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Names from Books written by POC authors

  1. Zuri

    • Origin:

      Kiswahili

    • Meaning:

      "good, beautiful"

    • Description:

      Singular, strong, and rare outside East Africa.
  2. Aminata

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "trustworthy, faithful"

    • Description:

      This elaboration of the Arabic amīn, meaning "trustworthy" or "to feel safe" was a fast riser in 2022, but has yet to crack the Top 1000. Latvian musical artist Aminata Savadogo's 2021 song "It's Written in the Heavens (Milky Way)" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2022 Latvian Music Recording Awards, potentially bringing the name into the spotlight.
  3. Kwasi

    • Origin:

      Akan

    • Meaning:

      "Born on a Sunday"

    • Description:

      The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. Most Ghanaians have a name using this system (think Kofi Annan, whose name means born on a Friday). Kwasi is the name for boys born on a Sunday. (The name for girls born on a Sunday is Akosua).
  4. Kehinde

    • Origin:

      Yoruba

    • Meaning:

      "second-born of twins or one who falls behind"

    • Description:

      This African name, which derives from the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria, is used for both girls and boys -- but in the US, its most notable bearer is (male) artist Kehinde Wiley. Wiley, who paints brown- and black-skinned people in the style of European Old Masters, was born in Los Angeles of an African-American mother and a Yoruba father and was also a twin, thus his name. An attractive and creative choice for either gender.
  5. Farid

    • Origin:

      Arabic and Persian

    • Meaning:

      "unique, precious"

    • Description:

      The soft and strong name of a 13th-century Persian poet.
  6. Kehinde

    • Origin:

      Yoruba

    • Meaning:

      "second-born of twins or one who falls behind"

    • Description:

      Although the best-known Kehinde is the male painter Kehinde Wiley, this name is used for both genders in its native Nigeria and can be just as attractive for a girl.
  7. Chioma

    • Origin:

      African, Igbo

    • Meaning:

      "good God"

    • Description:

      Beautiful West African name that could appeal across cultures.
  8. Efia

    • Origin:

      Akan

    • Meaning:

      "born on Friday"

    • Description:

      The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. Most Ghanaians have a name using this system (think Kofi Annan, whose name means born on a Friday). Efia (also Afua) is the name for girls born on a Friday. (The male variant is Kofi)
  9. Femi

    • Origin:

      Yoruba

    • Description:

      A short form of the masculine name Olufemi, which means "the Lord loves me". Femi is also used as a standalone name for both genders, meaning "love me".
  10. Dayo

    • Origin:

      Yoruba

    • Meaning:

      "joy arrives"

    • Description:

      A joyful Yoruba name which would be perfect for a long-awaited baby.
  11. Ife

    • Origin:

      African, Yoruba

    • Meaning:

      "love"

    • Description:

      Simple African name all-but-unknown in the U.S. and Europe, which is exactly why it might make a perfect choice. Similarity to such popular names as Ava and Eva (and the Irish Aoife) makes it more familiar, but potentially more confusing.
  12. Aminah

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "trustworthy, faithful"

    • Description:

      The usage of this Arabic name has been increasing in the US, joining the Top 1000 for the first time in 2015. Aminah bint Wahb was the mother of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
  13. Adwoa

    • Origin:

      Akan, Ghanaian

    • Meaning:

      "born on Monday"

    • Description:

      Adwoa is a given name used for women born on Monday in Western Africa, particularly Ghana and some parts of Togo and Ivory Coast. The male equivalent is Kwadwo.
  14. Pua

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "flower"

    • Description:

      Overly teasable.
  15. Kirah

    • Description:

      Kirah is a melodious feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Kira, which has roots in several cultures including Persian (meaning 'sun'), Russian (a feminine form of Cyrus), or Celtic (meaning 'dark-haired'). The added 'h' gives the name a softer, more flowing quality. Kirah might also be related to the Hindi name Kiran, meaning 'ray of light.' The name has a contemporary feel while maintaining cross-cultural appeal. Kirah has gained modest popularity since the 1990s, appreciated for its beautiful sound and exotic feel without being difficult to pronounce or spell. The name conveys brightness and warmth, perhaps reflecting its possible solar associations in some of its etymological roots.

  16. Afua

    • Origin:

      Akan

    • Meaning:

      "born on Friday"

    • Description:

      The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. Most Ghanaians have a name using this system.
  17. Abdul

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "servant of Allah"

    • Description:

      Widespread choice in the Muslim world, this was the name of both the father of the Prophet Mohammed and one of his sons.
  18. Arti
    • Abebe

      • Origin:

        Amharic

      • Meaning:

        "flower"

      • Description:

        Masculine variation of Abeba.
    • Idir

      • Origin:

        Berber

      • Meaning:

        "alive"

      • Description:

        A simple and straightforward choice from northwest Africa.