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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.

Phaedra

Meaning: bright

Origin:Greek
1439
Eleni The meaning of Eleni is 'shining' or 'sunshi...
Origin:Greek variation of Helen
1283
Arianna

Meaning: most holy

Origin:Italian form of Ariadne, Greek
1204
Eudora

Meaning: generous gift

Origin:Greek
761
Tana

Meaning: thought or sweetheart

Origin:English, Frisian, Spanish, Slavic
1352
Nike

Meaning: victory

Origin:Greek
2968
Lenore A French-originated name, the meaning of Len...
Origin:German variation of Leonora, Italian derivative of Eleonora, meaning unknown
801
Jonas

Meaning: dove

Origin:Greek variation of Jonah
479
Cyril

Meaning: lordly

Origin:Greek
486
Xanthos

Meaning: golden-haired

Origin:Greek
2651
Pan

Meaning: all or shepherd

Origin:Greek
1458
Topaz The name Topaz is of Latin origin and the me...
Origin:Greek gem name
1533
Eureka

Meaning: I have found [it]

Origin:Greek
3769
Xanthippe

Meaning: yellow horse

Origin:Greek
1901
Niobe The name Niobe originated from the famous Gr...
Origin:Greek mythology name
2792
Roxane

Meaning: dawn

Origin:Persian
7468
Thisbe The meaning of Thisbe is ‘lover, where the d...
Origin:Greek mythological name, meaning unknown
1240
Oceana

Meaning: ocean

Origin:Greek
1833
Ursa

Meaning: little female bear

Origin:Short form of Ursula, Latin
1866
Beryl

Meaning: sea-green jewel

Origin:Greek
1174