African baby names

By
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
Name
Meaning
Aba
Born on Thursday
Born to bring me joy, Pleasant meeting
Flower
Sought
Born on a Tuesday
Girl prayed for
Shining
Born when the father was away
Destined to be rich
Born on Thursday
A child born during Christmas or new year
Honorable born
Born during a journey
Born into royalty
Perfectly formed, A wild rose
One born during the day time
Princess
Man, Fire, From the red earth, Nobility
Father's pride
One who is the loving daughter of a father
Born in a joyful time
Honor is brought to her
The crown has come home
The crown has became joyful
The crown has ascended
The crown gets on top
Equitable, Honest, Just
Crown from across the seas
Daughter born after sunset
First child from a second husband
Who wants to teach us, Ordered
Born on Monday
Noble, Earth, Fire, Man
Born on Monday
From Ewe, Good Health, Divine safeguard, Vitality
Born into wealth
Young doe, African, Dust, Colour of earth
Pleasant, Sunny
Born on Friday
Alive, Living
Happiness, Prosperous, Alive
Alive, Well
Eternal blossom, Strong like iron
Beautiful flower
Of noble birth, He fights for what is his
Babies on Monday
The hand of God
Ninth-born son
A boy has come again
Born in the morning
Alive and well, Cassia, Favorite one
Sunlight, Light of the family
Girl born on Sunday
Girl born on Sunday
Life is peaceful
Girl born on Wednesday
Wealth from God
Second child born after twins
I have seen the world
Kind, Love, Noble
She cries
God is with us
Bay tree, My dream
Ama
Lovable, Aspiration, Born on a Saturday, Mother
Seemed Destined to die at birth, Rejoicing, Loved by God
God's love, Loved by God
Beautiful
Spring season, One who shows the path, Faith
Grass, Immortal One, Happiness, Unfading flower
God's grace
Immortal, Strength
Immortal, Ever-living
Eldest
Trustworthy, Who is confident and enjoys the divine safeguard, Peaceful
Mother, God-like
Brilliance of stone, God has shown favour, Army
Sweet of face
Invaluable, Who eats flower, Flourishing
Joyful, Clouds
They have increased
Mercy, Army, Grace, Apricot from Nara
God has shown favour, Brilliance of stone, Goddess Durga, Mercy
Earth and water, He (God) was gracious, Mother, Angel
Sweet of face
Goddess of grains, Fourth born, From the brook
Fourth born, From the brook, Goddess of grains
Feeds on flower, Highly praiseworthy, Inestimable
Flower, Highly praiseworthy, Priceless
One who doesn't remain in one place, Limitless
My people or kin have arrived
Divine law and order, Desire, Life
A beautiful woman
Gratitude, Thank you
Born at night
Ato
To Give, Man, Creature, The enlightened
Army, He (God) Was gracious, Apricot from Nara
Thrown away, Born after misfortune
Awo
Girl born on Thursday
Eighth-born child
One who witnesses, Bright
Ayo
Happiness, Wonderful
Joy has come home
Joy has filled the home
My joy has come
Joy has returned
Ayu
Beautiful, Pretty
Dry, The Azalea
One who is superior
Azi
The Youth
Of the earth, Whole earth
Full of vigor
Beloved, Treasure
Past is your strength
Father has returned
Father has come back
First born of twins
Born at the full moon
Seaman, Something vast
Luck or be lucky
First-born child
Follow me home
Born away from home
Outside of the home births
Lightening, Thunder, In vain
White, A Blessing
Blessings
Educator
A prophet, Diviners
She who brings happiness, Blessed
Peace
Off the beaten path
Light from him
Shining, Strong, From the fortified settlement
Resembling an anteater
Beautiful, With God
Beautiful, With God
Water, Greatly loved, Snow
Joy, Rejoicing
Joy
This house's wealth
One who finds wealth at home
Great warrior
Grateful, Thankful
Pretty ordinary, Child born on Sunday
Lord, Messenger
Gentleman
Little, Joy, Strong, Song of happiness
White, Pure, Clarity, Sincere, Title for queen mother in African kingdom
Great King
Name of a God, Dependability
Born at night
Chi
God
The splendor of God
Kinship, Friendliness
God is the king
God is strength
God is the way
Clear, Luminous, Bright
God exists
Gift of gab, Persuasive, Once God has written
God exists
God is merciful
God is great
God is wonderful
God is strong
God is good
God is guiding me
God did a greater deed
Mercy
Will, Wish
God holds my life
God is my guide
Power of God
God created
God created
Well-created by God
Love
Memory
God knows
Pleasure, Joy
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