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.
Cartan m Somali
The name Cartan may be linked to terms or concepts in Somali language that emphasize strength or steadfastness, though its exact root is difficult to pinpoint. Many Somali names are descriptive, referring to virtues or traits that parents hope their child will embody, such as courage or leadership.
Caweys m Somali
Means "night" in Somali.
Cawil m Somali
A name that means "replacement." A family may give the name to a male whose father or older brother has died.
Cawo f Somali
A name that comes from the Somali word cawo which means "luck." Outside of Somalia, Somalis may spell it as Awo.
Caynaanshe m Somali
Means "cotton" in Somali.
Čʼena m Sidamo
Means "little" in Sidama.
Chaltu f Eastern African, Oromo
Means "being the best of the best" in Oromo.
Chamsia f Eastern African
Possibly a Comorian form of Shams. A notable bearer is Comorian singer Chamsia Sagaf (1955-).
Chan m Dinka
Means "male child in the first pair of twins" in Dinka.
Chaniya f Swahili
Means "wealthy" in Swahili.
Chausiki f Swahili
Means "born at night" in Swahili.
Cheja f Kaguru
Means "we came" in Chikaguru.
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]
Chepkirui f Kalenjin
Means "one who was born while people slept” in Kalenjin.
Cheri f Amharic
Means "graceful" in Amharic.
Chernet m Amharic
Means "charity" in Amharic.
Cheru m Amharic
Means "the benign one, the charitable one" in Amharic.
Cheusi m Swahili
Means "black" in Swahili.
Chigenda m Kaguru
Means "let us go" in Chikaguru.
Chilongola m Kaguru
Means "first" in Chikaguru.
Chimola m Kaguru
Means "seizer, breaker of things" in Chikaguru.
Chipukizi f Swahili
Means "bud, sprout, shoot" in Swahili.
Chitemo m Kaguru
Means "axe" in Chikaguru.
Chiwa f Yao
Means "death" in Yao.
Chuki f & m Swahili
Means "born during a time of hatred" in Swahili.
Cigaal m Somali
Means "turban" in Somali.
Ciise m Somali
Somali form of Isa 2.
Cilmi m Somali
A name that derives from the word cilmi which means "knowledge" or "learning."
Ciokaraine f Eastern African
A famous bearer of the name was the Kenyan Meru human rights activist and female diviner Ciokaraine from Igembe, Kenya. She was a fierce supporter of women's rights and is known for having offered up her son's life in order to prevent a famine during the Mau Mau Uprising.
Cumar m Somali
Somali form of Omar 1.
Daahir m Somali
Variant of Dahir.
Daa'uud m Somali
Somali transcription of داود (see Daud).
Dagim m Oromo
Means 'again' or 'the second (junior)' in Oromiffa.
Dagm m Amharic
It's from Amharic language and Geez which is ancient ethiopian language which is dated 3000 years with Hebrew origins, it means Twice or repeated . Usually given when you look like your parents
Dagmawit f Eastern African, Amharic
Means "again, the second" in Amharic.
Dagne f Amharic
Dagne means "judge" and is of Amharic origin.
Dahir m Somali
Somali form of Tahir.
Dai m Swahili
Means "demand" in Swahili.
Dalili f Swahili (Rare)
Means "omen, symbol" in Swahili.
Dalmar m Somali
Derived from the words dal meaning "land" or "country" and mar meaning "to pass through" or "travel". The name can be interpreted as "traveler of the land" or "one who journeys through the country." It reflects a heritage of movement and exploration, significant in Somali culture, where nomadic life and migration were historically important... [more]
Damamli f Eastern African
beautiful vision
Dammenech f Amharic
Means "she was cloudy" in Amharic.
Dančile f Sidamo
Means "fine" in Sidama.
Daniachew m Amharic
Means "arbitrate between them" or "you be the judge" in Amharic.
Daniat f Tigrinya
Means "judge" in Tigrinya.
Daraar-tu f Sidamo
Means "she blossomed" in Sidama.
Dativa f Late Roman, History (Ecclesiastical), Eastern African, Portuguese (Rare), Spanish (Rare), Filipino (Rare)
Feminine form of Dativus. This was the name of a 5th-century Christian martyr from North Africa. It is mostly used in Eastern Africa (mainly in Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda).
Dative f French (African), Eastern African
French form of Dativa, mostly used in Rwanda.
Daudi m Swahili
Daudi is an altered form of Daud, an Arabic name, which also is an altered form of the Hebrew name David, which means "beloved" or "uncle."
Dayax m & f Somali
Means "moon" in Somali. A well-known bearer is Dayax Dalnuurshe, an award-winning Somali musical artist.
Defere m Amharic
Means "he is brave" in Amharic.
Deginet m Amharic
Means "goodness" in Amharic.
Degmo f Somali
Means "district" in Somali.
Delnesahu m Amharic
Means "I defeated" in Amharic.
Dembe m & f Eastern African
Meaning "peaceful", origin is Ugandan.
Demeteriya f Eastern African
Of unknown origin and meaning. ... [more]
Demisse m Amharic
Alternate transcription of Amharic ደመሰ (see Demissie).
Demissie m Amharic
Means "my destroyer" from Amharic ደመሰሰ (damasasa) meaning "to destroy, to crush".
Deneke m Amharic
Means "he is marvellous" in Amharic.
Dereje m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "to develop, to organise" in Amharic.
Deresse m Ethiopian, Amharic
Ethiopian name of unknown meaning.
Desita f Amharic
Means "joy, happiness" in Amharic.
Digil m Somali
"Digil" refers to a Somali clan known for agriculture and pastoralism. It symbolizes community and resilience.
Dikamellesh f Amharic
Means "you have no weakness" in Amharic.
Dinkinesh f Amharic
Means "you are a marvel" in Amharic.
Dinknesh f Amharic
Means "you are marvelous; the wondrous one" in Amharic.... [more]
Dires m Amharic
Means "arrive!" in Amharic.
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.
Dulani m Yao
Means "cutting" in Yao.
Duma m Swahili
Means "cheetah" in Swahili.... [more]
Dunia m Swahili
Neans "world, earth," ultimately from Arabic dunyā (دُنْيَا) meaning "world, kingdom, universe."
Dur-eessa m Sidamo
Means "rich" in Sidama.
Dur-eette f Sidamo
Feminine form of Dur-eessa.
Duretti f Oromo (Rare)
Meaning 'Luxury"
Dusean m Datooga
Means "black" in Datooga.
Ëakumbu m Swahili (Dutchified, Rare)
First used in Basali,DRC And Means "King Of Africa" May Be A Variant Of Xhoel
Ebong m Luo
Uganda/Luo... [more]
Eebbisee f Oromo
Meaning "blessing from God" in Oromoo.
Efrem m Amharic
Amharic form of Ephraim.
Egal m Eastern African, Somali
Variant spelling of Cigaal, used outside of Somalia.
Ejigayehu f Amharic, Ethiopian
Means "I have seen a lot good/better" in Amharic. This was the name of a famous singer Ejigayehu Shibabaw, better known as Gigi.
Ejjegayyahu f Amharic
Means "I have seen much" in Amharic.
Ekundu m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "red".
Elbetel f Ethiopian
the house of god
Eliella f Eastern African
Eliella is a feminine name used mainly in the Kirundi language throughout Burundi likely due to the linguistic influences of German & Belgian colonization from the 1890's-1960's.
Elleni f Amharic
Amharic form of Helen.
Elsabet f Amharic
Amharic form of Elizabeth.
Elyas m Amharic, Judeo-Anglo-Norman
Amharic form and Judeo-Anglo-Norman variant of Elias.
Emebet f Ethiopian, Amharic
Derived from Amharic ’əmäbēt "royal lady", this (former) honorific is nowadays used as a given name.... [more]
Emiya f Amharic
Means "bliss" in Amharic.
Emmanuelina f English (African), Eastern African
Feminine form of Emmanuel, particularly used in Tanzania and Uganda.
Emnet f Amharic
Means “faith, belief” in Amharic.
Engai m Eastern African, African Mythology, Maasai
Engai is a deity from Maasai Mythology. His name means “god” in the Maasai language.
Enku f Amharic
This feminine name means "pearl" in Amharic.
Enzi f & m Swahili
Means "powerful" in Swahili.
ʿEsato f Eastern African, Amharic
Means "fire" in Amharic.... [more]
Esitala f Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Esther.
Eskedar f Ethiopian
Means "until the night" in Amharic.
Eskinder m Amharic
Amharic form of Alexander. This name is borne by Ethiopian journalist and dissident Eskinder Nega (1969-).
Esset-ab f Amharic
means gift of god or persetion of God.
Estifanos m Amharic
Amharic form of Stephen.
Estomihi m Eastern African, Indonesian
The name is derived from the name of the sunday 50 days before easter. The Latin words Esto mihi are the first two words of Psalm 31:3 and mean "Thou art to me".
Ewnetu m Amharic, Ethiopian
Means "truth" in Amharic.
Eyasu m Amharic
Amharic form of Joshua.
Eyerusalem f Amharic
Amharic, meaning Jerusalem
Eyob m Amharic, Ge'ez, Tigrinya
Ethiopian and Eritrean form of Job.
Ezana m Ethiopian
Ezana or Ezanas (c.303– c.350 CE/AD) was king of Aksum, now Ethiopia. Ezana was the first monarch of the Kingdom of Aksum to embrace Christianity. Ezana is a Geʽez (an ancient Ethiopian Semitic language) name of unknown meaning... [more]
Faaduma f Somali
Strickly Somali form of Faduma.
Faadumo f Somali
Somali form of Fatima.
Faatuma f Afar
Afar form of Fatima.
Faayy-a m Sidamo
Means "beautiful" in Sidama.
Faayy-o f Sidamo
Feminine form of Faayy-a.
Fadha f Somali, Arabic
Fadha is a Somali name also used by Arabs.
Fahari m & f Swahili
Means "fame, honour, splendour" in Swahili.
Fahmo f Somali
Means "understanding" in Somali directly from the Arabic root f-h-m (see Fahim).
Faisa f Swahili
Swahili/Arabic, meaning successful/victorious
Fakulera f Haya
Means "just raise her" in Haya.
Fana f Ethiopian
Means “light” or “jungle” in various African languages.
Fanaka f & m Swahili
Means “nice” in Swahili.
Faraja f & m Swahili
Means "consolation, comfort" in Swahili.
Fardowsa f Somali
Somali form of Firdaus.
Farhia f Somali, Arabic
Fariha "happiness" From the Arabic word for happy
Farhiya f Swahili, Somali
Variant transcription of Fariha.
Farijika f Swahili
Means “be relieved” in Swahili.
Fasika m Amharic
Means "Easter" in Amharic.
Fassil m Amharic
Means "Ethiopian king" in Amharic.
Fatoumia f Comorian
Comorian form of Fatima.
Faven f Tigrinya
Means "light"
Feker f Amharic
Means "love, affection" in Amharic.
Felleke m Amharic
Means "he glittered" in Amharic.
Ferede m Amharic
Means "he judged" in Amharic.
Fessehaye m Tigrinya
Means "eternal happiness" in Tigrinya.
Fetene m Amharic
Means "he is swift" in Amharic.
Fetera f Amharic
Means "creative" in Amharic.
Fewesi f & m Amharic
Means "to heal" in Amharic.
Fikiri f Amharic
Means "love" in Amharic.
Fikre f Ethiopian, African
Meaning "my love" or "love."
Fikru m Amharic
Means "his love" in Amharic.
Filsan f & m Somali (Rare)
The best of her/his age. ... [more]
Fitsum m & f Amharic
Means "absolute" in Amharic.
Foosi m Somali
Meaning: The name Foosi generally means "prosperous" or "successful" in Somali.... [more]
Freyhiwot f Ethiopian, Amharic
Means "the seed that gave life" or "the fruit of life" in Amharic.
Frezer f Amharic
Means "fertile" in Amharic.
Fwaya m Luo
Originated amongst the LUO tribe in Kenya, East Africa. It is said to mean "Not serious" or "Taking things for Granted". It is also used by the Luhyas in Western province Kenya. But is common in the Nyaurang' Clan of Ugenya in Siaya County... [more]
Gabra f Ethiopian
Ethiopian girl's name, meaning "The gift of offering"
Gadiid m Somali (Rare)
Its an old Somali name.
Gakuhĩ f Kikuyu
Means "the short one" in Kikuyu.
Galayax m Somali
Means "lighthouse" in Somali.
Galbeyte m Somali
Means "in the west" in Somali.
Ganza m Rwandan
Meaning "reign" in Kinyarwanda.
Garang m Dinka, African Mythology
According to the Dinka myths Garang is the First Man, created by Nhialic.
Garre m Somali
Garre is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Gashaw m Amharic
Means "the shield" in Amharic.
Gathua m Kikuyu
Means "the limping one" in Kikuyu.
Gatreth f Ethiopian
Ethiopian name meaning "rich".
Gebire’liwa f Amharic
Alternate transcription of Gebre’elwa.
Gebre m Ethiopian, Ge'ez
Means "servant" in Ge'ez.
Gebre’elwa f Amharic
Amharic feminine form of Gabriel.
Gebregziabher m Ge'ez, Tigrinya
Means "servant of God" in Ge'ez, from Ge'ez ገብረ (gäbrä) "servant" and እግዚአብሔር (ʾəgziʾäbḥer), a Ge'ez translation of God, from Ge'ez እግዚእ (ʾəgziʾ) "lord" and ብሔር (bəḥer) “world, region”
Gebrehiwot m Ge'ez, Amharic
Combination of Gebre and Hiwot.
Gebreselassie m Ge'ez, Amharic
Means "servant of the Trinity" in Ge'ez, from Ge'ez ገብረ (gäbrä) "servant" and ሥላሴ "Trinity", referencing to the Holy Trinity, from selse "threeness".
Gebru m Tigrinya, Ge'ez
Variant of Gebre often seen in Tigrinya.
Geeldoon m Somali
Geeldoon is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Geesi f Somali
Means "a courageous man, brave, hero" in Somali.
Gelagile m Amharic
Means "I have reconciled" in Amharic.
Geleta m & f Amharic
Geleta is Amharic in origin & means 'revealed'.
Gelila f Ethiopian
Tempting beauty
Gemechu m Eastern African, Oromo
Means "joy, happiness" in Oromo.
Genat f Amharic
Means "heaven" in Amharic.
Genet f Ethiopian
Ethiopian name meaning "paradise"
Genzeb f Ethiopian
Diminutive of Genzebe.
Getachew m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "their lord", from Amharic ጌታ (géta) "Lord (Jesus), master".
Getaneh m Amharic
Means "you are a lord" in Amharic.
Gete f Amharic
Short form of Getenesh.
Gethera f Swahili
Means "harvest" in Swahili.
Ghebreyesus m Amharic
Means "servant of Jesus" in Amharic. A notable bearer of this name is Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Gichinga m Rwandan
Means “protection” in Kinyarwanda.
Gidamarird m Datooga
Means "leopard" in Datooga.
Gidang’adid m Datooga
Means "lion" in Datooga.
Gifti f Oromo
Means "lady" or "queen" in Afaan Oromo.
Giorgis m Eastern African, Amharic, Greek (Rare)
Form of George used in Ethiopia, as well as a Greek variant of Georgios.
Gisakteayda m Datooga
Masculine form of Usakteayda.
Gitonga m Meru, Embu, Gikuyu
This name is commonly used in Meru, Embu and Gikuyu regions in Kenya. The name means a rich man. The name has been passed from generation to generation since time in memorial. The cultures which usually name their male children after their grandparents-dead or alive intentionally do this to ensure the character or personality of the grandpa can be carried to the grandchildren.
Giyorgis m Amharic
Amharic form of George.
Goli f Kaguru
Means "wealth" in Chikaguru.
Gombe m & f Luo (Archaic)
One of the progenies of the Ugenya clans.
Gor m & f Luo (Archaic)
traditional Luo name. origin: ancient Luo warrior
Gorfu m Amharic
Means "flood" in Amharic.
Goshu m Amharic
Means "buffalo" in Amharic.
Gotonyal m Amharic
Amharic form of Othniel.
Gudeta m Amharic
Means "obligation" in Amharic.
Gudit f Eastern African, Ge'ez
Ge'ez form of Judith.... [more]
Guenet m & f Amharic
Means "paradise" or "garden" in Amharic.
Guled m & f Somali
It means victory after a long struggle
Gulema f Amharic
Means “he who helps, helper” in Amharic.
Guor m Eastern African, Dinka
Meaning unknown. ... [more]
Gurey m Somali
A name that comes from the Somali word gurey, meaning "left-handed." This word is usually an adjective, but sometimes a name.
Guuleed m Somali
Means "victor" in Somali.
Gweth m & f Luo (Modern)
"blessings"
Haaruun m Somali
Somali form of Harun.
Haawá f Afar
Afar form of Eve.
Haben f Tigrinya
Means "pride" in Tigrinya.
Habon f & m Somali (Rare), Spanish
This name means when everything comes together at the right time and the right place. Beautiful.
Habsade m Eastern African, Somali
Variant of Xaabsade, which is used outside of Somalia.
Habtamu m Amharic, Ethiopian
Basically means "my wealth" in Amharic and is therefore etymologically related to Habtom.
Habte m & f Ethiopian
According to some sources, Habte means "treasure/present/wealth/riches of".
Habtom m Tigrinya (Modern)
Means "wealthy" in Tigrinya.
Hadidja f Central African, Comorian
Form of Khadija used in Central Africa and the Comoros.
Hafidh m Arabic, Swahili, Indonesian
Alternate transcription of Arabic حافظ or حفيظ (see Hafiz), as well as a Swahili and Indonesian variant.
Hafzah f Somali
It means lioness.
Hagiir-s-o m Sidamo
Means "one who brings joy" in Sidama.
Hagos m Tigrinya
Means "joy" in Tigrinya.
Haiba f Swahili
It means charm, grace, beauty in Kiswahili
Haile m Ge'ez, Amharic, Ethiopian
Means "power, force, strength" in Ge'ez and Amharic. This was the Ge'ez (baptismal) name of Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie (1892-1975), who was born as Tafari Makonnen.
Hailemichael m Ethiopian
" power of arch angel Saint Michael "
Hakiem m Ethiopian, Amharic
Means "doctor" in Amharic.
Hakizimana m Rwandan, Rundi, African Mythology (Modern)
A name which means "God saves everything," imana being the name of the original Rwandan/Burundian deity and now the modern word for God in all monotheistic usages within Rwanda and Burundi.
Halas m Somali
Meaning: Halas generally means "good" or "positive" in Somali.... [more]
Halimo f Somali
Somali form of Halima.
Halisi f Swahili
Means "genuine" in Swahili.
Hamelmal f Amharic
Means "From The Bible" or "The Word".
Hamis m Swahili
From Swahili Alhamisi meaning "Thursday" (ultimately of Arabic origin).
Hamse m Eastern African, Somali
Variant of Xamse, which is used outside of Somalia.
Hanja f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "brown".
Harambee m Swahili
Means "all pull together" in Swahili. It is the official motto of Kenya.
Hashiki f Swahili
Means “doesn’t hold” in Swahili.
Hatima f Swahili
Means "fate" in Swahili.
Hawi f & m Luo
"good luck"
Hawi m Luo
It means luck.
Hawo f Somali, African
Somali variant of Hawa.
Hekima f & m Swahili
Means "wisdom" in Swahili.
Henok m Croatian (Rare), Amharic, Tigrinya
Croatian, Amharic and Tigrinyan form of Enoch.
Hibaaq f Somali
Derived from Arabic هِبَة (hiba) meaning "gift, grant".
Hibaq f Somali
Variant transcription of Hibaaq.
Hidaya f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "beautiful".
Hiloga m Datooga
Means "fortress" in Datooga.
Hirsi m Eastern African, Somali
Variant spelling of Xirsi, which is used outside of Somalia.
Hiwet f Amharic, Ethiopian
Variant transcription of Hiwot.
Hiyabel f Ethiopian, Tigrinya (?)
According to Nameberry, it means "gift of God" from the Tigrinya element hiyab meaning "gift" and Hebrew אֵל ('el) meaning "God".
Hodari f Swahili
Means “strong” in Swahili.