The Christening
An African name for a girl
106 African girls’ names, plus 75 unisex names that work just as well — Akan, Ewe, Yoruba, Igbo, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Shona, Zulu, Sotho, Amazigh, Malagasy. Meaning, origin and pronunciation for each.
For example: “something gentle that evokes light, easy to pronounce in French”.
Explore the directory
181 names shown
-
Girl
Abeba
a-BÉ-ba
Flower.
- Origin
- Amharic
- Region
- Ethiopia
- Variants
- Abebe
-
Girl
Abla
a-BLA
Born on a Tuesday (Ablavi: “Tuesday’s daughter”).
- Origin
- Ewe / Mina
- Region
- Togo, Benin
- Variants
- Ablavi
-
Girl
Adaeze
a-da-É-zé
The king’s daughter, princess.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ada
-
Unisex
Ade
a-DÉ
Crown.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Adé
-
Unisex
Adeola
a-dé-O-la
Crown of honour, crown of wealth.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Adéọlá
-
Girl
Adjo
a-DJO
Born on a Monday.
- Origin
- Ewe / Mina
- Region
- Togo, Benin
- Variants
- Adjoa
-
Girl
Adjoua
ad-JOU-a
Born on a Monday (Twi tradition); Tuesday in the Baoulé calendar.
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Adwoa, Ajua
-
Unisex
Adom
a-DOM
Grace, blessing.
- Origin
- Akan (Twi)
- Region
- Ghana
-
Girl
Affoué
a-FOU-é
Born on a Friday (Twi tradition); Saturday in the Baoulé calendar.
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Afua, Afia
-
Girl
Afi
a-FI
Born on a Friday.
- Origin
- Ewe / Mina
- Region
- Togo, Benin
- Variants
- Afiwa
-
Unisex
Afriyie
a-fri-YÉ
Born at a favourable time; a child of good omen.
- Origin
- Akan (Twi)
- Region
- Ghana
- Variants
- Afriye
-
Girl
Ahou
a-OU
Born on a Wednesday (Twi tradition); Thursday in the Baoulé calendar.
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Akua, Ekua
-
Girl
Akissi
a-KI-ssi
Born on a Sunday (Twi tradition); Monday in the Baoulé calendar.
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Akosua, Esi
-
Girl
Amahoro
a-ma-HO-ro
Peace.
- Origin
- Kinyarwanda / Kirundi
- Region
- Rwanda, Burundi
-
Unisex
Amani
a-MA-ni
Peace.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Girl
Amara
a-MA-ra
Grace (Amarachi: “God’s grace”).
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Amarachi
-
Girl
Amenan
a-mé-NAN
Born on a Wednesday in the Baoulé calendar; the Twi equivalent is Abena (Tuesday).
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Abena, Araba
-
Girl
Amoin
a-MOIN
Born on a Saturday (Twi tradition); Sunday in the Baoulé calendar.
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Ama, Amba
-
Girl
Aya
a-YA
Born on a Thursday (Twi tradition); Friday in the Baoulé calendar.
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Yaa, Aba
-
Girl
Ayaan
a-YAN
Good luck, a good omen.
- Origin
- Somali
- Region
- Somalia, Djibouti
- Variants
- Ayan
-
Unisex
Ayanda
a-YAN-da
They increase — the family is growing.
- Origin
- Zulu / Xhosa
- Region
- South Africa
-
Unisex
Ayo
a-YO
Joy.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria, Benin
- Variants
- Ayọ̀
-
Unisex
Ayodele
a-yo-dé-LÉ
Joy enters the house.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria, Benin
- Variants
- Ayọ̀délé
-
Unisex
Ayomide
a-yo-mi-DÉ
My joy has arrived.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ayọ̀midé
-
Unisex
Ayotunde
a-yo-toun-DÉ
Joy has come back.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ayọ̀túndé
-
Unisex
Bahati
ba-HA-ti
Luck, fortune.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Unisex
Baraka
ba-RA-ka
Blessing.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Unisex
Bereket
bé-ré-KÉT
Blessing.
- Origin
- Amharic / Tigrinya
- Region
- Ethiopia, Eritrea
- Variants
- Berhane
-
Girl
Bilan
bi-LAN
First-born; radiance, grace.
- Origin
- Somali
- Region
- Somalia
-
Unisex
Bolingo
bo-LIN-go
Love.
- Origin
- Lingala
- Region
- DR Congo, Congo
-
Unisex
Bondeko
bon-DÉ-ko
Brotherhood.
- Origin
- Lingala
- Region
- DR Congo
-
Girl
Bontle
BON-tlé
Beauty.
- Origin
- Tswana
- Region
- Botswana, South Africa
-
Girl
Busisiwe
bou-si-SI-wé
Blessed.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
- Variants
- Busi
-
Girl
Chaltu
tchal-TOU
The best.
- Origin
- Oromo
- Region
- Ethiopia
-
Girl
Chiamaka
tchi-a-MA-ka
God is splendid.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Amaka
-
Unisex
Chidi
tchi-DI
God exists, God is present.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
Girl
Chidinma
tchi-DIN-ma
God is good.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Chidimma
-
Girl
Chinelo
tchi-NÉ-lo
God’s thought.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Nelo
-
Girl
Chinwe
TCHIN-oué
God owns (short form of Chinwendu, “God owns life”).
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Chinwendu
-
Girl
Chioma
tchi-O-ma
Good God, good destiny.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
Girl
Chipo
TCHI-po
Gift.
- Origin
- Shona
- Region
- Zimbabwe
-
Girl
Coumba
koum-BA
She who carries strength.
- Origin
- Fula / Wolof
- Region
- Senegal, Mali
- Variants
- Kumba
-
Unisex
Damilola
da-mi-LO-la
Showered with blessings (short form of Oluwadamilola, “God has made me wealthy”).
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Dámilọ́lá
-
Girl
Delu
dé-LOU
The first girl born after several boys.
- Origin
- Hausa
- Region
- Niger, Nigeria
- Variants
- Dela
-
Unisex
Desta
dès-TA
Joy.
- Origin
- Amharic
- Region
- Ethiopia
-
Unisex
Diam
DIAM
Peace.
- Origin
- Wolof
- Region
- Senegal
- Variants
- Jàmm
-
Girl
Dihya
DI-hia
Amazigh warrior queen of the Aurès, 7th century.
- Origin
- Amazigh
- Region
- Algeria, Tunisia
- Variants
- Kahina
-
Unisex
Ekene
é-KÉ-né
Praise, thanksgiving.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
Unisex
Ekundayo
é-koun-DA-yo
Tears turn into joy.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ekundayọ̀
-
Girl
Elikya
é-LI-kia
Hope.
- Origin
- Lingala
- Region
- DR Congo
- Variants
- Elikia
-
Unisex
Elom
é-LOM
God loves me.
- Origin
- Ewe
- Region
- Togo, Ghana
-
Unisex
Eniola
é-ni-O-la
A person of honour and wealth.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Eniọlá
-
Unisex
Enitan
é-ni-TAN
The one who carries a story.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ènítàn
-
Unisex
Esengo
é-SEN-go
Joy.
- Origin
- Lingala
- Region
- DR Congo, Congo
-
Girl
Falala
fa-LA-la
Born into abundance.
- Origin
- Fula (Fulfulde)
- Region
- Sahel
-
Girl
Faniry
fa-NI-ri
Desired, longed for.
- Origin
- Malagasy
- Region
- Madagascar
-
Girl
Fanta
FAN-ta
A very common Mande girl’s name; its etymology is disputed.
- Origin
- Mande
- Region
- Mali, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire
-
Unisex
Farai
fa-RA-ï
Rejoice.
- Origin
- Shona
- Region
- Zimbabwe
- Variants
- Farayi
-
Unisex
Faraja
fa-RA-dja
Consolation, comfort.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Tanzania, Kenya
-
Girl
Fikir
FI-kir
Love.
- Origin
- Amharic
- Region
- Ethiopia
- Variants
- Fikre
-
Unisex
Fitiavana
fi-tia-VA-na
Love.
- Origin
- Malagasy
- Region
- Madagascar
- Variants
- Fitia
-
Girl
Furaha
fou-RA-ha
Joy, gladness.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Unisex
Gambo
gam-BO
A child born after twins.
- Origin
- Hausa
- Region
- Niger, Nigeria
-
Girl
Genet
guè-NÈT
Garden, paradise.
- Origin
- Amharic
- Region
- Ethiopia
-
Girl
Haben
ha-BÈN
Pride.
- Origin
- Tigrinya
- Region
- Eritrea, Ethiopia
-
Unisex
Hekima
hé-KI-ma
Wisdom.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Girl
Hiwot
HI-wot
Life.
- Origin
- Amharic
- Region
- Ethiopia
-
Unisex
Idowu
i-do-WOU
A child born straight after twins.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ìdòwú
-
Girl
Ife
i-FÉ
Love.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ifẹ́
-
Unisex
Ifeoluwa
i-fé-o-LOU-wa
Love of God.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ife
-
Girl
Ifeoma
i-fé-O-ma
A beautiful thing, a good thing.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ify
-
Girl
Imani
i-MA-ni
Faith, trust.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Girl
Ineza
i-NÉ-za
Kindness, gentleness.
- Origin
- Kinyarwanda
- Region
- Rwanda
-
Unisex
Iradukunda
i-ra-dou-KOUN-da
He (God) loves us.
- Origin
- Kinyarwanda
- Region
- Rwanda, Burundi
-
Girl
Ireti
i-RÉ-ti
Hope.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ìrètí
-
Unisex
Ishimwe
i-CHIM-oué
Gratitude, praise.
- Origin
- Kinyarwanda
- Region
- Rwanda
-
Girl
Iyabo
i-ya-BO
The mother has returned — a child born after the grandmother’s death.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ìyábọ̀
-
Unisex
Kagiso
ka-GHI-so
Peace.
- Origin
- Tswana
- Region
- Botswana, South Africa
-
Unisex
Karabo
ka-RA-bo
Answer (to prayers).
- Origin
- Sotho / Tswana
- Region
- South Africa
-
Unisex
Katlego
kat-LÉ-go
Success.
- Origin
- Tswana
- Region
- Botswana, South Africa
-
Unisex
Kehinde
ké-in-DÉ
The second of the twins — the true elder, by tradition.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Kẹ́hìndé, Kenny
-
Unisex
Kelechi
ké-LÉ-tchi
Give thanks to God.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
Girl
Kemi
ké-MI
God takes care of me.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Oluwakemi
-
Girl
Keza
ké-ZA
Beautiful, graceful.
- Origin
- Kinyarwanda
- Region
- Rwanda, Burundi
-
Girl
Khanyisile
ka-nyi-SI-lé
She who brought the light.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
- Variants
- Khanyi
-
Unisex
Khathutshelo
ka-tou-TSÉ-lo
Forgiveness, mercy.
- Origin
- Venda
- Region
- South Africa
- Variants
- Khathu
-
Unisex
Khensani
kèn-SA-ni
Give thanks.
- Origin
- Tsonga
- Region
- South Africa, Mozambique
-
Unisex
Kiese
ki-é-SÉ
Joy.
- Origin
- Kikongo
- Region
- DR Congo, Congo
- Variants
- Kiessé
-
Girl
Kimia
ki-MI-a
Peace, calm.
- Origin
- Lingala
- Region
- DR Congo
- Variants
- Kimya
-
Unisex
Kito
KI-to
Jewel, a precious thing.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Girl
Lemlem
lèm-LÈM
Green, flourishing.
- Origin
- Amharic / Tigrinya
- Region
- Ethiopia, Eritrea
-
Girl
Lerato
lé-RA-to
Love.
- Origin
- Sotho
- Region
- South Africa, Lesotho
-
Girl
Lesedi
lé-SÉ-di
Light.
- Origin
- Sotho / Tswana
- Region
- South Africa, Botswana
-
Girl
Lindiwe
lin-DI-wé
The one who was awaited.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
- Variants
- Lindi
-
Unisex
Lulendo
lou-LEN-do
Pride.
- Origin
- Kikongo
- Region
- DR Congo, Angola
-
Unisex
Luzolo
lou-ZO-lo
Love, will.
- Origin
- Kikongo
- Region
- DR Congo, Angola
-
Girl
Makeda
ma-KÉ-da
The Ethiopian name of the Queen of Sheba.
- Origin
- Ge’ez / Amharic
- Region
- Ethiopia
-
Girl
Makena
ma-KÉ-na
She who brings joy.
- Origin
- Meru / Kikuyu
- Region
- Kenya
-
Girl
Malaika
ma-la-I-ka
Angel.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Girl
Mekdes
mèk-DÈS
Sanctuary, holy place.
- Origin
- Amharic
- Region
- Ethiopia
-
Girl
Mossane
mo-SSAN
Beauty.
- Origin
- Serer
- Region
- Senegal
-
Unisex
Mpho
m-PO
Gift.
- Origin
- Sotho / Tswana
- Region
- South Africa, Botswana
-
Unisex
Mwinda
mouin-DA
Light.
- Origin
- Kikongo
- Region
- DR Congo
-
Girl
Naledi
na-LÉ-di
Star.
- Origin
- Sotho / Tswana
- Region
- South Africa, Botswana
-
Girl
Ndèye
n-DÈ-yé
Mother — often placed before another given name.
- Origin
- Wolof
- Region
- Senegal
- Variants
- Ndeye
-
Girl
Neema
né-É-ma
Grace, favour.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
- Variants
- Nema
-
Unisex
Neo
NÉ-o
Gift.
- Origin
- Sotho / Tswana
- Region
- South Africa
-
Girl
Ngozi
n-GO-zi
Blessing.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
Unisex
Nhlanhla
n-hlan-hla
Luck, good fortune.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Unisex
Nhyira
n-YI-ra
Blessing.
- Origin
- Akan (Twi)
- Region
- Ghana
-
Girl
Nia
NI-a
Intention, purpose, aim.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Unisex
Nkembo
n-KEM-bo
Glory, praise.
- Origin
- Lingala
- Region
- DR Congo
-
Unisex
Nkululeko
n-kou-lou-LÉ-ko
Freedom.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Girl
Nneka
n-NÉ-ka
The mother is supreme.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
Girl
Nobuhle
no-bou-HLÉ
Mother of beauty.
- Origin
- Zulu / Ndebele
- Region
- South Africa
- Variants
- Buhle
-
Girl
Nomsa
NOM-sa
Mother of kindness.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Girl
Nomusa
no-MOU-sa
Mother of kindness and grace.
- Origin
- Zulu / Ndebele
- Region
- South Africa
-
Girl
Nomvula
nom-VOU-la
Mother of rain — born on a rainy day.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Unisex
Nsuku
n-SOU-kou
Gold.
- Origin
- Tsonga
- Region
- South Africa
-
Unisex
Ntando
n-TAN-do
Will.
- Origin
- Ndebele / Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Unisex
Nuru
NOU-rou
Light.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Unisex
Nyamekye
nia-mé-TCHÉ
Gift of God.
- Origin
- Akan (Twi)
- Region
- Ghana
-
Unisex
Nyasha
nia-CHA
Grace, kindness.
- Origin
- Shona
- Region
- Zimbabwe
-
Girl
Nyota
nio-TA
Star.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Girl
Nzinga
n-ZIN-ga
Queen of Ndongo and Matamba, a figure of 17th-century resistance.
- Origin
- Kimbundu / Kikongo
- Region
- Angola, DR Congo
- Variants
- Njinga
-
Unisex
N’Guessan
n-guè-SSAN
A child born straight after twins.
- Origin
- Baoulé
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Variants
- Nguessan
-
Unisex
Obi
O-bi
Heart; also “the chief’s dwelling”.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
Unisex
Obioma
o-bi-O-ma
A good heart, kindness.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
Unisex
Ola
o-LA
Honour, wealth, dignity.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ọlá
-
Unisex
Olamide
o-la-mi-DÉ
My wealth has arrived.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ọlámidé
-
Unisex
Oluwaseun
o-lou-wa-SHEUN
Thank you, Lord.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Seun
-
Unisex
Oluwatobi
o-lou-wa-TO-bi
God is great.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Tobi
-
Girl
Palesa
pa-LÉ-sa
Flower.
- Origin
- Sotho
- Region
- South Africa, Lesotho
-
Girl
Pokou
po-KOU
Founding queen of the Baoulé people (18th century), heroine of the sacrifice at the Comoé river.
- Origin
- Baoulé
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Variants
- Abla Pokou
-
Girl
Refilwe
ré-FIL-wé
We have been given a gift.
- Origin
- Sotho / Tswana
- Region
- South Africa
-
Girl
Rehema
ré-HÉ-ma
Compassion, mercy.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Girl
Rudo
ROU-do
Love.
- Origin
- Shona
- Region
- Zimbabwe
-
Girl
Rutendo
rou-TEN-do
Faith, gratitude.
- Origin
- Shona
- Region
- Zimbabwe
-
Girl
Sade
cha-DÉ
Short form of Folashade: “honour crowns me”.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ṣadé, Folashade
-
Girl
Salama
sa-LA-ma
Peace, safety.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Girl
Sanaa
sa-NA
Art, a work of art.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Girl
Selam
sé-LAM
Peace.
- Origin
- Amharic
- Region
- Ethiopia, Eritrea
- Variants
- Sélam
-
Unisex
Sena
sé-NA
Gift of God (short form of Mawusena).
- Origin
- Ewe
- Region
- Togo, Ghana
- Variants
- Mawusena
-
Girl
Shiluva
chi-LOU-va
Flower.
- Origin
- Tsonga
- Region
- South Africa
-
Girl
Sibongile
si-bon-GHI-lé
We give thanks.
- Origin
- Zulu / Ndebele
- Region
- South Africa, Zimbabwe
-
Girl
Simisola
si-mi-SO-la
Rest in wealth.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Sìmisọ́lá
-
Girl
Sira
SI-ra
Path, way.
- Origin
- Bambara
- Region
- Mali
- Variants
- Syra
-
Girl
Soa
SO-a
Good, beautiful.
- Origin
- Malagasy
- Region
- Madagascar
-
Girl
Sogolon
so-go-LON
Mother of Sundiata Keita in the Mande epic.
- Origin
- Maninka
- Region
- Mali, Guinea
- Variants
- Sogolon Kédjou
-
Girl
Sokhna
SOKH-na
Lady, respected woman; a title of deference.
- Origin
- Wolof
- Region
- Senegal
-
Unisex
Somto
SOM-to
Praise God with me (short form of Somtochukwu).
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Somtochukwu
-
Girl
Subira
sou-BI-ra
Patience.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Girl
Tafat
ta-FAT
Light.
- Origin
- Kabyle
- Region
- Algeria
-
Girl
Tafsut
taf-SOUT
Spring.
- Origin
- Amazigh
- Region
- Maghreb
- Variants
- Tafsout
-
Unisex
Taiwo
ta-I-wo
The first of the twins, the one sent ahead to taste the world.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Táíwò
-
Girl
Tanina
ta-NI-na
Golden eagle; the fabled bird of Kabyle tales.
- Origin
- Kabyle
- Region
- Algeria
-
Girl
Tanirt
ta-NIRT
Angel.
- Origin
- Amazigh
- Region
- Morocco, Algeria
-
Unisex
Tapiwa
ta-PI-oua
The one who was received as a gift.
- Origin
- Shona
- Region
- Zimbabwe
-
Girl
Temitope
té-mi-to-PÉ
My reason to give thanks.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Tope
-
Unisex
Tendai
tèn-DA-ï
Give thanks.
- Origin
- Shona
- Region
- Zimbabwe
- Variants
- Tendayi
-
Girl
Thandiwe
tan-DI-wé
Beloved, the one who is cherished.
- Origin
- Zulu / Xhosa
- Region
- South Africa, Zimbabwe
- Variants
- Thandi
-
Unisex
Themba
TEM-ba
Hope, trust.
- Origin
- Zulu / Xhosa
- Region
- South Africa
-
Girl
Thiziri
ti-ZI-ri
Moonlight.
- Origin
- Kabyle
- Region
- Algeria
- Variants
- Tiziri
-
Girl
Tilelli
ti-lèl-LI
Freedom.
- Origin
- Kabyle
- Region
- Algeria
-
Girl
Tin-Hinan
tin-hi-NAN
Founding queen of the Tuareg of the Hoggar — “she of the tents”.
- Origin
- Tuareg
- Region
- Sahara (Hoggar)
- Variants
- Tinhinan
-
Girl
Titilayo
ti-ti-la-YO
Joy for ever.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Títílayọ̀, Titi
-
Unisex
Tumaini
tou-ma-I-ni
Hope.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Unisex
Tumelo
tou-MÉ-lo
Faith, belief.
- Origin
- Sotho / Tswana
- Region
- South Africa, Lesotho
-
Girl
Ubax
ou-BAH
Flower.
- Origin
- Somali
- Region
- Somalia, Djibouti
- Variants
- Ubah
-
Unisex
Uche
ou-TCHÉ
Thought, will, purpose.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
Girl
Upendo
ou-PEN-do
Love.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Girl
Vimbai
vim-BA-ï
Trust, and hope.
- Origin
- Shona
- Region
- Zimbabwe
-
Girl
Voahangy
voua-HAN-gui
Pearl.
- Origin
- Malagasy
- Region
- Madagascar
-
Unisex
Wendkouni
ouènd-kou-NI
God has given.
- Origin
- Mooré (Mossi)
- Region
- Burkina Faso
- Variants
- Wendkuni
-
Girl
Yawa
ya-WA
Born on a Thursday.
- Origin
- Ewe
- Region
- Togo, Ghana
- Variants
- Yawo (garçon : Yao)
-
Girl
Yennenga
yèn-nèn-GA
Horsewoman and warrior princess, founding mother of the Mossi people.
- Origin
- Mooré (Mossi)
- Region
- Burkina Faso
-
Girl
Yetunde
yé-toun-DÉ
The mother has returned — born after the grandmother’s death.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Yétúndé, Yewande
-
Girl
Zanele
za-NÉ-lé
They are enough — said of a family blessed with daughters.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Girl
Zawadi
za-WA-di
Gift, present.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Unisex
Zola
ZO-la
Calm, quiet, at peace.
- Origin
- Xhosa / Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Girl
Zuri
ZOU-ri
Beautiful.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
No name matches this search. Try fewer criteria, or describe what you are looking for in the assistant above.
African names tied to the day and circumstances of birth
This is the most widespread naming logic in West Africa. Among the Akan of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, every day of the week has its male and female name; among the Ewe of Togo and Benin, the system runs in parallel. Elsewhere it is birth order that decides: twins, a child born after twins, a boy born after several girls.
- Abla — Born on a Tuesday (Ablavi: “Tuesday’s daughter”) (Ewe / Mina, Girl)
- Adjo — Born on a Monday (Ewe / Mina, Girl)
- Adjoua — Born on a Monday (Twi tradition); Tuesday in the Baoulé calendar (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Girl)
- Affoué — Born on a Friday (Twi tradition); Saturday in the Baoulé calendar (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Girl)
- Afi — Born on a Friday (Ewe / Mina, Girl)
- Ahou — Born on a Wednesday (Twi tradition); Thursday in the Baoulé calendar (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Girl)
- Akissi — Born on a Sunday (Twi tradition); Monday in the Baoulé calendar (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Girl)
- Amenan — Born on a Wednesday in the Baoulé calendar; the Twi equivalent is Abena (Tuesday) (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Girl)
- Amoin — Born on a Saturday (Twi tradition); Sunday in the Baoulé calendar (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Girl)
- Aya — Born on a Thursday (Twi tradition); Friday in the Baoulé calendar (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Girl)
- Delu — The first girl born after several boys (Hausa, Girl)
- Gambo — A child born after twins (Hausa, Unisex)
- Idowu — A child born straight after twins (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Iyabo — The mother has returned — a child born after the grandmother’s death (Yoruba, Girl)
African names that mean strength and courage
The lion metaphor crosses the continent with a different word in each language: Simba in Swahili, Djata in Maninka, Diogoye in Serer, Lencho in Oromo. Other languages name the quality directly — Mandla, “strength” in Zulu, Hery in Malagasy.
- Dihya — Amazigh warrior queen of the Aurès, 7th century (Amazigh, Girl)
- Haben — Pride (Tigrinya, Girl)
- Nzinga — Queen of Ndongo and Matamba, a figure of 17th-century resistance (Kimbundu / Kikongo, Girl)
- Tanina — Golden eagle; the fabled bird of Kabyle tales (Kabyle, Girl)
- Yennenga — Horsewoman and warrior princess, founding mother of the Mossi people (Mooré (Mossi), Girl)
- Coumba — She who carries strength (Fula / Wolof, Girl)
- Lulendo — Pride (Kikongo, Unisex)
African names that mean light or star
Few in number, but among the easiest to carry in France. Sotho and Tswana give Lesedi and Naledi, Swahili gives Nuru, Kabyle gives Tafat and Thiziri — “moonlight”.
African names that mean joy
Yoruba turns them into whole sentences: Ayodele, “joy enters the house”, Ekundayo, “tears turn into joy”. Shona and Lingala prefer the imperative: Farai, “rejoice”, Esengo, “joy”.
- Ayo — Joy (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Ayodele — Joy enters the house (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Ayomide — My joy has arrived (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Ayotunde — Joy has come back (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Desta — Joy (Amharic, Unisex)
- Ekundayo — Tears turn into joy (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Esengo — Joy (Lingala, Unisex)
- Farai — Rejoice (Shona, Unisex)
- Furaha — Joy, gladness (Swahili, Girl)
- Ifeoma — A beautiful thing, a good thing (Igbo, Girl)
- Kiese — Joy (Kikongo, Unisex)
- Makena — She who brings joy (Meru / Kikuyu, Girl)
- Titilayo — Joy for ever (Yoruba, Girl)
African names that mean love
Almost every language has its word, and it makes a name: Rudo in Shona, Lerato in Sotho, Upendo in Swahili, Bolingo in Lingala, Ife in Yoruba, Fikir in Amharic.
- Bolingo — Love (Lingala, Unisex)
- Elom — God loves me (Ewe, Unisex)
- Fikir — Love (Amharic, Girl)
- Ife — Love (Yoruba, Girl)
- Ifeoluwa — Love of God (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Ineza — Kindness, gentleness (Kinyarwanda, Girl)
- Iradukunda — He (God) loves us (Kinyarwanda, Unisex)
- Lerato — Love (Sotho, Girl)
- Nomsa — Mother of kindness (Zulu, Girl)
- Nomusa — Mother of kindness and grace (Zulu / Ndebele, Girl)
- Nyasha — Grace, kindness (Shona, Unisex)
- Obi — Heart; also “the chief’s dwelling” (Igbo, Unisex)
- Obioma — A good heart, kindness (Igbo, Unisex)
- Rehema — Compassion, mercy (Swahili, Girl)
African names that mean peace
Amani, in Swahili, is the best known and is used for either gender. Kinyarwanda says Amahoro, Tswana Kagiso, Lingala Kimia, Amharic Selam.
- Amahoro — Peace (Kinyarwanda / Kirundi, Girl)
- Amani — Peace (Swahili, Unisex)
- Kagiso — Peace (Tswana, Unisex)
- Khathutshelo — Forgiveness, mercy (Venda, Unisex)
- Kimia — Peace, calm (Lingala, Girl)
- Salama — Peace, safety (Swahili, Girl)
- Selam — Peace (Amharic, Girl)
- Simisola — Rest in wealth (Yoruba, Girl)
- Zola — Calm, quiet, at peace (Xhosa / Zulu, Unisex)
- Bondeko — Brotherhood (Lingala, Unisex)
- Diam — Peace (Wolof, Unisex)
- Faraja — Consolation, comfort (Swahili, Unisex)
African names that evoke beauty
Often simple words — Zuri in Swahili, Keza in Kinyarwanda, Bontle in Tswana, Soa in Malagasy — and sometimes images: Voahangy, “pearl”, Abeba and Palesa, “flower”.
- Abeba — Flower (Amharic, Girl)
- Amara — Grace (Amarachi: “God’s grace”) (Igbo, Girl)
- Bontle — Beauty (Tswana, Girl)
- Chiamaka — God is splendid (Igbo, Girl)
- Ifeoma — A beautiful thing, a good thing (Igbo, Girl)
- Keza — Beautiful, graceful (Kinyarwanda, Girl)
- Malaika — Angel (Swahili, Girl)
- Nobuhle — Mother of beauty (Zulu / Ndebele, Girl)
- Nsuku — Gold (Tsonga, Unisex)
- Palesa — Flower (Sotho, Girl)
- Sade — Short form of Folashade: “honour crowns me” (Yoruba, Girl)
- Sanaa — Art, a work of art (Swahili, Girl)
- Shiluva — Flower (Tsonga, Girl)
- Soa — Good, beautiful (Malagasy, Girl)
African names that mean king, queen or nobility
Yoruba builds dozens of names on Adé, “crown”, and Ọlá, “honour”. Elsewhere the title itself becomes the name: Nkosi in Zulu, Kgosi in Tswana, Mansa in Mande.
- Adaeze — The king’s daughter, princess (Igbo, Girl)
- Ade — Crown (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Adeola — Crown of honour, crown of wealth (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Damilola — Showered with blessings (short form of Oluwadamilola, “God has made me wealthy”) (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Eniola — A person of honour and wealth (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Makeda — The Ethiopian name of the Queen of Sheba (Ge’ez / Amharic, Girl)
- Nzinga — Queen of Ndongo and Matamba, a figure of 17th-century resistance (Kimbundu / Kikongo, Girl)
- Obi — Heart; also “the chief’s dwelling” (Igbo, Unisex)
- Ola — Honour, wealth, dignity (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Olamide — My wealth has arrived (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Pokou — Founding queen of the Baoulé people (18th century), heroine of the sacrifice at the Comoé river (Baoulé, Girl)
- Sade — Short form of Folashade: “honour crowns me” (Yoruba, Girl)
- Simisola — Rest in wealth (Yoruba, Girl)
- Sokhna — Lady, respected woman; a title of deference (Wolof, Girl)
African names of historical figures
Giving your child the name of an African queen or king is handing them a story they will have to be able to tell. Better to know it before passing it on.
- Dihya — Amazigh warrior queen of the Aurès, 7th century (Amazigh, Girl)
- Enitan — The one who carries a story (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Makeda — The Ethiopian name of the Queen of Sheba (Ge’ez / Amharic, Girl)
- Nzinga — Queen of Ndongo and Matamba, a figure of 17th-century resistance (Kimbundu / Kikongo, Girl)
- Pokou — Founding queen of the Baoulé people (18th century), heroine of the sacrifice at the Comoé river (Baoulé, Girl)
- Sogolon — Mother of Sundiata Keita in the Mande epic (Maninka, Girl)
- Tin-Hinan — Founding queen of the Tuareg of the Hoggar — “she of the tents” (Tuareg, Girl)
- Yennenga — Horsewoman and warrior princess, founding mother of the Mossi people (Mooré (Mossi), Girl)
African names inspired by nature
Rain, flowers, spring, the eagle: the weather at the time of birth has produced lasting names, such as Nomvula, “mother of rain” in Zulu, or Roble, “the one who brings rain” in Somali.
- Abeba — Flower (Amharic, Girl)
- Genet — Garden, paradise (Amharic, Girl)
- Lemlem — Green, flourishing (Amharic / Tigrinya, Girl)
- Naledi — Star (Sotho / Tswana, Girl)
- Nomvula — Mother of rain — born on a rainy day (Zulu, Girl)
- Palesa — Flower (Sotho, Girl)
- Shiluva — Flower (Tsonga, Girl)
- Tafsut — Spring (Amazigh, Girl)
- Tanina — Golden eagle; the fabled bird of Kabyle tales (Kabyle, Girl)
- Thiziri — Moonlight (Kabyle, Girl)
- Ubax — Flower (Somali, Girl)
Short African names, easy to pronounce in French
Five letters at most, two syllables, no sound foreign to French: these will never be mangled at roll call, at school or later.
- Abeba — Flower (Amharic, Girl)
- Abla — Born on a Tuesday (Ablavi: “Tuesday’s daughter”) (Ewe / Mina, Girl)
- Ade — Crown (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Adjo — Born on a Monday (Ewe / Mina, Girl)
- Adom — Grace, blessing (Akan (Twi), Unisex)
- Afi — Born on a Friday (Ewe / Mina, Girl)
- Ahou — Born on a Wednesday (Twi tradition); Thursday in the Baoulé calendar (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Girl)
- Amani — Peace (Swahili, Unisex)
- Amara — Grace (Amarachi: “God’s grace”) (Igbo, Girl)
- Amoin — Born on a Saturday (Twi tradition); Sunday in the Baoulé calendar (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Girl)
- Aya — Born on a Thursday (Twi tradition); Friday in the Baoulé calendar (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Girl)
- Ayaan — Good luck, a good omen (Somali, Girl)
- Ayo — Joy (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Chidi — God exists, God is present (Igbo, Unisex)
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise a female name in Africa?
Often by a grammatical marker. In Zulu the prefix No- opens names that are exclusively female and translates as “mother of”: Nomsa, “mother of kindness”, Nomvula, “mother of rain”, Nobuhle, “mother of beauty”. In Amazigh languages the feminine is marked by an initial t-, often doubled by a final -t: Tafat, “light”, Tafsut, “spring”, Tanirt, “angel”. In Igbo, Ada means the eldest daughter, hence Adaeze, “the king’s daughter”. Elsewhere nothing in the form distinguishes gender: usage decides.
Which African girls’ names are easiest to carry in France?
Those of two syllables, with no sound foreign to French: Aya, Nia, Ife, Zuri, Keza, Amani, Naledi, Lerato, Selam, Soa, Abeba. They are written as they are said and will never be mangled at roll call. Longer names shorten by themselves in use: Thandiwe becomes Thandi, Busisiwe becomes Busi, Oluwakemi becomes Kemi.
Does an Akan day name suit a girl?
Yes — the Akan system has a female form for every day: Akissi, Adjoua, Amenan, Ahou, Aya, Affoué, Amoin. It is the most widespread kind of name in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. One caution: it announces the day of birth, and the Baoulé calendar shifts by one day from the Twi tradition of Ghana. Each entry gives both.
Can you give a unisex name to a girl?
Without reservation — it is in fact very common. Amani (“peace”), Zola (“calm”), Ayo (“joy”), Imani (“faith”), Kagiso (“peace”), Themba (“hope”) are used for either gender. They appear on this page, marked with the “Unisex” badge on their entry. The “Gender” filter lets you set them aside if you would rather have a strictly female name.
Where do the meanings shown here come from?
From cross-checked linguistic and ethnographic sources, reviewed by the team at Ultimes Griots, a publishing house based in Abidjan. Names whose meaning is disputed carry the note “meaning to be confirmed”: we would rather show that than invent an etymology. If you speak one of these languages and spot an error, write to us.
The name first, then the story behind it
An African name opens a door: the door to the stories it comes from. Ultimes Griots publishes illustrated books of African tales from Abidjan, along with KUMA, the app that reads those stories aloud to children.
Looking for a boy’s name? See boys’ names. Or browse the full directory.
How this directory is compiled
Ultimes Griots is an African publishing house, based in Abidjan since 2020. Our work is the collection of Africa’s oral heritage: this directory continues that work, it is not a sideline to it.
- Every meaning is cross-checked against linguistic and ethnographic sources before it is published. No etymology is inferred from the shape of a name.
- What we are unsure of is flagged : 24 names out of 181 carry the note “meaning to be confirmed”, and say so on screen. We would rather show that than fill a gap with an invention.
- Ambiguous cases are explained rather than settled. The Akan day-name calendar shifts by one day between the Twi tradition of Ghana and the Baoulé calendar of Côte d’Ivoire: the entries concerned give both.
- Human review comes before any publication. African languages are living and regional: one spelling can carry several meanings depending on the area.
Compiled by the editorial team at Ultimes Griots — who we are. Last updated: .
A name is missing? Suggest it
This directory is incomplete by design: Africa has thousands of languages. If you bear a name that is missing here, or if you know its exact meaning in your own language, add it. Every suggestion is reviewed before publication — we never publish a meaning we cannot cross-check.
Directory maintained by the editorial team at Ultimes Griots (Abidjan). 157 names out of 181 have a widely attested meaning; the others carry the note “meaning to be confirmed”. African languages are living and regional: one spelling can carry several meanings depending on the area. If you speak the language and spot an error, tell us — we will correct it.