1. Home
  2. Topics

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

Selam

Meaning: peace

Origin:Amharic
12947
Tadesse

Meaning: revived

Origin:Amharic
6260
Origin:West African and South African, meaning unknown
0
Uzochi

Meaning: God's way

Origin:Igbo
9084
Abanu

Meaning: I have joined the family

Origin:African, Ibo
5614
Ebo

Meaning: born on Tuesday

Origin:African, Akeradini
3936
Haji

Meaning: born during the pilgrimage to Mecca

Origin:Swahili
2541
Jengo

Meaning: building

Origin:African, Swahili
10135
Kwaku

Meaning: Born on a Wednesday

Origin:Ghanaian, Akan, Twi
2361
Kabelo

Meaning: given

Origin:African and Sotho
8900
Massai

Meaning: owner of land and farms

Origin:African tribe; also Italian
2392
Taye

Meaning: he has been seen

Origin:African, Ethiopian
4903
Djimon The meaning of Djimon is 'a powerful person'...
Origin:African, meaning unknown
6892
Eskender

Meaning: defending men

Origin:Amharic variation of Alexander
7401
Kojo

Meaning: born on Monday

Origin:Ghanaian, Akan
3750
Tafari

Meaning: he who inspires awe

Origin:Amharic
2242
Tariku

Meaning: his story

Origin:Amharic
9863
Tendaji

Meaning: make things happen

Origin:Swahili
9867