst (May 18, 1721 – September 19, 1730) of Ethiopia, and a member of the Solomonic dynasty... [more]
Bale m Swahili
Means “yes, correct” in Swahili.
Balinda m Swahili
Means “guard” in Swahili.
Balondemu m Ganda
Means “they choose” in Luganda.
Banjaw m Amharic
Means "by his side" in Amharic.
Baraki m Amharic
Means "one who blesses" in Amharic.
Barre m Somali
A name that comes from the Somali word bare which means "teacher." Barre was the last name (meaning the first name of the grandfather of) Mohamed Siad Barre (Somali spelling: Maxamed Siyaad Barre). Siad Barre was the military ruler and president of Somali from 1969 until 1991.
Baruk m Ethiopian
Variant of Biruk.
Barwaaqo f Somali
Means "prosperity" in Somali.
Bašankʼ-a m Sidamo
Means "sorghum" in Sidama.
Bašankʼe f Sidamo
Feminine form of Bašankʼ-a.
Baseleyos m Amharic
Amharic form of Basileus.
Bashiir m Somali
Somali form of Bashir.
Batii f Oromo
Oromo name meaning "moon."
Batuulo f Somali
Somali form of Batul.
Baxsan f Somali
Means "escape" in Somali.
Bedalu m Amharic
Means "by His victory" in Amharic.
Befeqadu m Amharic
Means "by His will" in Amharic.
Bekelech f Amharic
Means "she flourished" in Amharic.
Belayneh m Eastern African, Amharic
It is an Amharic expression, which means "the new child is above all others". From the Amharic elements በላይ (belay) meaning "above" and ነህ (Neh) means "you".... [more]
Belendia m Amharic
Means "say it out loud" or "do it right" in Amharic.
Beliyu-work f Amharic
Means "especially gold" in Amharic.
Benmet m Amharic
Means "in confidence, with trust" in Amharic.
Bersabeh f Armenian, Amharic
Armenian and Amharic form of Bathsheba.
Beruk m Ethiopian
Variant of Biruk.
Beselot f Amharic
Means "gained through prayer" in Amharic.
Beshi m Amharic
Means "by thousands" in Amharic.
Betami f Amharic
Means "lovely" in Amharic.
Betelhem f Ethiopian, Amharic
Amharic form of Bethlehem.
Bethlehem f Ethiopian, English (Rare)
From a biblical place name meaning "house of bread" in Hebrew, the city where Jesus was born (see Bethlehem).
Beydaan f Somali
Somali feminine name taken directly from the ordinary vocabulary word for "almond", which is perhaps ultimately from Persian بادام (bâdâm) "almond".
Beyene m Amharic
Means "he decreed" in Amharic.
Beza f & m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "payment, redemption" in Amharic.
Bezawit f Amharic
Means "saviour" in Amharic.
Bibuwa m Swahili
Means “boss” in Swahili.
Bile m Somali
The name Bile is a traditional Somali name with deep cultural and historical significance. It is one of the most respected and ancient names in Somali history, often associated with strength, leadership, and resilience.... [more]
Bilen f Amharic
Means "iris" in Amharic.
Bilen f Tigrinya
Means "beautiful" in Tigrinya.
Bilihi m Amharic
Means “wise” in Amharic.
Birabiro f Amharic
Means "butterfly" in Amharic.
Biritu m Amharic
Means "brave" in Amharic.
Birru m Amharic
Means "the silver" in Amharic.
Biruk m Ethiopian, African
Transferred use of the surname Biruk, after the footballer Shai Biruk.
Biruktawit f Amharic
Originated from the Bible which means 'blessed' and is of Amharic origin
Bishisha f Rwandan
Means “they hide” in Kinyarwanda.
Bol m & f Dinka
Means "twin" in Dinka.
Boma m & f Swahili
Meaning "fort or enclosure". The word actually originates from Swahili and is traditionally known as an enclosure, a stockade or fort used to protect people's livestock (usually sheep and cattle).
Bomani m Yao
Means "warrior" in Yao.
Bootaan m Somali
The name Bootaan is of Somali origin and carries a powerful and positive meaning. In Somali, Bootaan is often associated with characteristics like strength, courage, and dignity. It's a traditional Somali name that reflects qualities admired in Somali culture, particularly in relation to leadership, bravery, and standing firm in the face of challenges.... [more]
Boro m & f Luo (Archaic)
One of the progenies of the Alego clans
Boruk m Ethiopian
Variant of Biruk.
Bruk m Amharic
Amharic form of Brock.
Bucumi f Rundi
Means "tenth child" in Kirundi.
Buk m & f Nuer
Bulungu f Ganda
Means “white, whiteness” in Luganda.
Burhaan m Somali, Arabic
Means "charisma" in Somali and "proof" in Arabic.
Busara f Swahili
Means "wisdom" in Swahili.
Buseje f Yao
Means "ask me" in Yao.
Buux m Somali
Means "full" in Somali.
Byamugisha m Kiga
Means "things of luck" in Rukiga.
Byénáama m Kiga
Means "things of secrets" in Rukiga.
Caa'isha f Somali (Rare)
Somali variant of Aisha.
Cabaas m Somali
Somali form of Abbas.
Cabdi m Eastern African, Somali
Somali form of Abdi.
Cabdille m Somali
Somali form of Abdullah.
Cabdullahi m Somali
Somali form of Abdullahi.
Cadnaan m Somali
Somali form of Adnan.
Cámad m Afar
Afar form of Hamad.
Canab f Somali
Means "grape" in Somali.