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    African Boy Names Starting With I

    85 names with meanings and origins.

    Looking for a African boy's name that starts with I? Here are 85 options, including unisex names, each with its meaning. These names come from several African languages, including Yoruba, Igbo, Swahili, Akan and Shona, and many carry meaningful messages.

    Top picks

    1. Imtiaaz — “Derived from imtiaz, privilege distinction”
    2. Iggy — “Iggy is described as being “from the name Iggi.” This gives its source name without supplying a separate literal meaning.”
    3. Iqbal — “An African and Arabic name signifying prosperity, wealth, and responsiveness.”
    4. Israar — “Israar means 'secrecy privacy', suggesting a child with a thoughtful and perhaps mysterious depth of character.”
    5. Israr — “A name of Arabic and African origin meaning secrecy or privacy. It also carries the meaning of one who is insistent and never gives up.”
    6. Ibaad — “An African and Arabic name meaning a devoted worshipper or a true believer in God.”
    7. Irfan — “Thankfulness knowledge wisdom; gratefulness”
    8. Ishaaq — “Derived from ishaq, isaac a prophets name”
    9. Izzudin — “This Arabic name translates to 'might of the faith,' symbolizing strength and spiritual devotion.”
    10. Ilo — “A name of African origin that signifies light, sunshine, and a joyous spirit.”
    • Boy · African · “An African and Arabic name meaning a devoted worshipper or a true believer in God.”

    • Boy · African · “This African name carries a positive communal sentiment, meaning that the agnates or relatives are splendid.”

    • Unisex · African · “Family becomes (as wide as) the sea”

    • Unisex · African · “Child birth is sweet”

    • Unisex · African · “Family pampers together”

    • Unisex · African · “Childbirth brings honor”

    • Unisex · African · “Birth (children) fill the house”

    • Unisex · African · “Childbirth is wealth”

    • Unisex · African · “The place wealth converges at”

    • Unisex · African · “Family has found who to pamper”

    • Unisex · African · “Childbirth makes wealth”

    • Unisex · African · “Childbirth honors me”

    • Unisex · African · “The name given to the child born after a set of twins”

    • Unisex · African · “The steadfastness/ abiding presence of God”

    • Unisex · African · “Love of the crown”

    • Unisex · African · “Love holds wealth together”

    • Unisex · African · “Love gave birth together”

    • Unisex · African · “The love of God abounds”

    • Boy · African · “Honor glory; honoured; grace; glory; distinction; repute”

    • Boy · African · “A name of Arabic origin meaning to bring honor or pride. It signifies someone who is esteemed and brings glory to their family.”

    • Unisex · African · “Belief/faith of God”

    • Boy · African · “Iggy is described as being “from the name Iggi.” This gives its source name without supplying a separate literal meaning.”

    • Boy · African · “Derived from ihtisham, pomp magnificence; magnificence; pomp; glory”

    • Boy · African · “Ihtisham is a grand name, meaning 'pomp magnificence,' suggesting a life filled with dignity and splendor.”

    • Unisex · African · “The care of God”

    • Boy · African · “Ikhlaaq means 'morals virtues', a beautiful name that inspires a child to live with integrity and goodness.”

    • Boy · African · “This African masculine name represents the qualities of frankness and sincerity, denoting a person who is honest and genuine in their actions.”

    • Unisex · African · “Home benefits me”

    • Unisex · African · “Intuition inspiration; intuition, inspiration”

    • Unisex · African · “A name of African origin that signifies light, sunshine, and a joyous spirit.”

    • Boy · African · “Ilom means 'my enemies are many,' symbolizing resilience and strength in overcoming challenges. A powerful name for a courageous child.”

    • Boy · African · “Derived from imam, leader chief; ledder; guide; the qur'aan, the caliph”

    • Boy · African · “Support pillar confidence; support, pillar, confidence”

    • Boy · African · “Derived from African and Arabic roots, this name means 'the pillar of the faith,' symbolizing strength and devotion.”

    • Unisex · African · “Light of God”

    • Boy · African · “Derived from imtiaz, privilege distinction”

    • Boy · African · “Privilege distinction; different, antique”

    • Boy · African · “Derived from inayat, concern attention; favour:, bounty; kindness”

    • Unisex · African · “Assembly of wealth”

    • Unisex · African · “Decision of God”

    • Boy · African · “Derived from iqbal, prosperity wealth; prosperity; good fortune; luck; success; felicity; blessings”

    • Boy · African · “An African and Arabic name signifying prosperity, wealth, and responsiveness.”

    • Boy · African · “An African name derived from Iqtidar, representing capability, personal power, and influence.”

    • Boy · African · “Capability power; power, office, authority”

    • Unisex · African · “Hope/anticipation of wealth”

    • Unisex · African · “God’s hope”

    • Boy · African · “Thankfulness knowledge wisdom; gratefulness”

    • Boy · African · “Derived from irshad, guidance direction; to guide on the right path; to enjoin what is good; to instruct”

    • Boy · African · “An Arabic name often used in Africa that signifies 'guidance' or 'direction,' implying a leader or teacher.”

    • Boy · African · “Derived from the name Isamm, this African name signifies a safeguard or protection.”

    • Boy · African · “An African and Arabic name meaning security, pledge, or protector. It describes a person who provides safety and keeps their word.”

    • Boy · African · “Derived from ishaq, isaac a prophets name”

    • Boy · African · “The Arabic form of Isaac, this name belongs to a prophet and means one who laughs.”

    • Boy · African · “Derived from ishfaq, compassion kindness”

    • Boy · African · “A male name of African and Arabic origin that signifies compassion, kindness, and sympathy toward others.”

    • Boy · African · “Intimacy companionship; society, familiar and pleasant talk, happiness”

    • Boy · African · “Peace peaceful very safe; submission to allah”

    • Boy · African · “Israar means 'secrecy privacy', suggesting a child with a thoughtful and perhaps mysterious depth of character.”

    • Boy · African · “A name of Arabic and African origin meaning secrecy or privacy. It also carries the meaning of one who is insistent and never gives up.”

    • Unisex · African · “The story of love”

    • Unisex · African · “The throne of God is permanent”

    • Unisex · African · “Comfort of God”

    • Unisex · African · “Good character is beautiful”

    • Unisex · African · “Mother has come”

    • Unisex · African · “Mother is sweet to have”

    • Unisex · African · “Mother is (as precious as) gold”

    • Unisex · African · “Mother has returned”

    • Unisex · African · “The prestige of wealth”

    • Unisex · African · “Beads (corals) of the crown of God”

    • Boy · African · “Derived from izhar, revelation declaration”

    • Boy · African · “Izhar means "revelation" and "declaration," suggesting a child who will bring clarity and truth.”

    • Boy · African · “Derived from izzudin, might of the faith”

    • Boy · African · “This Arabic name translates to 'might of the faith,' symbolizing strength and spiritual devotion.”

    • Boy · African · “Born by breech.”

    • Boy · African · “Only son.”

    • Boy · African · “Charity.”

    • Boy · African · “Morals virtues.”

    • Boy · African · “Leader chief.”

    • Boy · African · “Unknown”

    • Boy · African · “Safeguard.”

    • Boy · African · “Longing craving.”

    • Boy · African · “Hairy.”

    • Boy · African · “History”

    • Unisex · African · “One who was specially chosen to be made”

    • Boy · African · “Child of wealth”

    Common questions

    Want a name that blends both parents? Try the Baby Name Combiner.

    Following Hindu naming traditions? Browse baby names by rashi & nakshatra, names by meaning, names by origin or names by numerology number.

    Curious how names break down by origin, first letter and length? See our baby name statistics (free CSV download) and the most popular names this year.

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