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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.

Ione

Meaning: violet flower

Origin:Greek
235
Cosima

Meaning: order, beauty, universe

Origin:Italian feminine variation of Cosmo, Greek
282
Pandora

Meaning: all gifted

Origin:Greek
339
Bronte

Meaning: thunder

Origin:Greek
480
Cora

Meaning: maiden

Origin:Greek
16
Gaia

Meaning: earth mother; rejoicing

Origin:Greek and Latin
269
Xanthe

Meaning: golden, yellow

Origin:Greek
218
Demi

Meaning: half

Origin:Diminutive of Demetria or Greek
773
Helena

Meaning: torch; shining light

Origin:Latinate form of Helen, Greek
115
Irene

Meaning: peace

Origin:Greek
195
Origin:Greek, Feminine variation of Apollo, Greek sun god.
847
Lois

Meaning: most desirable

Origin:Greek
538
Zoe

Meaning: life

Origin:Greek
469
Rhea

Meaning: a flowing stream

Origin:Greek mythology name
226
Maia

Meaning: mother

Origin:Greek
281
Delia

Meaning: born on the island of Delos

Origin:Greek
315
Circe

Meaning: bird

Origin:Greek
341
Selene

Meaning: moon goddess

Origin:Greek
347
Thalia

Meaning: to flourish

Origin:Greek
389
Myra

Meaning: sweet-smelling oil

Origin:Greek
752