90 African Names and Meanings for Boys and Girls

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Are you hoping to find the perfect name for your baby? Many parents search for names that are not only beautiful but also carry a special meaning. African names can be a wonderful choice, as they are connected to deep stories, strong traditions, and a colorful history.

African names are very special because each one is full of meaning. Some names come from nature, like rivers, trees, or animals, while others celebrate important family events or hopes for the future. Every African name has a unique sound and a story behind it, making it memorable and meaningful.

In this article, we have selected some of the most popular African names for boys and girls, along with their meaning. We gathered these names from various sources, Thursday (22/6/2025). Check out this list and find the perfect name for your little angel.

1. Akachi - the hand of God (Igbo, Nigerian)

2. Alemayehu - I have seen the world (Amharic, Ethiopian)

3. Alinafe - he/she is with us (Chewa, Malawian)

4. Ayele - become strong/powerful (Amharic, Ethiopian)

5. Babatunde - father has come again (Yoruba, Nigerian)

6. Baraka - blessing (Swahili, Tanzanian)

7. Bello - helper (Fula, Nigerian)

8. Boipelo - joy, rejoicing (Tswana, Botswanan)

9. Bongani - grateful, thankful (Zulu, South African)

10. Chinedu - God is leading (Igbo, Nigerian)

11. Chukwuemeka - God did a greater deed (Igbo, Nigerian)

12. Chisomo - grace (Chewa, Malawian)

13. Dakarai - rejoice (Shona, Zimbabwean)

14. Dejen - foundation, support (Amharic, Ethiopian)

15. Ejike - having strength (Igbo, Nigerian)

16. Gadisa - shade (Oromo, Ethiopian)

17. Ifeanyi - we can do anything (Igbo, Nigerian)

18. Ikenna - power of the father (Igbo, Nigerian)

19. Jango - brave, warrior (Xhosa, South African)

20. Kayode - bringing joy (Yoruba, Nigerian)

21. Kirabo - gift (Luganda, Ugandan)

22. Kisembo - gift (Tooro, Ugandan)

23. Limbani - be strong (Chewa, Malawian)

24. Lencho - lion (Oromo, Ethiopian)

25. Maina - sing, dance (Kikuyu, Kenyan)

26. Munashe - with God (Shona, Zimbabwean)

27. Njinga - to twist or wrap (Mbundu, Angolan)

28. Obinna - heart of the father (Igbo, Nigerian)

29. Ochieng - born when the sun shines (Luo, Kenyan)

30. Omari - flourishing (Swahili, Tanzanian)

31. Simba - power, strength (Shona, Zimbabwean)

32. Tadesse - revived (Amharic, Ethiopian)

33. Takondwa - we are glad (Chewa, Malawian)

34. Tesfaye - hope (Amharic, Ethiopian)

35. Tunde - return, come again (Yoruba, Nigerian)

36. Udo - peace (Igbo, Nigerian)

37. Wale - crown has come home (Yoruba, Nigerian)

38. Wongani - be thankful (Chewa, Malawian)

39. Ziri - moonlight (Berber)

40. Zola - calm (Xhosa, South African)

1. Abeba - flower (Amharic, Ethiopian)

2. Aberash - giving off light, shining (Amharic, Ethiopian)

3. Abike - one who is born to be cared for (Yoruba, Nigerian)

4. Adaeze - eldest daughter of the king (Igbo, Nigerian)

5. Alheri - the charitable, the good (Hausa, Nigerian)

6. Asha - live, exist (Swahili, Tanzanian)

7. Ayaan - good luck (Somali, Somalian)

8. Bahati - luck, good fortune (Swahili, Tanzanian)

9. Bisola - born into wealth (Yoruba, Nigerian)

10. Buhle - beautiful (Xhosa, South African)

11. Businge - peace (Rukiga, Ugandan)

12. Chiamaka - God is more beautiful (Igbo, Nigerian)

13. Dalitso - blessing (Chewa, Malawian)

14. Danai - to summon (Shona, Zimbabwean)

15. Desta - joy (Amharic, Ethiopian)

16. Ekene - gratitude (Igbo, Nigerian)

17. Eniola - person of wealth (Yoruba, Nigerian)

18. Hodan - rich, lush (Somali, Somalian)

19. Ife - love (Yoruba, Nigerian)

20. Ime - patience (Ibibio, Nigerian)

21. Kiitan - God's riches are infinite (Yoruba, Nigerian)

22. Lara - this child is kin (Yoruba, Nigerian)

23. Lindiwe - waited for, awaited (Zulu, South African)

24. Makena - happy one (Kikuyu, Kenyan)

25. Mirembe - peace (Luganda, Ugandan)

26. Mukami - the one who milks the cows (Kikuyu, Kenyan)

27. Neema - divine grace (Swahili, Tanzanian)

28. Nneka - mother is great (Igbo, Nigerian)

29. Ntombifuthi - a girl again (Zulu, South African)

30. Omphile - he has given (Tswana, Botswanan)

31. Onalerona - he is with us (Tswana, Botswanan)

32. Rehema - mercy, compassion (Swahili, Tanzanian)

33. Rufaro - happiness (Shona, Zimbabwean)

34. Sade - rule with nobility (Yoruba, Nigerian)

35. Sethunya - bloom, flower (Tswana, Botswanan)

36. Sola - a child crowned with wealth (Yoruba, Nigerian)

37. Tolu - God be praised (Yoruba, Nigerian)

38. Uju - fullness, plenty (Igbo, Nigerian)

39. Upendo - love (Swahili, Tanzanian)

40. Wanangwa - freedom (Tumbuka)

41. Yetunde - mother has come again (Yoruba, Nigerian)

42. Yinka - success surrounds me (Yoruba, Nigerian)

43. Zawadi - gift (Swahili, Tanzanian)

44. Zuri - beautiful (Swahili, Tanzanian)

1. Armani - wishes (Nigerian)

2. Ashanti - thank you (Kiswahili)

3. Femi - God loves me (Yoruba, Nigerian)

4. Imani - faith (Swahili, Tanzanian)

5. Kendi - loved one (African)

6. Nia - purpose, aim (Swahili, Tanzanian)