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Girl Names from Africa

African names for baby girls hail from all around the continent and offer an uncommon yet usable complement of choices. A few African girl names are starting to catch on in the US, including Zola and Zuri, which feature the exciting Z initial.

Along with Zola and Zuri, other African names for girls in the US Top 1000 include Amara, Anika, Nala, Zendaya, and Zora. One-of-a-kind African girl names given to fewer than five baby girls at last count include Ameyo, Lulit, Nemy, and Thulile.

While these are some of our favorites, for even more African baby girl names, go to our masterlist of African Names for Girls.

Girl Names from Africa

Nuru

Meaning: light, born during the day

Origin:Swahili
15871
Abena

Meaning: born on Tuesday

Origin:Akan, Fante, Ghanaian
3653
Desta

Meaning: joy

Origin:Amharic
4458
Tamala

Meaning: dark tree

Origin:African
4627
Kibibi

Meaning: little lady

Origin:Swahili
9157
Gasira

Meaning: island; brave

Origin:African, Somali from Arabic, or Swahili
7947
Farai

Meaning: rejoice

Origin:Shona
17640
Juba

Meaning: born on Monday

Origin:African
5523
Nala Nala is a popular multicultural name that is...
Origin:African, meaning unknown
811
Fayola

Meaning: lucky, good fortune, blessed

Origin:African-Yoruba, Nigeria
4523
Samiya

Meaning: high, exalted, praised

Origin:Arabic
2236
Taraja

Meaning: hope

Origin:African, Kiswahili
6871
Amma

Meaning: mother, or born on a Saturday

Origin:Tamil, Akan
2663
Yetunde

Meaning: mother returned

Origin:Yoruba
9842
Kia

Meaning: season's beginning

Origin:African
1214
Neela

Meaning: sapphire blue

Origin:Hindi, Sanskrit
1721
Nyala

Meaning: mountain goat

Origin:African, Ethiopian
2347
Amadi

Meaning: free man

Origin:African
20263
Ebele

Meaning: mercy, kindness

Origin:African
3846
Zuwena

Meaning: good

Origin:African
7331