African baby names

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Updated: March 30th, 2024

Africa is a huge continent having abundance of diverse tribes and ethnic groups which provides a wealth of baby name inspiration. African names are derived from local and foreign languages such as English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese and these names are exotic, beautiful and hold a deeper meaning and history.

Traditionally, African baby names are based on places, spirits, ancestors, or events occurring during the time of their birth. Africans have a strong believe that a name can influence both the life of the child and the family. Africans also believes that a simple name can lead to a bad future and an over-ambitious name can cause serious repercussions. The Naming-Day ceremony is also considered as a crucial event and celebrated within the first week of baby's birth. In some parts of Africa, parents name their children after famous political figures in the hope that their babies may become successful as their namesakes. Some common African baby names are Barack Mahdi, Quan, Layla and Kabira.

Look below at list of over 800 delightful African baby names:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
All

Candace

White, Pure, Clarity, Sincere, Title for queen mother in African kingdom

Zora

Beauty, Dawn, Aurora, Whiteness

Asha

Divine law and order, Desire, Life

Zella

Zealous, Wise, Peaceful, Little Marcus

Kia

Defender, King

Shani

Wonderful, Ruby

Kenya

Animal horn

Zola

Working seed, Silence, Lump of earth

Tula

Zodiac sign libra, Balance

Nakia

Pure, Faithful

Shanti

Perfect peace, Tranquility

Tamala

Thunder, Spice, Jewel, Date palm

Ashanti

Gratitude, Thank you

Lamar

Pond

Quiana

The graceful

Tisa

Ninth as infants

Tanisha

Born on a Monday, Night, Ambition, Fairy queen

Ladonna

Mistress, Woman

Jamar

Handsome, Beauty

Lashonda

Lovely, Gold, Yahweh is gracious

Talisha

Girl, Daughter

Kato

Second-born twins

Shaniqua

Luck, Good, God is gracious

Latisha

Joyful, Gladness

Qiana

The graceful

Tisha

Be nervous, Gladness, Survivor

Iesha

Life, She who lives

Antwan

Flower, Highly praiseworthy, Priceless

Keshia

Great joy, Favorite

Azalee

Dry, The Azalea

Chi

God

Shanice

Irish river

Kisha

Rainfall, Great joy, Favorite

Lashawn

Present, The lord is gracious

Lawanda

Wanderer, To govern, Look healthy

Tanika

Rope

Pita

Fourth-born daughter

Lakeshia

Happy, Joyful

Yao

Boy born on Thursday

Udo

Home, Wealth, Peace

Yaw

Babies on Thursday

Rance

From Laurentum, Borrowed all, Shield rim

Kamara

Moon, Fair complexion

Ayo

Happiness, Wonderful

Tata

Fairy princess, To Tangle, Complication, Difficulty

Obi

Heart

Femi

Who wants to be loved

Filbert

Famous, Very brilliant

Alora

Bay tree, My dream

Zuri

Good, Beautiful

Imara

Strong-willed

Kofi

Boy born on Friday

Zendaya

To give thanks

Ikenna

Power of the father

Kwame

Sunday Babies, Born on Saturday

Kamaria

Beautiful face, Like the moon

Ama

Lovable, Aspiration, Born on a Saturday, Mother

Ajani

Of noble birth, He fights for what is his

Barack

Lightening, Thunder, In vain

Zyair

Powerful, River

Kwaku

Born on Wednesday

Nnamdi

My father is still alive

Neela

Blue colour, Enchanting moon

Fanta

Beautiful Day

Amani

Spring season, One who shows the path, Faith

Nyala

Resembling an antelope

Aminata

Trustworthy, Who is confident and enjoys the divine safeguard, Peaceful

Rudo

Love, Fame

Behati

She who brings happiness, Blessed

Akosua

Girl born on Sunday

Amma

Mother, God-like

Tafari

Highly regarded

Ngozi

Blessing

Akua

Girl born on Wednesday

Aiyana

Eternal blossom, Strong like iron

Kamau

Silent warrior

Azizi

Beloved, Treasure

Afra

Young doe, African, Dust, Colour of earth

Anan

Joyful, Clouds

Abeni

Girl prayed for

Imani

Trustworthy, Belief, Faithful

Eshe

Life

Makena

Happiness, Son of Cionaodh

Marjani

A Broom, The color of coral

Mandela

Spectacles

Messina

Middle daughter, Spoiler

Kwabena

Born on a Tuesday

Samiya

Sami, Incomparable, Praised, Sublime, A celestial dancer

Taneka

Rope

Abena

Born on a Tuesday

Natisha

Star, Christmas day, Birthday

Chidi

God exists

Jabari

Fearless, Courageous, Strong hearted

Adwoa

Born on Monday

Ayu

Beautiful, Pretty

Ife

One who is widely loved

Massai

The anointed one

Temika

Sweet

Tajuana

God is gracious

Kessie

Cassia tree, Chubby baby

Idir

He lives

Sethe

Placed, Appointed one

Ifeoma

A beautiful woman

Lashay

Yahweh is gracious

Fana

Wealth, Honour

Nairobi

From the capital of Kenya

Otieno

Born at night

Sisi

Born on Sunday, My God is perfect

Ejiro

Praise God

Imena

Dream

Panya

Admired, Mouse, Glorious

Dakari

Happiness

Dayo

Joy comes, Our joy has arrived

Oluchi

Work of God

Ibo

Yew

Juba

Born on Monday, 1st King of Numidia

Habiba

Beloved

Kojo

Boy born on Monday

Thandie

Beloved

Neema

Very brave, The mother of Kabir, Grace, Born to wealthy parents

Ebo

Babies on Tuesday, Strong as a boar

Unathi

God is with us

Sefu

Sword

Neo

The new

Efia

Born on Friday

Afia

From Ewe, Good Health, Divine safeguard, Vitality

Garian

Name of a place in Africa

Ulan

Peaceful, First-born twin, Red

Pili

Second-born

Desta

Happiness

Themba

Trust

Deshawn

Combination of Shawn and De

Kwadwo

Boy Born on Monday

Zesiro

First-born of twins

Abeba

Flower

Limbani

Be strong

Mirembe

Woman of peace

Tendaji

Make things happen

Kesia

Zimtblute, Cinnamon, A Plant Name

Atieno

Born at night

Haji

Pilgrimage to Mecca, Born during the Hajj

Zuberi

Strong

Lekan

My wealth has increased

Xavion

Fighter, New house

Amadou

God's love, Loved by God

Enzi

Powerful

Ayan

One who witnesses, Bright

Idi

Born during the end of Ramadan

Taci

Quiet, Mute

Kibibi

Small woman

Marini

Beauty, Fresh

Khari

A regal West African name meaning “kingly.”

Thulile

Quiet, Peaceful

Efemena

Here is my wealth

Abebi

Sought

Emeka

God has done great deed

Nakato

Second of twins

Kehinde

The person who falls behind

Folami

Grant honor to me

Zikomo

Thanksgiving, End thanks

Uzochi

God's way

Tabia

Talents

Zaire

River, Powerful

Shardae

Runaway

Mahdi

The Guided One, Well-managed

Thema

Queen

Seydou

Happy, Lucky

Izem

Lion

Djimon

Strong blood

Adeola

Equitable, Honest, Just

Shaka

Name of a month in Hindu calander, First founder, Branch

Aba

Born on Thursday

Omolara

Timely born, Fellowship

Thandiwe

Beloved

Nuru

Bright color, Born in daylight

Eba

I certainly disagree

Chidike

God is strong

Masozi

Tears

Rael

As innocent as a lamb

Adun

Noble, Earth, Fire, Man

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