Africa which is the third largest continent in the world has their own cultures and beliefs which also differs among the tribes and nations in Africa. One of the easiest ways to identify the origin of every African is through the names they bear, the name of each individual that is from Africa has a way of linking to his or her African origin. Furthermore, Africans are highly religious people, this can also be noticed in the indigenous African names they bear.
Africans place high value on names and the power behind it, hence parents are very careful with the kind of names they give to their children and in some cases the child when he or she has grown can decide to go for a change of name when he or she feels the name is not good enough. In today’s article, we are going to look at different African names and their meanings. You can also see this list of 200 Unique African Girl Names.
You can also read: 25 Popular African Delicacies for Everyone
African Names of Nigerian Origin and their Meanings
Name | Category | Gender | Meaning | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
abagbe | African | F | We begged to have this one to lift up | Yoruba, Nigeria |
abayomi | African | F | She brings joy | Yoruba, Nigeria |
abayomi | African | M | Born to bring me joy | Yoruba, Nigeria |
abebi | African | F | We asked for her | Yoruba, Nigeria |
abeje | African | F | We asked to have this child | Yoruba, Nigeria |
abejide | African | M | Born during winter | Yoruba, Nigeria |
abeke | African | F | We asked for her to pet her. | Yoruba, Nigeria |
abeni | African | F | We asked for her | Yoruba, Nigeria |
abeo | African | F | Her birth brings happiness | Yoruba, Nigeria |
abidemi | African | F | Born during the father’s absence | Yoruba, Nigeria |
abimbola | African | F | Born to be wealthy | Yoruba, Nigeria |
abiodun | African | M | Born at the time of war | Yoruba, Nigeria |
abiola | African | M | Born in honor | Yoruba, Nigeria |
abiona | African | F | Born on a journey | Yoruba, Nigeria |
adamma | African | F | Child of beauty | Ibo, Nigeria |
ade | African | M | Royal | Yoruba, Nigeria |
adebayo | African | M | He came in a joyful time | Yoruba, Nigeria |
adebola | African | F | Honor is hers | Yoruba, Nigeria |
adedagbo | African | F | Happiness is a crown | Yoruba, Nigeria |
adeleka | African | F | Crown brings happiness | Yoruba, Nigeria |
adelola | African | F | Crown brings honor | Yoruba, Nigeria |
adesimbo | African | F | Noble birth | Yoruba, Nigeria |
adesina | African | F | This child opens the way | Yoruba, Nigeria |
adesola | African | M | The crown honored us | Yoruba, Nigeria |
adio | African | M | Be righteous | Yoruba, Nigeria |
adisa | African | M | One who makes himself clear | Yoruba, Nigeria |
aduke | African | F | Beloved, cherished | Yoruba, Nigeria |
adunbi | African | M | Born to be pleasant | Yoruba, Nigeria |
aina | African | F | Difficult birth | Yoruba, Nigeria |
aiyetoro | African | F | Peace on earth | Yoruba, Nigeria |
ajani | African | M | The victor | Yoruba, Nigeria |
akanke | African | F | To know her is to love her | Yoruba, Nigeria |
akanni | African | M | Our encounter brings possession | Yoruba, Nigeria |
akinlabi | African | M | We have a boy | Yoruba, Nigeria |
akinlana | African | M | Valor | Yoruba, Nigeria |
akins | African | M | Brave boy | Yoruba, Nigeria |
akono | African | M | It is my turn | Yoruba, Nigeria |
alaba | African | F | Second child born after twins | Yoruba, Nigeria |
alake | African | F | One to be petted and fussed over | Yoruba, Nigeria |
amadi | African | F | Rejoicing | Ibo, Nigeria |
amadi | African | M | He seems destined to die at birth | Benin, Nigeria |
apara | African | M | A child that comes and goes | Yoruba, Nigeria |
asabi | African | F | She is of choice birth | Yoruba, Nigeria |
ayo | African | M | Happiness | Yoruba, Nigeria |
ayobami | African | F | I am blessed with you | Yoruba, Nigeria |
ayobunmi | African | F | Joy is given to me | Yoruba, Nigeria |
ayodele | African | F | Joy comes home | Yoruba, Nigeria |
ayofemi | African | F | Joy likes me | Yoruba, Nigeria |
ayoluwa | African | F | Joy of the people | Yoruba, Nigeria |
ayoola | African | F | Joy is wealth | Yoruba, Nigeria |
babafemi | African | M | My father loves me | Yoruba, Nigeria |
baderinwa | African | F | Worthy of respect | Yoruba, Nigeria |
barika | African | F | Successful | Yoruba, Nigeria |
bayo | African | F | Joy is found | Yoruba, Nigeria |
bejide | African | F | Born during a rainy season | Yoruba, Nigeria |
bem | African | M | Peace | Tiv, Nigeria |
bolade | African | F | Honor arrives | Yoruba, Nigeria |
bolanile | African | F | Wealth of this house | Yoruba, Nigeria |
boseda | African | M | Born on Sunday | Tiv, Nigeria |
bunmi | African | F | My gift | Yoruba, Nigeria |
chijioke | African | M | God gives talent | Ibo, Nigeria |
chike | African | M | Power of God | Ibo, Nigeria |
chinelo | African | M | Thought of God | Ibo, Nigeria |
chinua | African | M | Blessings of God | Ibo, Nigeria |
chinue | African | F | Blessing of Chi | Ibo, Nigeria |
chioke | African | M | God blessing | Ibo, Nigeria |
dada | African | M | Curly hair | Yoruba, Nigeria |
dada | African | F | Child with curly hair | Yoruba, Nigeria |
dayo | African | F | Joy arrives | Yoruba, Nigeria |
dumaka | African | M | Helping hands | Ibo, Nigeria |
ebun | African | F | Gift | Yoruba, Nigeria |
ehioze | African | M | Jealousy is beneath me | Benin, Nigeria |
enomwoyi | African | F | Graceful one | Benin, Nigeria |
fabayo | African | F | A lucky birth brings joy | Yoruba, Nigeria |
fayola | African | F | Walk with honor | Yoruba, Nigeria |
femi | African | F | Love me | Yoruba, Nigeria |
fola | African | F | Honorable | Yoruba, Nigeria |
folade | African | F | She brings honor | Yoruba, Nigeria |
folami | African | F | Honor and respect me | Yoruba, Nigeria |
folayan | African | F | To walk with dignity | Yoruba, Nigeria |
foluke | African | F | Placed in God’s care | Yoruba, Nigeria |
foluke | African | M | Given to God | Yoruba, Nigeria |
gowon | African | M | Rainmaker | Tiv, Nigeria |
hembadoon | African | F | The winner | Tiv, Nigeria |
ibrahim | African | M | Father of a multitude | Hausa, Nigeria |
idowu | African | F | First child after twins | Yoruba, Nigeria |
ifama | African | F | All is well | Ibo, Nigeria |
ife | African | F | Love | Yoruba, Nigeria |
ifetayo | African | F | Love brings happiness | Yoruba, Nigeria |
ikuseghan | African | F | Peace is better than war | Benin, Nigeria |
imarogbe | African | M | Child born to a good and caring family | Benin, Nigeria |
isoke | African | F | A wonderful gift from God | Benin, Nigeria |
iverem | African | F | Blessing and favor | Tiv, Nigeria |
iyapo | African | M | Many trials | Yoruba, Nigeria |
izegbe | African | F | Long-awaited child | Benin, Nigeria |
jaja | African | M | Honored one | Ibo, Nigeria |
jelani | African | M | Mighty | Ibo, Nigeria |
jumoke | African | M | Loved by everyone | Yoruba, Nigeria |
jumoke | African | F | Everyone loves the child | Yoruba, Nigeria |
kayode | African | M | He brought joy | Yoruba, Nigeria |
kehinde | African | M | Second born of twins | Yoruba, Nigeria |
kehinde | African | F | Second of twins | Yoruba, Nigeria |
kokumo | African | F | This one will not die | Yoruba, Nigeria |
kosoko | African | M | No hoe to dig a grave | Yoruba, Nigeria |
madu | African | M | People | Ibo, Nigeria |
mazi | African | M | Sir | Ibo, Nigeria |
monifa | African | F | I am lucky | Yoruba, Nigeria |
nayo | African | F | She is our joy | Yoruba, Nigeria |
ngozi | African | F | Blessing | Ibo, Nigeria |
ngozi | African | M | Good fortune | Ibo, Nigeria |
nneka | African | F | Her mother is important | Ibo, Nigeria |
nourbese | African | F | Wonderful child | Benin, Nigeria |
nwabudike | African | M | The son is the father’s power | Ibo, Nigeria |
obasi | African | M | In honor of the supreme God | Ibo, Nigeria |
obataiye | African | M | King of the world | Yoruba, Nigeria |
obayana | African | M | The king warms himself at the fire | Yoruba, Nigeria |
obi | African | M | Heart | Ibo, Nigeria |
obike | African | M | A strong household | Ibo, Nigeria |
obioma | African | F | Kind woman | Ibo, Nigeria |
ode | African | F | Born along the road | Benin, Nigeria |
odion | African | M | First born of twins | Ibo, Nigeria |
ogbonna | African | M | The image of his father | Ibo, Nigeria |
okechuku | African | M | A gift of God | Ibo, Nigeria |
okpara | African | M | Fifth-born son | Ibo, Nigeria |
olabisi | African | F | Joy is multiplied | Yoruba, Nigeria |
oladele | African | M | We are honored at home | Yoruba, Nigeria |
olafemi | African | M | Honor favors me | Yoruba, Nigeria |
olaniyan | African | M | Surrounded by honor | Yoruba, Nigeria |
olaniyi | African | F | There’s glory in wealth | Yoruba, Nigeria |
olubayo | African | F | Greatest joy | Yoruba, Nigeria |
olubayo | African | M | Rejoicing | Yoruba, Nigeria |
olufemi | African | M | Wealth and honor favors me | Yoruba, Nigeria |
olufemi | African | F | God loves me | Yoruba, Nigeria |
olufunmilayo | African | F | God gives me joy | Yoruba, Nigeria |
olugbala | African | M | Savior of the people | Yoruba, Nigeria |
olujimi | African | M | God has given me this | Yoruba, Nigeria |
olumide | African | M | God arrives | Yoruba, Nigeria |
olumiji | African | M | My lord awakens | Yoruba, Nigeria |
oluremi | African | F | God consoles me | Yoruba, Nigeria |
olushola | African | M | God has blessed me | Yoruba, Nigeria |
oluwa | African | M | Our lord | Yoruba, Nigeria |
oluyemi | African | M | Fulfillment from God, satisfied | Yoruba, Nigeria |
omolara | African | F | Born at the right time | Benin, Nigeria |
omorose | African | F | Beautiful child | Benin, Nigeria |
omusupe | African | F | She is the most precious thing | Benin, Nigeria |
oni | African | F | Born in a sacred place | Yoruba, Nigeria |
osakwe | African | M | God agrees | Benin, Nigeria |
osayimwese | African | M | God made me complete | Benin, Nigeria |
oseye | African | F | Happy one | Benin, Nigeria |
taiwo | African | F | First born of twins | Yoruba, Nigeria |
taiwo | African | M | First born of twins | Yoruba, Nigeria |
titilayo | African | F | Eternal happiness | Yoruba, Nigeria |
uchechi | African | M | God’s will | Ibo, Nigeria |
uchenna | African | F | God’s will | Ibo, Nigeria |
ulu | African | F | Second born female | Ibo, Nigeria |
urbi | African | F | Princess | Benin, Nigeria |
yejide | African | F | She looks like her mother | Yoruba, Nigeria |
African Names of South African Origin and their Meanings
Name | Category | Gender | Meaning | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
ayize | African | M | Let it happen | Zulu, South Africa |
dziko | African | F | The world | Nguni, South Africa |
mandisa | African | F | Sweet | Xhosa, South Africa |
nkosazana | African | F | Princess | Xhosa, South Africa |
nomalanga | African | F | Sunny | Zulu, South Africa |
nombeko | African | F | Respect | Xhosa, South Africa |
nomble | African | F | Beauty | Xhosa, South Africa |
paki | African | M | Witness | Xhosa, South Africa |
thandiwe | African | M | Beloved | Zulu, South Africa |
thandiwe | African | F | Affectionate | Xhosa, South Africa |
themba | African | F | Trusted | Zulu, South Africa |
themba | African | M | Hope | Xhosa, South Africa |
African Names of Kenyan Origin and their Meanings
See Also: Over 40 African Quotes about Africa
Name | Category | Gender | Meaning | Origin |
aluna | African | F | Come here | Mwera, Kenya |
chiumbo | African | M | Small, small child, small creation | Mwera, Kenya |
kamau | African | M | Quiet warrior | Kikuyu, Kenya |
kenya | American | F | Animal horn | Hebrew |
kenya | Geo | F | Country in Africa | Hebrew |
kereenyaga | African | M | Mountain of mystery | Kikuyu, Kenya |
njau | African | M | Young bull | Kikuyu, Kenya |
thabiti | African | M | A man | Mwera, Kenya |
tumaini | African | M | Hope | Mwera, Kenya |
wambua | African | M | Born during the rainy season | Kamba, Kenya |
wekesa | African | M | Born during the harvest time | Lechya, Kenya |
African Names of Ghanaian Origin and their Meanings
Name | Category | Gender | Meaning | Origin |
aba | African | F | Born on Thursday | Fante, Ghana |
ababuo | African | F | A child that keeps coming back | Ewe, Ghana |
abam | African | F | Second child after twins | Twi, Ghana |
abeeku | African | M | Born on Wednesday | Fante, Ghana |
abena | African | F | Born on Tuesday | Fante, Ghana |
addae | African | M | Morning sun | Akan, Ghana |
adeben | African | M | Twelfth-born | Akan, Ghana |
adika | African | M | The first child of a second husband | Ewe, Ghana |
adofo | African | M | Warrior | Akan, Ghana |
adom | African | M | Help from God, God’s blessing | Akan, Ghana |
adowa | African | F | Born on Tuesday | Akan, Ghana |
adusa | African | M | Thirteenth-born | Akan, Ghana |
afafa | African | F | The first child of the second husband | Ewe, Ghana |
afafa | African | F | The first child of the second husband | Ewe, Ghana |
afryea | African | F | Born during happy times | Ewe, Ghana |
afua | African | F | Born on Friday | Ewe, Ghana |
akosua | African | F | Born on Sunday | Ewe, Ghana |
akua | African | F | Born on Wednesday | Ewe, Ghana |
akwete | African | F | First born of twins | Ga, Ghana |
akwokwo | African | F | Younger of twins | Ga, Ghana |
akwtee | African | M | Younger of twins | Ga, Ghana |
ama | African | F | Born on Saturday | Ewe, Ghana |
anane | African | M | Fourth son | Akan, Ghana |
anum | African | M | Fifth-born | Akan, Ghana |
atsu | African | M | Younger of twins | Ewe, Ghana |
atu | African | M | Born on Saturday | Fante, Ghana |
baako | African | F | First born | Akan, Ghana |
baba | African | F | Born on Thursday | Fante, Ghana |
bobo | African | M | Born on Tuesday | Fante, Ghana |
do | African | F | First child after twins | Ewe, Ghana |
dofi | African | F | Second child born after twins | Ewe, Ghana |
ebo | African | M | Born on Tuesday | Fante, Ghana |
efia | African | F | Born on Friday | Fante, Ghana |
enyonyam | African | F | It is good for me | Ewe, Ghana |
esi | African | F | Born on Sunday | Fante, Ghana |
fifi | African | M | Born on Friday | Fante, Ghana |
gyasi | African | M | Wonderful baby | Akan, Ghana |
jojo | African | M | Born on Monday | Fante, Ghana |
kakra | African | F | Second of twins | Fante, Ghana |
kodwo | African | M | Born on Monday | Twi, Ghana |
kofi | African | M | Born on Friday | Twi, Ghana |
kojo | African | M | Born on Monday | Akan, Ghana |
kontar | African | M | Only child | Akan, Ghana |
kpodo | African | M | First born of twins | Ewe, Ghana |
kufuo | African | M | The father shared the pains of birth | Fante, Ghana |
kukua | African | F | Born on Wednesday | Fante, Ghana |
kunto | African | F | Third born child | Twi, Ghana |
kwabena | African | M | Born on Tuesday | Akan, Ghana |
kwakou | African | M | Born on Wednesday | Ewe, Ghana |
kwasi | African | M | Born on Sunday | Akan, Ghana |
lumusi | African | F | Born face downward | Ewe, Ghana |
mama | African | F | Born on Saturday | Fante, Ghana |
mawuli | African | M | There is a God | Ewe, Ghana |
mawusi | African | F | In the hands of God | Ewe, Ghana |
mensah | African | M | Third-born son | Ewe, Ghana |
morowa | African | F | Queen | Akan, Ghana |
nanyamka | African | F | God’s gift | Ewe, Ghana |
osei | African | M | Honorable, noble | Fante, Ghana |
panyin | African | F | First born of twins | Fante, Ghana |
sisi | African | F | Born on Sunday | Fante, Ghana |
thema | African | F | Queen | Akan, Ghana |
yaa | African | F | Born on Thursday | Ewe, Ghana |
yafeu | African | M | Bold | Fante, Ghana |
ye | African | F | First born of twins | Ewe, Ghana |
Editor’s Recommendations:
- Cost of Living in South Africa: Latest Comparisons
- 30 African Wedding Songs of All Times
- 5 Effective Ways To Avoid Malaria in Africa
- 5 Most Powerful African Queens From History
- 10 Self-Made African Millionaires You Should Know