African Baby Names With Meanings
46 names with meanings and origins.
These names come from several African languages, including Yoruba, Igbo, Swahili, Akan and Shona, and many carry meaningful messages.
Top picks
Girl · African · “born on Tuesday (Akan)”
Girl · African · “We asked for her”
Girl · African · “Princess”
Boy · African · “Crown, royal”
Girl · African · “born on Saturday (Akan)”
Girl · African · “Grace”
Boy · African · “Handsome; grace”
Unisex · African · “Strength; eternal (Yoruba)”
Girl · African · “Beautiful flower”
Unisex · African · “joy has come home (Yoruba)”
Boy · African · “blessing (Swahili)”
Girl · African · “God is beautiful”
Boy · African · “God exists”
Boy · African · “Give praise”
Girl · African · “Life”
Boy · African · “love me (Yoruba)”
Girl · African · “love (Yoruba)”
Girl · African · “Faith”
Boy · African · “Brave”
Boy · African · “born on Friday (Swahili)”
Girl · African · “Early baby”
Boy · African · “second of twins (Luganda)”
Boy · African · “brings joy (Yoruba)”
Girl · African · “Born when the father was in trouble (Swahili)”
Boy · African · “Born on Friday”
Boy · African · “Born on Saturday”
Girl · African · “happy one (Kikuyu)”
Boy · African · “Strength”
Girl · African · “Successful”
Girl · African · “blessing (Igbo)”
Girl · African · “Purpose”
Boy · African · “My father lives”
Boy · African · “Heart”
Girl · African · “Honour confers a crown (Yoruba)”
Boy · African · “Sword (Swahili)”
Boy · African · “Learned”
Boy · African · “Gift”
Boy · African · “Be thankful”
Unisex · African · “be thankful (Shona)”
Boy · African · “Joy”
Girl · African · “Beloved”
Boy · African · “hope (Zulu)”
Boy · African · “returns (Yoruba)”
Girl · African · “Quiet; tranquil (Zulu)”
Boy · African · “Strong”
Girl · African · “Beautiful”
African naming traditions
Africa has hundreds of naming traditions. Among the Akan of Ghana, children receive a day name for the weekday of birth, such as Kofi (Friday-born boy) or Ama (Saturday-born girl). Yoruba families hold a naming ceremony (ìsọmọlórúkọ) on the seventh or eighth day, and names often carry messages, like Oluwaseun ('we thank God'). Igbo names frequently honour God (Chukwuemeka, 'God has done great things'), and Swahili names may describe the time or circumstances of birth.
Common questions
Want a name that blends both parents? Try the Baby Name Combiner.
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