In Africa, names mean a lot, and it is believed that the name given to a child can influence both the child and the family. Africa is made up of ethnic groups with different languages and beliefs, hence their choices of names differ.
Traditional African given names often reflect the circumstances at the time of the birth of the Child. Typical African names such as Ogechukwu “God’s time”, Esi “Sunday”, Khamisi “Thursday”, Mwanajuma “Friday”, Uka “also means Sunday, and Wekesa “harvest time” refer to the time or day when the child was born. Other names reflect the birth order of the newborn, for example Okpala “first male Child”, Kunto “third born”, Ada “First female Child”, Nsonowa “seventh born”, and Wasswa “first of twins”. Some names describe the parents’ reaction to the birth (such as Anuli, Kayode, Gwandoya, Abeni and Monifa) while others are reflections of the desired characteristics of the new-born (like Yejide, Dada, Chiumbo and Zuberi).
Although as a result of colonisation by foreign countries, lots of African baby names are now of European origin, in this article, we’ve decided to publish a collection of Unique African baby names you’ve probably never heard of before.
List of African Baby Boy Names and Meanings
Addo: Ghana name meaning “king of the road”. Boy name
Ade Meaning: “Royal one”. Boy name
Adjatay: Cameroon name meaning “prince.”
Adofo: Akan of Ghana name meaning “one who loves”. Boy name
Adom meaning “help from God” or “God’s blessing”. Boy name
Adonis Meaning: God of peace and love. Boy name
Adrian: A name used for the nobility class of the Betsileo people of central Madagascar. Boy name
Adwin: Akan of Ghana word meaning “artist” or “thinker”. Boy name
Abasi: Swahili name meaning “stern”.
Abayomi: Of uncertain African origin. Means “born to bring me joy”.
Abdalla Meaning: “servant of God”. Boy name
Abdelahi Meaning unknown.
Abdi: Muslim name, popular in Somalia, meaning “my servant”.
Abdikarim meaning “slave of God”. Boy name,
Abdimelech meaning “servant to kings”. Could be shortened to ABDI or MELECH.
Abdiraxman meaning “servant of the Mercifully Gracious”.
Abebe: Ethiopia name meaning “he has flowered/flourished/grown”.
Ajani Meaning: Victorious.
Akello Meaning: “I have brought” or “bring forth”.
Akia meaning “first-born”.
Akilah Meaning: intelligent one who reasons.
Dofi Meaning “the second child after twins.” Unisex
Doto Meaning “the younger of twins.”
Dumaka Meaning “helping hand.” male
Effiom Meaning crocodile. male
Elimu Meaning knowledge. male
Erasto Meaning man of peace. male
Eshe Meaning “life.”
Essien Meaning sixth-born son
Faizah meaning “victorious”
Jomo meaning farmer. male
Kosey meaning lion. male
Rudo Meaning “love.” male
Onani Meaning quick look. male
Paki Meaning”witness.” male
Ohin Meaning chief. male
Mosi Meaning “first.” A name given to the firstborn.
Moswen Meaning light in color. male
Jawara meaning peace and love. male
Mamello: South African name meaning(“patience”) – Boy
Tumelo: South African name meaning(“belief”) – Boy
Uuka: South African name meaning(“arise”) – Boy
Aban: Kenyan name meaning(“clear”) – Boy
Aasir: Kenyan name meaning(“captivating”) – Boy
Zarif: Kenyan name meaning(“elegant”) – Boy
Upton: Egyptian name meaning(“high village”) – Boy
Maahes: Egyptian name meaning(“lion”) – Boy
Kafele: Egyptian name meaning(“would die for”) – Boy
List of African Baby Girl Names and Meanings
Adanech: meaning “she has rescued them.”Girl name
Adanna: Ibo of Nigeria female name meaning “father’s daughter.”Girl name
Adeola: Yoruba of Nigeria female name meaning “crown of honor.”Girl name
Adetoun: Yoruba of Nigeria female name meaning “princess”. Girl name, African baby names
Adhiambo: Luo of Kenya name for females born after sunset. Girl name
Adina: Amharic of Ethiopia word sometimes used as a female name, meaning “she has saved.” Girl name
Adisa: Ashanti of Ghana name meaning “one who will teach us.”
Adjoa Meaning: peace; for females born on Monday.
Adowa Meaning: noble. Girl name,
Afafa: Ewe of Ghana female name for the firstborn child of a second husband. Girl name
Afework: Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning “one who speaks only of pleasant things; one who does not speak of bad or evil things”.
Abeba: Ethiopian female name meaning “flower.”
Abebi: Yoruba of Nigeria female name meaning “we asked and got her” or “we asked for her and she came to us.”
Abena: Akan of Ghana name for females born on Tuesday.
Abrihet meaning “she has made it light, she emanates light.”
Acacia Meaning: “thorny.”
Achan: Dinka of south Sudan name for a female child in the first pair of twins.
Ada: Ibo of Nigeria name for firstborn females.
Adamma: Ibo of Nigeria female name meaning “beautiful child” or “queenly.”
Adan: Yoruba of Nigeria name meaning “a large bat”. Also, the Spanish equivalent of Adam.
Afia: Akan of Ghana name for females born on Friday.
Afra Meaning: “peaceful ruler”
Afua Meaning: born on Friday.
Afya Meaning: Swahili female name (also spelled AFIYA) and Kiswahili word meaning “health”. Afya Bora means “good health.”
Agbenyaga meaning “life is precious.”(Could be shortened to NYAGA.)
Ahmadou: West African name; Meaning unknown.
Aja Meaning: High Priestess of Mecca.
Dalila Meaning “gentleness is her soul.”
Dalili meaning “sign.” This name reflects the parents’ ..
Kya Meaning diamond in the sky -girl
Kyah meaning a form of Kya -girl
Lulu meaning “a pearl.” -girl
Malaika meaning angel -girl
Kesia meaning favorite -girl
Kia meaning season’s beginning -girl
Kiah meaning a form of Kia -girl
Kisha meaning a form of Keisha -girl
Kulwa meaning “the first of twins”. -girl
Keasha meaning a form of Keisha -girl
Keisha meaning favorite -girl
Halima meaning “gentle.” Halima was the woman who cared.
Halla meaning unexpected gift
Halle meaninga form of Halla
Imena meaning dream
Jaha meaning “dignified.”
Jamila meaning “beautiful.”
Jira meaning related by blood- girl
Meria Meaning rebellious -girl
Meriah Meaning a form of Meria-girl
Messina Meaning spoiler -girl
Morowa Meaning “queen.” -girl
Mwanawa Meaning “first-born of my children.”-girl
Nanyamka Meaning “God’s gift.” -girl
Nomalanga Meaning”sunny”. -girl
Pili Meaning “second.” A name given to a second born -girl
Poni Meaning second daughter -girl
Radhiya Meaning “agreeable.” -girl
Rashida Meaning “righteous.” -girl
Raziya Meaning “Agreeable.” -girl
Reta Meaning shaken -girl
Saad Meaning”helpful.” -girl
SalA Meaning “peace.” -girl
Salma Meaning”safe,” it is a name for a healthy baby-girl
Sanura Meaning A child named Snura is quick and intelligent girl
Senwe Meaning dry as a grain stalk-girl
Shakima Meaning beautiful one -girl
Shani Meaning marvelous.” -girl
Sharifa Meaning “distinguished one.” -girl
Sharik Meaning child of God -girl
Shukura Meaning “I am grateful.” -girl
Siko Meaning crying baby -girl
Siti Meaning a “respected woman.”-girl
Tabia Meaning “Gifted.” -girl
Tawia Meaning after twins -girl
Thema Meaning queen -girl
Themba Meaning “trusted.”-girl
Tulinagwe Meaning “God is with us.”-girl
Ulan Meaning first-born twin -male
Waseme Meaning “let them talk.”-girl
Winna Meaning friend -girl
Zahra Meaning “blossom.”-girl
Zainabu Meaning “beautiful.”-girl
Zalika Meaning “born to nobility.”-girl
Zawadi Meaning “gift.” -girl
Zina Meaning secret spirit-girl
Zuwena Meaning “good.”
Zuleng – South African name meaning (“put in rain”)- Girl
ZuLefu – South African name meaning(“sickness”)- Girl
Naledi – South African name meaning(“star”) -Girl
Imani – Kenyan name meaning (“faith”) -Girl
Numa – Kenyan name meaning(“beautiful”) – Girl
Maluum – Kenyan name meaning(“special”) -Girl
Ayana – Ethiopian name meaning(“beautiful flower”) – Girl
Aamina – Ethiopian name meaning(“safe”) – Girl
Gabra – Ethiopian name meaning(“gift of offering”) – Girl
Amare – Ethiopian name meaning(“handsome”) – Girl
Berhanu – Ethiopian name meaning(“light”) – Girl
Dawit – Ethiopian name meaning(“beloved”) – Girl
Isis – Egyptian name meaning(“supreme goddess of the stars”) – Girl
Nailah – Egyptian name meaning(“successful”) – Girl
Kanika – Egyptian name meaning(“black”) – girl
Aailyah – Tanzanian name meaning(“of the highest”) -Girl
Khadijah – Tanzanian name meaning (“born prematurely”) – Girl
Abasi – Tanzanian name meaning (“stern”) – Girl
Hamisi – Tanzanian name meaning(“born on Thursday”) – Girl
Darweshi – Tanzanian name meaning(“holy”) – Girl
Fatima – Fatima was a daughter of the Prophet Muh..
Getachew meaning your teacher
Geteye meaning his teacher
Gogo meaning like a grandparent
Hadiya meaning “gift.”
Hala – a form of Halla
Kamaria meaning “moonlight.” -girl
Kami meaning a short form of Kamila, Kamilah- girl
Kamie meaning a form of Kami -girl
Kamilah meaning perfect – girl
Kesi meaning “born at a time of father’s troubles.” – girl