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.


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.

Like African baby names, the traditions or rituals related to baby-naming ceremonies vary from place to place. In Nigeria, the young couple requests the grandfather or great-grandfather to suggest a name for the newborn. The elderly members of the family and the guests pray for long life, health and prosperity of the child. An exotic dinner is arranged for them. Usually, the eldest female member of the family asks the mother whether she has chosen any name for the child. She repeats the question seven times. Every time the mother announces an unimaginable name, the women who are gathered for the ceremony reject the name through traditional songs. At last, when the elderly woman repeats the question for the seventh time, the father of the newborn whispers the actual name to his wife. Then, the mother of the child announces it loudly.


Here is a list of some male African names with their meanings, to choose from:

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

Here are some female African names with their meanings:

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

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.