50 African Baby Names: Meanings & Origins

When it comes to picking an African name for your baby boy or girl, you have the luxury of picking a name from any of the continent’s 54 countries. African names are incredibly diverse and contain a mix of traditional, Muslim, Christian, and Arabic names. Naming a child in many African countries is a serious affair, and elaborate naming ceremonies are typically conducted to bestow upon a child several meaningful names.

An African baby's birth is typically followed by a round of ceremonies and festivities to usher the new child into the world. Many of the names given at these ceremonies are indicative of the child's place in the world. For example in Ghana, a baby boy born on a Friday will be named Kofi. In the Igbo tribe of Nigeria and some parts of West Africa, a firstborn girl is mandatorily named Ada.

African Names
Name	Meaning
Ada	First daughter
Amara	Grace, mercy, kindness
Amari	Possesses great strength
Jabari	Brave one
Imani	Faith
Kamari	Moon
Nala	Us
Omari	Speaker, chief
Zaire	River
Zendaya	Be thankful

Popular African Baby Names For Girls

Read on to learn about some of the most popular African baby names for girls, their meanings, and their origins.

Abeba

Origin: Eastern African, Eritrean
Meaning: Flower
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Abebah
Famous Namesakes: Abeba Haile, Eritrean singer; Abeba Aregawi, Ethiopian runner
Peak Popularity: The name Abeba is not popular in the United States.

Fun Fact: Abeba is a palindrome, this means it forms the same name when spelled forward or backward.

Aberash

Origin: Eastern African, Amharic
Meaning: Giving off light, shining
Famous Namesakes: Aberash Bekele, women’s rights advocate
Peak Popularity: Aberash is not a popular name in the United States.

Ada

Origin: West African, Igbo
Meaning: First daughter
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Adanna, Adaugo, Adaobi
Famous Namesakes: Ada Ehi, Nigerian gospel singer; Ada Uchechukwu, Nigerian artist and poet; Ada Lovelace, English writer and computer programmer
Peak Popularity: Ada is the 665th most popular name of all time. It hit peak popularity in the year 1918 when 1943 babies were named Ada that year.

Fun Fact: The name Ada is also a popular first name for girls in Germany and Turkey.

Amara

Origin: West African, Igbo
Meaning: Grace, mercy, kindness
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Amarachukwu, Amarachi
Famous Namesakes: Amara La Negra, American singer; Amara Walker, American journalist
Peak Popularity: The name Amara started to gain popularity in the United States in the late 2010s. In 2019, 1,989 baby girls were named Amara. This is the highest use of the name in the United States to date.

Fun Fact: Amara is also the name of a type of sun beetle.

Ayaan

Origin: African, Somalian, Arabic
Meaning: Gift of God, good luck
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ayan
Famous Namesakes: Ayaan Hirsi Ali, politician and author
Peak Popularity: The name started to gain popularity in the United States in the 21st century. In 2020, 643 babies were given the name Ayaan.

Chidinma

Origin: West African, Igbo
Meaning: God is good
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Chidi, Chinma, Chidimma
Famous Namesakes: Chidinma Ekile, Nigerian singer and song writer
Peak Popularity: In 1996, 21 babies were given the name Chidinma. This is the highest record of its use.

Cleopatra

Origin: Egyptian
Meaning: Glory of the father
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Clea, Kleopatra, Cleo
Famous Namesakes: Cleo Moore, American actress; Cleo Rocos, British comedian
Peak Popularity: In 1920, 1398 babies were named Cleo. This is the highest record of its use.

Fun Fact: The name was popularized by Cleopatra VII, an ancient ruler of Egypt.

Gugulethu

Origin: Southern African, Zulu, Xhosa
Meaning: Pride, treasure
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gugu
Famous Namesakes: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, actress
Peak Popularity: Gugulethu isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Fun Fact: Gugulethu is also the name of a town in the Western Cape of South Africa.

Hadiza

Origin: Western African, Hausa
Meaning: One with no desire
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Hadizatu
Famous Namesakes: Hadiza Aliyu, Nigerian actress
Peak Popularity: Hadiza isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Fun Fact: Hadiza is the Hausa form of the name Khadijah.

Hibo

Origin: Eastern African, Somalian
Meaning: Gift
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Hiba
Famous Namesakes: Hiba Tawaji, musician
Peak Popularity: The highest record of the use of the name Hibo in the United States was in 2016.

Fun Fact: Hibo is also the name of a popular energy drink in Austria.

Imani

Origin: Eastern African, Swahili
Meaning: Faith
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Iman, Imen, Imaan, Eman
Famous Namesakes: Imani Coppola, alternative artist
Peak Popularity: In 1998, 1272 babies were named Imani. This was the peak of its popularity in the United States.

Fun Fact: Iman is the name of a popular makeup line in the United States

Kenya

Origin: Eastern African
Meaning: Gotten from the name of the East African country, Kenya
Famous Namesakes: Kenya Moore, actor; Kenya Bell, R&B artist
Peak Popularity: In 1973, 1039 babies were named Kenya. This was the peak of its popularity in the United States.

Fun Fact: The name Kenya has been used as a first name in English-speaking countries since the 1960s.

Makena

Origin: Kikuyu, Eastern African
Meaning: Happy one
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kena, Makenna
Peak Popularity: The use of the name Makena hit peak popularity in 2005 when 380 babies were named Makena.

Masego

Origin: Tswana, Southern African
Meaning: Blessed one, blessings
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Sego
Famous Namesakes: Masego Ntshingane, Botswanan athlete
Peak Popularity: Masego isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Nala

Origin: Somali, African
Meaning: Us
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Naala, Nale, Nahla, Nalla
Famous Namesakes: Nala Damajanti, 19th-century snake charmer
Peak Popularity: Nala has gained popularity in recent times in the United States. In 2020, 693 babies were named Nala.

Fun Fact: In the popular animated film The Lion King, Nala is the name of Simba’s spouse.

Nia

Origin: Swahili, Eastern African
Meaning: Purpose
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nyah
Famous Namesakes: Nia Long, American actress; Nia Sharma, Indian actress; Nia Sanchez, American beauty queen
Peak Popularity: In 2000, 1003 babies were named Nia in the United States. This is the highest record of its use.

Fun Fact: In Ireland, Nia is a popular masculine name.

Ola

Origin: West African, Yoruba
Meaning: Wealth, precious
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Olamide, Olaitan
Famous Namesakes: Ola Al-Fares, Jordanian lawyer; Ola Uduku, British-American actress
Peak Popularity: Ola was a popular name in the early 1990s in the United States. A total of 772 babies were named Ola in 1920.

Fun Fact: In Arabic, Ola means high or arise.

Onika

Origin: African
Meaning: Who is greater than God?
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Anika
Famous Namesakes: Onika Tanya Maraj (Nicki Minaj), American rapper
Peak Popularity: Onika isn’t a very popular name in the United States.

Sade

Origin: West African, Yoruba
Meaning: Crown
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Folasade, Shade
Famous Namesakes: Sade, British-Nigerian singer and songwriter; Sade Baderinwa, journalist
Peak Popularity: Peak use of the name Sade was in 1986.

Fun Fact: The name Sade was made popular in the United States and England by Sade Adu, a singer and songwriter.

Taraji

Origin: Swahili
Meaning: Hope
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Tara, Raji
Famous Namesakes: Taraji P. Henson, American actress, and singer
Peak Popularity: Taraji was most popular in 2010, before that year the name was barely used.

Zendaya

Origin: Shona, South African
Meaning: Be thankful
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Tendai
Famous Namesakes: Zendaya Coleman, American actress
Peak Popularity: In 2015, 354 babies were named Zendaya when it hit peak popularity.

Fun Fact: The rise in popularity of actress Zendaya Coleman has also led to a rise in the use of the name.

Zola

Origin: Southern African, Xhosa
Meaning: Calm
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Zolah, Zella
Famous Namesakes: Zola Jesus, electronic music artist; Zola Budd, South African athlete; Zola Taylor, American singer
Peak Popularity: In 2020, 273 babies were given the name Zola; this was the peak of its popularity.

Fun Fact: Zola is also the name of a popular wedding website.

Zuri

Origin: Swahili, Eastern African
Meaning: Beautiful
Famous Namesakes: Zuri Hall, American TV host
Peak Popularity: The use of the name Zuri was at an all time high in 2020 when 1,254 babies were named Zuri in the United States.

African Baby Names For Boys

Below are s handful of the most popular African boy baby names, along with their meaning and origin.

Aadan

Origin: Tamil, African
Meaning: Son of Adam
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Adan, Aaden
Famous Namesakes: Aaden-Gurey Maxamed Cabdille, Somalian poet
Peak Popularity: The name Aadan isn’t very popular in the United States.

Fun Fact: Aadan is thought to be a Somali form of Adam.

Abdalla

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Servant of Allah
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Abdallah, Abdullah, Abdallah
Famous Namesakes: Abdalla El-Masri, Lebanese composer; Abdallah Djaballah Algerian politician
Peak Popularity: The name Abdalla is very popular in Somalia, but not in the United States. Only 19 babies were given the name in 2007; this is the highest number recorded.

Fun Fact: Abdallah was the name of Prophet Muhammad’s father.

Abidemi

Origin: West African, Yoruba
Meaning: Born during his father’s absence
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Bidemi, Demi
Famous Namesakes: Abidemi Sanusi, author
Peak Popularity: The name Abidemi isn’t very popular in the United States.

Amari

Origin: African
Meaning: Possesses great strength
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Amar, Ammar, Amare
Famous Namesakes: Amari Cooper, soccer player; Amari Morgan-Smith, soccer player
Peak Popularity: In 2020, 1719 babies were given the name Amari. This is the highest ever record of its use in the United States.

Bamidele

Origin: West African, Yoruba
Meaning: Follow me home
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Bami, Dele
Famous Namesakes: Bamidele Olumilua, Nigerian governor
Peak Popularity: Bamidele isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Chima

Origin: West African, Igbo
Meaning: God knows
Famous Namesakes: Chima Okorie, Nigerian soccer player; Chima Onyeike, Netherlands soccer player
Peak Popularity: The name isn’t very popular in the United States, only 14 babies were given the name in 2002.

Chiumbo

Origin: Mwera, Eastern African
Meaning: Small, small child
Peak Popularity: Chiumbo isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Fun Fact: Chiumbo is also the name of a town in Angola.

Diallo

Origin: African, Fula
Meaning: Bold
Famous Namesakes: Diallo Guidileye, Mauritanian footballer; Diallo Telli, Guinean politician
Peak Popularity: In 1972, 81 babies were given the name Diallo. This is the peak of its popularity.

Faraji

Origin: Eastern African, Swahili
Meaning: Consolation
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Fara
Famous Namesakes: Faraji Music, Jamaican singer
Peak Popularity: Faraji isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Femi

Origin: Western African, Yoruba
Meaning: Love me
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Olufemi, Oluwafemi
Famous Namesakes: Femi Kuti, Nigerian afrobeat musician; Femi Oke, journalist
Peak Popularity: The name Femi is popular in West Africa, but not very popular in the United States.

Fun Fact: The name Femi can also be used for a girl.

Idir

Origin: Berber, Northern African
Meaning: Alive
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Yidir
Famous Namesakes: Idir Ouali, soccer player; Idir, Kabyle singer
Peak Popularity: The name Idir isn’t popular in the United States.

Ike

Origin: Western Africa
Meaning: God will laugh, God laughed
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Issac
Famous Namesakes: Ike Barinholtz, American actor; Ike Moriz, German-South-African singer
Peak Popularity: In 1953, 111 babies were given the name Ike. This is the highest ever record of its use.

Fun Fact: A 1979 television miniseries about Eisenhower is also named Ike.

Imamu

Origin: Swahili, Eastern African
Meaning: Spiritual leader
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mamu, Imam
Famous Namesakes: Imamu Mayfield, martial artist
Peak Popularity: Imamu was most popular in the United States in 1973, but only five babies were given the name that year.

Jabari

Origin: Arabic, Swahili
Meaning: Brave one
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jabbar
Famous Namesakes: Jabari Parker, American basketball player; Jabari Greer, American football player
Peak Popularity: Jabari peaked in popularity in 2006 when 392 babies were given the name in the United States.

Kamari

Origin: Swahili, Eastern African
Meaning: Moon
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kamaria, Kam, Mari
Peak Popularity: In 2009, 786 babies were given the name Kamari. That was the year it was most popular in the United States.

Fun Fact: Kamari is also the name of a coastal village in Santorini, Greece.

Kofi

Origin: Akan, Western African
Meaning: Born on a Friday
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Koffi, Kofie
Famous Namesakes: Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Kofi Siriboe, American actor; Kofi Kingston, Ghanaian-American wrestler
Peak Popularity: Kofi isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Kwame

Origin: Akan, West African
Meaning: Born on a Saturday
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kwamme, Kwami, Kouame
Famous Namesakes: Kwame Brown, American basketballer; Kwame Brown, first President of Ghana
Peak Popularity: The name Kwame was most popular in the United States in the year 1990.

Fun Fact: Kwame is also a fictional character in the animated television series called Captain Planet and the Planeteers.

Nnamdi

Origin: West African, Igbo
Meaning: My God is alive, my father lives
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nna, Namdi
Famous Namesakes: Nnamdi Oduamad, soccer player
Peak Popularity: Nnamdi isn’t a popular name in the United States. In 1997, 34 babies were given the name.

Fun Fact: Nnamdi is also the name of a fictional character in DC comics.

Omari

Meaning: Speaker, chief
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Omar, Umar
Famous Namesakes: Omari Banks, Anguillian musician; Omari "Omarion" Grandberry, American singer and songwriter
Peak Popularity: Omari hit peak popularity in the United States in 2018 when 618 babies were given the name.

Fun Fact: Omari is also the name of a village in Iran.

Osiris

Origin: Egyptian
Meaning: With strong eyesight
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Asar
Famous Namesakes: Osiris Eldridge, American basketball player
Peak Popularity: In the United States Osiris was most popular in 2020.

Fun Fact: Osiris was the God of the dead in Egyptian mythology.

Yared

Origin: Hebrew, Ethiopian
Meaning: Descendant, to descend
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jared, Yered
Famous Namesakes: Saint Yared; Yared Hagos, professional hockey player
Peak Popularity: Yared isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Yuusuf

Origin: Somali, Eastern African
Meaning: God increases
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Yosef, Yusuf, Yussuf
Famous Namesakes: Yusuf Abdullah, South African cricketer; Yusuf Garaad Omar, Somali journalist
Peak Popularity: Yuusuf isn’t a popular name in the United States.

Fun Fact: Yuusuf is the Arabic equivalent of the Hebrew name Yosef.

Zaire

Origin: African, Hebrew
Meaning: Person from Zaire, river
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Zyere, Ziair, Ziaire, Zyaire
Famous Namesakes: Zaire Anderson, American football player
Peak Popularity: Zaire was most popular in the United States in 2020.

Fun Fact: Zaire was also the name of a sovereign state that existed between 1991 and 1997 in Central Africa.

1 Source

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Social Security. Popular baby names.

By Toketemu Ohwovoriole
Toketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics.

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