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.
Maragarita f Haya
Ruhaya form of Margaret.
Marial m Dinka
This is a historical name of "Dinka" people in South Sudan in Africa. The meaning refers to a mixture of beautiful colors of black and white type of a bull. Is a name given to a male child after his mother's bride price was inform of such colored bull... [more]
Marini f Swahili
Means "pretty" in Swahili.
Mariyamu f Haya
Ruhaya form of Mariam.
Marjani f Swahili, Eastern African
Means ‘Coral’.
Maru m & f Amharic
Means "the honey" in Amharic.
Maryama f Arabic (Maghrebi), Somali
Maghrebi and Somali variant of Maryam.
Marye f Amharic
Means "my honey" in Amharic.
Masaawe m Chaga
Means "hailstorm" in Chagga.
Mashaija m Kiga
Means "man" in Rukiga.
Masingisa m Kaguru
Means "he who shakes things" in Chikaguru.
Mataan m Somali
A name from the Somali word for "twin."
Matete m Kaguru
Means "finished, completed" in Chikaguru.
Matewos m Amharic
Amharic form of Matthew.
Mateyas m Amharic
Amharic form of Matthias.
Mat'ine f Sidamo
Means "salt" in Sidama.
Matiwos m Ethiopian, Amharic
Ethiopian, possibly Amharic verison of Matthew
Matulumi m & f Kaguru
Means "decorations" in Chikaguru.
Matunda f & m Swahili
Means "fruit" in Swahili.
Maua f Swahili
Means "flower" in Swahili.
Mavuno m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "harvest time".
Maxahmed m Somali
Variant of Maxamed.
Maxamad m Somali
Variant of Maxamed.
Maxamud m Somali
Somali variant of Muhammad.
Maxamuud m Somali
Somali form of Mohammad.
Maxbuub m Somali
Somali form of Mahbub.
Mayen m Dinka
Means a specific kind of ox in Dinka language.
Maygaag m Somali
Means "bath" in Somali.
Mayom m Dinka
A specific kind of ox in Dinka language.
Mbilime f Kaguru
Means "runner" in Chikaguru.
Mbogo m Haya
Means "buffalo" in Haya.
Meafnya f Datooga
Means "one who cannot be hidden" in Datooga.
Mearjeang’da m Datooga
Means "not at rest, restless" in Datooga.
Mebrahtu m Tigrinya
Means "His light" in Tigrinya.
Mebrate m Amharic
Means "my lamp" in Amharic.
Medene m Amharic
Means "my redeemer" in Amharic.
Mediferiash-work f Amharic
Means "your means of being bold is gold" in Amharic.
Medius f & m English (African), Eastern African
Borrowed from Latin medius meaning "middle; half; moderate; indifferent." It is mostly used in Uganda where, compared to other surrounding countries, it is usually feminine in usage.
Megag m Eastern African, Somali
Variant of Maygaag, used outside of Somalia.
Mehretab m Tigrinya, Amharic
From Tigrinya መሓሪ (mehari) meaning “mercy, compassion”, combined with ጣብ (ṭab) meaning “good, pleasant”.
Mej m Gusii, Ibibio (Latinized, Archaic)
Ibibio form of Mike and Gusii form of Matt.
Mejereksa f Datooga
Means "one who cannot be controlled" in Datooga.
Mekre m Amharic
Means "my advice" in Amharic.
Melaher f Ethiopian
Means “wisdom of god”.
Melaku m Ethiopian
Means "the angel" in Amharic.
Menelik m Ge'ez, Amharic
Means "son of the wise man" in Ge'ez and Amharic. According to the legend Menelik was the first emperor of Ethiopia. In the 10th century BC, he is said to have inaugurated the Solomonic dynasty of Ethiopia, so named because Menelik I is supposed to be the son of the biblical King Solomon of ancient Israel and Makeda, the Ethiopian Queen of Sheba.
Mengistu m Eastern African, Amharic
Derived from Amharic መንግሥት (mängśtə) or መንግስት (mängstə) meaning "government".
Mepoho f Eastern African
A famous bearer of the name was the Mijikenda diviner Mepoho.
Merhawi m Tigrinya
Means "here value; here glory" in Tigrinya.
Meseret f & m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "foundation" in Amharic.
Mesfin m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "monarch, noble, prince" in Amharic.
Meshesha m Amharic
Means "refuge" in Amharic.
Mesi f Yao (Modern)
Modern variant of Miesi.
Meskerem f Ethiopian
Means "September" in Ethiopian.
Mich m & f Luo (Modern)
"blessings"
Miesi f Yao
Means "water" in Yao.
Migil m Somali
Migil is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Mihret m & f Ge'ez, Amharic
Means "mercy", ultimately from Ge'ez ምህረት
Mikal f Ethiopian (?)
This name means who's like god.
Milkias m Eastern African
Eritrea variant of Malachi.
Million m African American (Modern, Rare), Ethiopian
From the English word million.
Mirach m Amharic
Means "choice" in Amharic.
Misgana f Ethiopian, English (American, Modern, Rare)
From Amharic ምስጋና (məsgana) "glory, praise, honour; thanks, gratitude".
Misuli f Swahili
Means "muscle" in Swahili.
Mitiku m Amharic, Ethiopian
Means "replacement" in Amharic.
Mkarkara f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "passion flower".
Mogad m Amharic
Means "wave" in Amharic.
Mogas m Amharic
Means "dignity" in Amharic.
Moges m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "charm, elegance, grace" in Amharic.
Mohamed m Somali
In Somalia, as in many Muslim-majority countries, the name Mohamed is extremely common, often as part of a longer name or combined with other names. It is not unusual for a Somali person to have multiple family members named Mohamed, so nicknames or other identifiers are often used to distinguish between individuals with the same name.
Mohamud m Somali
Somali version of Muhammad.
Monyyak m Dinka
Means "man of the drought" in Dinka.
Mor m & f Luo (Modern)
"happiness"
Morana f Maasai
Morana means a female warrior. It is a feminine derivative of Morani
Mote m Eastern African
Means "blessing; blessed" in Hehe, spoken in Tanzania.
Mpawenimana f Rundi
Means "I was awarded by God" in Kirundi.
Mpoki m Nyakyusa
Means "savior" in Nyakyusa.
Mrihani f Swahili
Swahili form of Reyhan.
Mudan f Somali
Means "merit, deserve" in Somali.
Mugeni m & f Kaguru
Means "stranger" in Chikaguru.
Mugisha m Haya
Means "blessing" in Haya.
Mugoli m Kaguru
Means "rich man" in Chikaguru.
Mugume m Kiga
Means "be strong" in Rukiga.
Mujuni m Haya
Means "helper" in Haya.
Mukabakama f Haya
Means "a wife of kings" in Haya.
Múkabi m Kikuyu
In Kikuyu maasai intermarriage this name was given to a boy born of that relationship in that referred to the maasai as ukabi
Mukejuwa f Kaguru
Means "sun's wife" in Chikaguru.
Mulamba f Ganda
Means “the whole thing, everything” in Luganda.
Mulatu m Amharic
Means "the abundance" in Amharic.
Mulele m African, Swahili
"Flying man," "man who flies," or "man of flight." The prefix "mu-" expresses "man of" or "man from" in the Swahili language. One interpretation would be that this is approximately equal to "angel," but because there are numerous parts of Africa where there are lots of devout Christians, I would lean towards the interpretation "man who runs quickly."
Mulogo m Eastern African
Means "a wizard".
Mulokozi m Haya
Means "saviour" in Haya.
Mulu m Amharic
Means "complete, perfect" in Amharic.
Mulugeta m Amharic
Means "he is all Lord" in Amharic.
Mungongege m Nyakyusa
Means "you should follow me" in Nyakyusa.
Munyika m Kaguru
Means "of the bush" in Chikaguru.
Murashani m Haya
Means "fighter" in Haya.
Muringa f Kikuyu
Means "a wire" in Kikuyu.
Muruthi m Kikuyu
Means "lion" in Kikuyu.
Muse m Eastern African, Somali
Variant spelling of Muuse. This spelling is used outside of Somalia.
Musiwanda m Kaguru
Means "lastborn" in Chikaguru.
Musoke m Ganda, African Mythology
Musoke is the God of Rain in Ganda mythology. His Name derives From ‘mu’, indicating a single individual, and ‘soke’, which means ‘rain’.
Musongwe m Kaguru
Means "fearless man" in Chikaguru.
Mustafe m Somali
Somali form of Mustafa.
Mustaphe m Somali
Somali form of Mustafa.
Mutungi m Haya
Means "he who is rich" in Haya.
Muuse m Somali
Somali form of Moses.
Muxammad m Somali
Variant of Maxamed.
Mwakatumbula m Nyakyusa
Means "son of a heart" in Nyakyusa.
Mwamini f Swahili
Means "honest" in Swahili.
Mwara f Kikuyu
Means "the clever one" in Kikuyu.
Mwasaa f Swahili
Means “time” in Swahili.
Mwaura m Kikuyu
To kú aúra means to remove or relieve one of a heavy load.Mostly when a visitor came with a kiondo/load and a person took it off his/her back the remover was the mwauri
Mwezi m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "moon" or "month".
Mwiza f Rundi
It means someone good heart, appearance, character and personality. Second meaning "Beautiful"
Mwombeki m Haya
Means "the builder" in Haya.
Naad-o m Sidamo
Means "appreciation" in Sidama.
Naaleeye m Somali
Means "anyway" in Somali.
Naardiid m Somali (Archaic)
Naardiid is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Nabarwa f Eastern African, Maasai
Of uncertain meaning.
Nabirye f Eastern African
Meaning unknown.
Nadifa f Somali
Feminine form of Nadif.
Nahom m Eastern African
East African form of Nahum.
Najuma f Swahili
Means "abounding in joy" in Swahili.
Nakaggwa f Ganda
second child (girl) after twins
Naki f Swahili
the first born girl in the family
Nambeho f Pare
Feminine form of Kombeho.
Nambi f Ganda, Bantu, African Mythology
Wife to the first man in Buganda Kingdom in Uganda, who is also believed to be the first living person
Nanzota f Pare
Feminine form of Nzota.
Nardos f Ethiopian
Ultimately from Greek νάρδος (nardos) meaning "nard plant, spikenard; fragrant oil or ointment of the nard plant", a word used in the New Testament to refer to the expensive perfume poured on Jesus at Bethany (an event known as the 'anointing of Jesus').
Naserian f Eastern African
Means “one born during peaceful times” in Maasai.
Naserian f Eastern African
Means “the lucky one" in Samburu, a variant of Maasai language.
Nashaad f Somali
Means "vibrant" in Somali.
Nashipie f Swahili
This is a Maasai name given to young girls, meaning "joy"
Nasi f & m Amharic
Means "brass" in Amharic.
Nasra f Arabic, Somali, Swahili
Means 'helper, support" in Arabic.
Nassool-a m Sidamo
Means "soulmate" in Sidama.
Nassoole f Sidamo
Feminine form of Nassool-a.
Nasteexo f Somali
A name from the word meaning "advice, counsel."
Nasteho f Somali
Means "advice" or "counsel" in Somali.
Nathari f Swahili
Means "prose" in Swahili.
Natsinet m Tigrinya, Ge'ez
From Tigrinya ናጽነት (naṣnät) "freedom".
Natukunda m & f Kiga, Tooro, Nkore
Meaning ‘He loves us’ in Nkore and Kiga.
Navuri f Pare
Feminine form of Sevuri.
Nayfa f Swahili
Means "benefit" in Swahili.
Ncuti m Rwandan, English (African)
From the Kinyarwanda word incuti meaning "friend".
Ndabiti m Nyamwezi
Nyakyusa form of David.
Ndanshau m Chaga
Means "bull" in Chagga.
Ndewangisio m Chaga
Means "get confirmation" in Chagga.
Ndiane m Kaguru
Means "I have eaten with them" in Chikaguru.
Ndigwako f Nyakyusa
Means "I am yours" in Nyakyusa.
Ndikubwayo m Rundi
Means "I am alive thanks to God" in Kirundi.
Ndimbuni f Nyakyusa
Means "I am saved" in Nyakyusa.
Ndonga f Eastern African, Kikuyu (?)
Unknown meaning. This name shows up specifically in Kenya.
Nebiri f Amharic
Means "leopard" in Amharic.
Negash m Amharic
Means "one who rules" in Amharic.
Negasi m Ethiopian
The meaning of Negasi is ‘he will wear a crown’.
Negatu m Amharic
Means "the dawn" in Amharic.
Negese m Amharic
Means "he ruled" in Amharic.
Negewo m Amharic
Means "your dawn" in Amharic.
Negus m African American, Tigrinya
Means "king" in Tigrinya.
Neguse m Amharic
Means "my king" in Amharic.
Nelah f Swahili (Rare)
Gift with purpose. Composition if Nia (meaning purpose) and Nala (meaning gift)
Nelugendo f Kaguru
Means "traveller" in Chikaguru.
Nenaunir m & f Maasai, African Mythology
Of uncertain meaning, likely linked to rain. Nenaunir is the villainous god of rain in Maasai mythology, being depicted as a rainbow snake.
Neššo f Sidamo
Means "small statured" in Sidama.
Nesuha f Ethiopian
Possible from an Arabic root nasuh which means something like sincerity, often found in the religious context taubat-an-nasuha meaning sincere return or repentance.
Netsanet m Ethiopian
ethiopia.limbo13.com... [more]
Ngamia m Swahili
Means "camel" in Swahili.
Ngeni m Swahili
Means "stranger" in Swahili.
Nghaminyigwe m Kaguru
Means "he who is unknown" in Chikaguru.
Nghenakwe m Kaguru
Means "one who sees on his own" Chikaguru.
Ngigi m Kikuyu
Means one born in the season of the locust or one of the locust ageset.In some communities for the last 'i' they put an 'e' but that does not change the meaning nor the pronounciation
Ngor m Dinka
Means "male child in a pair of twins" in Dinka.
Nhial m & f Nuer, African Mythology
The Nuer counterpart of Nhialic, the main creator god of Dinka mythology.
Niara f Eastern African, Swahili
Means of high purpose
Nigesa f Swahili
Means "born during the harvest season" in Swahili.
Nimo f Somali
Somali version of the Arabic names Nima 1 and Nimat meaning "blessing."
Niyogushima f Rundi
Means "God should be thanked" in Kirundi.
Niyokuri f & m Rwandan
Feminine and masculine name, perhaps honorific after famed professor of agriculture Aristide Niyokuri.
Nizigiyimana f Rundi
Means "I hope in God" in Kirundi.
Njau m Kikuyu
Meaning "young bull".
Njoki f Kikuyu
Means "the one who resurrected" in Kikuyu.
Njoroge m Kikuyu
Means "genet" in Kikugu.
Njozi f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "dream".
Nkuba m Haya
Means "thunder" in Haya.
Nnyinamukari f Kiga
Meaning unknown.
Noham m Tigrinya
Means "comfort" in Tigrinya.
Nshimirimana f Rundi
Means "I thank God" in Kirundi.
Nshubemuki f Haya
Means "what can I repeat" in Haya.
Ntare m Rwandan
Meaning "lion" in Kinyarwanda and Kirundi. Famous people with that name includes five kings of the Kingdom of Burundi: Ntare I Rushatsi Cambarantama, Ntare II Kibogora, Ntare III Kivimira Semuganzashamba, Ntare IV Rutaganzwa Rugamba and Ntare V Ndizeye and american actor Ntare Mwine.
Ntimi m Eastern African, Swahili (?)
From southern Tanzania, Mbeya region meaning a pastor.
Nturu m Chaga
Means "forest" in Chagga.
Ntwali m Rwandan
Means "hero" in Kinyarwanda. People with this name includes rapper Ntwali and the football midfielder Evode Ntwali.
Nuhu m Hausa, Swahili
Hausa and Swahili form of Noah 1.
Nula f Swahili
Variant of Nola and Nala 2.
Nuux m Somali
Somali form of Noah 1.
Nwabudike m African, Swahili
A name in the Swahili language, which means "the son is the father's power," or "the strength of a father comes from his son."... [more]
Nya f Swahili
Derived from the Swahili word "Nia," meaning "purpose."
Nyabeel f Nuer
Means "girl of the corn" in Nuer.
Nyaboke f Gusii
From Ekegusii oboke "honey"
Nyachero f Alur, African Mythology
Likely meaning ‘Tomorrow’ in Alur, Nyachero is a character in Alur Mythology, a princess of her kingdom.
Nyadol f Luo, Anyuak
Of uncertain meaning.
Nyagũra f Kikuyu
Means "the one who buys" in Kikuyu.
Nyakeru f Kikuyu (Rare)
Yours means someone in the ancestry or kin of those who had lighter complexion "nyamweru" was your first or in some cases little one from the wilderness for the wilderness is known as "werú"
Nyakwêzi f Kiga
Short form of Nyinakwezi.
Nyaliep f Nuer, African Mythology
Nuer Goddess of the River.
Nyamayarwo m & f Nyoro
This name means ‘meat for Death’, indicating the worst of luck.
Nyambugi f Kikuyu
Means "the one with bells as anklets" in Kikuyu.
Nyamihanda f Kiga
Means "mother of paths" in Rukiga.
Nyamiti f Kaguru
Means "medicine" in Chikaguru.
Nyanjúra f Kiga
Means "mother of rain" in Rukiga.
Nyapal f Nuer
Nyapal is the mean of let's pray ... [more]
Nyaring f Dinka
Literally "running" in Dinka. It could be given to a baby whose mother was running (or getting out) while the labour started.
Nyaruai f Kikuyu (Rare)
More curious to know what ruai means with that you can get to know the name for it means one who comes from 'the ruai'
Nyasi f Swahili
Means "grass" in Swahili.
Nyawĩra f Kikuyu
Means "the hardworking one" in Kikuyu.
Nyinakwezi f Kiga
Means "mother of the moon" in Rukiga.
Nyokabi f Kikuyu (Archaic)
Kikuyus call the maasai "ukabi" this was for girls born from this intermarriage meaning she who came from maasai land
Nyoni f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "bird".
Nyota f Swahili, Lingala
Derived from Swahili and Lingala nyota meaning "star".
Nyuki f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "bee".
Nzota m Pare
Etymology uncertain, this name is traditionally given to babies born during drought.
Obax f Somali
It means “as delicate and beautiful as a flower” in Somali.
Obera m Luo
"handsome"
Oburu m Luo
"born during a funeral"
Ochola m Luo
"birthed after the death of the father"
Odongo m Luo
"second born of twins"
Oduor m Luo
Means "born in the middle of the night" in Luo.
Ogenga m Acholi
This name is only given to poweerful people in the area for example, a professor, great politician can name their children "Ogenga"
Ojwang m Luo
"survived despite being neglected"
Okech m Luo
"birthed during a famine"
Okello m Luo
"born after twins or third born of triplets"
Okeyo m Luo
"birthed during harvesting time"
Okoth m Luo
Means "born during the rainy sea" in Luo.
Olekina m & f Eastern African, Maasai
Best known as the given name of a Maasai Politician from Kenya.
Oluoch m Luo
Oluoch came from the word luoch that means mist. If the the baby boy is born during the cold weather with mist he is called Oluoch. That means Oluoch is mist.
Ondiek m Luo
Name given to a male who survives childhood after successive deaths of infants to the parents. This name suggests strength and determination to survive. Ondiek is also the Hyena in the Luo language... [more]
Onesmus m Eastern African
Ugandan variant of Onesimus.
Onyango m Luo
"born in the morning before noon"
Opiyo m Luo
"firstborn of twins"
Orera f English (Modern, Rare), Spanish, Southern African, Eastern African
Possibly from Spanish or Italian orera meaning, "aurora." See also Aurora.
Osogo m Swahili
Means “movement” in Swahili.
Otiya m Luo
Means "named after either of his grandparents" in Luo.
Owiti m Luo
"born after a misfortune like a difficult birthing process"
Owuor m Luo
"born at mid-morning"
Ozoro f Eastern African
Amharic name, said to come from a biblical name meaning "strength of the Lord" (in which case it is partly from Hebrew ’az "force, strength" and a relative of Oz 2).
Pambe m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "decorated" in Swahili.
Panya f Swahili
The crowned one.
Pawlos m Amharic
Amharic form of Paul.