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.
Pelaji m Swahili
Variation of Pelagius.
Petelu m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Peter.
Popobawa m Swahili
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]
Pumbaa m Popular 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).
Qáli m Afar
Afar form of Ali 1.
Qaloon m Somali
aloon is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Qamaan m Eastern African, Somali
Means "all" in Somali.
Qeambanyeasht m Datooga
Means "noise maker" in Datooga.
Qorane m Somali
Means "writer" in Somali.
Qumman f Somali
Means "upright, honest" in Somali.
Raage m Somali
Means "he who delayed at birth" in Somali.
Raaxo f Somali
Means "enjoyment, comfort" in Somali.
Rafiki m & f Eastern 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).
Rahwa f Tigrinya
Means "satisfied" in Tigrinya.
Raila m Luo
Means "nettle sting" in Luo.
Ramadhan m Arabic, Indonesian, Swahili
Alternate transcription of Arabic رمضان (see Ramadan), as well as the Indonesian and Swahili form.
Raqiiyaa f Somali
Somali form of Raqiya.
Rashahel f Somali (?)
Somali form of Rachel.
Rashidi m Eastern African, Swahili, Malay
Form of Rashid used in parts of Eastern Africa as well as Malaysia.
Raxmo f Somali
Means "kindness" in Somali.
Reabetswe f Somali
Means "we have been provided for" in Sesotho.
Reda m Amharic
Means "he helped" in Amharic.
Redie m Amharic
Means "my helper" in Amharic.
Robinah f English (African), Eastern African
Variant of Robina primarily used in Uganda. The current prime minister of Uganda (as of 2021) is named Robinah Nabbanja.
Roble m Eastern African, Somali
Variant of Rooble, used outside of Somalia.
Romodan m Eastern African
Eritrean name, which is possibly derived from the Arabic name Ramadan.
Rooble m Somali
A Somali name that means "rain man" or "one who brings rain." The Somali word roob means "rain."
Roor-ì m & f Sidamo
Means "exceed!" in Sidama.
Rua m & f Swahili
used mainly among swahili community for both boys and girls. ... [more]
Rubani m Swahili
A pilot
Rugarabamu m Haya
Means "he who succeeds" in Haya.
Ruhiu m Swahili
Means “spirit” in Swahili.
Rukidi m Nyoro, Tooro
From kidi, meaning ‘stone’.
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.
Rumanyika m Haya
Means "he is famous" in Haya.
Rumánzi m Kiga
Means "brave one" in Rukiga.
Rungo m Swahili
The name Rungo has different meaning but they all mean the same thing. It mewns a “”weapon of war”” mostly a “”war club””... [more]
Rutáiruka m Kiga
Means "one who does not run away" in Rukiga.
Rutasingwa m Haya
Means "he who is never defeated" in Haya.
Ruweyda f Somali
Somali form of Ruwaida.
Rwechungura m Haya
Means "he who never despairs" in Haya.
Saante f Sidamo
Means "coin" in Sidama.
Saare m Tigrinya
Means "winner" in Tigrinya.
Saasamo m Sidamo
Means "equal" in Sidama.
Sabola m Yao
Means "pepper" in Yao.
Sadaka m Swahili
Means "a religious offering" in Swahili.
Sadao f Swahili
Means "leader" in Swahili.
Sadiki m Swahili
Means "believe" in Swahili.
Sadiki m Egyptian, 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.
Sado m Oromo (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.
Sador m Ethiopian, Literature
Coptic Christian (Ge'ez) word for the piercing on Jesus' ribs by the lancet.... [more]
Sadora f Ethiopian, 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]
Safari f & m Swahili, 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]
Safiri f Swahili
Means “traveler” in Swahili.
Safwaan m Somali
Somali form of Safwan.
Sagal f Somali
A name that derives from the word sagal which means morning rays of the sun during the rainy season.
Sahra f Somali, Arabic, German (Modern, Rare), Turkish, English (Modern, Rare)
Literally from Arabic صحراء (ṣaḥrāʾ) meaning "desert" as well as a variant of Zahrah.
Sainab f Somali, Thai (Muslim), Indonesian (Rare)
Somali, Thai and Indonesian form of Zaynab.
Saiti m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Said.
Sakabeju f Nyakyusa
Means "potato leaf" in Nyakyusa.
Sakabwesye f Nyakyusa
Means "to win" in Nyakyusa.
Sakalenge f Nyakyusa
Means "made of flowers" in Nyakyusa.
Sakariye m Somali
Somali form of Zechariah.
Saleebaan m Somali
Somali form of Sulayman.
Salujoja f Nyakyusa
Means "of the feathers" in Nyakyusa.
Salume f Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Salome.
Samakaab m Somali
Means "charity" in Somali.
Samalasele f Nyakyusa
From the Nyakyusa name for a type of bird.
Samanya f Kaguru
Means "she who is unknown" in Chikaguru.
Samatar m Somali
This Somali name means "doing good" or just "good."
Samiiro f Somali
Somali form of Samira 1.
Samrawit f Amharic
Means "she unifies" or "she is unity" in Amharic.
Samuu'eel m Somali
Somali form of Samuel.
Samweli m Swahili
Swahili form of Samuel.
Sarabi f Swahili, 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).
Sarafina f Swahili
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.
Saredo f Somali
Etymology uncertain, possibly from the Somali sare meaning "high, advanced".
Sauti f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "voice, noise".
Sebie f Ethiopian
Meaning "Autumn".
Sehin f Amharic
Means "incense" in Amharic.
Seif m Arabic (Maghrebi), Arabic (Egyptian), Swahili
Maghrebi and Egyptian transcription of Saif.
Sekaryaah m Somali
Somali form of Zechariah.
Selam f & m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "peace" in Amharic.
Sella f African, 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.
Semegne m Amharic
Means "while I was wishing" in Amharic.
Semere m African, Ethiopian
ethiopian name. meaning Everything goes fine
Semhar f & m Tigrinya
Means "Eritrean region" in Tigrinya.
Semira f Amharic, Turkish, Bosnian
Feminine form of Semir.
Senai m Tigrinya, Ethiopian
Means "gift from Above" in Tigrinya.
Senyagwa m Kaguru
Means "eloquent" in Chikaguru.
Setugne m Amharic
Means "they gave me" in Amharic.
Sevuri m Pare
Etymology uncertain, this name is traditionally given to babies born during the rainy season.
Seynab f Somali
Somali form of Zaynab.
Shaadiyya f Somali
Somali form of Shadya.
Shacbaan m Somali
Somali form of Shaban, the name of the eighth month of the Islamic calendar.
Shani f African American, Swahili (?)
Allegedly means "wonder" in Swahili.
Shareu m Amharic
Means "God exonerated him" in Amharic.
Sharmaarke m Somali
A name that means "see no evil" or "protect from evil." The prefix shar- means "evil."
Sharmarke m Eastern African, Somali
Variant spelling of Sharmaarke, used outside of Somalia.
Shebashi m Amharic
Means "thousand by thousand" in Amharic.
Shermake m Somali
Means "someone who is really lucky and brings good fortune along with them" in Somali.
Shermarke m Somali
Means "one who brings good fortune" in Somali.
Shida m & f Swahili, Persian
The name is originated from Arabic language meaning horrible, suffering, hardness or struggles
Shumbusho f & m Rwandan, African
God's consolation. Used both as a family name or a first name.
Sibagege f Nyakyusa
Means "let matters face you" in Nyakyusa.
Sifa m & f Swahili
Means "Praise"
Siku m & f Swahili
Means "day" in Swahili.
Silam f & m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "peace" in Amharic.
Simbo m Chaga
Means "harvest, divine gift" in Chagga.
Simera f Arabic, Amharic, Ethiopian
Means "good listener" in Arabic.
Simo f Kaguru
Means "story, legend" in Chikaguru.
Simuyobewe m & f Rundi
Means "I know him/her" in Kirundi.
Sinedu f Eastern African
Ethiopian name.
Sintayehu f Ethiopian
Meaning "what I have been through" or "what I have seen."
Siraad f Somali
Means "lantern" in Somali.
Sisaye f Amharic
The feminine form of Sisay.
Sitota m Amharic
Means "gift" in Amharic.
Solomoni m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Solomon.
Sooyaan m Somali
Means "make up" in Somali.
Suban m Somali
Suban is a Somali name with the following characteristics:... [more]
Subilaga f Nyakyusa
Means "to have patience" in Nyakyusa.
Sudaysi m Somali (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".
Sufyaan m Somali
Somali form of Sufian.
Sugaal m Somali
Means "wait" in Somali.
Suleekha f Somali
Somali form of Zuleikha.
Suleman m Arabic, Urdu, Amharic, Indonesian
Alternate transcription of Arabic سليمان (see Sulayman), as well as the Urdu, Amharic and Indonesian form.
Suleymaan m Somali
Somali form of Solomon.
Sulwe m & f Luo (Modern)
"shining star"
Sungara f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "rabbit, hare".
Suubban f Somali
Means “goodbye” in Somali.
Suubban f Somali
Means "modest" in Somali.
Suubi f & m Eastern African
Means "Hope" in Luganda.
Swala f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "antelope".
Sylidio m Eastern African
The given name of the Rwandian politician Sylidio Dusabumuremyi who was stabbed to death in September 2019.
Syokimau f Eastern African
The Kamba Spiritual Predictor Syokimau was a famous bearer of the name.
Tabaro m & f Tooro, Kiga, Nkore
Meaning unknown.
Tadalesh m Somali
Means "person who possesses a lot of good luck" in Somali.
Tadjidine m Comorian
Comorian form of Taj ad-Din.
Tafachi f Amharic
Means "sweet" in Amharic.
Tafarri m Amharic
Means "one who is respected" in Amharic.
Tahiil m Somali
Means "someone who is well balanced" in Somali.
Taitu f Ethiopian
Name of a 19th century Ethiopian empress known for founding the now-capital city of Addis Ababa and fending off Italian invasion of Ethiopia
Takatifu m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "sacred, holy".
Takola m Amharic
Means "wolf" in Amharic.
Tamasgan m Amharic
Means "praise" in Amharic.
Tambika f Swahili
Means "offering" in Swahili.
Tamirat m Amharic
Variant of Tamrat.
Tamre m Amharic
Means "my miracle" in Amharic.
Tamu f Swahili
Means "sweet" in Swahili.
Tasfaye m Amharic
Means "my promise" in Amharic.
Taššite m Sidamo
Means "become pleasant" in Sidama.
Tavavich f Amharic
Name of the wife of the eighteenth-century Ethiopian emporer.
Tʼawiso m Sidamo
Means "one who shines" in Sidama.
Tchaka m Amharic
Means "forest" in Amharic.
Tebarekberhaneyessus m Amharic
This name means "Bless the light of jesus" and is used in Ethiopian families. Mostly Tigray and Gurage.
Tebege m Amharic
Means "he was redeemed" in Amharic.
Tebike m Amharic
Means "I have waited" in Amharic.
Tees-ì m & f Sidamo
Means "be wise!" in Sidama.
Teferi m Amharic
Variant of Tafari.
Tegla f Eastern 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.
Tekle m & f Amharic
Means "my plant" from Amharic ተክል (tekl) meaning "plant".
Teko m & f Luo (Modern)
"strength"
Tena f & m Ethiopian
Possibly from Ethiopian ጠና (t'ena) meaning "become strong" or "older".
Tepwanji f Southern African, Eastern African
Means "patience" in Mwanga, a language spoken in Zambia and Tanzania.
Teru f Ethiopian
Means "good". This name is often combined with other names (Teruworq is an example).
Teruworq f Amharic
Means "good gold", from a combination of Teru and Worq.
Tesame f Amharic
Means "you are famous" in Amharic.
Tesfalem m Amharic
Possibly from the Amharic ተስፋ (täsfa) meaning "hope".
Tesfalem m Tigrinya
Means "hope of wise man" in Tigrinya.
Tesfamariam m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "hope of Mary" from Amharic ተስፋ (tasfa) meaning "hope" and ማርያም (Mariyami), the Amharic form of Miriam (see Mary).
Teshale m Amharic
Means "he is preferred" in Amharic.
Teshome m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "he was appointed, he was promoted" in Amharic.
Tesifa f & m Amharic
Means "hope" in Amharic.
Tessama m Amharic
Means "he is famous" in Amharic.
Tessema m Amharic
Means "he has been heard" in Amharic.
Thabiti m Swahili
Means “stable” in Swahili.
Tigist f Amharic, Oromo
Means "patience" in Amharic.
Tigisti f Tigrinya
Means "patience" in Tigrinya.
Tigst f Amharic
Variant of Tigist
Tiifu m Ganda
Transferred use of the surname Tiifu.
Tikisi f Chaga
Means "reward, gift" in Chagga.
Tiruneh m Amharic
Means "you are good" in Amharic.
Tisa m & f Swahili
Means "nine" in Swahili. It is often given to the ninth-born child.
Tissa f Somali
A gift from God
Tizazu m Amharic
Means "His command" in Amharic.
Tizita f Eastern African, Amharic, Ethiopian
Means "memory" in Amharic.
Tosane m Somali
Meaning: Tosane generally means "wise" or "knowledgeable."... [more]
Totit f Amharic
Means "monkey" in Amharic. It is used as a nickname in Ethiopia.
Tubbo m Luhya
Means "lover of bees; friend of all" in Luhya.
Tubeec m Somali
Meaning: Tubeec is associated with "melodious" or "musical", reflecting a connection to singing or music.... [more]
Tuere f Swahili (Rare)
Means "sacred" in Swahili.
Tufani f & m Swahili
Means "storm" in Swahili.
Tukaale m Somali
Meaning: Tukaale generally means "noble" or "honorable."... [more]
Tukufu m Swahili
Means "exalted" in Swahili.
Tukuswiga m Nyakyusa
Means "we are surprised" in Nyakyusa.
Tumai f Eastern African
Means "hope" in Swahili.
Tumas m Arabic, Somali
Arabic form of Thomas.
Tumbopile f Nyakyusa
Means "let us love Him" in Nyakyusa.
Tumwimbilege f Nyakyusa
Means "let us sing for Him" in Nyakyusa.
Tungibwaga m Nyakyusa
Means "we should not forget" in Nyakyusa.
Tusmo f Somali
Means "in tandem" in Somali.
Ubax f Somali
Means "flower" or "blossom" in Somali.
Ubena m Eastern African
Probably derived from a place name in Tanzania.
Udeera f Swahili
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]
Udendaneki f Datooga
Means "the spring, source of water" in Datooga.
Ugbaad f Somali
Variant of Ugbad.
Ugbad f Somali
The meaning is a "Bouquet of Roses". It is a new name, people used it as a very advanced language term of the meaning.
Ujamaa f Swahili
Means “socialist” in Swahili.
Umande f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "dew".
Umoja f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "unity, harmony".
Undule m Nyakyusa
Means "you help me" in Nyakyusa.
Unetu m Amharic
Means "the truth" in Amharic.
Ursala f Eastern African
Ugandan variant of Ursula.
Usakteayda f Datooga
Means "one who was born in the morning" in Datooga.
Useni m & f Yao
Means "tell me" in Yao.
Ushindi m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "victory, triumph".
Usiku m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "night".
Ussen m Amharic
Amharic form of Husayn.
Uzima f & m Swahili
Life
Viriola f Eastern 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.
Waabberi m Somali
Meaning: Waabberi generally means "dawn" or "daybreak."... [more]
Waaberi m Somali
Means "dawn" in Somali.
Waaq m Oromo (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]
Wacuka f Kikuyu
Means "cotton fabric one" in Kikuyu.
Wada f Oromo
East african (Kushitic, Oromo) meaning "Promise".
Wadiya m & f Luo (Archaic)
Found mainly in the Suba regions. Name believed to have Bantu origins.
Wagaye f Amharic
Means "my sense of value" or "my price" in Amharic.
Waitherero f Kikuyu
Means "of down river" in Kikuyu.
Wamwema m & f Swahili (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.
Wangũ f Kikuyu
Means "of firewood" in Kikuyu.
Wangũi f Kikuyu, African Mythology
Variant of Wangũ, meaning “of firewood”. A famous bearer of the name was one of the daughters of Kikuyu and Mumbi, the first man and woman in Kikuyu Mythology.
Wanhija f Kaguru
Means "they run off" in Chikaguru.
Wanja f Kikuyu
Means "the one from outside" in Kikuyu.
Wanjĩra f Kikuyu
Means "of the road" in Kikuyu.
Wanjiru f Kikuyu
Njiru means black thus meaning one that comes from black or dark matter mainly in reference to skin colouration
Wari m Amharic
Means "midnight" in Amharic.
Waridi f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "rose", ultimately from the Arabic Warda.
Warigia f Kikuyu
Means "the last one" in Kikuyu.
Waris f African, Somali
Means "desert flower" in Somali.
Warsame m Somali
Means "good news", derived from Somali war meaning "information, news" and same "good, positive".
Warsan f Somali
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.
Warũgũrũ f Kikuyu
Means "the one from the west" in Kikuyu.
Waseme f Swahili
Means "let them talk" in Swahili.
Wawira f Kikuyu
Means "the worker" in Kikuyu.
Wawuda f Eastern African
Means "one who is satisfied" in Taita.
Weheliye m Somali
Means "companion" in Somali.