African Baby Names
African names on this list come from languages such as Swahili, Yoruba, Igbo and Akan. Many describe the circumstances of a birth or express a hope for the child.
41 names
- AmariUnisexuncertain; several origins proposed · Unknown3,223
- ZuriGirlbeautiful · Swahili1,162
- KamariUnisexuncertain · Unknown1,070
- AminaGirltrustworthy, faithful · Arabic1,000
- AmiriUnisexprincely, of a commander · Arabic862
- ZaireBoythe river that swallows all rivers · Portuguese664
- ImaniGirlfaith · Arabic628
- AmaniGirlwishes, aspirations · Arabic618
- AyaanBoygift of God · Arabic610
- MusaBoyMoses · Arabic566
- OmariBoyflourishing; long-lived · Arabic466
- NiaGirlpurpose · Swahili428
- NalaGirlsuccessful; beloved · African374
- PromiseGirlpromise, vow · English357
- DakariBoyuncertain · Unknown322
- ZendayaGirlto give thanks · American (modern coinage)279
- BlessingGirldivine favor; something blessed · English278
- KhariUnisexcharitable · Arabic240
- ZolaGirlmeaning uncertain · Unknown221
- AyanaGirluncertain; used with several origins · Unknown220
- JabariBoybrave, fearless · Swahili217
- XolaniGirlpeace · Unknown217
- AyannaGirluncertain; possibly beautiful flower · Unknown203
- IssaUnisexJesus · Arabic196
- JelaniBoymighty · Swahili181
- MaziBoysir; respected man · Igbo176
- NairobiGirlcool waters · Unknown139
- KenyaGirlfrom the name of Kenya · African131
- HawaGirlEve; living one · Arabic124
- AkeemBoywise · Arabic122
- FatoumataGirlvariant of Fatima; one who abstains · Arabic120
- KamaziBoyuncertain · Swahili120
- NailahGirlattainer; successful · Arabic111
- MamadouBoypraised one · Arabic105
- AshantiGirlfrom the Ashanti people · Akan99
- MakenaGirlhappy one · African95
- SadeGirlhonor confers a crown · Yoruba94
- NyaGirlpurpose · Swahili93
- PreciousGirlhighly valued · English69
- KenyattaUnisexuncertain · Unknown15
- KiaGirlseason's beginnings · African13
Number = US babies given the name in 2024 (Social Security Administration).