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.
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.
Golibenachukwu f Igbo
Means "rejoice the Lord" in Igbo.
Gor m Wolof
Meaning "man".
Goriola m Yoruba
Means "climbed to the top of wealth" in Yoruba.
Gowon m African, Ngas, Nigerian
A common name used among the Jos Plateau people of Nigeria.
Goyit m Ngas
Foresight, seer, one who sees the future. The name is used in reference to a visionary.
Gubajuti m & f Bandial
Means "they do not have you" in Bandial.
Guondibo m & f Bandial
Means "they inter you there" in Bandial. This is considered a 'death prevention' name.
Guyyah m Bandial
Means "graves" in Bandial, originally a short form of Ammenguyyah. This is considered a 'death prevention' name.
Gwaggo f Hausa
Means "aunt" in Hausa.
Gwalajori m Kassena
Means "the slave raider has returned" in Kasem.
Gwhd f Western African, Anaang
Means “disgraceful; unworthy being” in Anaang.
Haawo f Ewe
Means “the snow” in Ewe.
Habibou f & m Western African
Western African variant of Habiba or Habib.
Hadadangi m & f Western African, Hausa
Means "joining of clans" in Hausa.
Hadiatou f Western African
Western African elaboration of Hadia.
Haƙurau m Hausa
From the Hausa hàƙurà meaning “be patient”.
Hamadou m Western African
Form of Hamad or Hammad used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Hamady m Western African
A variant of the Arabic name Hamad, meaning "praiseworthy".
Hamidou m Western African
Form of Hamid 1 or Hamid 2 used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Hamidu m Hausa
Hausa form of Hamid 1.
Hankali m & f Hausa
Means "intelligent" in Hausa.
Hasia f Western African
Probably a spelling variant of Hassia.
Hassana m Hausa
Hausa form of Hasan and Hassan.
Hassane m Arabic (Maghrebi), Western African
Alternate transcription of Hassan as well as the form used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Hawanatu f Western African
Possibly a form of Hawa, used in Sierra Leone.
Heineken m Ijaw
Probably derived from the Dutch surname Heineken.... [more]
Hikolana m Dagbani
when a child was born denoting the owner to have to brought blessing, luck and authority in a family in northern dagombi speaking family .
Huraira m & f Pakistani, Punjabi, Nigerian
Means "kitten" in Arabic. Abu Hurairah was one of the Prophet Muhammad's companions, in whose case it was part of a kunya or nickname acquired because of his attachment to cats.
Husaini m Hausa, Indonesian, Malay
Hausa, Indonesian and Malay form of Husayn.
Ibenu m Idoma
Ibenu means "dare not a warrior" it was given after the Ibenu empire who lived in the Benue-Plateau region before its disintegration. The history was told that Ikwu who beget Ibenu were both warriors... [more]
Ibianga f Nigerian
Perhaps a form of Ibiang
Ibiro m Hausa
Diminutive form of Ibrahimu.
Ibok m & f Efik
Ibrahimu m Hausa
Hausa form of Abraham.
Ibukun f Yoruba
Means "blessings; an addition" in Yoruba. It is often used as a short form for names starting with Ibukun.
Ibukunoluwa m & f Yoruba
Means "God's blessing" in Yoruba.
Idara f Hausa
Means "joy" in Hausa.
Idem m & f Efik
Idiebimo f & m Ijaw
Means "take care of me" in Ijaw.
Idim m & f Efik
Idirisu m Hausa
Hausa form of Idris 1.
Idongesit m & f Ibibio
Means "comfort" in Ibibio.
Idorenyin m & f Ibibio
Means "hope" in Ibibio.
Ifamma f Igbo
Means “good deeds” in Igbo.
Ife f Yoruba
It means “February” and “Love” ... [more]
Ifedapo m & f Yoruba
Means "love came together" in Yoruba.
Ifedayo f Yoruba
Means "love turned to joy" in Yoruba.
Ifejika m Igbo, Nigerian
Why we are greater; What I have is greater;
Ifemelu f Igbo, Literature
Ifemelu is the name of the main protagonist in 'Americanah' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Ifeoluwa m & f Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "love of God" or "God's will" in Yoruba.
Ifetayo f Nigerian (Rare)
A name of African descent meaning "love brings joy".
Ifetundun f Yoruba
Means "love is sweet" in Yoruba.
Ifeyinwa f & m Igbo
Igbo (Nigerian)
Ifiemi f & m Ijaw
Means "there is time for everything" in Ijaw.
Igunikeme m Ijaw
Means "stranger" in Ijaw.
Iheanyichukwu m Igbo
Means "there is nothing God cannot do" in Igbo.
Ihotu f Idoma
Means "love" or "like" in Idoma.
Ihunanya f Igbo
Means "love" in Igbo.
Ihuomachukwu f Igbo
Means "good face of god" in Igbo.
Ikemba m Igbo
Means "strength of a nation" or "power of the people" in Igbo.
Ikeoluwa f Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the care of God" in Yoruba.
Ikidaola m & f Yoruba
full of wealth
Ikiemoye f & m Ijaw
Means "thoughts" in Ijaw.
Ikuromo f & m Ijaw
Means "encourage me" in Ijaw.
Ilesanmi m Yoruba
Means "home befits me" in Yoruba.
Iliman m Wolof (Rare)
Standard spelling of Ilimane in Wolof.
Iliyasu m Hausa
Hausa form of Elias.
Ima f Ibibio
Means "love" in Ibibio.
Imohimi m & f Western African, Edo
Means "I have a support" in Edo language.
Imose f Western African, Edo
Means "beauty" in Edo.
Inemesit f & m Western African, Ibibio
Means "happiness" in Ibibio.
Ini f & m Western African, Ibibio
Means "time" in Ibibio.... [more]
Iniabasi m & f Western African, Ibibio
Means "God's time" in Ibibio.
Inibrakemi f Ijaw
Means "your destiny is in your hands" in Ijaw.
Iniekenimi f & m Ijaw
Means "know only your own" in Igbo.
Iniemem f & m Efik
"Time of peace"
Iniko m Igbo
Meaning "born during troubled times" or "born in a time of trouble" in Igbo, historically given to boys. A notable bearer of this name is the mononymous American singer Iniko.
Inioluwa m & f Yoruba
Means "property of the lord" in Yoruba.
Inipere f & m Ijaw
Means "here is my wealth" in Ijaw.
Inyang m & f Efik
Irawo m & f Yoruba
Means "star" in Yoruba.
Irebabofo m Western African
Origin: Ghana
Iredia m Western African, Esan
Means "stay" in Esan. ... [more]
Irekanmi f African, Yoruba
"It is now my turn for good things"
Iremide f & m Yoruba
Means "my goodness has come" in Yoruba.
Ireti m & f Yoruba
Means "hope" in Yoruba.
Irorezi f Isoko (Rare)
Means "good thoughts" in Isoko.
Irorezi f Nigerian
A feminine Nigerian name. The meaning is loosely translated to "good thoughts". This name could also be a diminutive of the Nigerian name Orezi, meaning "precious".
Iruuju m Igbo
Means "sorrowful" in Igbo.
Isatou f Western African
Probably derived from Aisha, compare the West African name form Aïssatou.
Isioma f Nigerian
Means "good luck".
Isiyaka m Hausa
Hausa form of Isaac.
Isiyaku m Hausa
Hausa form of Isaac.
Ismaïla m Western African
Western African form of Ismail (see Ishmael).
Isma'ilu m Hausa
Hausa form of Ishmael.
Isomubo m Ijaw
Means "messenager" in Ijaw.
Isongke f & m Western African, Anaang
Means "nothing is impossible" in Anaang, spoken in Nigeria.
Issaka m Western African
Form of Ishaq used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Isufu m Hausa
Hausa form of Joseph.
Itohan f Western African, Edo, Ijaw
Means "mercy" in Edo and "I don't wish you bad" in Ijaw.
Itohanosa f Western African, Edo
Means "the mercy of God" in Edo language.
Itonyo f & m Ijaw
Means "my thought" in Ijaw.
Ituaton m Ijaw
Means "remember me" in Ijaw.
Iwa f Afizere
Means "eve" in Afizere.
Iwalaye m & f Yoruba
THE IWALAYE / IWALAIYE IS THE NAME OF A FAMILY (A ROYAL NAME )IN THE YORUBA LAND,EFFO-AMURO, KOGI STATE.
Iwuanyanwu m & f Igbo
Means “the law, lawful” in Igbo.
Iyabode f Ijaw
Means "poverty has come" in Ijaw.
Iyabode f Yoruba
Yoruba for " mother has returned". When a the first girl child is born after the death of a grandmother, the child is given this name. Iya is the root word,which means mother. Such as Iyaba, wich means Grandmother.
Iyeoka f Western African, Yoruba
Means "mother who speaks the word" in Yoruba.... [more]
Iyiomo m & f Yoruba
ondo region of western nigeris
Izon-ebi m & f Ijaw
Means "the Ijaw life is good" in Ijaw.
Jaachike m Igbo
Variant of Jachike.
Jachike m Igbo
Means "praise God" or "Hail God" in Igbo.
Jadesola f Yoruba
Means "emerge into wealth" in Yoruba.
Jahali f Bandial
Means "worried" in Bandial.
Jegede m Nigerian (Modern)
A very active person that moves around a lot
Jemda m & f Dagbani
Means "worshipper" in Dagbani.
Jenda m & f Dagbani
It means Outstanding or exceptional when used as a verb, but when used as a noun it means responsibility
Jesam m & f Nigerian (Modern)
Originally, an expression used to indicated ... [more]
Jessic m Western African
Probably a masculine form of Jessica.
Jesubori f Yoruba
Meaning "Jesus is the winner" or "Jesus overcomes" in Yoruba
Jesumbo m & f Yoruba
It is a Yoruba name,a tribe in South-Western Nigeria which mean "JESUS IS COMING BACK" and in Hebrew Maranatha. It can be beared by both sexes reminding the hearer(s) of the second coming of the Lord Jesus who left this world over two thousand(2000) years ago...
Jesusemen m Esan
Meaning: Jesus is enough for me
Jeta m Nigerian
Meaning unknown. A known bearer of this name is the Nigerian filmmaker Jeta Amata (b. 1974).
Jibbanno m & f Bandial
Means "we have returned" in Bandial.
Jibirila m Hausa
Variant of Jibirilu.
Jibirilu m Hausa
Hausa form of Gabriel.
Jibrila m Hausa
Variant of Jibrilu.
Jibrilu m Hausa
Hausa form of Gabriel.
Jibrin m Nigerian
From the name of the historical Arabic town, بيت جبرين (Bayt Jibrin or Jubrin), meaning "house of the powerful." It may also be a variant of Jibril.
Jidenna m Igbo
"Hold the Father"
Jilañulo f & m Jola
Means "we have come back" in Jola.
Jilma f & m Dagbani
Means "honour, respect" in Dagbani.
Jimo f & m Yoruba
Means "awake child" in Yoruba, derived from jí meaning "wake up; arise" and ọmọ meaning "child". It is also used as diminutive of longer names such as Ajírọ́mọgbé.
Jiñappu m & f Bandial
Means "the little one" in Bandial.
Jintora m & f Dagbani
Means "counselor" in Dagbani.
Jipareol f Bandial
Means "get ready for her" in Bandial.
Jobe f & m Igede
Means "give thanks" in Igede, spoken in Nigeria. Alternative meanings are "gratitude" or "be grateful".
Jojo m Akan
variant of Kwadwo
Jumoki f & m African, Yoruba, Nigerian
Jumoki which in Nigerian means "everyone loves the baby". There is a dog on youtube named Moki, which is short for Jumoki.
Kaakyire m Akan
Means "last born" in Akan.
Kabayao m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unavailable.
Kabunji m Hausa
Means “afraid, scared” in Hausa.
Kadiatu f Western African
Western African form of Khadija.
Kadidia f Western African
Form of Khadija used in parts of western Africa.
Kadidiatou f Western African
Form of Khadija used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Kadoa f Kassena
Means "born on a rainy day" in Kasem.
Kaedabi m & f Akan
Means "remember the past" in Akan.
Kaffe m & f Western African, Akan
Variant of Kofi.
Kagwala f Kassena
Means "woman who behaves like a slave raider" in Kasem.
Kaito m & f Igbo
Means "let us glorify God" in Igbo.
Kaitochi f Igbo
The name originates from the Igbo tribe in the Eastern part of Nigeria, West Africa. It means "let us praise God"; referring to the Christian God.
Kaku m Akan
Variant of Akua.
Kalidou m Western African
Form of Khalid used in parts of French-influenced West Africa.
Kallamu m Hausa
Kallamu means Musa in Hausa
Kallamu m Hausa
Means "word (of God)" in Hausa. This name is closely tied with the name Musa.
Kalu m Igbo (Rare)
Kalu is a shortened name of, or derived from; Kamalu or Kamanu, the deity of thunder. Kamalu is an important deity in the traditional belief system of the people of many subethnic Igbo people (an ethnic group of southeastern Nigeria)... [more]
Kambondoo m Dagbani
This is one of the death prevention names among the Dagbamba. When a woman gave birth up to three to four times and each time she give birth the children die. To prevent this names like this is given to a child to prevent it from dying.
Kamharida f Igbo
Means "may I not fall" in Igbo
Kamtochukwu m Igbo
"I will praise God"
Kanayochukwu m & f Igbo
Means "Let's keep asking God" in Igbo.
Kande f Hausa
Unknown etymology. This name is usually given to a girl born after two or more successive boys.
Kaneme m & f Igbo
Means "let's keep doing" in Igbo.
Kangmi m & f Western African, Goemai
Means 'joining of clans' in Goemai, spoken in Nigeria.
Kaodinna m Igbo
Means "the way it pleases God" in Igbo.
Kaoni f Nigerian
Long awaited child
Kaosisochukwu m & f Igbo
Means "as it pleases God" in Igbo.
Kara f & m Ogoni
Means "pray, prayer" in Khana, a dialect of Ogoni language from Nigeria.
Karambeni f Jola
Means "to help you" in Jola.
Karamoko m Manding, Western African
Means "cleric-teacher" in the Manding languages.
Kariara f Ijaw
Means "I prayed for her" in Ijaw.
Kariebi m & f Ijaw
Means "the blessing we prayed for" in Ijaw.
Karmami m Hausa
Means "cornstalk" in Hausa.
Kashim m Nigerian, Kanuri
Kanuri form of Qasim, Cassim and Kassim.
Kasi f & m Dagbani
It means 'neat or clean'
Kataali f & m Dagbani
It means have no sins
Katakyie m Akan
Means "the strong man" in Akan.
Kauna f Hausa
Means "love" in Hausa.
Kazah m & f Nigerian
Means "God" in Bajju.
Kebe m Mabaan, Nigerian
Meaning, "Strong man with no fear."
Kéehu m & f Manjak
Means "the one who dies" or "the dead one" in Manjak. This name is given to protect the child from an early death.
Kekeli f Ewe
Kekeli is of Ewe origin & means, 'light, lightness.'
Kemelayefa m Ijaw
Means "nothing is greater than a human being" in Ijaw.
Kemi f Yoruba
Means "cherish me; caring for me" in Yoruba. It is also a diminutive of other names such as Oluwakemi.
Kenechi m Igbo
Means "thank God" or "thanks be to God" in Igbo (compare Ekene, Chi 2).
Kenhinde m & f Yoruba
One coming last. Often used for the second of twins.
Keniabarido f & m Ogoni
Khana for "as it pleases God (for him to do)"... [more]
Kérobiwa f Bandial
Means "why go there?" in Bandial.
Kershia f Akan
Means "queen".
Ketugay m & f Jola
Means "Die till you get tired of it" in Jola. This name is given to an infant who is believed to be a spirit child who has been coming and going between life and death.
Khadidiatou f Western African
Form of Khadija used in western Africa.
Khadijatou f Western African
Form of Khadija used in French-influenced western Africa.
Khalidou m Western African
Form of Khalid used in Senegal.
Kieruka f Igbo
Variant of Nkiruka.
Kike f Yoruba
Means "caring for" in Yoruba.
Kikelomo f Yoruba
Means "child whom everyone loves pampering" in Yoruba.
Kinfeosioluwa f Yoruba
Means "I may love you more (my lord)" in Yoruba.
Kinya f English (Rare), Western African (?)
May be a variant of Kenya or a name of Ghanaian origin (uncertain as to which language the name belongs to) in which the meaning is unknown.
Kirikuba m Bariba
Means "a carved idol" in Bariba.
Kisi f & m Ogoni
Means "move/ go forward" or "progress" in Khana,... [more]
Kituru m Bariba
Means "rain god" in Bariba.
Kobe m Akan
variant of Kwabena
Kobi m & f Western African, Akan
Short form of Kobina.
Kobinah m Akan
handsome/precious boy born on tuesday
Kodee f Akan
Means "eagle" in Akan.
Koffi m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé fue "Saturday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Saturday".
Kofo m & f Yoruba
Diminutive of Kofoworola.
Kofoworola m & f Yoruba
Means "He/She did not buy this wealth with money" in Yoruba, derived from kò meaning "(he/she) didn't", fi meaning "use", owó meaning "money", rà meaning "buy" and ọlá meaning "wealth".
Koko m & f Efik
Diminutive of Kokoete and Kokoeka.
Koku m Akan
Variant of Akua.
Kokumo m & f Yoruba
Means "he will not die anymore" in Yoruba, typically given to an Abiku child. Abiku are spirits that are believed to enter a pregnant woman and move in a constant cycle of birth, death, and rebirth... [more]
Kola m Yoruba
Means "gathers wealth" in Yoruba, derived from kó meaning "gather" and ọlá meaning "wealth". It is also used as diminutive of Kolawole, Kolade and Kolapo.
Kolade m Yoruba
Means "brings lots of wealth" in Yoruba, derived from kó meaning "gather" combined with ọlá meaning "honour, wealth, success, notability" and dé meaning "arrive, return".
Kolapo m Yoruba
Means "gather wealth together" in Yoruba.
Kolawole m Yoruba
Means "he brings nobility, wealth, honour, into the house" in Yoruba.
Komlan m Akan
Means "Tuesday" in Akan.
Konan m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé mlan "Wednesday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Wednesday".
Kosau m Hausa
Means "well fed" in Hausa.
Kosisochi m & f Igbo
Kosisochi Meaning: As it Pleases God. ... [more]
Kosisochukwu m & f Igbo
Means "as it pleases God" in Igbo.
Kossola m Yoruba
Means "I do not lose my fruits anymore" or "my children do not die any more" in Yoruba.... [more]
Kotatee m & f Western African, Kru
It means "sit down here" in Kru/Klao language spoken in Liberia.
Kottia m Western African
Meaning unknown. It is mostly used in Côte d'Ivoire.
Kouadio m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé jɔlɛ "Tuesday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Tuesday".
Kouakou m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé we "Thursday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Thursday".
Kouamé m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé mɔnnɛn "Sunday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Sunday".
Kouassi m Akan
Means "born on Sunday" in Akan.
Kouassi m Baoulé
Derived from Baoulé kisie "Monday", referring to the day of the week on which the child was born and hence to be understood as "born on Monday".
Kpadia m Ijaw
Meaning unknown. It was the name of an Ijaw king.
Kponoabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "honour god" in Ibibio.
Kudighe m & f Ibibio
Means "fear not" in Ibibio.
Kudirat f Yoruba
Possibly from the Yoruba kúdírátù meaning "power".
Kufreabasi m & f Ibibio, Efik
Means "do not forget God" in Ibibio and Efik.
Kulu f Igbo
Shortened form of Kamalu, the name of the traditional Igbo god of thunder and lightning, used for girls.
Kuma f Efik
Means "I'm still in love with you" in Efik.
Kumi m & f Akan
"forcefulness"
Kunle m Yoruba
Means "(one that) fills the house" in Yoruba, derived from kún meaning "fill" and ilé meaning "house, home". This is a usual short form of Adekunle, Olukunle, Ibikunle, Oyekunde or Ogunkunde.
Kunombarang m & f Afizere
Means "God has added" in Afizere.
Kunomnok m & f Afizere
Means "God has given" in Afizere.
Kuroyefa m & f Western African, Ijaw
Means "nothing is difficult in life" in Ijaw.
Kusu m Bariba
Means "partridge" in Bariba.
Kuttayibe m Nigerian, Kanuri
Kanuri form of Qutaybah.
Kuuku m Akan
Variant of Akua.
Kuwame m Akan
Means "Saturday" in Akan.
Kuyikabasi m & f Ibibio
Means "do not doubt god" in Ibibio.