African Baby Names
Africa is a continent of extraordinary linguistic diversity, with over 2,000 languages and naming traditions that vary enormously from region to region. African names often carry deep significance: they might reflect the circumstances of a child's birth, honour an ancestor, express a hope for the future, or connect the child to their community and heritage.
From Yoruba names like Ade (crown) and Oluwaseun (God has done well) to Swahili names like Amani (peace) and Zuri (beautiful), to Zulu names like Thando (love), African naming traditions offer a richness of meaning that few other cultures can match. Many African names have gained international popularity, with names like Zara, Amara and Kofi now used worldwide.
Browse the collection below for names from across the African continent. Each entry includes the name's linguistic tradition, meaning and cultural context.
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| Name | Popularity |
|---|---|
| Aaliyah | Popular |
| Abel | Popular |
| Ade | Moderate |
| Akachi | Uncommon |
| Alora | Uncommon |
| Amadi | Uncommon |
| Amahle | Uncommon |
| Amara | Very popular |
| Amare | Moderate |
| Amari | Popular |
| Ayana | Popular |
| Ayoka | Uncommon |
| Azari | Uncommon |
| Aziza | Uncommon |
| Candace | Moderate |
| Chidi | Moderate |
| Chike | Uncommon |
| Chinara | Uncommon |
| Chinonso | Uncommon |
| Dakarai | Moderate |
| Eshe | Rare |
| Eze | Moderate |
| Femi | Popular |
| Harun | Popular |
| Imani | Moderate |
| Izara | Rare |
| Jabari | Popular |
| Jelani | Moderate |
| Kabelo | Popular |
| Kamari | Moderate |
| Kamaria | Moderate |
| Kamora | Moderate |
| Kasai | Uncommon |
| Kesi | Rare |
| Kia | Moderate |
| Kijani | Uncommon |
| Kimora | Moderate |
| Kito | Rare |
| Kofi | Moderate |
| Kwabena | Moderate |
| Kwame | Uncommon |
| Kya | Rare |
| Lekan | Uncommon |
| Liyana | Uncommon |
| Makena | Uncommon |
| Makenna | Popular |
| Mali | Uncommon |
| Malik | Popular |
| Mandisa | Uncommon |
| Mandla | Popular |
| Mbali | Uncommon |
| Naja | Uncommon |
| Nakai | Rare |
| Nala | Popular |
| Ncuti | Uncommon |
| Ngosi | Uncommon |
| Nkosi | Moderate |
| Nuna | Rare |
| Nunu | Uncommon |
| Nya | Uncommon |
| Nyah | Moderate |
| Nyla | Moderate |
| Obi | Moderate |
| Obinna | Moderate |
| Oluwaseun | Uncommon |
| Sade | Popular |
| Safiya | Moderate |
| Sefu | Rare |
| Sena | Uncommon |
| Sisi | Uncommon |
| Tahvo | Uncommon |
| Tandiwe | Rare |
| Tawanda | Uncommon |
| Thulani | Moderate |
| Zaire | Uncommon |
| Zawadi | Uncommon |
| Zella | Uncommon |
| Zola | Moderate |
| Zuberi | Uncommon |
| Zuri | Popular |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What languages do African names come from?
Africa has over 2,000 languages. The names on this page come from major language families including Yoruba, Swahili, Zulu, Igbo, Amharic, Hausa, Akan and Shona, among others.
What do African names typically mean?
African names are often chosen for their meaning. They might describe the day of birth (Kofi: born on Friday in Akan), express a wish (Amani: peace in Swahili), or honour God (Oluwaseun: God has done well in Yoruba).
Can I use an African name if I do not have African heritage?
Many African names are used internationally by families of all backgrounds. Names like Zara, Amara, Kofi and Zuri have crossed cultural boundaries. Understanding and respecting the name's origin and meaning is always appreciated.