150 African baby names for boys and girls
You've come to the right place if you're searching for African baby names for your baby girl or boy. We have 150 names to choose from including common, traditional and beautiful names, along with their origins, meanings and any naming traditions
Are you looking for a beautiful African name for your baby? There's a huge range of African names to choose from – after all, there are 54 different African countries, each of them with its own language, unique culture and individual names. To help you choose we've put together a list of 150 rare, common and traditional African names for both girls and boys. Our list includes names that are both long or short, derived from countries all over the continent such as Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, South Africa, Malawi, Kenya and Somalia.
In many African countries, baby names are chosen based on which day the child was born and each day has a different meaning for example Monday is associated with peace while Thursday is associated with the earth. Influenced by a mix of Christian, Muslim and Arabic traditions, the majority of these African baby names also religious meanings or links.
Whether you're looking for pretty African names for your little girl or handsome African names for your boy you'll find them below all with their meanings, origins, traditions and longer versions where appropriate.
Here’s our list of the best African baby names to inspire you…
African girl names | African boy names | Common African names | Traditional African names | Beautiful African names
African girl names
Whether you're African, have family links to an African country, or you just want a special and unique name from this beautiful continent – there are loads of pretty African girl names to choose from your new daughter. With lovely meanings including flower, peace and joy our list of African names for girls is sure to inspire you.
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1. Abeba
- Origin: Amharic, Ethiopian
- Meaning: flower
2. Aberash
- Origin: Amharic, Ethiopian
- Meaning: giving off light, shining
3. Abike
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: one who is born to be cared for
4. Adaeze
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: eldest daughter of the king
5. Alheri
- Origin: Hausa, Nigerian
- Meaning: the charitable, the good
6. Asha
- Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian
- Meaning: live, exist
7. Ayaan
- Origin: Somali, Somalian
- Meaning: good luck
8. Bahati
- Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian
- Meaning: luck, good fortune
9. Bisola
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: born into wealth
- Short for: Abisola
10. Buhle
- Origin: Xhosa, South African
- Meaning: beautiful
11. Businge
- Origin: Rukiga, Ugandan
- Meaning: peace
12. ChiChi
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: god with me
- Short for: Chiamaka, Chibuzo, Chinelo
13. Chiamaka
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: God is more beautiful
14. Dalitso
- Origin: Chewa, Malawian
- Meaning: blessing
15. Danai
- Origin: Shona, Zimbabwean
- Meaning: to summon
16. Desta
- Origin: Amharic, Ethiopian
- Meaning: joy
17. Ekene
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: gratitude
18. Eniola
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: person of wealth
19. Femi
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: God loves me
- Short for: Olufemi
20. Hodan
- Origin: Somali, Somalian
- Meaning: rich, lush
21. Ife
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: love
22. Ime
- Origin: Ibibio, Nigerian
- Meaning: patience
23. Kiitan
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: God’s riches are infinite
- Short for: Olaoluwakiitan
24. Lara
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: this child is kin
- Short for: Omolara
25. Nia
- Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian
- Meaning: purpose, aim
26. Lindiwe
- Origin: Zulu, South African
- Meaning: waited for, awaited
27. Makena
- Origin: Kikuyu, Kenyan
- Meaning: happy one
28. Mirembe
- Origin: Luganda, Ugandan
- Meaning: peace
29. Mukami
- Origin: Kikuyu, Kenyan
- Meaning: the one who milks the cows
30. Neema
- Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian
- Meaning: divine grace
31. Nneka
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: mother is great
32. Ntombifuthi
- Origin: Zulu, South African
- Meaning: a girl again
33. Omphile
- Origin: Tswana, Botswanan
- Meaning: he has given
34. Onalerona
- Origin: Tswana, Botswanan
- Meaning: he is with us
35. Rehema
- Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian
- Meaning: mercy, compassion
36. Rufaro
- Origin: Shona, Zimbabwean
- Meaning: happiness
37. Sade
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: rule with nobility
- Short for: Folasade
38. Sethunya
- Origin: Tswana, Botswanan
- Meaning: bloom, flower
39. Sola
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: a child crowned with wealth
- Short for: Adesola, Olusola
40. Tolu
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: God be praised
- Short for: Tolulope
41. Uju
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: fullness, plenty
42. Upendo
- Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian
- Meaning: love
43. Wanangwa
- Origin: Tumbuka
- Meaning: freedom
44. Yetunde
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: mother has come again
45. Yinka
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: success surrounds me
- Short for: Olayinka
46. Zawadi
- Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian
- Meaning: gift
African boy names
You're spoilt for choice if you need an African boy name for your son with a whole treasure trove of gorgeous names from the many countries that make up this diverse continent. We've listed strong and classic names, plus names with wonderful pronunciations and brilliant meanings such as gift, power, hope and faith.
47. Akachi
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: the hand of God
48. Akinwunmi
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: valour is pleasing
- Also: Akin, Wunmi
49. Akpofure
- Origin: Urhobo, Nigerian
- Meaning: life is peaceful
50. Alinafe
- Origin: Chewa, Malawian
- Meaning: he/she is with us
51. Alemayehu
- Origin: Amharic, Ethiopian
- Meaning: I have seen the world
52. Ayele
- Origin: Amharic, Ethiopian
- Meaning: become strong/powerful
53. Babatunde
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: father has come again
- Also: Baba, Tunde
54. Baraka
- Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian
- Meaning: blessing
55. Bello
- Origin: Fula, Nigerian
- Meaning: helper
56. Boipelo
- Origin: Tswana, Botswanan
- Meaning: joy, rejoicing
57. Bongani
- Origin: Zulu, South African
- Meaning: grateful, thankful
58. Chinedu
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: God is leading
59. Chukwuemeka
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: God did a greater deed
60. Chisomo
- Origin: Chewa, Malawian
- Meaning: grace
61. Dakarai
- Origin: Shona, Zimbabwean
- Meaning: rejoice
62. Dayo
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: joy arrives
- Short for: Adedayo, Oromidayo
63. Dejen
- Origin: Amharic, Ethiopian
- Meaning: foundation, support
64. Ejike
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: having strength
65. Gadisa
- Origin: Oromo, Ethiopian
- Meaning: shade
66. Ifa
- Origin: Oromo, Ethiopian
- Meaning: light
67. Ifeanyi
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: we can do anything
68. Ikenna
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: power of the father
69. Imani
- Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian
- Meaning: faith
70. Jango
- Origin: Xhosa, South African
- Meaning: brave, warrior
71. Jimi
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: God gave me this
- Short for: Olujimi
72. Kayode
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: bringing joy
73. Kirabo
- Origin: Luganda, Ugandan
- Meaning: gift
74. Kisembo
- Origin: Tooro, Ugandan
- Meaning: gift
75. Limbani
- Origin: Chewa, Malawian
- Meaning: be strong
76. Lencho
- Origin: Oromo, Ethiopian
- Meaning: lion
77. Maina
- Origin: Kikuyu, Kenyan
- Meaning: sing, dance
78. Masamba
- Origin: Yao, Malawian
- Meaning: leaves, vegetables
79. Munashe
- Origin: Shona, Zimbabwean
- Meaning: with God
80. Njinga
- Origin: Mbundu, Angolan
- Meaning: to twist or wrap
81. Obinna
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: heart of the father
- Also: Obi
82. Ochieng
- Origin: Luo, Kenyan
- Meaning: born when the sun shines
83. Omari
- Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian
- Meaning: flourishing
84. Simba
- Origin: Shona, Zimbabwean
- Meaning: power, strength
85. Tadesse
- Origin: Amharic, Ethiopian
- Meaning: revived
86. Takondwa
- Origin: Chewa, Malawian
- Meaning: we are glad
87. Tesfaye
- Origin: Amharic, Ethiopian
- Meaning: hope
88. Tunde
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: return, come again
89. Udo
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: peace
90. Wale
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: crown has come home
- Short for: Oluwale, Adewale
91. Wongani
- Origin: Chewa, Malawian
- Meaning: be thankful
92. Ziri
- Origin: Berber
- Meaning: moonlight
93. Zola
- Origin: Xhosa, South African
- Meaning: calm
Common African names
Many of the names in this next list are ones you'll have heard before because they are common in certain cultures and countries and are given to many babies in Africa each year. If you like to be on-trend and stick to what's known and loved when it comes to baby names then these are the names for you.
94. Ade
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: crown
95. Amadi
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: freeborn man
96. Andile
- Origin: Zulu or Ndebele, South African
- Meaning: they have increased
97. Ayo
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: my joy has come
- Short for: Ayomide, Ayokunle
98. Dami
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: blessed with wealth
- Short for: Oluwadamilola
99. Kelechi
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: thank God
100. Nana
- Origin: Akan, Ghanaian
- Meaning: your highness
101. Ngozi
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: blessing
102. Nqobile
- Origin: Zulu, South African
- Meaning: they conquered
103. Thandi
- Origin: Xhosa, South African
- Meaning: beloved
- Short for: Thandiwe
104. Tafadzwa
- Origin: Shona, Zimbabwean
- Meaning: we are pleased
105. Tatenda
- Origin: Shona, Zimbabwean
- Meaning: thank you
106. Temi
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: mine is worthy of thanks
- Short for: Temitope
107. Tinashe
- Origin: Shona, Zimbabwean
- Meaning: we are with God
108. Uche
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: wisdom, sense, mind
109. Yemi
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: God honours me
- Short for: Olayemi
Traditional African names
If you're looking for an African baby name that has strong roots in a certain culture and goes back multiple generations then one of these traditional names could be the perfect choice. These names have been used in African countries for many decades. Many of them are associated with the day of the week a child is born or whether they're a first or second-born child or twin. Great for first or middle names, here's our pick of African baby names that have been used throughout history and are still loved today.
110. Adwoa
- Origin: Akan, Ghanaian
- Meaning: born on Monday
- Tradition: name given to a girl born on Monday
111. Ama
- Origin: Akan, Ghanaian
- Meaning: born on Saturday
- Tradition: name given to a girl born on Saturday
112. Alaba
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: child born after twins
113. Afua
- Origin: Akan, Ghanaian
- Meaning: born on Friday
- Tradition: name given to a girl born Friday
114. Akinyi
- Origin: Luo, Kenyan
- Meaning: born in the morning
115. Akwete
- Origin: Ga, Ghanaian
- Meaning: firstborn of twins
- Tradition: name given to oldest twin
116. Akwetee
- Origin: Ga, Ghanaian
- Meaning: second born of twins
- Tradition: name given to the second twin
117. Atu
- Origin: Ghanian
- Meaning: born on Saturday
- Tradition: name given to a boy born on Saturday
118. Boluwatife
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: this is how God would have it
- Tradition: name given to a surprise baby
119. Esi
- Origin: Akan, Ghanaian
- Meaning: born on Sunday
- Tradition: name given to a girl born on Sunday
120. Idowu
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: born after twins
121. Kehinde
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: the last to come
- Tradition: name given to second twin
122. Mwanajuma
- Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian
- Meaning: born on Friday
123. Kojo
- Origin: Akan, Ghanaian
- Meaning: born on Monday
- Tradition: name given to a boy born on Monday
124. Kwabena
- Origin: Akan, Ghanaian
- Meaning: born on Tuesday
- Tradition: name given to a boy born on Tuesday
125. Taiwo
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: the first to taste the world
- Tradition: name given to oldest twin
126. Yaa
- Origin: Akan, Ghanaian
- Meaning: born on Thursday
- Tradition: name given to a girl born on Thursday
Beautiful African names
Our list of African baby names wouldn’t be complete without a selection of beautiful girl’s names. With lovely pronunciations and charming meanings, these African first names have a lot going for them and are worth considering if you’re expecting a little girl.
127. Abena
- Origin: Akan, Ghanaian
- Meaning: born on Tuesday
128. Adeola
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: the crown of wealth
129. Ameena
- Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian
- Meaning: trustworthy
130. Chidimma
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: God is good
131. Damini
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: God holds onto me
- Short for: Oluwadamini
132. Derinsola
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: crowned with prosperity
- Short for: Aderinsola
133. Farai
- Origin: Shona, Zimbabwean
- Meaning: rejoice, be happy
134. Fife
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: a child to love
- Short for: Fifelomo
135. Funmi
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: God gave me joy
- Short for: Oluwafunmilayo, Olufunmilola
136. Gbemi
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: carry me into wealth
- Short for: Gbemisola
137. Idia
- Origin: Urhobo, Nigerian
- Meaning: stand right
138. Ifeoma
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: good thing
139. Imisi
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: the breathe of God
- Short for: Imisioluwa
140. Lola
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: a wealthy child has arrived
- Short for: Omolola, Lolade
141. Palesa
- Origin: Sesotho, Lesotho
- Meaning: flower
142. Rumbi
- Origin: Shona, Zimbabwean
- Meaning: praise
- Short for: Rumbidzai
143. Simisola
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: rest in wealth
144. Tadala
- Origin: Chewa, Malawian
- Meaning: we have been blessed
145. Ntombi
- Origin: Zulu, South African
- Meaning: girl
146. Nnenna
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: father's mother
- Tradition: name given in honour of the child's paternal grandmother
147. Onyinye
- Origin: Igbo, Nigerian
- Meaning: gift
148. Yamikani
- Origin: Chewa, Malawian
- Meaning: be grateful, praise
149. Yewande
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: mother has returned
- Tradition: name given in honour of the child's paternal grandmother
150. Zuri
- Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian
- Meaning: beautiful
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Janet is a Digital Journalist for MadeForMums and mother to a boy and girl both under 4. With a keen eye and passion for creating online media content, she enjoys sharing her own journey of motherhood, and providing encouragement for new mums.
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