African Names and Their Meanings

What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet...
Asked Juliet of Romeo in Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.

Yes it's true that a rose if called by some other name would still smell just as sweet as a rose. However, in her plea to Romeo to shed his surname Montague, Juliet reiterates the fact that a name has a lot to do with one's identity. Yes, it is true that a change in one's name would not change the person. Nevertheless, in most cultures names have got a lot to do with the child born. Birth of a child is a celebrated event all over the world. There are lot of expectations and joy associated with the arrival of a new member into a family. In many cases, the emotions associated with a child's birth can be understood by the baby name meanings. Of the various cultures, in this article we concentrate on the African culture. Let us see some popular African names and their meanings.

African Names and Meanings
It isn't one tradition that is followed or one language that is spoken by the African people, not even by the indigenous natives. Africa is the land of several ethnic groups. Some of them stick to their tribal religions whereas there are those that follow Islam and Christianity. Besides the diversity of religion and culture, Africa is home to various language families and even larger number of languages. This makes the tradition of naming children by African people complex, which is outside the scope of a single article. Nevertheless, this article is a modest attempt to know some African names and their meanings (etymological) without delving into the linguistic or cultural significance of these African baby names.

African Baby Names - African Names for Boys with Meanings
Here is a list of some male African names with their meanings to choose from:

Name	Meaning
Abayomi	One who brings a lot of joy (Nigeria)
Abdul	God's servant.
Abiola	One who is born in wealth and honor.
Ade	Royal (Nigeria)
Adebayo	Born in the time of happiness.
Adeben	The twelfth born. (Ghana)
Adeen	Little fire.
Ajani	One who wins the struggle.
Amari	Someone of great strength.
Ayo	Happiness in Nigerian.
Azibo	Youth in Nigerian.
Bakari	Promising (In Swahili).
Barke	Blessings.
Biton	Born after a long wait.
Bobo	One who is born on Tuesday. (Ghanian name)
Bomani	Malawian for a strong soldier.
Bron	The source or origin.
Chacha	Strong (popular in Zimbabwe).
Chidi	God exists.
Chike	Power of God.
Chimalsi	Young and proud.
Chisulo	Very strong, like steel.
Dakarai	Happiness.
Daren	A Nigerian name which means born at night.
Davu	The beginning.
Dia	West African name that means the champion.
Diallo	The brave one.
Din	Congolese name that means the great.
Ebo	Born on Tuesday
Ekon	Strong in Nigerian.
Elewa	Very intelligent.
Elimu	Knowledge
Enam	A gift from God.
Erasto	Man of peace.
Erevu	Clever
Eze	King
Fabumi	Gift of God.
Fahim	Learned
Fakih	Intellectual
Farhani	Happy
Gamba	Warrior
Gazali	Majestic
Genet	Eden
Ghalib	Winner
Girma	Majesty
Gyasi	Wonderful
Haamid	Grateful
Haben	Pride
Habib	Beloved
Hagos	Joy
Hamisi	Born on Thursday.
Hasan	Handsome (In Swahili).
Hasani	Handsome (In Swahili).
Idi	Born during the Id-ul-Fitr festival.
Idrissa	Immortal
Ipyana	Grace
Issa	Salvation
Jabari	Fearless
Jabarl	Valiant (In Swahili).
Jabir	Comforter
Jabulani	Happy
Jaja	Respectable
Jamal	Elegance
Jamar	Handsome
Jawara	Peace loving
Jelani	Powerful
Kellan	Powerful
Kendi	Loved one.
Kibwe	'Blessed' (In Swahili).
Kirabo	Gift
Kofi	Born on Friday.
Kojo	Born on Monday.
Latif	Gentle
Lencho	Lion
Lesedi	Light
Lutalo	Warrior
Maalik	Experienced
Mahari	Forgiver
Mamelo	Patience
Manu	Second born
Mhina	Joyful
Minkah	Justice
Naasir	Defender
Nassor	Victorious
Negasi	Royalty
Negus	Emperor
Nuru	Swahili for 'born at night'.
Obi	Heart
Ochi	Laughter
Ohin	Chief
Omarr	Long living (In Swahili).
Omorede	Prince
Otieno	Born at night.
Paulo	Place of rest.
Phomello	Succeed
Quaashie	Born on Sunday
Raimi	Kind
Ramses	Born of the Sun.
Rashidi	Thinker or counselor (In Swahili).
Reth	King
Roho	Soul
Rudo	Love
Rufaro	Joy
Runako	Handsome
Saad	Good luck.
Said	Happy
Saleem	Peaceful (In Swahili).
Sekani	Merriment
Sekayi	Laughter
Tahir	Pure
Taj	Exalted
Taji	Crown
Talib	Seeker
Tanishia	Born on Monday.
Tau	Lion
Uba	Lord
Ubora	Excellence
Umar	Longevity
Upendo	Love
Yair	Bold
Yaro	Son
Zahur	Flower
Zola	Quietness
Zuberi	Strong (In Swahili)

More Black baby names for boys.

African Baby Names - African Names for Girls with Meanings
Here are some female African names with their meanings:

Name	Meaning
Ababuo	A child that returns.
Abagbe	This child was desired.
Abebe	Blossomed
Adah	'First daughter' in Nigerian.
Afya	Health.
Akili	Someone who is bright and smart. (In Swahili)
Alika	Most beautiful. (Nigerian)
Amina	Truthful (In Swahili)
Anana	Soft and gentle.
Ananda	One who deserves love.
Baina	Sparkling.
Beyonce	One who is beyond others (Of African -American origin).
Bina	Freshness
Binta	With God.
Bisa	One who is greatly loved.
Bunme/Bunmi	My gift.
Chika	God is supreme.
Cyrah	Enthroned
Dalia	Tanzanian name for 'flower'.
Dalila	Gentle in Swahili.
Dayo	Arrival of joy.
Deka	Pleasing in Somali.
Dore	The gift.
Ebun	Being a gift.
Efia	Born on Friday.
Efuru	Daughter of heaven.
Eshe	Energy in Swahili.
Esi	Born on Sunday.
Esosa	God's blessing.
Faiza	Victorious
Fana	Light
Faraa	Cheerful
Farida	Unique
Fayola	Lucky
Fola	Glory and honor.
Gaynell	African-American name that means 'shiny'.
Ghalyela	Precious
Gimbya	Princess
Hadiya	Gift, in Swahili.
Haiba	Charm
Halla	An unexpected gift.
Hamida	Gracious
Hamnna	Happiness
Hawa	Desire
Hazina	Wealth
Hija	Daughter
Ife	Love
Ilori	Special treasure.
Iman	Faith
Imena	Dream
Isoke	God's precious gift.
Iverem	Blessings
Jahzara	Blessed princess
Jameelah/Jamelia	Beautiful
Jamelia	Beautiful (In Somali)
Johanna	Grace of God.
Johar	Jewel
Juji	Heap of love.
Kabibe	'Little lady'.
Kabira	Powerful
Kafi	Quiet
Kagiso	Peace
Kalifa	Chaste in Somali.
Kamaria	'Like the moon' in Swahili.
Keyah	In good health.
Kia	Hill
Kianga	Sunshine
Kitoko	Beautiful
Laqueta	The quiet one (African-American origin).
Latanya	Fairy Queen (African-American origin).
Latifa	Gentle
Layla	Lady of the night. Born at night.
Lewa	Beautiful
Lila	Good
Lisha	Mysterious
Lulu	Pearl (Tanzanian).
Madaha	Elegant
Maha	Beautiful eyes.
Maisha	Life
Makena	Happy person.
Mandisa	South African name for 'sweet'.
Marini	Charming
Morowa	Queen
Mosa	Graceful
Nabila	Noble
Nadia	The caller.
Naima	Graceful
Naja	Strong
Nala	Successful
Neema	Born in prosperity.
Neema	One who is born in prosperity.(In Swahili)
Nichelle	A victorious girl.
Oba	River Goddess
Obioma	Kind
Onaedo	Gold
Oni	Born in a blessed place.
Orma	Free
Palesa	Flower
Phenyo	Victory
Pulika	Obedience
Quanda	Companion (African-American origin)
RafiaElegant
Raisa	Of high moral and intellectual qualities.	Ramla	Prophetess
Rhaxma	Sweet
Ridhaa	Goodwill
Sabah	Sunrise
Sabra	Patience
Sade	Sweetly singing
Saida	Happy
Sanura	A rare name that means kitten in Swahili.
Saran	Joy
Semira	Fulfilled
Shantell	Song (African-American origin).
Shasha	Precious water
Tabita	Graceful
Tanesha/Taneshea/Tanisha	Born on Monday
Thema	Queen
Tisha	Strong willed
Titilayo	Everlasting joy.
Tumpe	Let's thank God.
Uma	Second daughter (Nigerian)
Urbi	Princess
Uzima	Vitality
Uzuri	Beauty
Winna	Friend
Winta	Desire
Wub	Beautiful
Xola	Stay in Peace
Yakini	Truth
Zahra/Zahara	Flower
Zainabu	Beautiful (In Swahili)
Zakiya	Intelligent (In Swahili)
Zalika	Well born (In Swahili)
Zawadi	Gift
Zena	Ethiopian for 'Fame'.
Zola	Productive

For more ideas, read

• Unique Baby Names
• Celebrity Baby Names
• Names, How They Affect Personality

The names used by people work like a window to their traditions and beliefs. While making this list, I came across a number of African names meanings that were related to elements of nature and warfare. Some even meant weapons used in wars and certain animals like the leopard and octopus. I believe those are traditional names that highlight the close association of these people with nature and way of living in earlier times in the African heartland, when they fought with other tribes or hunted big game. I have excluded such names from the list and have included those that I thought are relevant for the internet users who are looking for African names and their meanings for their children. Hope this helps.