Our mission is to produce accessible bodies of work, which will teach people about African culture and history, within an African-cultured framework. This work will also serve as a multicultural dialogue to share the African cultural/historical experience with the wider World community. We also embody the seven core principles of the African Code. Our study of Africa is not a romantic enterprise, but moreover intended to enrich the human experience through fostering plurality. We believe It is by having an honest dialogue that the scourge of ignorance and hate can be arrested. And from a platform of self-determination African people globally can continue to contribute their unique cultural experience to the forward flow of humanity

“On the Day of Resurrection, you will be called by your names and your fathers' names, so make your names good.” Abu Daawood

Names are cultural identifiers. The first gift you can give your child is a noble African name, they wear it all their life and God willing live by the name given. Your name links you with your past, your ancestors and is a part of your spirituality. A beautiful name accompanies us for the rest of our life. This act of naming is so critical to self-determination that we have therefore prepared a small sample of popular African names.*

Molefi Asante African Names

There is no such thing as African Purity, cultures smash through deserts and cross trade routes, and they travel through immigration borders and disregarding our notions of geography and race. Throughout history, Africa has influenced, and been influence. Names, foods, cultures, religions have jumped between Asia and Africa from the dawn of humanity. Many names like Amiri, Baraka, Kimani, Shakur, Aaliyah, Rihanna, all have connections with the Islamic world (Africa, Persian, Turkey, Berber, and Arabia). Spellings often vary but it is often to specify the exact origin of the name. Also names appear in different languages differently such as John (English) and Yohannes (Ethiopian). The Definition of an African name on this page is a name predominately associated with African people. Please feel free to submit new names and meanings as well as corrections as not all our information can be verified.

When choosing a name take into consideration that some names are religious and cultural (e.g. most Swahili names are Islamic/Muslim, Ghanaian name reflect the day of the birth.) Thus do further research and pick names which best reflect your reality. Thus do further research and pick names, which best reflect your reality. Remember that names like all aspects of culture have been exchanged for thousands of years, the concept of a "pure" African name is rare; pick names that are today identified with Africa. For example if you are a Muslim it is better to pick Fatou or Mamadi over Fatimah or Muhammad.

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A

ABASI : Swahili name meaning "stern."

ABAYOMI : Of uncertain African origin. Means "born to bring me joy."

ABDALLA : Swahili equivalent of Arabic, ABDULLAH , "servant of God."

ABDELAHI : Muslim name, popular in Somalia. Meaning unknown.

ABEBE: Ethiopian male name meaning "flower."

ABDI : Muslim name, popular in Somalia, meaning "my servant."

ABDIKARIM : Muslim name, popular in Somalia, meaning "slave of God."

ABDIMELECH : Name of an Aethiopian eunuch who lived in ancient Rome. Name means "servant to kings." Could be shortened to ABDI or MELECH .

ABDIRAXMAN : Somali equivalent of Muslim, ABD AL RAHMAN , meaning "servant of the Mercifully Gracious."

ABEBE : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "he has flowered/flourished/grown."

ABRAFO : Ghanaian name meaning "warrior" or "executioner." It is a nickname for a troublemaker or someone who is hyper.

ADAMA : Ibo of Nigeria female name meaning "beautiful child" or "queenly." In Gambia a variant of ADAM

ADAN : Yoruba of Nigeria name meaning "a large bat." Also, the Spanish equivalent of Adam .

ADE : "Royal one."

ADDO : Ghana name meaning "king of the road." In Gambia nickname for "Adama"

ADISA : Ashanti of Ghana name meaning "one who will teach us."

ADJATAY : Cameroon name meaning "prince."

ADOFO : Akan of Ghana name meaning "one who loves."

ADOM : Akan of Ghana name meaning "help from God" or "God's blessing."

ADRIAN : A name used for the nobility class of the Betsileo people of central Madagascar.

ADWIN : Akan of Ghana word meaning "artist" or "thinker."

AFEWORK : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "one who speaks only of pleasant things; one who does not speak of bad or evil things."

AFEWORKI : Tigrinya of Ethiopia equivalent of AFEWORK .

AFRAM : Akan of Ghana name referring to the Afram River in Ghana's Ashanti Region.

AHMADOU : West African name.

AJA : West African name. Meaning unknown. title for female pilgrim (Hajj), short form for "Ajaratu"

AKELLO : Alur of Uganda name meaning "I have brought" or "bring forth."

AKIA : African name meaning "first born."

AKIN : Yoruba of Nigeria name meaning "warrior, hero, brave man." This name is often used in compound names such as Akinwole and Akintunde .

AKINWOLE : Yoruba of Nigeria name meaning "bravery enters this home."

AKINTUNDE : Yoruba of Nigeria name meaning "bravery returns."

AKINSANYA : Yoruba of Nigeria name meaning "bravery gets revenge."

AKINYEMI : Yoruba of Nigeria name meaning "fated to be a warrior."

ALAFIN : A title meaning "king" once used by the Yoruba people of Nigeria.

ALI : Swahili and Muslim name meaning "noble, exalted." General Muslim name (non African)

ALANSANA : Gambian Mandinka name, Alaasana, Lansana, and Sana are variants for Alansana

ALPHA : Guinean male name meaning "leader."

AMADI : Ibo of Nigeria unisexual name, referring to the Sun God, meaning "rejoice."

AMADOU : Popular Gambian name of which was also one of the names of Prophet Muhammad..

AMARE : Amharic and Tigrinya of Ethiopia name meaning "he is good looking."

AMARI : Yoruba of Nigeria name meaning "strength, builder."

AMAZU : Ibo of Nigeria name meaning "no one knows everything."

ANWAR : Moorish name meaning "lustrious, bright, shiny."

AREN : Nigerian name meaning "eagle." Also, a Scandinavian name meaning "rule" or "eagle."

ASAD : Somalian name meaning "lion."

ASANTE : Kiswahili word for "thank you." Also a Ethnic group from West Africa

ASHUR : Swahili name for a child born during the Muslim month of Ashur.

ASSEFA : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "he has increased our family by coming into this world."

ATA : A Ghana name for a twin.

ATU : Fante of Ghana name meaning "born on Saturday."

AYO : Of uncertain African origin. Means "happiness."

AYUB : Muslim name meaning "penitent" and referring to the biblical Job.

AYUBU : Swahili equivalent of Ayub , meaning "patience in suffering; perseverence."

AZEKEL : Angolan name meaning "praising the lord."

AZI : Nigerian name meaning "youth."

AZIBO : African name meaning "the whole earth."

AZIKIWE : African name meaning "full of vigor."

AZIZI : Swahili name and Kiswahili word meaning "a treasure, excellent; precious one."

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B

BABATUNDE : Yoruba of Nigeria name meaning "father has returned" which means the child resembles one of his grandfathers. Variant, Tunde , exists.

BABU : A Kiswahili name meaning "grandfather." Also, a West African name meaning "willing."

BABUKAR : Wolof of Senegal name. Meaning unknown.

BADRU : Swahili name meaning "born at full moon."

BADU : An Ashanti of Ghana name meaning "tenth-born child."

BARRY : A Guinean surname meaning the family comes from the Peul, Fulani, or Foulbe ethnic groups of West Africa.

BASEL : Muslim name popular in Sudan, meaning "brave."

BASSEY : Efik of Nigeria unisexual name. Meaning unknown.

BEKELE : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "he has grown; he has come into being."

BELUCHI : Ibo people of Nigeria name meaning "provided God approves."

BERHANU : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "his light."

BERIHUN : Amharic and Tigrinya of Ethiopia name meaning "let him be our gate/our guidance."

BERTA : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "be strong, be vigilant, persevere."

BILAL : An Ethiopian name associated with Muslims, esp African Muslims. Also Muslim name popular in North Africa, meaning "African man."

BOBO : Fante of Ghana name meaning, "born on Tuesday." Also a Ewe of West Africa name meaning "be humble."

BOKHARI : Malian name. Meaning unknown.

BOLAJI : Yoruba of Nigeria male name. Meaning unknown.

BUSIRIS : Name of an ancient Egyptian king who killed visitors to his city. The name means "Temple of Osiris."

BWANA : Kiswahili and Swahili name meaning "gentleman; mister; sir." Variant, Mbwana , exists.

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CAMARA : A West African male name meaning "teacher." or Kamara

CHAGA : The Kiswahili word "chaga" means "to do vigorously" and "be prevalent."

CHAKA : Also spelled SHAKA , a South African male name meaning "Greak King."

CHEGE : A Kikuyu people of Kenya male name. Meaning is unknown.

CHEIKH : Guinean male name meaning "learned."

CHEOPS : Cheops, a pharaoh of Egypt's IV dynasty, was believed to have had negroid features. He was known as Cheops to the ancient Greeks, but was called KHUFU by the Egyptians.

CHICHA : A West African male name meaning "beloved." It is also a Kiswahili word meaning "grated coconut."

CHINUA : Ibo of Nigeria male name meaning "God's own blessing" or "may God hear."

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DABIR : Popular in North Africa, meaning "teacher, secretary."

DALMAR : Somali name meaning "versatile."

DANIACHEW : Amharic of Ethopia name meaning "you be their judge, arbitrate between them."

DANSO : Ashanti of Ghana name meaning "reliable."

DAREN : Hausa of West Africa name meaning "born at night."

DAUDI , DAUDY : Swahili name meaning "beloved."

DAWIT : Ethiopian name referring to the biblical David, meaning "beloved."

DELA EDEN : Ewe of West Africa unisexual name meaning "savior."

DEMISSIE : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "destroyer."

DESTA : Amharic of Ethiopia unisexual name meaning "joy, happiness."

DIA : West African name meaning "champion."

DIARA : Name of French-speaking West Africa, meaning "gift."

DIJI : Ibo of Nigeria name meaning "farmer."

DIN : Congolese name meaning "great."

DOBI : Kiswahili word meaning "a person who does laundry."

DOMEVLO : Ewe of Ghana name meaning "don't take others for face value."

DZIGBODE : Ewe of Ghana name meaning "patience."

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EDET : Ibibio and Efik of Nigeria name meaning "born on market day."

EFFIOM : Efik of Nigeria male name meaning "crocodile."

ELIMU : A Kiswahili word meaning "science, knowledge."

ERASTO : An East African name meaning "man of peace."

ESSIEN : Ochi and Ga of Ghana name meaning "sixth born." Also, Ibibio and Efik of Nigeria name meaning "belongs to everyone."

EZEJI : Ibo of Nigeria name meaning "the king of yams."

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F

FELA : West African name meaning "warlike."

FODJOUR : Akan of Ghana name meaning "fourth born."

FYNN : Europeanized version of Ghanaian name Offin, after the Offin River.

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GABRA , GEBRE : Amharic of Tigrinya name meaning "an offering."

GETACHEW : Amharic male name meaning "their master."

GETEYE : Amharic name meaning "my master."

GHEDI : Somali name meaning "traveler."

GOGO : Nguni of S. Africa name meaning "like grandfather."

GUEDADO : Fulani of Mali unisexual name meaning "wanted by nobody."

GYAMFI : Ashanti of Ghana name. Meaning unknown.

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H

HABIB : Swahili name meaning "beloved."

HAGOS : Tigrinya of Ethiopia name meaning "joy, happiness."

HAJI : Swahili name meaning "born during the hajj."

HAKIM : Amharic of Tigrinya of Ethiopia name meaning "doctor, medicine man." Most commonly used by Muslim Ethiopians.

HANIF : Swahili and Muslim name meaning "believer."

HANISI : Swahili name meaning "born on Thursday."

HASSAN : Hausa of W. Africa name meaning "first born of twins."

HOGAN : Efik of Nigeria name. Meaning unknown.

HONDO : Zezuru of Zimbabwe name meaning "war."

HUSANI : Swahili variation of Muslim name HUSAYN meaning "beautiful."

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IDI : Swahili and Muslim name meaning "born during the Muslim holiday of Idd."

IDRISSA : Senegal and Gambia name meaning "immortal."

INIKO : Efik and Ibibio of Nigeria unisexual name meaning "born amidst civil war" or "born amidst troubled times."

ISKINDER : Amharic of Ethiopia version of Greek name Alexander meaning "defender of mankind."

ISSA : Swahili and Muslim name meaning "the Messiah."

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JAFARI : Swahili name meaning "creek."

JAHI : Swahili name meaning "dignity."

JAJA : Ibo of Nigeria name meaning "God's gift."

JAWARA : Senegal and Gambia name meaning "peace loving."

JELA : Swahili name meaning "father was suffering during birth."

JIMIYU : Luhya of Kenya name meaning "born during the dry season."

JIRI : Zezuru of Zimbabwe name meaning "forest of wild fruits."

JOMO : Gikuyu of Kenya name meaning "farmer."

JUMA : Swahili name meaning "born on Friday."

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K

KAARIA : Kenyan name meaning "one who speaks softly but with wisdom."

KABAKA : Name used for kings of the Buganda people of Uganda.

KALEB : Amharic and Tigrinya of Ethiopia name referring to the biblical Cain.

KAMAU : Kikuyu of Kenya name meaning "quiet warrior."

KASHKA : Nigerian name meaning "friendly."

KASSA : Amharic name meaning "compensation" or "reparation."

KATO : Runyankore of Uganda name meaning "second born twin."

KAYIN : Yoruba of Nigeria name meaning "long-awaited child."

KEITA : West African name meaning "worshiper."

KELILE : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "my protector, my gate."

KENAN : Malawi name. Meaning unknown.

KENYATTA : East African name meaning "musician."

KHAMISI : Swahili name meaning "born on Thursday."

KIFLE : Amharic and Tigrinya name meaning "my share, my due."

KIMANE : Kikuyu of Kenya name meaning "large bean."

KIMATHI : Kikuyu of Kenya name meaning "earnest provider."

KITO : Swahili name meaning "precious."

KOFI : Akan name common in Ghana, meaning "born on Friday."

KOJO : Ashanti of Ghana name meaning "born on Monday."

KOOFREY : Ibibio and Efik of Nigeria name meaning "don't forget me."

KORFA : Somali name. Meaning unknown.

KUMI : Akan of Ghana name meaning "forceful."

KWABENA : Akan of Ghana name meaning "born on Tuesday."

KWAKU : Akan of Ghana name meaning "born on Wednesday."

KWAME : Akan of Ghana name meaning "born on Saturday."

KWAMI : Ewe of W. Africa name meaning "born on Saturday."

KWESI, SISI : Akan of Ghana unisexual name meaning "born on Sunday."

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LABAAN : Somali name. Meaning unknown.

LEBNA : Ethiopian name meaning "heart" or "soul."

LEMA : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "cultivated, developed."

LUMUMBA : Congolese name meaning "gifted."

LUSALA : Luhya of Kenya name meaning "whip."

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M

MACHUPA : Swahili name meaning "one who enjoys drinking."

MAMO : Amharic of Ethiopia name used to address a little boy whose name is unknown.

MANI : Congolese name meaning "from the mountain."

MANU : Akan of Ghana name meaning "second born."

MANUTE : Dinka of S. Sudan name. Meaning unknown.

MARKOS : Ethiopian name referring to the biblical disciple, Mark.

MASILO : Setswana of Botswana name. Meaning unknown.

MASKINI : Swahili name and Kiswahili word meaning "poor."

MASUD , MASOUD : Swahili and Muslim name meaning "fortunate, happy."

MATATA : Swahili name meaning "troublemaker."

MATHANI : Popular Kikuyu of Kenya name meaning "commandments."

MATUNDE : Luya of Kenya name meaning "fruits."

MEKONNEN : Amharic and Tigrinya of Ethiopia name meaning "the angel."

MELESSE : Amharic and Tigrinya of Ethiopia name meaning "he has returned something."

MENELIK : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "son of the wise man" or "what will he send?"

MENSAH : Ewe of Ghana name meaning "third born."

MIRUTS : Tigrinya of Ethiopia name meaning "he who has been chosen."

MONA : Swaziland name meaning "jealous."

MONGO : Yoruba of Nigeria name meaning "famous."

MONYYAK : Dinka of S. Sudan name meaning "man of the drought."

MORENIKE : Nigerian name meaning "good luck."

MORI : Ugandan name meaning "born before the loan on the wife's dowry has been paid off."

MOSHOESHOE : Sesotho name. Meaning unknown.

MOSI : Swahili name meaning "first born."

MOYO : Zezuru of Zimbabwe name meaning "heart."

MUENDA : Meru of Kenya name meaning "one who cares for others."

MUREITHI : Kikuyu of Kenya name meaning "herdsman, shepherd."

MUSA : Swahili and Muslim name popular among the Wolof of Senegal, meaning "mercy" or "saved from the water."

MWAKA : Buganda of Uganda name meaning "born on New Year's Eve."

MWINYI : Swahili name meaning "lord, master, king."

MWITA : Swahili name and Kiswahili word meaning "the one who is calling."

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NADIF : Somali name meaning "born between two seasons."

NASSOR : Swahili variation of Arab name Nasser, meaning "victorious."

NDULU : Ibo of Nigeria name meaning "dove."

NEGASH : Amharic and Tigrinya of Ethiopia name meaning "he is bound to be king, he is next in line for the throne."

NEGASI : Amharic and Tigrinya of Ethiopia name meaning "he will be crowned."

NEGUS : Norther Ethiopian name and royal title meaning "king, emperor."

NJAU : Kikuyu of Kenya name meaning "young bull."

NKRUMAH , NKRUMA : Akan of Ghana unisexual name meaning "ninth born child."

NYASORE : Kenyan name meaning "the thin one."

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OBASI : Ibo of Nigeria name meaning "in honor of the supreme God."

OBI : Ibo of Nigeria name meaning "heart."

OBIKE : Ibo of Nigeria name meaning "a strong household."

ODERO : Luo of Kenya name meaning "granary."

ODION : Nigerian name meaning "first born of twins."

OHINI , OHENE : Akan of Ghana name meaning "chief."

OJI : Ibo of Nigeria name meaning "bearer of gifts."

OJO : Yoruba of Nigeria name used when the birth was difficult.

OKELLO : Ateso of Uganda name meaning "born after twins."

OKO : Adangbe of Ghana name meaning "twin."

OKOTH : Ugandan name meaning "born during the rains."

OLA : Yoruba of Nigeria name meaning "wealth."

OTHIENO : Luo of Kenya name meaning "born at night."

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PALASSA : This African name was popular among African slaves in North America.

PANYA : Swahili name and Kiswahili word meaning "mouse."

PENDA : Swahili name meaning "beloved."

PONI : Bari of S. Sudan name meaning "second born."

PAKI : Xhosa of S. Africa name meaning "witness."

PILI : Swahili name meaning "second born."

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RAFIKI : Kiswahili word and name meaning "friend."

RAKANJA : Muarusha of Tanzania name. Meaning unknown.

RASHIDI : Swahili name meaning "good council."

RETTA : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "he has triumphed, he has won."

ROBLE : Somali name meaning "born during the rainy season."

RUDO : Shona of Zimbabwe name meaning "love."

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SADAKA : Swahili name and Kiswahili word meaning "a religious offering."

SALIM , SALMAN : Swahili name meaning "peace."

SARSA DENGEL : Ethiopian name meaning "penetration by osmosis."

SEFU : Swahili name meaning "sword."

SEKOU : Guinean name meaning "learned."

SELASSIE , SELASSIEE : Amharic and Tigrinya of Ethiopia unisexual name meaning "trinity." This name is most commonly used as a suffix, as in Haile Selassiee.

SENGHOR : Senegal and Gambia name meaning "descendent of the gods."

SHERMARKE : Somali name meaning "one who brings good fortune."

SIMBA : Swahili name popular in eastern Zaire, meaning "lion."

SUDI : Swahili name meaning "success" or "luck."

SULE : West African name meaning "adventurous."

SULTAN : Swahili name meaning "ruler."

SUNDIATA , SUNDYATA , SOUNDIATA , SUNJATA : Guinean name meaning "hungry lion."

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TABAN : Somali and Ugandan name. Meaning unknown.

TAMIRAT : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "miracle."

TARIKU : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "the story behind" or "the events surrounding his birth."

TAU : Tswana of Botswana name meaning "lion."

TAYE : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "he has been seen."

TEFERI : Amharic and Tigrinya of Ethiopia name meaning "one who is ferocious, one who is feared by his rivals."

TEGENE : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "my protector."

TEKA : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "he has replaced."

TEKLE : Amharic and Tigrinya of Ethiopia name meaning "my plant" which literally implies "I gave my seed to him."

TESFAYE : Amharic and Tigrinya of Ethiopia name meaning "my hope."

TESSEMA : Amharic of Ethiopia name meaning "he has been heard, people listen to him."

TEWODROS : Ethiopian version of Greek Theodore, meaning "gift of god."

TOBECHUKWU : Ibo of Nigeria name meaning "praise God."

TOMI : Kalarbari of Nigeria name meaning "the people."

TONYE : Ijaw of Niger name. Meaning unknown.

TUNDE : A Yoruba of Nigeria name meaning "returns." Most often used as a suffix in larger names. For example: BABATUNDE , "father returns"; OLATUNDE , "honor or wealth returns"; OMOTUNDE , "a child returns"; AKINTUNDE , "bravery returns."

TUTU : West African name meaning "cliff dweller."