An African baby’s birth is typically followed by a round of ceremonies and festivities to usher the new child into the world. Many of the names given at these ceremonies are indicative of the child’s place in the world. For example in Ghana, a baby boy born on a Friday will be named Kofi. In the Igbo tribe of Nigeria and some parts of West Africa, a firstborn girl is mandatorily named Ada.
Abeba
Origin: Eastern African, Eritrean Meaning: FlowerAlternative Spellings & Variations: AbebahFamous Namesakes: Abeba Haile, Eritrean singer; Abeba Aregawi, Ethiopian runner Peak Popularity: The name Abeba is not popular in the United States.
Aberash
Origin: Eastern African, AmharicMeaning: Giving off light, shining Famous Namesakes: Aberash Bekele, women’s rights advocatePeak Popularity: Aberash is not a popular name in the United States.
Ada
Origin: West African, IgboMeaning: First daughter Alternative Spellings & Variations: Adanna, Adaugo, Adaobi Famous Namesakes: Ada Ehi, Nigerian gospel singer; Ada Uchechukwu, Nigerian artist and poet; Ada Lovelace, English writer and computer programmer Peak Popularity: Ada is the 665th most popular name of all time. It hit peak popularity in the year 1918 when 1943 babies were named Ada that year.
Amara
Origin: West African, Igbo Meaning: Grace, mercy, kindnessAlternative Spellings & Variations: Amarachukwu, AmarachiFamous Namesakes: Amara La Negra, American singer; Amara Walker, American journalistPeak Popularity: The name Amara started to gain popularity in the United States in the late 2010s. In 2019, 1,989 baby girls were named Amara. This is the highest use of the name in the United States to date.
Ayaan
Origin: African, Somalian, ArabicMeaning: Gift of God, good luckAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ayan Famous Namesakes: Ayaan Hirsi Ali, politician and authorPeak Popularity: The name started to gain popularity in the United States in the 21st century. In 2020, 643 babies were given the name Ayaan.
Chidinma
Origin: West African, IgboMeaning: God is goodAlternative Spellings & Variations: Chidi, Chinma, ChidimmaFamous Namesakes: Chidinma Ekile, Nigerian singer and song writerPeak Popularity: In 1996, 21 babies were given the name Chidinma. This is the highest record of its use.
Cleopatra
Origin: EgyptianMeaning: Glory of the fatherAlternative Spellings & Variations: Clea, Kleopatra, CleoFamous Namesakes: Cleo Moore, American actress; Cleo Rocos, British comedianPeak Popularity: In 1920, 1398 babies were named Cleo. This is the highest record of its use.
Gugulethu
Origin: Southern African, Zulu, XhosaMeaning: Pride, treasureAlternative Spellings & Variations: GuguFamous Namesakes: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, actressPeak Popularity: Gugulethu isn’t a very popular name in the United States.
Hadiza
Origin: Western African, HausaMeaning: One with no desireAlternative Spellings & Variations: HadizatuFamous Namesakes: Hadiza Aliyu, Nigerian actressPeak Popularity: Hadiza isn’t a very popular name in the United States.
Hibo
Origin: Eastern African, Somalian Meaning: GiftAlternative Spellings & Variations: HibaFamous Namesakes: Hiba Tawaji, musician Peak Popularity: The highest record of the use of the name Hibo in the United States was in 2016.
Imani
Origin: Eastern African, SwahiliMeaning: FaithAlternative Spellings & Variations: Iman, Imen, Imaan, EmanFamous Namesakes: Imani Coppola, alternative artistPeak Popularity: In 1998, 1272 babies were named Imani. This was the peak of its popularity in the United States.
Kenya
Origin: Eastern AfricanMeaning: Gotten from the name of the East African country, KenyaFamous Namesakes: Kenya Moore, actor; Kenya Bell, R&B artistPeak Popularity: In 1973, 1039 babies were named Kenya. This was the peak of its popularity in the United States.
Makena
Origin: Kikuyu, Eastern AfricanMeaning: Happy oneAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kena, MakennaPeak Popularity: The use of the name Makena hit peak popularity in 2005 when 380 babies were named Makena.
Masego
Origin: Tswana, Southern AfricanMeaning: Blessed one, blessings Alternative Spellings & Variations: SegoFamous Namesakes: Masego Ntshingane, Botswanan athlete Peak Popularity: Masego isn’t a very popular name in the United States.
Nala
Origin: Somali, AfricanMeaning: UsAlternative Spellings & Variations: Naala, Nale, Nahla, NallaFamous Namesakes: Nala Damajanti, 19th-century snake charmerPeak Popularity: Nala has gained popularity in recent times in the United States. In 2020, 693 babies were named Nala.
Nia
Origin: Swahili, Eastern AfricanMeaning: PurposeAlternative Spellings & Variations: NyahFamous Namesakes: Nia Long, American actress; Nia Sharma, Indian actress; Nia Sanchez, American beauty queen Peak Popularity: In 2000, 1003 babies were named Nia in the United States. This is the highest record of its use.
Ola
Origin: West African, YorubaMeaning: Wealth, preciousAlternative Spellings & Variations: Olamide, OlaitanFamous Namesakes: Ola Al-Fares, Jordanian lawyer; Ola Uduku, British-American actressPeak Popularity: Ola was a popular name in the early 1990s in the United States. A total of 772 babies were named Ola in 1920.
Onika
Origin: AfricanMeaning: Who is greater than God?Alternative Spellings & Variations: AnikaFamous Namesakes: Onika Tanya Maraj (Nicki Minaj), American rapperPeak Popularity: Onika isn’t a very popular name in the United States.
Sade
Origin: West African, YorubaMeaning: CrownAlternative Spellings & Variations: Folasade, ShadeFamous Namesakes: Sade, British-Nigerian singer and songwriter; Sade Baderinwa, journalistPeak Popularity: Peak use of the name Sade was in 1986.
Taraji
Origin: SwahiliMeaning: HopeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Tara, RajiFamous Namesakes: Taraji P. Henson, American actress, and singerPeak Popularity: Taraji was most popular in 2010, before that year the name was barely used.
Zendaya
Origin: Shona, South AfricanMeaning: Be thankfulAlternative Spellings & Variations: TendaiFamous Namesakes: Zendaya Coleman, American actressPeak Popularity: In 2015, 354 babies were named Zendaya when it hit peak popularity.
Zola
Origin: Southern African, XhosaMeaning: CalmAlternative Spellings & Variations: Zolah, ZellaFamous Namesakes: Zola Jesus, electronic music artist; Zola Budd, South African athlete; Zola Taylor, American singerPeak Popularity: In 2020, 273 babies were given the name Zola; this was the peak of its popularity.
Zuri
Origin: Swahili, Eastern AfricanMeaning: Beautiful Famous Namesakes: Zuri Hall, American TV hostPeak Popularity: The use of the name Zuri was at an all time high in 2020 when 1,254 babies were named Zuri in the United States.
African Baby Names For Boys
Below are s handful of the most popular African boy baby names, along with their meaning and origin.
Aadan
Origin: Tamil, AfricanMeaning: Son of AdamAlternative Spellings & Variations: Adan, AadenFamous Namesakes: Aaden-Gurey Maxamed Cabdille, Somalian poetPeak Popularity: The name Aadan isn’t very popular in the United States.
Abdalla
Origin: ArabicMeaning: Servant of AllahAlternative Spellings & Variations: Abdallah, Abdullah, AbdallahFamous Namesakes: Abdalla El-Masri, Lebanese composer; Abdallah Djaballah Algerian politicianPeak Popularity: The name Abdalla is very popular in Somalia, but not in the United States. Only 19 babies were given the name in 2007; this is the highest number recorded.
Abidemi
Origin: West African, YorubaMeaning: Born during his father’s absence Alternative Spellings & Variations: Bidemi, DemiFamous Namesakes: Abidemi Sanusi, authorPeak Popularity: The name Abidemi isn’t very popular in the United States.
Amari
Origin: AfricanMeaning: Possesses great strengthAlternative Spellings & Variations: Amar, Ammar, AmareFamous Namesakes: Amari Cooper, soccer player; Amari Morgan-Smith, soccer playerPeak Popularity: In 2020, 1719 babies were given the name Amari. This is the highest ever record of its use in the United States.
Bamidele
Origin: West African, YorubaMeaning: Follow me homeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Bami, DeleFamous Namesakes: Bamidele Olumilua, Nigerian governor Peak Popularity: Bamidele isn’t a popular name in the United States.
Chima
Origin: West African, IgboMeaning: God knowsFamous Namesakes: Chima Okorie, Nigerian soccer player; Chima Onyeike, Netherlands soccer playerPeak Popularity: The name isn’t very popular in the United States, only 14 babies were given the name in 2002.
Chiumbo
Origin: Mwera, Eastern African Meaning: Small, small child Peak Popularity: Chiumbo isn’t a popular name in the United States.
Diallo
Origin: African, FulaMeaning: BoldFamous Namesakes: Diallo Guidileye, Mauritanian footballer; Diallo Telli, Guinean politicianPeak Popularity: In 1972, 81 babies were given the name Diallo. This is the peak of its popularity.
Faraji
Origin: Eastern African, SwahiliMeaning: ConsolationAlternative Spellings & Variations: FaraFamous Namesakes: Faraji Music, Jamaican singerPeak Popularity: Faraji isn’t a popular name in the United States.
Femi
Origin: Western African, YorubaMeaning: Love meAlternative Spellings & Variations: Olufemi, OluwafemiFamous Namesakes: Femi Kuti, Nigerian afrobeat musician; Femi Oke, journalistPeak Popularity: The name Femi is popular in West Africa, but not very popular in the United States.
Idir
Origin: Berber, Northern African Meaning: AliveAlternative Spellings & Variations: YidirFamous Namesakes: Idir Ouali, soccer player; Idir, Kabyle singerPeak Popularity: The name Idir isn’t popular in the United States.
Ike
Origin: Western AfricaMeaning: God will laugh, God laughedAlternative Spellings & Variations: IssacFamous Namesakes: Ike Barinholtz, American actor; Ike Moriz, German-South-African singerPeak Popularity: In 1953, 111 babies were given the name Ike. This is the highest ever record of its use.
Imamu
Origin: Swahili, Eastern AfricanMeaning: Spiritual leaderAlternative Spellings & Variations: Mamu, ImamFamous Namesakes: Imamu Mayfield, martial artistPeak Popularity: Imamu was most popular in the United States in 1973, but only five babies were given the name that year.
Jabari
Origin: Arabic, SwahiliMeaning: Brave oneAlternative Spellings & Variations: JabbarFamous Namesakes: Jabari Parker, American basketball player; Jabari Greer, American football playerPeak Popularity: Jabari peaked in popularity in 2006 when 392 babies were given the name in the United States.
Kamari
Origin: Swahili, Eastern AfricanMeaning: MoonAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kamaria, Kam, MariPeak Popularity: In 2009, 786 babies were given the name Kamari. That was the year it was most popular in the United States.
Kofi
Origin: Akan, Western AfricanMeaning: Born on a FridayAlternative Spellings & Variations: Koffi, KofieFamous Namesakes: Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Kofi Siriboe, American actor; Kofi Kingston, Ghanaian-American wrestlerPeak Popularity: Kofi isn’t a popular name in the United States.
Kwame
Origin: Akan, West AfricanMeaning: Born on a SaturdayAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kwamme, Kwami, KouameFamous Namesakes: Kwame Brown, American basketballer; Kwame Brown, first President of GhanaPeak Popularity: The name Kwame was most popular in the United States in the year 1990.
Nnamdi
Origin: West African, IgboMeaning: My God is alive, my father livesAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nna, NamdiFamous Namesakes: Nnamdi Oduamad, soccer playerPeak Popularity: Nnamdi isn’t a popular name in the United States. In 1997, 34 babies were given the name.
Omari
Meaning: Speaker, chiefAlternative Spellings & Variations: Omar, UmarFamous Namesakes: Omari Banks, Anguillian musician; Omari “Omarion” Grandberry, American singer and songwriterPeak Popularity: Omari hit peak popularity in the United States in 2018 when 618 babies were given the name.
Osiris
Origin: EgyptianMeaning: With strong eyesight Alternative Spellings & Variations: AsarFamous Namesakes: Osiris Eldridge, American basketball playerPeak Popularity: In the United States Osiris was most popular in 2020.
Yared
Origin: Hebrew, Ethiopian Meaning: Descendant, to descendAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jared, YeredFamous Namesakes: Saint Yared; Yared Hagos, professional hockey playerPeak Popularity: Yared isn’t a popular name in the United States.
Yuusuf
Origin: Somali, Eastern AfricanMeaning: God increasesAlternative Spellings & Variations: Yosef, Yusuf, YussufFamous Namesakes: Yusuf Abdullah, South African cricketer; Yusuf Garaad Omar, Somali journalistPeak Popularity: Yuusuf isn’t a popular name in the United States.
Zaire
Origin: African, HebrewMeaning: Person from Zaire, riverAlternative Spellings & Variations: Zyere, Ziair, Ziaire, ZyaireFamous Namesakes: Zaire Anderson, American football playerPeak Popularity: Zaire was most popular in the United States in 2020.
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