Looking to your roots for name inspo? Our baby name researchers dive into the rich tapestry of African cultures to unveil a treasure trove of over 200 unique names from African culture. From the mesmerizing landscapes of Morocco to the vibrant culture of Kenya, Africa’s diverse heritage has blessed the world with an abundance of captivating monikers. So, whether you’re seeking inspiration for your newborn bundle of joy, looking to embrace your African roots, or simply curious about the continent’s naming traditions, join us on this journey as we celebrate the beauty and significance of African names. So grab a cup of your favorite brew and join us on this marvelous expedition into the world of African naming traditions.
African Girl Names
| Name | Meaning | Region |
| Ababuo | Child Keeps Returning | Ghana |
| Abeje | We asked to have this one | Yoruba, Nigeria |
| Abena | Born on Tuesday | Akan of West Africa |
| Adebola | She met honor | Yoruba of Nigeria |
| Adeniyi | Crown has honour | Yoruba of Nigeria |
| Adeola | Crown has wealth | Yoruba of Nigeria |
| Adjoa | Born on Monday | Akan of Ghana |
| Afia | Born on Friday | Akan of Ghana |
| Aiyana | Flower Blossom | Ethiopia |
| Akosua | Born on Sunday | Akan of Ghana |
| Alake | One to be Honored | Nigeria |
| Alile | She Weeps | Malawi (Yao) |
| Alora | My Dream | Bantu of Botswana |
| Amandla | Power | Zulu/Xhosa |
| Amondi | Born at Dawn | Luo of Kenya |
| Arria | Slim, Lean | Hausa of Nigeria |
| Asabi | One of Select Birth | Nigeria |
| Athiambo | Born in Late Evening | Luo of Kenya |
| Azalee | Singer | Bini of Nigeria |
| Azuka | Support is paramount | West Africa |
| Badu | Tenth Born Child | Ashanti of Ghana |
| Chikondi | Love | South Africa |
| Chinue | God’s Own Blessing | Ibo of Nigeria |
| Damilola | Blessed with Wealth | Yoruba |
| Delu | The Only Girl | Hausa |
| Eshe | Life | West Africa |
| Falala | Born into Abundance | Ghana |
| Folasade | Honor Earns a Crown | Yoruba of Nigeria |
| Genet | Heaven | Ethiopia |
| Ife | Lover of art and culture | West Africa |
| Isondo | The Wheel | Nguni |
| Kainda | Hunter’s Daughter | Tharaka of Kenya |
| Kanoni | LIttle Bird | Ulaya of Tanzania |
| Kemi | God Takes Care of Me | Yoruba of Nigeria |
| Keyah | In Good Health | West Africa |
| Kifle | My Class | Ethiopian |
| Kioni | She Sees Things | Kikuyu of Kenya |
| Kumani | Destiny | West Africa |
| Lewa | Beautiful | Kenya |
| Liseli | Light | Zambia |
| Loma | Peaceful | Mande of Liberia and Guinea |
| Macia | Orphan | Mozambique |
| Magara | Sit, Stay | Zimbabwe/Mashona |
| Maisha | Life | Kiswahili |
| Makadisa | Good Feelings Toward | Mashona of Zimbabwe |
| Malaika | Angel | Kiswahili |
| Mardea | Last | Ghana |
| Marjani | Coral | Eastern Region |
| Mashava | Red | Zimbabwe |
| Meaza | Tastes Good | Tigrinya of Eritrea and Ethiopia |
| Melitte | Full of Grace | Tigrinya of Eritrea and Ethiopia |
| Miyanda | Unknown | Zambian |
| Mizan | Balance | Tigrinya of Eritrea and Ethiopia |
| Morowa | Queen | Ghana |
| Nacala | Peace, Tranquility | Lomwe of Mozambique |
| Nakimera | Gift From God | Uganda |
| Nantale | Totem of the Lion | Uganda |
| Nathifa | Pure | Northern Africa |
| Netsenet | Freedom | Tigrinya of Eritrea and Ethiopia |
| Ngendo | Traveller | Kikuyu of Kenya |
| Nieleni | Hardworking Woman | Bambara of West Africa |
| Njeri | Belongs to a Warrior | Kikuyu of Kenya |
| Nnena | Like Grandmother | Ibo of Nigeria |
| Nomalanga | Sunny | Zulu |
| Nomatha | Big Surprise | Southern region |
| Noxolo | Peaceful | South Africa |
| Nyako | Girl | Kenya |
| Nyeri | Unknown | Embu of Kenya |
| Nzila | Path, Way | Tonga of Zambia |
| Obioma | Kind Hearted | Nigeria |
| Olaniyi | Glory in Wealth | Nigeria |
| Omarosa | My Beautiful Child | Nigeria |
| Omolara | Born at the Right Time | Nigeria |
| Onika | Who is Greater than God? | Igbo/West Africa |
| Orma | Free Men | Kenya |
| Palesa | Flower | Basotho of Lesotho |
| Phenyo | Victory | Botswana |
| Rasida | Righteous | West Africa |
| Sade | Honor Earns a Crown | Yoruba |
| Sala | Gentle | Eastern Region |
| Sesen | To Wish For More | Eritrea |
| Shasa | Precious Water | Kalahari of South Africa |
| Simini | Looks like Grandmother | Susu of Sierra Leone |
| Siyanda | We Are Growing | Zulu |
| Sondo | Born on Sunday | Tonga of Zambia |
| Subira | Rewarded Patience | Eastern region |
| Tadria | Unknown | Uganda |
| Tafariah | She who inspires awe | Ethiopia |
| Tarana | Born During the Day | Hausa of Nigeria |
| Tarisai | Look, Behold | Zimbabwe |
| Thandiwe | Beloved | Xulu, Xhosa, and Ndebele |
| Thema | Queen | Akan of Ghana |
| Thuraia | Star of My Life | Northern Region |
| Tiaret | Lioness | Algeria |
| Tiombe | Shy | West Africa |
| Vatusia | They Leave Us Behind | Ovimbundu of Angola |
| Venda | Of the Bantu People | South Africa |
| Vumba | Cause to Die | Mashona of Zimbabwe |
| Xinavane | Spread, Propagate | Changana/Tsonga |
| Xolani | Please Forgive, Peace | Xhosa, Zulu |
| Yatima | Orphan | Kiswahili |
| Zendaya | To Give Thanks | Bantu of Zimbabwe |
| Zhenga | African Queen | South Africa |
| Zweena | Beautiful | Morocco |
View the full list of African Girl Names
African Boy Names
MwaniChief, LordCentral Africa
| Name | Meaning | Region |
| Abu | Nobility | West Africa |
| Adeben | 12th Born Child | Ghana |
| Adjo | Righteous | Nigeria |
| Adwin | Artist, Intellectual | Akan of Ghana |
| Ajamu | He Fights for What He Wants | Yoruba |
| Akello | To Bring Forth | Alur of Uganda |
| Akins | Brave Boy | Nigeria |
| Akintunde | Return of Bravery | Yoruba |
| Akua | Born on Wednesday | Western Africa |
| Alafin | King | Yoruba |
| Amadi | Beautiful, Good, Free Man | Ibo of Nigeria |
| Amazu | No One Knows Everything | Ibo of Nigeria |
| Anane | Fourth Son | Ghana |
| Asante | Thank You | Kiswahili |
| Ayele | Powerful | East Africa |
| Ayinde | We gave praise and he came | Yoruba |
| Badru | Born at the Full Moon | Swahili |
| Bandele | Follow me home | West Africa |
| Camara | Teacher | West Africa |
| Chetachi | Remember God | Igbo |
| Chimelu | What God has created | Igbo |
| Chinua | God’s own blessing | Nigeria |
| Davu | The Beginning | Somali |
| Djimon | Powerful Blood | Yoruba |
| Dubem | The Lord is my Shepherd | Nigeria |
| Ermias | God Will Uplift | Ethiopian/Amharic |
| Essien | The child who takes charge of outside matters | Ibibio of Nigeria |
| Gamada | Glad, Pleased | Indonesia (possibly) |
| Ilo | Light, Joyous, Sunshine | Nigeria |
| Ilori | Special Treasure | Nigeria |
| Iniko | Born During Troubled Times | Nigeria |
| Jawanza | Dependable | Central region |
| Jibri | Angel of Allah | North Africa |
| Kairu | Black One | Kikuyu of Kenya |
| Kamau | Quiet Warrior | Kikuyu of Kenya |
| Kame | Desolate, Arid | Kiswahili of Kenya |
| Kanelo | Enough | Sotho of South Africa and Lesotho |
| Kanoro | Sword Sharpener | Kenya |
| Kassa | Reparation, Compensation | Amharic/Ethiopian male name. |
| Kato | Second of Twins | East African/Ghanda |
| Kayode | He Who Brings Joy | Yoruba |
| Kiano | Tools of the Wizard | Kikuyu of Kenya |
| Kimotho | Left-Handed | Kikuyu of Kenya |
| Kodjo | Born on Monday | Akan of Ghana |
| Kofi | Born on Friday | Twi of Ghana |
| Kojo | Born on Monday | Akan |
| Kwame | Born on Saturday | Ghana |
| Lehana | One Who Refuses | Lesotho |
| Lerato | Song of my Soul | Tswana of Botswana |
| Mabili | The Inspired Ones | Bavili |
| Maitho | Eyes to See With | Kikuyu of Kenya |
| Mandla | Strength | Zulu |
| Mequanent | Village Leader | Amharic of Ethiopia |
| Morathi | Wise Man | Kikuyu of Kenya |
| Moseph | Blessed | Abua of Nigeria |
| Nyabera | The Good One | Luo of Kenya |
| Nzitunga | I Depend Only on Myself | Kinyarwanda of Rwanda |
| Oburu | Ash | Luo of Kenya |
| Ochola | Father Died While Mother was Pregnant | Luo of Kenya |
| Olatunde | Wealth Comes Again | Edo of Nigeria |
| Olujimi | God Gave Me This | Yoruba |
| Oringo | He Who Likes the Hunt | Luo of Kenya |
| Otieno | Born at Night | Kenya |
| Owino | Born With Umbilical Cord Around Neck | Luo of Kenya |
| Pelumi | With me | Yoruba of Nigeria |
| Phomello | Succeed | South Africa |
| Reon | Descendant of the King | South Africa |
| Roho | Soul | Kiswahili |
| Sabiti | Born on Sunday | Uganda |
| Salako | Born Covered in Membrane | Yoruba |
| Sanga | He Came from the Valley | Central Africa |
| Sautu | Salt | Tonga of Zambia |
| Sekani | Laugh | Northern Malawi |
| Senwe | Dry Stalk of Grain | Mashona of Zimbabwe |
| Simba | Lion | Kiswahili |
| Tafari | He who inspires awe | Ethiopia |
| Tanko | First Born Son after Several Daughters | West African |
| Tatau | Aristocrat | Hausa of West Africa |
| Taye | He Has Been Seen | Ethiopia |
| Tedros | Gift of God | Ethiopia |
| Tenen | Born on Monday | Bambara of West Africa |
| Tewelde | He was Born | Eritrean and Ethiopian |
| Tirfe | Spared | Tigrinya of Eritrea and Ethiopia |
| Twon | Strong, Bullish | Acholi of northern Uganda |
| Uchenna | God’s thoughts | Ibo |
| Vembo | Juice from the Loquat Tree | Mashona of Zimbabwe |
| Yaro | Son | Hausa of West Africa |
| Yeshak | He Will Laugh | Ethiopia |
| Yilma | May He Prosper | Amharic of Ethiopia |
| Zikomo | Thank You | Ngoni |
| Zulu | Heaven | South Africa |
View the full list of African Boy Names
Gender-Neutral African Names
| Name | Meaning | Region |
| Akande | First Born | Nigeria |
| Akia | First Born | Uganda |
| Ashanti | African Tribe Name | Ghana |
| Chima | God Knows | Igbo of Nigeria |
| Dembe | Peace | Uganda |
| Desta | Joy, Happiness | Amharic of Ethiopia |
| Farai | Rejoice | Bantu of Zimbabwe |
| Kijana | Youth | Kiswahili |
| Kimani | Sailor, Adventurer | Kukiyu of Kenya |
| Lilitha | Ray of light | Bantu of Zimbabwe |
| Makondo | War | Tonga of Zambia |
| Makula | Pearl | Baganda of Uganda |
| Mansa | King, conqueror, sultan | Mandinka |
| Minana | Miracle | Bantu of Zimbabwe |
| Mirembe | Peace | Baganda of Uganda |
| Morocco | The Western Kingdom | North Africa |
| Mugisa | Blessing | Uganda |
| Mukundi | Victor | Bantu of Zimbabwe |
| Ntsako | Joy | Tsonga of Central Africa |
| Obama | Slightly Bent | Luo of Kenyan |
| Olabisi | Increased Honors | Yoruba |
| Osinachi | Unknown | Nigeria |
| Oya | Wind Warrior Goddess | Yoruba |
| Rafiki | Friend | Kiswahili |
| Rudo | Love | Bantu of Zimbabwe |
| Rufaro | Happiness | Bantu of Zimbabwe |
| Satima | Young Bull | Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania |
| Shuvai | wish | Bantu of Zimbabwe |
| Temwani | Unknown | Zambia |
| Teniope | Unknown | Yoruba of Nigeria |
| Thando | Love | Ndebele |
| Themba | Trust, Hope & Faith | Zulu, Nguni |
| Uzo | The Road is Good | Nigeria |
| Xola | Stay in Peace | Xhosa of South Africa |
| Yohance | God’s Gift | Hausa of West Africa |
| Zaire | River or Person from Zaire | Kikongo |
| Zene | Beautiful | Nigeria |
| Zuva | Day | Bantu of Zimbabwe |
View the full list of Gender-Neutral African Names
Jennifer Moss (she/her) is the founder of BabyNames.com, author of The Baby Names Workbook, and Producer of The Baby Names Podcast. Jennifer is widely regarded as the leading expert on popular baby name trends and the naming process, serving as the authoritative source on the subject for national and international media.
Jennifer entered the tech arena in the 80s as a software developer and database architect, and became a pioneer in the Internet industry. In addition to operating BabyNames.com, Jennifer owns a web development agency in central California.
