1. Home
  2. TAGS

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.

Shanti

Meaning: peace

Origin:Hindi
2484
Kamali

Meaning: spirit guide, protector

Origin:African, Mashona
4145
Panya

Meaning: mouse, tiny one; or, crowned one

Origin:African, Swahili; or, Russian, diminutive of Stephania
10118
Kessie

Meaning: chubby baby

Origin:African, Ashanti
4050
Mandela The meaning of Mandela is 'Angel Of The Lord...
Origin:African surname
4266
Nilla

Meaning: glorious

Origin:African
5448
Alimayu

Meaning: in honor of God

Origin:Ethiopian
7840
Imena

Meaning: dream; faith

Origin:African, Arabic
3808
Subira

Meaning: patience

Origin:African, Swahili
9255
Kano

Meaning: the god of the waters

Origin:African place-name or Japanese
1295
Zina Zina is a female given name with Russian and...
Origin:African, Nsenga, refers to a child's secret spirit name; Russian, related to Zeus
4171
Unika

Meaning: shining

Origin:African
4552
Yaw

Meaning: Born on a Thursday

Origin:Ghanaian, Akan, Twi
2619
Gahiji

Meaning: the hunter

Origin:African
7416
Idi

Meaning: born during the Idd festival

Origin:African
5529
Odissan

Meaning: thirteenth born son

Origin:African
5433
Xois If you are the proud parent of a beautiful b...
Origin:African place name
6057
Zala

Meaning: a people from southwest Ethiopia; rose

Origin:Ethiopian or Slovene variation of Rozalija
1497
Falala

Meaning: born in abundance

Origin:African, Fula
7733
Garian The name Garian is of African origin. It has...
Origin:African place-name
6530