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.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
PopobawamSwahili Name of a shape-shifting shetani (evil spirit) in Zanzibar mythology. It is derived from Swahili elements popo (bat) and bawa (wing), therefore literally meaning "bat-wing" or "winged bat"... [more]
PumbaamPopular Culture, Swahili Means "to be foolish, silly, weak-minded, careless, negligent" in Swahili. This is the name of the warthog in Disney's 'The Lion King' (1994).
RaagemSomali Means "he who delayed at birth" in Somali.
RaaxofSomali Means "enjoyment, comfort" in Somali.
Rafikim & fEastern African, Popular Culture Means "friend, comrade" in Swahili. This Swahili word is derived from Arabic رَفِيق (rafīq) "companion" (see Rafiq). This is the name of the baboon mentor of Simba and Mufasa in the Disney movie 'The Lion King' (1994).
SadikimEgyptian, Arabic, Swahili Translating to “faithful” or “loyal,” it can always remind baby to stay dedicated to the people they love. Whether it’s through a ride-or-die friendship or sticking by their own beliefs, the name Sadiki is a constant reminder to keep a steadfast heart.
SadomOromo (Anglicized) A form of the arabic name Sa'id, meaning "happy, lucky", used by the Oromo people of Ethiopia. Notable people with this name includes Junedin Sado, a former Ethiopian Cabinet Minister, Haji Adam Sado, a political leader, and his father, Sado Sheka.
SadormEthiopian, Literature Coptic Christian (Ge'ez) word for the piercing on Jesus' ribs by the lancet.... [more]
SadorafEthiopian, English (American) Sador is the Coptic Christian (Ge'ez) word for the piercing on Jesus' ribs by the lancet. Adding an "a" at the end feminizes it.... [more]
Safarif & mSwahili, Bantu, American (Modern, Rare) Means "journey" in Swahili, from Arabic سَفَر (safar). It is commonly used by Eastern Bantus in Kenya, given to babies born when traveling or given in reference to a lot of traveling by a relative... [more]
SarabifSwahili, Popular Culture Means "mirage" in Swahili. This is the name of the mother of Simba and mate of Mufasa and in the Disney movie The Lion King (1994).
SarafinafSwahili Apparently means "bright star" in Swahili. The name might be best known from the South African musical "Sarafina!" Also, the name is often easily confused with the Hebrew name Seraphina, but despite looking similar in appearance, both names clearly have completely different etymologies.
SaredofSomali Etymology uncertain, possibly from the Somali sare meaning "high, advanced".
SautifSwahili Swahili feminine name meaning "voice, noise".
SellafAfrican, Southern African, Eastern African, Indonesian Meaning unknown. It may be a loan word from Arabic صَلَّى (ṣallā), meaning "to pray, to bless," or Arabic سَلَّى (sallā), meaning "to amuse, entertain, comfort." It may also be a variation of Selah.
SudaysimSomali (Arabized, Modern) Based on the name of sheikh Abdul Rahmane Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais, Imam of the great mosque of Mekka. Arab al-sudais means "the sixth".
TafarrimAmharic Means "one who is respected" in Amharic.
TahiilmSomali Means "someone who is well balanced" in Somali.
TaitufEthiopian Name of a 19th century Ethiopian empress known for founding the now-capital city of Addis Ababa and fending off Italian invasion of Ethiopia
TakatifumSwahili Swahili masculine name meaning "sacred, holy".
TeglafEastern African, Pokot A famous bearer is Tegla Chepkite Loroupe (born 1973) a Kenyan long-distance track and road runner. She is also a global spokeswoman for peace, women's rights and education.
Teklem & fAmharic Means "my plant" from Amharic ተክል (tekl) meaning "plant".
TesfamariammEastern African, Amharic Means "hope of Mary" from Amharic ተስፋ (tasfa) meaning "hope" and ማርያም (Mariyami), the Amharic form of Miriam (see Mary).
UdeerafSwahili Udeera was a baby born in the covenant of kings in africa she went through trials and tribulations growing up , stories told that god helped her throughout hard times and starvation.... [more]
ViriolafEastern African (Rare), Ancient Roman (?) Attia Viriola was a client of the ancient Roman lawyer and statesman Pliny the Younger (61-113), whose legal case he described in his Epistles.
WaabberimSomali Meaning: Waabberi generally means "dawn" or "daybreak."... [more]
WaaqmOromo (Latinized, Archaic), Somali (Latinized, Archaic) Waaq is a name for the ancient Cushitic sky god. He was the supreme creator and god to the indigenous religions of several Cushitic peoples before the advent of the Abrahamic religions in the Horn of Africa... [more]
Wamwemam & fSwahili (Modern, Rare) A Christian surname with swahili origin that mean belonging to the one that is good. Belonging to God who is the only one that is good.
WangũifKikuyu, African Mythology Variant of Wangũ. A famous bearer of the name was one of the daughters of Kikuyu and Mumbi, the first man and woman in Kikuyu Mythology.
WarsamemSomali Means "good news", derived from Somali war meaning "information, news" and same "good, positive".
WarsanfSomali Means "good news", derived from Somali war meaning "news" combined with the Somali feminine name suffix -san, itself a derivative of Somali wanaagsan meaning "good". A notable bearer of this name is Warsan Shire (1988-), a British writer, poet, editor and teacher of Somali descent.