African Names and Their Meanings

Are you looking for names for your little bundle of joy? If it is names of African origin that you are looking for, this article will surely be of help. Here is a list of African names and their meanings, separately categorized into African names for boys and African names for girls with meanings.
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:

NameMeaning
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 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.

By Debopriya Bose
Published: 10/21/2009
 
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