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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.

Barack

Meaning: thunderbolt, lightning; or blessing

Origin:Hebrew; also Swahili from Arabic
1837
Taraja

Meaning: hope

Origin:African, Kiswahili
6871
Shany

Meaning: marvelous, wonderful

Origin:Swahili
7472
Amma

Meaning: mother, or born on a Saturday

Origin:Tamil, Akan
2663
Iyabo

Meaning: mother has returned

Origin:African, Yoruba
4298
Kia

Meaning: season's beginning

Origin:African
1214
Salama

Meaning: peace, safety, security

Origin:African, Swahili
11778
Obama

Meaning: bending or leaning; little beach

Origin:Luo; Japanese
3109
Neela

Meaning: sapphire blue

Origin:Hindi, Sanskrit
1721
Nyala

Meaning: mountain goat

Origin:African, Ethiopian
2347
Amadi

Meaning: free man

Origin:African
20263
Amadi

Meaning: free man

Origin:African
6844
Diarra

Meaning: gift

Origin:West African
3092
Ebele

Meaning: mercy, kindness

Origin:African
3846
Zuwena

Meaning: good

Origin:African
7331
Bayo

Meaning: the crown meets joy

Origin:African, Nigerian, Yoruba
1998
Nayo

Meaning: she is our joy

Origin:African Nigerian
6248
Akosua

Meaning: born on Sunday

Origin:Twi, Ewe, Ghanaian
2662
Fana

Meaning: light or jungle

Origin:African
5327
Odion

Meaning: first born of twins

Origin:Esan
2439