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African Names

African baby names derive from a wide range of languages and cultures, from Ethiopian to Nigerian, Yoruba to Xhosa. African names often originate with days of the week or times of the year denoting when the baby was born. Another source for African name meaning is place in the family: first-born of twins, for instance, or youngest son. Nature also figures as a source for African baby names, with names relating to animals, weather, and landscape. Some African names derive from the Muslim religion while others relate to individual tribal mythology and beliefs.

If you're looking for African names for your baby, here is our full list of possibilities. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.

Mandla

Meaning: strength

Origin:African
5551
Kanye

Meaning: honor, tribute

Origin:African place-name, Nigeria
1624
Kadida

Meaning: premature child

Origin:Arabic
9701
Abena

Meaning: born on Tuesday

Origin:Akan, Fante, Ghanaian
3653
Shango The name Shango comes from an African origin...
Origin:African, Yoruba, mythology name
3256
Tamala

Meaning: dark tree

Origin:African
4627
Luanda Luanda has a Hawaii origin and is used mainl...
Origin:African place-name
11184
Senegal The name Senegal is the name of a country, a...
Origin:African place-name
17026
Senegal The name Senegal is the name of a country, a...
Origin:Country name
11439
Sena

Meaning: this world's beauty or grace; army; to praise; bringing heaven to earth

Origin:Korean; Hindi; Arabic; Ewe
499
Sanaa

Meaning: work of art; shining light

Origin:Swahili; Arabic
1386
Zagora Zagora is a name used to indicate a number o...
Origin:North African place-name; also Swahili
8070
Congo

Meaning: gather

Origin:Place-name
4813
Folami

Meaning: honor and respect me

Origin:Yoruba, African
10674
Juba

Meaning: born on Monday

Origin:African
5523
Nala Nala is a popular multicultural name that is...
Origin:African, meaning unknown
811
Tabia

Meaning: talents, gifts

Origin:East African, Swahili
7840
Baraka

Meaning: blessings

Origin:Kiswahili
8526
Fayola

Meaning: lucky, good fortune, blessed

Origin:African-Yoruba, Nigeria
4523
Samiya

Meaning: high, exalted, praised

Origin:Arabic
2236