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Boy Names from Africa

African names for baby boys represent the many languages and cultures from around the continent. Americans may be familiar with African names such as Chidi, Kamau, Neo, Kehinde, and Nnamdi through pop culture references. Barack, a Swahili name, is the widest known, as the name of 44th President Barack Obama.

Amari is currently the most popular African boy name in the United States. Along with Amari, other African boy names in the US Top 1000 are Omari, Ayan, Dakari, Sekani, Khari, and Zaire. Rare African boy names worth considering include Idir, Odion, Zenebe, and Uzochi.

African baby names for boys are historic choices that honor heritage. For our full list of African baby names, click here.

African Boy Names

Zuri

Meaning: good, beautiful

Origin:Kiswahili
2405
Neo

Meaning: new or gift

Origin:Latin or Tswana
340
Amari

Meaning: eternal

Origin:Hebrew
836
Ayo

Meaning: joy

Origin:Yoruba
6855
Kehinde

Meaning: second-born of twins or one who falls behind

Origin:Yoruba
9309
Tatenda

Meaning: thank you

Origin:Shona
0
Nairobi Nairobi is a beautiful name that has many di...
Origin:African place name
11967
Akello

Meaning: I have brought forth

Origin:Ugandan
2917
Nnamdi

Meaning: my father is alive

Origin:Igbo
1439
Bekele

Meaning: growing

Origin:Amharic
8131
Zenebe

Meaning: raining

Origin:Amharic
2589
Azizi

Meaning: precious treasure

Origin:Swahili
3039
Ayu

Meaning: joy

Origin:African, Yoruban
9530
Zaire

Meaning: the river that swallows all rivers

Origin:Place name
1245
Ikenna

Meaning: father's power

Origin:Igbo
2123
Kayin

Meaning: celebrated child

Origin:Yoruba
8266
Sekani

Meaning: people on the rocks; laugh

Origin:Sekani, Tumbuka
1992
Limbani

Meaning: be strong

Origin:Chewa
9325
Chibuike

Meaning: God is strength

Origin:Igbo
0
Zesiro

Meaning: older of twins

Origin:Luganda
4671