The Christening
An African name for a boy
71 African boys’ names, plus 75 unisex names that work just as well — Akan, Ewe, Yoruba, Igbo, Fula, Hausa, Mande, Swahili, Shona, Zulu, Amazigh, Malagasy. Meaning, origin and pronunciation for each.
For example: “a name that speaks of strength and courage, easy to pronounce in French”.
Explore the directory
146 names shown
-
Unisex
Ade
a-DÉ
Crown.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Adé
-
Boy
Adebayo
a-dé-ba-YO
The crown meets joy.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Adébáyọ̀
-
Boy
Adekunle
a-dé-KOUN-lé
The crown fills the house.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Adékúnlé
-
Unisex
Adeola
a-dé-O-la
Crown of honour, crown of wealth.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Adéọlá
-
Unisex
Adom
a-DOM
Grace, blessing.
- Origin
- Akan (Twi)
- Region
- Ghana
-
Unisex
Afriyie
a-fri-YÉ
Born at a favourable time; a child of good omen.
- Origin
- Akan (Twi)
- Region
- Ghana
- Variants
- Afriye
-
Boy
Aksel
ak-SEL
7th-century Amazigh king (Kusayla); his name is associated with the leopard.
- Origin
- Amazigh
- Region
- Maghreb
- Variants
- Kusayla
-
Unisex
Amani
a-MA-ni
Peace.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Boy
Amayas
a-MA-yas
Cheetah.
- Origin
- Amazigh (Kabyle, Tuareg)
- Region
- Algeria, Sahara
-
Boy
Andile
an-DI-lé
The family has grown.
- Origin
- Zulu / Xhosa
- Region
- South Africa
-
Boy
Andry
AN-dri
Pillar.
- Origin
- Malagasy
- Region
- Madagascar
-
Boy
Ardo
ar-DO
Chief, the one who leads.
- Origin
- Fula (Fulfulde)
- Region
- Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Cameroon
-
Boy
Awet
a-OUÈT
Victory.
- Origin
- Tigrinya
- Region
- Eritrea
-
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
-
Boy
Bako
ba-KO
Born while guests were visiting — literally “the guest”.
- Origin
- Hausa
- Region
- Niger, Nigeria
-
Unisex
Baraka
ba-RA-ka
Blessing.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Boy
Béhanzin
bé-an-ZIN
The last great king of Abomey, who resisted colonial conquest (“the shark king”).
- Origin
- Fon
- Region
- Benin
- Variants
- Gbêhanzin
-
Unisex
Bereket
bé-ré-KÉT
Blessing.
- Origin
- Amharic / Tigrinya
- Region
- Ethiopia, Eritrea
- Variants
- Berhane
-
Unisex
Bolingo
bo-LIN-go
Love.
- Origin
- Lingala
- Region
- DR Congo, Congo
-
Unisex
Bondeko
bon-DÉ-ko
Brotherhood.
- Origin
- Lingala
- Region
- DR Congo
-
Boy
Bongani
bon-GA-ni
Be thankful.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Unisex
Chidi
tchi-DI
God exists, God is present.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
Boy
Chidubem
tchi-DOU-bèm
God guides me.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
Boy
Chukwuemeka
tchou-kou-é-MÉ-ka
God has done a great thing.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Emeka
-
Unisex
Damilola
da-mi-LO-la
Showered with blessings (short form of Oluwadamilola, “God has made me wealthy”).
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Dámilọ́lá
-
Unisex
Desta
dès-TA
Joy.
- Origin
- Amharic
- Region
- Ethiopia
-
Unisex
Diam
DIAM
Peace.
- Origin
- Wolof
- Region
- Senegal
- Variants
- Jàmm
-
Boy
Diogoye
dio-GOY
Lion.
- Origin
- Serer
- Region
- Senegal
-
Boy
Djata
DJA-ta
Lion.
- Origin
- Maninka
- Region
- Mali, Guinea
- Variants
- Jata
-
Boy
Dossou
do-SSOU
A boy born after twins.
- Origin
- Fon
- Region
- Benin
-
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
-
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
-
Unisex
Farai
fa-RA-ï
Rejoice.
- Origin
- Shona
- Region
- Zimbabwe
- Variants
- Farayi
-
Unisex
Faraja
fa-RA-dja
Consolation, comfort.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Tanzania, Kenya
-
Boy
Femi
fé-MI
God loves me.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Olufemi
-
Unisex
Fitiavana
fi-tia-VA-na
Love.
- Origin
- Malagasy
- Region
- Madagascar
- Variants
- Fitia
-
Unisex
Gambo
gam-BO
A child born after twins.
- Origin
- Hausa
- Region
- Niger, Nigeria
-
Boy
Gaya
GA-ya
Numidian king, father of Massinissa.
- Origin
- Amazigh (Numidian)
- Region
- Algeria
- Variants
- Gaia
-
Boy
Gidado
gui-DA-do
Beloved.
- Origin
- Fula (Fulfulde)
- Region
- Nigeria, Cameroon
-
Unisex
Hekima
hé-KI-ma
Wisdom.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Boy
Hery
HÉ-ri
Strength.
- Origin
- Malagasy
- Region
- Madagascar
-
Boy
Idir
i-DIR
He will live — a name given to call life upon the child.
- Origin
- Kabyle
- Region
- Algeria
- Variants
- Yidir
-
Unisex
Idowu
i-do-WOU
A child born straight after twins.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ìdòwú
-
Unisex
Ifeoluwa
i-fé-o-LOU-wa
Love of God.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ife
-
Boy
Ikenna
i-KÈN-na
The father’s strength (God’s strength).
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
Unisex
Iradukunda
i-ra-dou-KOUN-da
He (God) loves us.
- Origin
- Kinyarwanda
- Region
- Rwanda, Burundi
-
Unisex
Ishimwe
i-CHIM-oué
Gratitude, praise.
- Origin
- Kinyarwanda
- Region
- Rwanda
-
Boy
Itri
IT-ri
Star.
- Origin
- Amazigh
- Region
- Maghreb
-
Boy
Jabari
dja-BA-ri
Brave, fearless.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Boy
Jabulani
dja-bou-LA-ni
Rejoice.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
- Variants
- Jabu
-
Boy
Kabelo
ka-BÉ-lo
A share, a portion received as a gift.
- Origin
- Sotho / Tswana
- Region
- South Africa
-
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
-
Boy
Kayode
ka-YO-dé
He brings joy.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Káyọ̀dé
-
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
-
Boy
Kgosi
KHO-si
King, chief.
- Origin
- Tswana
- Region
- Botswana, South Africa
-
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
-
Unisex
Kito
KI-to
Jewel, a precious thing.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Boy
Kodjo
ko-DJO
Born on a Monday.
- Origin
- Ewe / Mina
- Region
- Togo, Benin
- Variants
- Codjo, Kojo
-
Boy
Koffi
ko-FI
Born on a Friday (Twi tradition); Saturday in the Baoulé calendar.
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Kofi, Kwafi
-
Boy
Koku
ko-KOU
Born on a Wednesday.
- Origin
- Ewe
- Region
- Togo, Ghana
- Variants
- Kokou
-
Boy
Komlan
kom-LAN
Born on a Tuesday.
- Origin
- Ewe / Mina
- Region
- Togo, Benin
- Variants
- Comlan, Komla
-
Boy
Konan
ko-NAN
Born on a Wednesday (Baoulé calendar).
- Origin
- Baoulé
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire
-
Boy
Kossi
ko-SSI
Born on a Sunday.
- Origin
- Ewe / Mina
- Region
- Togo, Benin, Ghana
- Variants
- Kwassi
-
Boy
Kouabena
koua-bé-NA
Born on a Tuesday (Twi tradition); the Baoulé equivalent for Wednesday is Konan.
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Kwabena, Kobina
-
Boy
Kouadio
koua-DIO
Born on a Monday (Twi tradition); Tuesday in the Baoulé calendar.
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Kwadwo, Kojo
-
Boy
Kouakou
koua-KOU
Born on a Wednesday (Twi tradition); Thursday in the Baoulé calendar.
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Kwaku, Koku
-
Boy
Kouamé
koua-MÉ
Born on a Saturday (Twi tradition); Sunday in the Baoulé calendar.
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Kwame, Kwamena
-
Boy
Kouassi
koua-SSI
Born on a Sunday (Twi tradition, Ghana); Monday in the Baoulé calendar.
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Kwasi, Akwasi
-
Boy
Lencho
lèn-TCHO
Lion.
- Origin
- Oromo
- Region
- Ethiopia
-
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
-
Boy
Makasi
ma-KA-si
Strong, solid.
- Origin
- Lingala
- Region
- DR Congo, Congo
-
Boy
Mandla
MAND-la
Strength, power.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Boy
Mansa
MAN-sa
King, sovereign — the title borne by Mansa Musa.
- Origin
- Mande
- Region
- Mali, Guinea
- Variants
- Massa
-
Boy
Massinissa
ma-si-NI-sa
First king of a unified Numidia, 2nd century BC.
- Origin
- Amazigh (Numidian)
- Region
- Algeria, Maghreb
- Variants
- Massin
-
Boy
Mawuli
ma-wou-LI
God exists.
- Origin
- Ewe
- Region
- Togo, Ghana
-
Unisex
Mpho
m-PO
Gift.
- Origin
- Sotho / Tswana
- Region
- South Africa, Botswana
-
Boy
Mugisha
mou-GHI-cha
Blessing, good fortune.
- Origin
- Kinyarwanda / Kirundi
- Region
- Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda
-
Boy
Musa
MOU-sa
Kindness, mercy.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Unisex
Mwinda
mouin-DA
Light.
- Origin
- Kikongo
- Region
- DR Congo
-
Unisex
Neo
NÉ-o
Gift.
- Origin
- Sotho / Tswana
- Region
- South Africa
-
Unisex
Nhlanhla
n-hlan-hla
Luck, good fortune.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Unisex
Nhyira
n-YI-ra
Blessing.
- Origin
- Akan (Twi)
- Region
- Ghana
-
Unisex
Nkembo
n-KEM-bo
Glory, praise.
- Origin
- Lingala
- Region
- DR Congo
-
Boy
Nkosi
n-KO-si
King, lord, chief.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Unisex
Nkululeko
n-kou-lou-LÉ-ko
Freedom.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Boy
Nnamdi
n-NAM-di
My father lives — often given in memory of the grandfather.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
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
-
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
-
Boy
Obinna
o-BIN-na
The father’s heart.
- 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
-
Boy
Olumide
o-lou-mi-DÉ
My Lord has come.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Olúmidé
-
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
-
Boy
Roble
rob-LÉ
The one who brings rain — born during the rainy season.
- Origin
- Somali
- Region
- Somalia
- Variants
- Rooble
-
Boy
Rolihlahla
ro-li-hla-hla
The one who pulls the branch — figuratively, the one who shakes up the established order. Nelson Mandela’s birth name.
- Origin
- Xhosa
- Region
- South Africa
-
Boy
Samory
sa-mo-RI
Samori Touré, founder of the Wassoulou empire, who resisted colonial conquest.
- Origin
- Maninka
- Region
- Guinea, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire
- Variants
- Samori
-
Boy
Sandile
san-DI-lé
We have multiplied — the family has grown.
- Origin
- Zulu / Xhosa
- Region
- South Africa
-
Boy
Segun
ché-GOUN
To conquer, to prevail (Olusegun: “God has conquered”).
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Ṣẹ̀gun, Olusegun
-
Unisex
Sena
sé-NA
Gift of God (short form of Mawusena).
- Origin
- Ewe
- Region
- Togo, Ghana
- Variants
- Mawusena
-
Boy
Shaka
CHA-ka
Founder of the Zulu nation in the 19th century.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
- Variants
- Chaka, Tshaka
-
Boy
Sifiso
si-FI-so
Wish, vow.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
-
Boy
Simba
SIM-ba
Lion.
- Origin
- Swahili
- Region
- Kenya, Tanzania
-
Boy
Sipho
SI-po
Gift, present.
- Origin
- Zulu / Xhosa
- Region
- South Africa
-
Boy
Siyabonga
si-ya-BON-ga
We give thanks.
- Origin
- Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
- Variants
- Siya
-
Boy
Sizwe
si-ZOUÉ
Nation, people.
- Origin
- Zulu / Xhosa
- Region
- South Africa
-
Unisex
Somto
SOM-to
Praise God with me (short form of Somtochukwu).
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Somtochukwu
-
Boy
Soundiata
soun-DIA-ta
Founder of the Mali Empire in the 13th century; “the lion of Sogolon”.
- Origin
- Maninka
- Region
- Mali, Guinea
- Variants
- Sundiata, Sunjata
-
Unisex
Taiwo
ta-I-wo
The first of the twins, the one sent ahead to taste the world.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Táíwò
-
Boy
Tanko
tan-KO
A boy born after several girls.
- Origin
- Hausa
- Region
- Niger, Nigeria
-
Unisex
Tapiwa
ta-PI-oua
The one who was received as a gift.
- Origin
- Shona
- Region
- Zimbabwe
-
Unisex
Tendai
tèn-DA-ï
Give thanks.
- Origin
- Shona
- Region
- Zimbabwe
- Variants
- Tendayi
-
Boy
Tesfaye
tès-FA-yé
My hope.
- Origin
- Amharic
- Region
- Ethiopia
- Variants
- Tesfa
-
Boy
Thabo
TA-bo
Joy.
- Origin
- Sotho / Tswana
- Region
- South Africa, Lesotho
-
Unisex
Themba
TEM-ba
Hope, trust.
- Origin
- Zulu / Xhosa
- Region
- South Africa
-
Boy
Tinashe
ti-NA-ché
God is with us.
- Origin
- Shona
- Region
- Zimbabwe
-
Boy
Tshepo
TSÉ-po
Hope, faith.
- Origin
- Sotho
- Region
- South Africa, Lesotho
-
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
-
Boy
Tunde
toun-DÉ
The father has returned — a child born after the grandfather’s death.
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Region
- Nigeria
- Variants
- Babatunde
-
Unisex
Uche
ou-TCHÉ
Thought, will, purpose.
- Origin
- Igbo
- Region
- Nigeria
-
Unisex
Wendkouni
ouènd-kou-NI
God has given.
- Origin
- Mooré (Mossi)
- Region
- Burkina Faso
- Variants
- Wendkuni
-
Boy
Yao
ya-O
Born on a Thursday (Twi tradition); Friday in the Baoulé calendar.
- Origin
- Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti)
- Region
- Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana
- Variants
- Yaw, Kwaw
-
Boy
Yuba
YOU-ba
Numidian king, a scholar and man of letters of antiquity.
- Origin
- Amazigh (Numidian)
- Region
- Algeria, Morocco
- Variants
- Juba
-
Unisex
Zola
ZO-la
Calm, quiet, at peace.
- Origin
- Xhosa / Zulu
- Region
- South Africa
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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.
- Bako — Born while guests were visiting — literally “the guest” (Hausa, Boy)
- Dossou — A boy born after twins (Fon, Boy)
- Gambo — A child born after twins (Hausa, Unisex)
- Idowu — A child born straight after twins (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Kehinde — The second of the twins — the true elder, by tradition (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Kodjo — Born on a Monday (Ewe / Mina, Boy)
- Koffi — Born on a Friday (Twi tradition); Saturday in the Baoulé calendar (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Boy)
- Koku — Born on a Wednesday (Ewe, Boy)
- Komlan — Born on a Tuesday (Ewe / Mina, Boy)
- Konan — Born on a Wednesday (Baoulé calendar) (Baoulé, Boy)
- Kossi — Born on a Sunday (Ewe / Mina, Boy)
- Kouabena — Born on a Tuesday (Twi tradition); the Baoulé equivalent for Wednesday is Konan (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Boy)
- Kouadio — Born on a Monday (Twi tradition); Tuesday in the Baoulé calendar (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Boy)
- Kouakou — Born on a Wednesday (Twi tradition); Thursday in the Baoulé calendar (Akan (Baoulé, Agni, Ashanti), Boy)
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.
- Aksel — 7th-century Amazigh king (Kusayla); his name is associated with the leopard (Amazigh, Boy)
- Amayas — Cheetah (Amazigh (Kabyle, Tuareg), Boy)
- Andry — Pillar (Malagasy, Boy)
- Awet — Victory (Tigrinya, Boy)
- Béhanzin — The last great king of Abomey, who resisted colonial conquest (“the shark king”) (Fon, Boy)
- Djata — Lion (Maninka, Boy)
- Hery — Strength (Malagasy, Boy)
- Ikenna — The father’s strength (God’s strength) (Igbo, Boy)
- Jabari — Brave, fearless (Swahili, Boy)
- Lencho — Lion (Oromo, Boy)
- Mandla — Strength, power (Zulu, Boy)
- Samory — Samori Touré, founder of the Wassoulou empire, who resisted colonial conquest (Maninka, Boy)
- Segun — To conquer, to prevail (Olusegun: “God has conquered”) (Yoruba, Boy)
- Shaka — Founder of the Zulu nation in the 19th century (Zulu, Boy)
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”.
- Adebayo — The crown meets joy (Yoruba, Boy)
- 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)
- Jabulani — Rejoice (Zulu, Boy)
- Kayode — He brings joy (Yoruba, Boy)
- Kiese — Joy (Kikongo, Unisex)
- Thabo — Joy (Sotho / Tswana, Boy)
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)
- Femi — God loves me (Yoruba, Boy)
- Gidado — Beloved (Fula (Fulfulde), Boy)
- Ifeoluwa — Love of God (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Iradukunda — He (God) loves us (Kinyarwanda, Unisex)
- Musa — Kindness, mercy (Zulu, Boy)
- Nyasha — Grace, kindness (Shona, Unisex)
- Obi — Heart; also “the chief’s dwelling” (Igbo, Unisex)
- Obinna — The father’s heart (Igbo, Boy)
- Obioma — A good heart, kindness (Igbo, Unisex)
- Faraja — Consolation, comfort (Swahili, Unisex)
- Fitiavana — Love (Malagasy, Unisex)
- Luzolo — Love, will (Kikongo, Unisex)
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.
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.
- Ade — Crown (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Adebayo — The crown meets joy (Yoruba, Boy)
- Adekunle — The crown fills the house (Yoruba, Boy)
- Adeola — Crown of honour, crown of wealth (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Ardo — Chief, the one who leads (Fula (Fulfulde), Boy)
- Béhanzin — The last great king of Abomey, who resisted colonial conquest (“the shark king”) (Fon, Boy)
- Damilola — Showered with blessings (short form of Oluwadamilola, “God has made me wealthy”) (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Eniola — A person of honour and wealth (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Gaya — Numidian king, father of Massinissa (Amazigh (Numidian), Boy)
- Kgosi — King, chief (Tswana, Boy)
- Mansa — King, sovereign — the title borne by Mansa Musa (Mande, Boy)
- Massinissa — First king of a unified Numidia, 2nd century BC (Amazigh (Numidian), Boy)
- Nkosi — King, lord, chief (Zulu, Boy)
- Obi — Heart; also “the chief’s dwelling” (Igbo, Unisex)
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.
- Aksel — 7th-century Amazigh king (Kusayla); his name is associated with the leopard (Amazigh, Boy)
- Béhanzin — The last great king of Abomey, who resisted colonial conquest (“the shark king”) (Fon, Boy)
- Enitan — The one who carries a story (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Gaya — Numidian king, father of Massinissa (Amazigh (Numidian), Boy)
- Mansa — King, sovereign — the title borne by Mansa Musa (Mande, Boy)
- Massinissa — First king of a unified Numidia, 2nd century BC (Amazigh (Numidian), Boy)
- Rolihlahla — The one who pulls the branch — figuratively, the one who shakes up the established order. Nelson Mandela’s birth name (Xhosa, Boy)
- Samory — Samori Touré, founder of the Wassoulou empire, who resisted colonial conquest (Maninka, Boy)
- Shaka — Founder of the Zulu nation in the 19th century (Zulu, Boy)
- Soundiata — Founder of the Mali Empire in the 13th century; “the lion of Sogolon” (Maninka, Boy)
- Yuba — Numidian king, a scholar and man of letters of antiquity (Amazigh (Numidian), Boy)
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.
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.
- Ade — Crown (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Adom — Grace, blessing (Akan (Twi), Unisex)
- Aksel — 7th-century Amazigh king (Kusayla); his name is associated with the leopard (Amazigh, Boy)
- Amani — Peace (Swahili, Unisex)
- Andry — Pillar (Malagasy, Boy)
- Ardo — Chief, the one who leads (Fula (Fulfulde), Boy)
- Awet — Victory (Tigrinya, Boy)
- Ayo — Joy (Yoruba, Unisex)
- Bako — Born while guests were visiting — literally “the guest” (Hausa, Boy)
- Chidi — God exists, God is present (Igbo, Unisex)
- Desta — Joy (Amharic, Unisex)
- Djata — Lion (Maninka, Boy)
- Ekene — Praise, thanksgiving (Igbo, Unisex)
- Elom — God loves me (Ewe, Unisex)
Frequently asked questions
What does an African boy’s name say?
Very often a circumstance of birth rather than a quality. In Yoruba, Babatunde means “the father has returned” and is given to a child born after the grandfather’s death; Taiwo and Kehinde name the first and the second twin. In Hausa, Tanko is the boy born after several girls, Gambo the child born after twins. In Igbo, Nnamdi says “my father lives”. The name writes the child into a family story; it does not describe them.
Which African names evoke strength or courage?
Several traditions have their word: Mandla, “strength” in Zulu, Jabari, “brave” in Swahili, Hery, “strength” in Malagasy, Segun, “to conquer” in Yoruba, Ikenna, “the father’s strength” in Igbo. The lion metaphor comes back everywhere, with different words: Simba in Swahili, Djata in Maninka, Diogoye in Serer, Lencho in Oromo. The “Strength & courage” filter brings them together.
Can you give your son the name of an African historical figure?
It is a living practice. Sundiata, founder of the Mali Empire in the 13th century; Samori, who stood up to colonial conquest; Béhanzin, the last great king of Abomey; Massinissa, first king of a unified Numidia; Shaka, founder of the Zulu nation. These are names that carry a story — better to know it before passing it on, because the child will have to tell it all their life.
Which boys’ names are easy to pronounce in French?
Yao, Koffi, Thabo, Musa, Sipho, Hery, Idir, Chidi, Femi, Tunde fit into two syllables and pose no difficulty. Longer Yoruba and Igbo names shorten naturally: Oluwaseun becomes Seun, Chukwuemeka becomes Emeka, Siyabonga becomes Siya. Each entry gives an approximate pronunciation in French.
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 girl’s name? See girls’ 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 : 14 names out of 146 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). 132 names out of 146 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.