Western African Submitted Names

Western African names include those from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. 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.
Dekontee f & m Western African
Translates to the following: In God's Time or Time will tell or Patience.
Dele m Nigerian
An uncommonly used name from the West African country of Nigeria. This name is commonly pronounced as 'Deli' but this is not the real way on how to pronounce this name.
Dembo m Mende
Means "warrior" in Mende.
Demekai m Nigerian (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Demekai.
Demilade f & m Western African, Igbo, Yoruba
Means "God has crowned me with joy" in Yoruba.
Deobia m Nigerian
Short form of Oladeobia.
Derifagha f & m Ijaw
Means "laughter can never end" in Ijaw.
Dezy m Edo (Modern)
''You cant block God's path or you can not block ones destiny; diminutive of Aigbodezzy''
Dialika f Western African
Of unknown origin and meaning.... [more]
Diaraye f Western African
Western African form of Zahra.
Dideoluwakusidede f Yoruba
Means "the coming of the lord is at hand" in Yoruba.
Diébédo m Western African
The given name of the architect and Pritzker pize winner Diébédo Francis Kéré from Burkina Faso.
Diekololaoluwa f Yoruba
Means "god's blessing is not small" in Yoruba.
Diekololaoluwalayemi f Yoruba
Means "the wealth of god in my life cannot be measured" in Yoruba.
Dijesumu m & f Yoruba (Rare)
Dijesumu means hold Jesus the name was translated from yoruba gods name to Christian which is Dorisamu, hold Orumila
Diji m Igbo
Means "a farmer" in Igbo.
Dikaya m & f Manjak
Means "is going nowhere" in Manjak. This name is given to protect the child from an early death.
Dimien m & f Ijaw
Means "God's work" or "the hand of God" in Ijaw.
Dinini m Ijaw
Meaning "mercy" or "pardon" in Ijaw.
Dinkyene m & f Akan
Derived from di meaning "eat" and nkyene meaning "salt". In Akan culture, the idea of 'eating salt' symbolises being alive, and this name acts as a mean of encouraging the child to live.
Dinnani m & f Dagbani
Means "it is possible" in Dagbani.
Dinobi f & m Igbo
Means "Beloved" relate to Nwadinobi
Dintoli m & f Dagbani
It means own
Diop m Western African
Senegalese name
Dirli m & f Dagbani
Means "sharp one" in Dagbani.
Disaaka m & f Akan
Means "you deserve saying it" in Akan.
Disemi f Ijaw
Means "I like it" in Ijaw.
Diseye f & m Ijaw
Means "desired" in Ijaw.
Ditorusin f & m Ijaw
Means "leave it for God" in Ijaw.
Diyinrin f Ijaw
Means "live life carefully" in Ijaw.
Djama m Manding
Means “the crowd” in Bambara.
Djamma m Western African
Region: Burkina Faso
Djenaba f Western African
Western African name derived from Arabic Zeynab (see also Zeinabou).
Djénéba f Western African
A variant form of Zeinebou (chiefly Malian).
Djibril m Western African
Form of Jibril used in western Africa.
Dogo m Western African
Transferred use of the surname Dogo.
Dolapo m & f Yoruba
Means "Double" in Yoruba
Dooakpo f & m Ijaw
Means "peaceful world" in Ijaw.
Dookeme m Ijaw
Means "man of peace" in Ijaw.
Doubra m & f Ijaw
Means "will" or "desire" in Ijaw.
Douye m Ijaw
Means "desire" in Ijaw.
Doyinsola f Yoruba
Means "my wealth is sweet" in Yoruba.
Dramane m Western African
Short form of Abd al-Rahman used in parts of western Africa.
Drissa m Western African
Form of Idris 1 used in parts of western Africa.
Duah m Akan
Means "tree" in Akan.
Duateme f Ijaw
Means "guardian spirit" in Ijaw.
Dujonou f Manding
Liberian Kpelle name meaning "peacemaker".
Dúkũ m & f Akan
Means "eleventh born" in Akan.
Dumlesi f & m Ogoni
Khana for "life/ prosperity is ahead" or "bright future"... [more]
Dumo m Ijaw
Dumo means Life Ibi Dumo means good life where Ibi means good .
Duro m & f Yoruba
Means "wait" in Yoruba.
Dzidefo m & f Ewe
Origin African Ghana Togo Benin... [more]
Ebeleakpo f Ijaw
Means "sweet life" in Ijaw.
Ebelechukwu f Igbo
Means "God's mercy" in Igbo.
Ebelembo f Bandial
Means "throwing there" in Bandial.
Ebeleuzoma f Western African (Modern)
Combination of Ebele meaning "mercy, kindness" with Uzoma meaning "good way".
Eberechi f & m Igbo
The mercy of God
Ebi m & f Ijaw
Means "good" in Ijaw.
Ebiakpo m & f Ijaw
Means "good life" in Ijaw.
Ebiarede m & f Ijaw
meaning i have seen good
Ebibaratimi f & m Ijaw
Means "live life well" in Ijaw.
Ebidese f & m Ijaw
Means "love good things" in Ijaw.
Ebidisebofa m & f Ijaw
Means "there is no one that doesn't like good things" in Ijaw.
Ebidowei m Ijaw
A man who seeks good
Ebiegberi m & f Western African, Ijaw
Means "good news" in Ijaw.
Ebiere f Western African, Ijaw
Means "fine lady" in Ijaw.
Ebifinidei f & m Ijaw
Means "good things have been opened to me" in Ijaw.
Ebigba m Ijaw
Means "talk good" in Ijaw.
Ebikake f Ijaw
Means "accept good things" in Ijaw.
Ebimie m & f Ijaw
Means "do good" in Ijaw.
Ebimoboere f Ijaw
Means "woman who has brought good" in Ijaw.
Ebimobowei m Ijaw
means "a man who has brought good"
Ebinimi f & m Ijaw
Means "recognise good" in Ijaw.
Ebiowei m Ijaw
Means "good man", "handsome man" or "kind-hearted man" in Ijaw.
Ebiundu m Ijaw
Means "good life" in Ijaw.
Ebiye m & f Ijaw
Means "a good thing" in Ijaw.
Ebizimor m & f Ijaw
Means "born in a good season" in Ijaw.
Ebrakumo f Ijaw
Means "don't forget me" in Ijaw.
Ebun f Yoruba, African
Meaning "gift" in Yoruba.
Eccatti f Bandial
Means "he (God) has not rewarded you" in Bandial.
Edem m & f Efik
Means "last" or "God has delivered me" in Efik.
Edet m & f Efik
Means "market" in Efik and is given to babies born on market day.
Edetobo m Efik
Means "market day" in Efik.
Edidem m Efik
Means "chief" in Efik.
Edidiong f & m Efik
Means “blessing” in Efik.
Edikan m Efik
Means "victory" in Efik.
Ediwakima f & m Efik, Ibibio
Means "abundance; love" in Ibibio and Efik.
Edoghogho m & f African, Isoko, Edo
This name which means "Day of Joy," originates from the Isoko and Edo ethnolinguistic groups of Southern Nigeria which is located on the West Coast of Africa. Broken down, it means: "Ede - Day" and "Oghogho - joy" (Which is also very common as a name in both these cultures) When combined however, it morphs into the spelling: "Edoghogho" meaning "Day of Joy" or "The Day of Joy." Phonetically, it can be pronounced "Ed-o-ghor-ghor" with the "r" silent.
Edubamo f Ijaw
Means "honour me" in Ijaw.
Eedris m Nigerian
Variant of Idris 1 used in Nigeria.
Efem f Efik
Means "troubled" in Efik.
Effia f Akan, Literature
Meaning, “girl born on Friday.”
Effiom m Efik
Means "crocodile" in Efik.
Effiong m & f Efik
Means "born on effiong" in Efik. Effiong is one of the traditional week days.
Efosa m Yoruba
meaning "God's Well" and is of Beninese origin
Efunroye f Yoruba
Meaning unknown. Notable bearer of the name is Efunroye Tinubu (c. 1810–1887), a Nigerian merchant and slave trader. Her name could be an anglicization of her birth name, Ẹfúnpọ̀róyè Ọ̀ṣuntinúbú.
Efuru f Igbo
Means "daughter of heaven" in Igbo.
Eghonghon f Esan
Means "joy" in Esan.
Ego f Nigerian
Diminutive of Egobunma.
Ehi f Idoma
Means "gift" in Idoma.
Ehigoco m & f Agatu
Means "gift of God" in Agatu.
Ehiremen m Esan
My Destiny (It can also mean the Lord) has given me
Ehizefua m Esan
Means: my (Ehi) Destiny (ze) chooses (Efua) Light or what is white
Ejatu f Western African, Fula
Sierra Leonean name, allegedly derived from Arabic eja ati meaning "movement", or perhaps a form of Aïchatou.
Ejikeme m Igbo
Used mostly by the Igbos of West Africa. ... [more]
Ejimmadu m & f Igbo
I am with human being
Ekaete f Western African, Ibibio, Efik
Means "father's mother". It is given in honor of one's paternal grandmother.
Ekei m & f Efik
Ekejiuba m Nigerian
Chineke ji uba... [more]
Ekeniyere m & f Esan
The name is associated with the people of Esanland. It means, "How many will I remember?". This is a unique name with a deep contextual meaning to one's life adventures and struggles at the end of the tunnel.
Ekhoe m & f Western African, Edo
Means "mind" in Edo language.
Ekio m Western African, Ijaw
Means "wisdom" in Ijaw.
Ekiye m Ijaw
Means "remember me" in Ijaw.
Ekong m Efik
Means "war" in Efik.
Ekow m Akan
"Born on a Thursday" or "Thursday-born".
Ekpa f & m Efik
Ekpe m Ibibio, Western African
Possibly a shortened variant of Ekpedeme.
Ekpedeme m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "who should share?" in Ibibio.
Ekpolayun m Ijaw
Means "it will reach you too" in Ijaw.
Ekwunife m & f Igbo
Means "don't make a secret open" in Igbo.
Ekwutosi m & f Igbo
Means "don't cause slander" in Igbo.
Elayokon f Ijaw
Means "take what reaches you" in Ijaw.
Elo f Esan
Means "face, eye" in Esan.
Elochukwu m & f Igbo
"elo" means plan while "chukwu" means God. "Elochukwu" means the plan of God or God's plan.
Eloghosa m & f Edo
Possibly means "it's not hard for God" in Edo. It could be the older name of Benin City, the capital of Edo State in Nigeria.
Ema m & f Efik
Emaobong f Efik
Means "love of God" in Efik, derived from ema meaning "love" and obong meaning "God".
Emechebe m & f Igbo
Means "when it’s done then it’s thought about" in Igbo.
Emekan f Efik
Means "endurance supercedes everything" in Efik.
Emekemeabasi m & f Efik
Means "the Lord is able" in Efik.
Emeleakpo f Ijaw
Means "good life" in Ijaw.
Ememabasi m & f Efik
Means "peace of the Lord" in Efik, derived from emem meaning "peace" and abasi meaning "Lord".
Emembong m & f Ibibio
Means "peace of god" in Ibibio.
Ememobong m & f Efik
Means "peace of the God" n Efek, derived from emem meaning "peace" and obong meaning "God".
Eme-obong f Efik
Means "precious one of God" in Efik.
Emmanuela f Greek (Modern, Rare), Italian (Rare), Provençal, Western African
Provençal feminine form of Emmanuèl and Italian variant of Emanuela, as well as an alternate transcription of Greek Εμμανουέλα (see Emmanouela).
Emmsdan m & f Yoruba (Rare)
Means "excellence of God's Salvation" in Igala (a language in the Yoruboid branch, common to Nigeria), from Igala emms "excellence" and dan "God Our Salvation".
Emomu f & m Ijaw
Means "follow me home" in Ijaw.
Enderline f Nigerian (Modern, Rare)
Of unknown meaning.... [more]
Ene f Idoma
Means "mother" in Idoma.
Eneikedi f & m Ijaw
Means "look after your own" in Ijaw.
Enemo f & m Ijaw
Means "endurance" in Ijaw.
Eni m & f Yoruba
Short form of Eniola.
Enibraye f & m Ijaw
Means "my own" in Ijaw.
Eniye f Nigerian, Ijaw
Means "my child" in Ijaw.
Enoabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "gift of god" in Ibibio.
Enoba f Idoma
Means "mother of my husband" or "mother-in-law" in Idoma.
Eno-obong m & f Efik
Means "gift from God" in Efik.
Enyonyam f Western African
Means "it is good for me" in Ewe.
Eperulo m & f Bandial
Means "to scream at the top of one's voice" in Bandial.
Erebi f Ijaw
Means "the beauty of womanhood" in Ijaw.
Eremiemi f & m Ijaw
Means "my name shall survive" in Ijaw.
Erhuanga m Nigerian (Rare)
It is from Ozalla village
Eriayomi f Yoruba
My testimony of joy, "Ayomi" being "my joy."... [more]
Erin m & f Yoruba
Means "smile" in Yoruba.
Erinayo m & f Western African, Yoruba
Notable bearer is Erinayo Wilson Oryema, Uganda's first African Inspector General of Police.
Eromosele m Esan
Means "prayer has been answered" in Esan.
Ese f Esan
Means "gift" in Esan.
Eseimokumo m Ijaw
Don't talk bad of me
Eseoheose f Esan
Meaning: Free Gift of God
Eseose f Esan
Means: Gift of God
Eseose f Esan
Means "gift of God".
Eshu m African, Yoruba
A god of the Yoruba of West Africa.
Esikumo f & m Ijaw
Means "don't be afraid" in Ijaw.
Esosa m & f Western African, Edo
Means "God's gift" in Edo language.
Essien f Akan
Variant of Nsia.
Essien m Efik
Means "outside" in Efik.
Essien m Nigerian
Name of Nigerian origin, meaning "favorite one", "beloved".
Esu m & f Efik
Eteakamba m Efik
Efik origin, meaning, Great grand father,
Eteimowei m Ijaw
A man who saves
Ethmane m Western African
Variant of Uthman (chiefly Mauritanian).
Etido f Efik
Means "good character" in Efik.
Etim m Efik, Ibibio
Means "to care for; to prepare for" in Ibibio and Efik.
Etok m Efik
Means "small" in Efik.
Etom m & f Nigerian
Etom means "life" it is from the people of cross river state in Nigeria
Eton m & f Efik
Etoro f Efik
Means "praise" in Efik.
Eucharis f & m Ancient Greek, Literature, Nigerian (Rare)
Derived from the Greek adjective εὔχαρις (eucharis) meaning "charming, gracious". It consists of Greek εὖ (eu) meaning "good, well" combined with the Greek noun χάρις (charis) meaning "grace, kindness" (see Chares).... [more]
Evbu f Edo
This name means "misty". Misty refers to objects with misty colors. One other possibly meaning is "dew" referring to a baby born during a dewy morning.
Evioghene f & m Isoko, Urhobo, Nigerian
It is a name beared by the isoko uhrobo language speaking people in Delta state, Nigeria.... [more]
Eyitemi m & f Western African (Rare)
An Itsekiri name, Meaning " this is my own ".
Eyranam f Ewe
The name Eyranam means God blesses me always.
Ezenwa m Igbo (Rare)
The name Ezenwa is an Igbo name meaning King, Prince, or Son of King
Ezeuzo m Igbo
Means "king of the road" in Igbo.
Ezinwanne m Igbo
nwanne, nwanneka"good companion or relative" igbo, african
Faako m & f Dagbani
Means "mercy" in Dagbani.
Fadimata f Western African
Variant of Fatimata, especially used in Mali.
Fa'idah f Hausa
Means "benefit, advantage" in Hausa.
Fa'iqah f Hausa
Means "surpassing, excellent" in Hausa.
Faithful m & f English (Archaic), English (Puritan), Literature, Nigerian
Virtue name meaning "loyal" or "having faith (in God)" that has been in use since the 16th century, initally mostly for boys, later also for girls.... [more]
Fa'izah f Hausa
Means "victorious" in Hausa.
Falala f Western African, Fula
Means "born into abundance" in Fula.
Fallou m Western African, French (African)
This name is of Senegalese origin.
Famara m Manding, Wolof, Western African
From the name of the Manding ruler Famara Mané (or Nfamara Mané), who lead a revolt in the kingdom of Kaabu in 1865. It is mostly used throughout Senegal and The Gambia.
Fanendo m Nigerian
A known bearer of this name is Nigerian soccer player Fanendo Adi (1990-).
Farhanatou f Western African
Form of Farhana used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Fasasi m Yoruba
The name Fasasi originates from the Yoruba culture, in Nigeria, West Africa. It is commonly associated with Muslims than Christians or traditionalists.
Fasingha m & f Ijaw
Means "a name never dies" in Ijaw.
Fatimoh f Thai (Muslim), Nigerian
Form of Fatimah used in Thailand and Nigeria.
Fatouma f Western African
Form of Fatimah used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Febechi f Nigerian
It's of African origin. It means, "worshipper of God"
Fechukwu m & f Igbo
Worship God
Fedude m & f Ijaw
Means "death has ended" in Ijaw. ... [more]
Fela m Yoruba, Nigerian
Diminutive of Olufela
Felagha f & m Ijaw
Means "death has not reached me" in Ijaw.
Fenuku m & f Ewe
Means "year seed" in Ewe.
Fenure m & f Western African, Urhobo
Means "we have riches" in Urhobo.
Feyi f Ewe
Means "a year has passed" in Ewe.
Fifi m Akan
variant of Kofi
Filittene f Bandial
Means "it (the womb) learns" in Bandial.
Fisayo m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "add to my joy" in Yoruba.
Foday m Western African
Unknown meaning, possibly from the Temne or Loko languages, spoken in Sierra Leone.... [more]
Folaoluwashade f Yoruba
Means "the wealth of god is my crown" in Yoruba.
Folarin m & f Yoruba
Means "walks with wealth" in Yoruba.
Folasade f Yoruba, Nigerian
Means "honour confers a crown" or "rule with nobility" in Yoruba.
Folashade f Yoruba, Nigerian
Variant transcription of Folasade.
Folayan f Yoruba, African
means "to walk in dignity"
Folorunsho m & f Yoruba
Means "under God's protection" in Yoruba.
Folorunso m & f Yoruba
Variant of Folorunsho.
Foluke m & f African, Nigerian
means Placed in God's hands
Fowoke f Yoruba
Means "girl who is pampered with money" in Yoruba.
Foyinsola f Yoruba
Means "add honey to its wealth" in Yoruba.
Funebi m & f Ijaw
Means "education is good" in Ijaw.
Funere f Ijaw
Means "A Learned Woman"
Funfun m & f Yoruba
Yoruba name that means "Pure"
Funkuro m Ijaw
Means "knowledge is power" in Ijaw.
Funmi m & f Yoruba
Means "give to me" in Yoruba. It can be used as a short form of names containing funmi, such as Funmilola and Olufunmilayo.
Funmike f Yoruba
Means "given to me to cherish" in Yoruba.
Funmilola m & f Yoruba
Means "give me wealth" in Yoruba.
Funware m Ijaw
meaning library or house of book
Fuseina f Western African, Dagbani
Feminine form of Fuseini. In Northern Ghana, this name is given to the firstborn of a pair of twin girls, while the second-born twin is named Asana... [more]
Fuseini m African, Dagbani
In Northern Ghana, it is the name given to the second born of a pair of twin girls. The first born twin is named Fuseini According to superstition, the second twin is considered to be the older twin because it is said that during the trauma of birth, the older twin send the younger twin ahead to make sure the world is safe.
Future m & f English (Rare), Western African, Southern African
This name is from the English word derived from Old French futur meaning "future, to come," which is then derived from Latin futurus meaning "going to be, yet to be, the future (as a noun)." The Latin word is an irregular suppletive future participle of esse meaning "to be," which comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *bheue- meaning "to be, exist, grow, come into being."... [more]
Fyiynfoluwa f Yoruba
Means "give praise to god, a person who never forgets to praise god for everything" in Yoruba.
Gado m Hausa
Means "bed" in Hausa. This name is traditionally given to the child born after twins.
Gagare m Hausa
Means "unconquerable" in Hausa.
Gajere m Hausa
Means "short" in Hausa.
Ganau m Hausa
From the Hausa ganī meaning "see". This name is traditionally given to boys born on the night of a full moon.
Garba m Western African, Hausa
Hausa variant of Abu Bakr.
Gariba m Dagbani
Corrupted name of Abukari. Name used by the 20th King of Dagbon and the 40th King.
Gbadebo m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "returns with the crown" in Yoruba.
Gbambeli m Western African
Masculine name originating from the Banda Traditional Area & from the Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana.
Gbekelolu m & f Yoruba
Means "it is left to God" in Yoruba.
Gbemi m Yoruba
Derived from the Yoruba gbé "(to) carry" (see: Gbemisola).
Gbeneowei m Ijaw
Means "complete man" in Ijaw.
Gbolahun f Yoruba
Means "show the wealth" in Yoruba.
Gbonjubola m & f Yoruba
mature into wealth.
Gboyega m Yoruba
Means "lifts chieftaincy up" in Yoruba.
Gesebo f & m Ijaw
Means "the just" in Ijaw.
Gesekeme m Ijaw
Means "upright man" in Ijaw.
Gesiye f & m Ijaw
Means "genuine" in Ijaw.
Ginikanwa f & m Igbo
Means "what is greater than a child" in Igbo.
Giwa m Western African, Hausa
Means "elephant" in Hausa.
Gnégnéri m Western African (Gallicized)
Borne by Ivorian footballer Gnégnéri Yaya Touré (1983-), known simply as Yaya Touré.
Godslove m & f Nigerian (Modern), English
The combination of God is love, God's love. Meaning "God's kind of love" or "God is love"
Godstime m & f Nigerian
From the English phrase God's time.
Golibe f Igbo
Short form of Golibenachukwu.