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.
Oforiwaa f Akan
One who is Royal
Ofu m Idoma
Means "power, strength" in Idoma.
Ofure m & f African, Esan, Nigerian
Means "peace, it is well" in Esan.
Ogbodo m & f Igbo
Ogbodo is an ancient name. It is used/ popularly heard in the Eastern part of Nigeria. ... [more]
Ogbotubo f & m Ijaw
Means "child of the soil" in Ijaw.
Ogezimo m & f Ijaw
Means "born during a festival" in Ijaw.
Oghenegaren m & f Western African, Urhobo
Means "God is great" in Urhobo.
Ogheneoboakpororo m Isoko, Urhobo, Nigerian
Its origin is isoko and uhrobo, in Delta state, Nigeria. ... [more]
Oghenevwemu m & f Urhobo
Means "God owns all things" in Urhobo.
Ogola f & m Ijaw
Means "judgement" in Ijaw.
Ogonoebi m Ijaw
Means "the sky is beautiful" or "heaven is beautiful" in Ijaw.
Ohejitahi m & f Igede
Means "God with us" in Igede, spoken in Nigeria.
Ohenwam f & m Igede
Means "God is my satisfaction" or "God has satisfied me" in Igede, spoken in Nigeria.
Ohuntuntun m & f Yoruba
Yoruba by Ibironke
Oilonye m & f Agatu
Means "a child is sweet" in Agatu.
Oiwehi m & f Agatu
Means "A child is a gift" in Agatu.
Oiwodu m & f Agatu
Means "a child is wealth" in Agatu.
Ojamalia f Nigerian
anambara
Ojifyoi m & f Agatu
Means "What is more than a child?" in Agatu.
Ojilima f Idoma
Means "honour, respect" in Idoma.
Ojo m Yoruba
This name is given when a child is born with the umbilical cord around their neck.
Ojonubi f & m Nigerian
Means "God's protection is mine always even when I am not paying attention" in Igala. The Igala ethnic group is one of the large ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Oke m & f Yoruba
Means "child born inside an unbroken membrane."
Okechwukwu m Igbo
Means "God's share" in Igbo.
Okenna m Igbo
derived from the combination of two words of the Igbo origin,"OKE" and "NNA" literally meaning "GREAT" and "FATHER".... [more]
Oki m Ijaw
Shark
Okieriete m Nigerian
This is the name of Okieriete Onaodowan, who plays Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in the broadway show Hamilton.
Okon m Efik
Means "born at night" in Efik.
Okoye m Igbo (Archaic, ?)
This name originates from the Igbo tribe in Western Africa.... [more]
Okpara m Igbo
Firstborn son
Oku m & f Efik
Means Priest
Okwan m Akan
Means "on the road" in Akan.
Okwuchukuw m Igbo
Means "God's word" in Igbo.
Olabisi f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "joy is multiplied" or "salvation increases" in Yoruba, composed of the element õlà "salvation, that which saves, cause of salvation" combined with bi-si "to multiply, increase, replenish"... [more]
Olabowale f Yoruba
Means "wealth has come home" in Yoruba.
Oladapo m Yoruba
Means "wealth has been mixed together" in Yoruba.
Oladeji m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "wealth has doubled" in Yoruba.
Oladele m Western African, Yoruba
Means "wealth has come home" in Yoruba.
Oladepe f Yoruba
Means "complete wealth has come" in Yoruba.
Oladigbolu m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth has collapsed on me" in Yoruba.
Oladigbolu f & m Yoruba
First of the most-loyal governing antonym of the native black jew. The name was bestow to the only first kin of orunmila
Oladiipo m & f Yoruba
Means "honour is multiplied" in Yoruba.
Oladipupo m Yoruba
"Abundant Happiness" as told to me by a Nigerian immigrant I met named Oladipupo.
Olaedo f & m Igbo
Interpretation: "Ola edo" means a yellowish precious metal, a jewel; it is Igbo for "gold." Hence a child so name is adjudged "precious" and "golden."
Olaide m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth rolled in" in Yoruba.
Olaitan m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth is inexhaustible" in Yoruba.
Olajide m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "wealth arose" or "wealth has awakened".
Olajumoke f Yoruba
Means "wealth concerts to cherish" in Yoruba.
Olamigoke m Yoruba
Means "my wealth has increased" in Yoruba.
Olaniran m Yoruba
Means "nobility (or wealth) has pedigree" in Yoruba.
Olaniyan m Yoruba, African
means "honors surround me"
Olaoluwa m & f Yoruba (Modern)
Means "the grace of God" or "the wealth of God" in Yoruba.
Olaseni m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth is achievable" in Yoruba.
Olasinbo m Yoruba
Means "wealth is on the way" in Yoruba.
Olasunkanmi m & f Yoruba
Means "God is by my side" in Yoruba.
Olatayo m & f Yoruba
Means "happiness" in Yoruba.
Olatokunbo m & f Yoruba
Means "wealth or nobility returns from overseas" in Yoruba. It is typically given to a child born abroad and later brought home.
Olatunde m Yoruba
Means "honour returns" or "wealth returns" in Yoruba.
Olaudah m History, Igbo (Anglicized, ?), Afro-American (Slavery-era)
Possibly a form of the Igbo name Olaedo. This was borne by former slave, anti-slavery campaigner and autobiographer Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797), the son of a West African village chief.
Olayide f & m Western African, Yoruba
Means "wealth rolled in" in Yoruba.
Olekamma f Igbo
Means "how many are better?" in Igbo.
Olekwugoco m & f Agatu
Means "will of God" in Agatu.
Olisa m Igbo
Igbo form of Oscar.
Ọ̀lọ̀húnṣé m Yoruba
“Ọ̀lọ̀húnṣé” or in its longer speech form “Ọ̀lọ̀hún ó ṣé ún” is derived from the Èdè Yorùbá (Yorùbá language), where "Ọ̀lọ̀hún” or “Olúwa ọrùn” refers to "The lord of the heavens", a reference to one of the titles for God, and "Ó ṣé ún" means gratitude... [more]
Oloruntuba m Yoruba
Means "God is a king" in Yoruba.
Olorunyomi m & f Yoruba
Means "God has saved me" in Yoruba.
Olotu m Idoma
Means "very courageous" in Idoma.
Olotu m Ijaw
Means "champion" in Ijaw.
Oluale m Yoruba
Variant spelling of Oluwale.
Oluchukwu m & f Igbo
It means "God's handiwork".
Oludare m & f Yoruba
Means "God has not forsaken" in Yoruba.
Oludotun m & f Yoruba
Means "God becomes new" in Yoruba.
Olufela m Yoruba, Nigerian
Yoruba name meaning "God expands wealth." Famous bearers include musician Fela Kuti.
Olujide m Western African, Yoruba
Means "the prominent one, the leader" in Yoruba.
Olukemi f Nigerian
Olukemi means 'God will take care ' it is possibly of Nigerian origin.
Olumuyiwa m Yoruba
Means "God has brought this" in Yoruba.
Oluranti m & f Yoruba
Means "the Lord remembers" in Yoruba.
Oluremi f Yoruba
Means "the lord consoles me" in Yoruba.
Olurotimi m & f Yoruba
Means "God stands with me" in Yoruba.
Oluseyi m & f Yoruba
Means "God has done this" in Yoruba.
Olutobi m Yoruba
Variant of Oluwatobi (in which the first element is Yoruba olú, a short form of olúwa).
Olutoyin f & m Yoruba
Variant of Oluwatoyin.
Oluwadamilare f Yoruba
Means "God has justified me" in Yoruba.
Oluwadamilola f & m Yoruba
Possibly means "God has rewarded me with wealth" in Yoruba.
Oluwadarasimi m & f Yoruba
God is good to me
Oluwademilade m & f Yoruba
Means "God has crowned me" in Yoruba.
Oluwademilola f & m Yoruba
God crowns me with wealth
Oluwadurotimi f Yoruba
Means "God will stand by me" in Yoruba.
Oluwafemisola m Yoruba
This is borne by Nigerian actor, speaker and singer Oluwafemisola "Femi" Jacobs.
Oluwafeyisayo m & f Yoruba
Means "God has turned this gift into joy" in Yoruba.
Oluwafisayo m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God has added to my joy" in Yoruba.
Oluwagbemileke f Yoruba
Means "God lifted me high" in Yoruba.
Oluwagbotemi f Yoruba
Means "God has heard my prayers" in Yoruba.
Oluwajoba f & m Yoruba
Means "God reigns" in Yoruba.
Oluwakemi f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God cares for me" in Yoruba.
Oluwale m Yoruba
Means "my God has come home" in Yoruba.
Oluwamayowa m Yoruba
Means "the lord brought joy" in Yoruba.
Oluwamuyiwa m Yoruba
Means "the lord brought joy" in Yoruba.
Oluwandara f Yoruba
Means "God has done wonders" in Yoruba.
Oluwande m Yoruba
Means "God has searched for and visited me" in Yoruba.
Oluwanifesimi m & f Yoruba
Nigerian, Yoruban. Meaning: `God loves me`.
Oluwaobafemi m Yoruba
God the king loves me... [more]
Oluwapamilerin m & f Yoruba
Means "the lord has made me laugh" in Yoruba.
Oluwaranti f & m Yoruba
Means "God remembers" in Yoruba.
Oluwarantimi m & f Yoruba
Means "God remembers me" in Yoruba.
Oluwaremilekun m & f Yoruba
Means "God has dried my tears" in Yoruba.
Oluwarotimi m & f Yoruba
Means "the Lord stays with me" in Yoruba.
Oluwaseun m & f Yoruba
Means "the Lord has made it" in Yoruba.
Oluwaseyitan f Yoruba
Means "the lord did this all" in Yoruba.
Oluwasogo m & f Yoruba
Means "God makes glory" in Yoruba.
Oluwasola f & m Yoruba
Means "God brought prosperity" in Yoruba.
Oluwasolafunmi m & f Yoruba
Means "God has made wealth for me" in Yoruba.
Oluwateniola m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God spread the mat (or rug) of wealth" in Yoruba.
Oluwatimileyin m & f Yoruba
The name OLUWATIMILEYIN is of Yoruba language Origin in Nigeria which means "God Supported me".Children in Nigeria are widely named Oluwatimileyin because of the Cultural believe that the name holds a Prayer with it "God supported me" or "God, support me".
Oluwatobi m & f Yoruba
Means "God is great" in Yoruba.
Oluwatobiloba f & m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "the lord is great as king" in Yoruba.
Oluwatomi m & f Yoruba
Means "God is enough for me" in Yoruba.
Oluwatomiwa m & f Western African, Yoruba
Means "God searched for me" in Yoruba.
Oluwatoni m & f Yoruba (Modern, Archaic)
Means "the lord is worth having" in Yoruba.
Oluwatoniloba f Yoruba
Means "God is good to have a king" in Yoruba. This is the full given name of the winner of "Germany's Next Top Model" 2018, Oluwatoniloba Dreher-Adnuga.
Oluwatosin m & f Yoruba
Means "God is worth worshiping" in Yoruba.
Oluwatoyosi f & m Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "God is worthy to rejoice unto" in Yoruba.
Oluwayemi f Yoruba
Means "I am deserving of God" in Yoruba.
Oluyemi m Yoruba (Rare)
Means "The lord is worthy of me" in Yoruba.
Oluyinka m & f Yoruba
This is a name use by the Abeokuta's family meaning " I'm surrounded by God".
Omanukwue m & f Igbo
Means "let the one who knows speak" in Igbo.
Omerogo f Igbo
Comes from the Igbo people of Nigeria.
Ominira m & f Yoruba
Means "freedom, independence" in Yoruba.
Omodunni f & m Yoruba (Rare)
Means "having a child is joyful" in Yoruba.
Omojayogbe m Yoruba
Is an Ekiti name from the Yoruba speaking South-Western Nigeria.... [more]
Omolayo f Yoruba
Means "the child is joy" in Yoruba.
Omolola m & f Yoruba
Means "the child is wealthy" in Yoruba.
Omonefue f Western African, Edo
Means "the child is more than weight" in Edo language.
Omonigho m & f Urhobo
Omonigho is a name of Edoid (Benin, Isoko, Urhobo) origin and it means "A Child is greater than money."
Omorinsola f & m Yoruba
The name “OMORINSOLA” means child walks to wealth or affluence
Omoruyi m & f Western African, Edo
Means "son of glory" or "child is one's glory" in Edo language.
Omosefe f Nigerian
Meaning “child is greater than wealth” in the Isan language of Nigeria.
Omotanwa f Yoruba
Means "the child we searched for" in Yoruba.
Omotola f & m Yoruba
Means "child is as worthy as wealth" in Yoruba.... [more]
Omotunde m Yoruba
Means "the child has returned" 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]
Omoye f & m Nigerian
A name of African Origin meaning ‘a loved child’.
Ondoukari m Ijaw
Means "pray for long life" in Ijaw.
Ondoutuapere f & m Ijaw
Means "add more life to me" in Ijaw.
Onochie f Igbo
Means “old” in Igbo.
Onumajuru m Igbo
Means "let anger cease" in Igbo.
Oñumsinachi m & f Igbo
Means "my joy is from God" in Igbo.
Onwuegbunam m & f Igbo
Means "let death not kill me" in Igbo.
Onwutalobi m Igbo
Means "death has eaten the kingdom", a shortened form of the sentence I ga adi makana onwu talu obi, roughly translating as "you will endure as death has claimed our entire family".
Onyakopon m Akan
Onyakopon is the God of the Akan people of Ghana. The name means "he who knows and sees everything" and "omniscient, omnipotent sky god" in the Akan language. ... [more]
Onyeche f Idoma
Means "Who agrees?" in Idoma.
Onyedikachi m & f Igbo, African
Means "who is greater than God?" in Igbo.
Onyedikachukwu m Igbo
Means "who is like God?" in Igbo.
Onyekaozulu m Igbo
Means "who is self-sufficient?" in Igbo.
Onyemaechi m Igbo
Means "who knows tomorrow?" in Igbo.
Onyemechi m & f Igbo, Western African
Means "who knows tomorrow?" from Igbo onye "who", ma "knows" and echi "tomorrow".
Onyemelukwe m Igbo
Means "who has done evil and agreed to it?" in Igbo.
Onyemowo f Idoma
Means "Who knows God's thoughts" or "Who knows God's plans" in Idoma.
Onyenwuwa m Igbo
Means "who owns the world?" in Igbo.
Onyeyabocoma m & f Agatu
Means "Who can act as God?" in Agatu.
Onyinyechukwu f & m Igbo, Nigerian
Means "God's gift" from Igbo onyinye meaning "gift, present" and chukwu meaning "God".
Opara f & m Igbo
Opara is common as a surname or literal word in Nigeria. The oldest son, who has inherited the rights and responsibilities of his father after his father has died.
Opei m Akan
Oldest child in Akuapem Twi
Opukiri m Ijaw
Means "big land" in Ijaw.
Orakwue m Igbo
Means "let the folks have their say" in Igbo.
Orelias m & f Nigerian (Latinized, Rare)
Variation of Orelia meaning "Golden One". ... [more]
Oreoluwa m & f Yoruba
Means "gift from God" in Yoruba.
Orezi m & f Nigerian
A unisex name from a Nigerian origin meaning "Precious, your heart desire".
Orieji f Igbo
Old school Igbo name
Orisabunmi f Yoruba
Means "the gods have provided for me" in Yoruba.
Ornicar m Popular Culture, Western African (Rare)
From the phrase Mais où est donc Ornicar? that is a mnemonic of the French coordinating conjunctions. The phrase is also the title of a movie and part of the French Chuck Norris fact Chuck Norris knows where Ornicar is.
Osaretin m Western African, Edo
Means "God is strength" in Edo language.
Osatohamwen m & f Western African, Edo
Means "the mercy of God is upon me" in Edo language.
Osazee m Edo
This is a religious name. It deals with Osanobua, the creator god, intervention from Edo mythology. There are different meanings apparently. In the case of Osazee one is "God's chosen one." Another case for Osazee is "Osanobua has reconciled us." In the case of Osaze its "God delivered me." In the Osaze situation it deals with conflict and family stress... [more]
Ose m & f Esan
Means "god" in Esan. This is also the short form of names that begin in this element.
Osebo m Akan
Osebo is a LEOPARD in the ancient stories of Ananse, the "Spider Man". He was PHYSICALLY STRONG.
Osehonlen m & f Esan
GOD HAS HEARD, SAME AS SAMUEL
Osemegbe m & f Esan
Means "God is too good" in Esan.
Osemundianmen m & f Esan
Means "God is standing with me" in Esan.
Oseremen m Esan
Means: God has given me.
Osezua m Esan
"IS GOD THAT GIVES WEALTH" ... [more]
Osikani m Akan
Means "rich man" in Akan.
Osine m Edo
Means "God is great" in Edo.
Osita m Igbo
Osita is a shorter form of Osita di nma which means from today onwards it will be better.
Ositadimma m Igbo
Meaning: from today things will be good... [more]
Osondu m Igbo
Means "race of life" in Igbo.
Otaiku m Yoruba (Modern, Rare)
This name means a hard stone can not die. In Ijebu land, which a part of the "Yoruba" race, a fine polished hard stone commonly found in the bed of rivers is called Ota. ... [more]
Otiko f Western African
The given name of the Ghanaian politician Otiko Afisa Djaba.
Oto-obong f Efik
Means "from God" in Efik.
Otu m Efik
Means "chief; king" in Efik.
Otuekongabasi f Efik
Means "warrior" in Efik.
Oumarrou m Western African
Western African transcription of عمر (see Omar).
Oumou f Western African
Means "latecomer" in Bambara.
Ousman m Western African
Form of Uthman used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Ousmanou m Western African
Form of Uthman used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Ousseynou m Western African
Form of Husayn used in parts of French-influenced western Africa.
Ovie m Nigerian
Ovie means “King” in Urhobo, a language that belongs to the Urhobo people of Nigeria. It will have baby walking (or crawling) around with all the swagger deserving of a monarch.
Oviegheneomuno m Isoko
Means ”King God has been enthroned" in Isoko.
Ovo f & m Western African
Likely related to Owo.
Owariladei f & m Ijaw
Means "we have come home" in Ijaw.
Oweikorogha m Ijaw
Means "men will never fall" in Ijaw.
Oweiyai m Ijaw
Means "Jesus Christ" in Ijaw.
Owolabi m Yoruba
Means "we have given birth to a wealthy person," from 'owo' meaning "money," 'a' meaning "we," and 'abi' meaning "beget."
Owro m Urhobo
OWRO male child, meaning shining eyes, original urhobo ethnic groups in Nigeria
Owura m Akan
Means "mister" or "man" in Akan.
Oyabrade f Ijaw
Means "I have forgotten my worries" in Ijaw.
Oye f Akan
It means 'it is good'
Oyebisi m & f Nigerian, Yoruba
Means "honour gave birth to more" in Yoruba.
Oyenike f Yoruba
Means "the title has need of pampering" or "honor has care" in Yoruba.
Oyetunde m Yoruba
Means "honour has returned" in Yoruba.
Oyin f Yoruba
Means "honey" in Yoruba.
Oyinbodei f Ijaw
OYINBODEI is an ijaw tribe name of west africa meaning "OUR MOTHER HAS RETURNED" A name given to children believed to have #REINCARNITATED
Oyindamola f & m Yoruba
Means "honey mixed with wealth" in Yoruba.
Oyinedidei f & m Ijaw
Means "God has cared for me" in Ijaw.
Oyinkansola f Yoruba
Means "sweetness is dropped into wealth" in Yoruba.
Oyintari f & m Ijaw
Means "God loves me" in Ijaw.
Ozichi f & m Igbo, African
The name originates from Eastern part of Nigeria from the Igbo speaking states. Predominatly from Imo state.... [more]
Ozioma m & f Igbo
Means, "God's good news" in Igbo.
Ozoemena m Igbo
Means " let what has happened before not happen again" in Igbo.
Paaye m Ijaw
Means "all things will pass in this world" in Ijaw.
Pagnaa f Dagbani
Means "queen" in Dagbani.
Pakuteh m Mende
Means "powerful man" or "strong man" in Mende.
Pamilekunayo m & f Yoruba
Means "cause me to cry tears of joy" in Yoruba.
Panyin m & f Akan
Oldest twin
Pathé m French (African), Western African
Transferred use of the surname Pathé.
Pekeikakai f & m Ijaw
Means "morning star" in Ijaw.
Pelumi f & m Yoruba
Means "with me" in Yoruba.
Penda f Fula
Given to the third child.
Pengwendé m Mossi
Not available.
Pere f & m Ijaw
Means "wealthy" in Ijaw.
Pereagbe m & f Ijaw
Means "wealth suits me" in Ijaw.
Pereama m Ijaw
Means "rich town" in Ijaw.
Pereasuodei f Ijaw
Means "wealth has entered me" in Ijaw.
Perebo f & m Ijaw
Means "person of wealth" in Ijaw.
Pere-ere f Ijaw
Means "rich woman" in Ijaw.
Perezimo f & m Ijaw
Means "born into wealth" in Ijaw.
Piesie m & f Akan
Traditionally given to the first born child - the name literally means "erupting from an anthill", from pie "erupt from a place", and sie meaning "anthill".
Pinaere f Ijaw
PINAERE an ijaw tribe name of west Africa meaning "LIGHT SKINNED WOMAN" Pina
Pini m & f Dagbani
Means "gift" in Dagbani.
Pipeloluwa f & m Yoruba
Means "God is perfect" in Yoruba.
Poko f Mossi
Of unknown meaning.... [more]
Poukon m & f Ijaw
Means "born on the riverside" in Ijaw.
Prah f Western African
Used in Ghana, West Africa among Akan peoples. Shortened form of the name of the river spirit Bohsum-Prah. Usually used together with Nana: Nana-Prah.
Prezi m Ijaw
Means "born to affluence" in Ijaw.
Puumaya f & m Dagbani
It means the means the womb is cool.... [more]
Qidy m Igbo
Variant of Chidi.
Quamdeen m Yoruba
Means "pillar of (the) faith" in Yoruba.
Rafiatu f Yoruba
Variation of Rafiah.
Rahama f Hausa
Means "mercy" in Hausa.
Remi f Yoruba
Short form of Oluremi.
Ritek m & f Afizere
Means "goodness" in Afizere.
Rokhaya f Western African
Form of Ruqayyah used in parts of western Africa (particularly Senegal).
Rotimi m Yoruba
Means "stay with me" or "stand by me" in Yoruba. Sometimes used as a short form for Olurotimi or Oluwarotimi.
Rotji m Nigerian, Ngas
A common name used among the Jos Plateau people of Nigeria. Meaning of the name is "love has come"
Ruƙayyatu f Hausa
Hausa form of Ruqayyah.
Saadiya f Western African, Indian (Muslim)
Form of Sa'dia used in Western Africa and India.
Saarabi m & f Akan
Means "just like that" in Akan.
Sabo m Hausa
Means "new" in Hausa.
Sadatu f Western African
Name of Liberian Orgin
Sadau m & f Hausa
From the Hausa sā̀du meaning "get together”.
Sade f Yoruba, English (Modern)
Short form of Folasade. It was popularized in the mid-80s due to the Nigerian-born British singer Sade Adu (born Helen Folasade Adu, 1959-) and her eponymous smooth jazz band Sade.
Safiatou f Western African
Form of Safiyyah used in western Africa.