By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 9 pages
of 9
African
"gentle, humane"
This Swahili and Muslim female name referring to the Prophet Muhammed's nurse. It is a popular name in Egypt and Somalia.
Place-name, former kingdom of western Africa
Authentic African name that blipped in popularity a few years ago when hip-hop singer Ashanti first arrived on the scene.
Swahili; Arabic
"work of art; shining light"
Simple-yet-unusual name with a creative meaning. Actress Sanaa Lathan promoted it, and it was on the U.S. popularity list from 2003 to 2011. Shaquille O'Neal used it as the middle name of his…
Arabic
"high, exalted, praised"
Samiya is a name used by parents of both Arabic and African ancestry. Spelling variations include Samiyah, Samiah, and Samia.
Place name, Kikuyu
"mountain of white"
Kenya, a name borrowed from the East African nation and theoretically unisex, is now used mostly for girls. While it's had its ups and downs since entering the US Top 1000 in 1968, it currently ranks…
Afrikaans feminization of Charles, French
"free man"
Charlize is a name that owes its very life to a star: elegant blond South African actress Charlize Theron. She was named after her father, whose name was Charles. Charlize jumped onto the popularity…
African, Uganda
"second of twins"
Kato gained a lot of attention during the O. J. Simpson trial via witness Kato Kaelin (born Brian). It is also the name of a fictional character in "The Green Hornet." Spelled Cato, it has a lot more…
African, Hawaiian
"born on a Wednesday; warrior, strength"
Possibly a form of Akua, an Akan name meaning "born of a Wednesday", or a variation on Koa or Makoa, Hawaiian names relating to warriors and strength, Akoa has been most notably used in Cameroon.…
Scottish, Meru, or Hawaiian
"son of Kenneth; happy one, gift"
Makena may be one of the names with the most diverse range of possible roots. It can be a spelling variation of the Scottish surname McKenna, or a name from the East African Meru community with a…
Swahili, Basque, "tenacity, purpose, aim; sea fam, wave"
"tenacity, purpose, aim; sea fam, wave"
A relatively new name on the scene, increasing in popularity since 1999. It is likely a variation of Nia, a Swahili name based on the Arabic Niya meaning "tenacity, purpose, determination".…
Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Saturday"
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…
Korean; Hindi; Turkish; Arabic; Ewe
"this world's beauty or grace; army; to praise; bringing heaven to earth"
Sena is one of those names that is as obscure in the Western World as it is simple and straightforward. Sena exists as a name in a range of languages and cultures and may be pronounced like Senna…
Ghanaian, Akan, Twi
"born on Friday"
This Akan day name is very much associated with Kofi Annan, the seventh secretary general of the United Nations. The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the…
Swahili
"moonlight"
Lush and unusual.
Hindi, Sanskrit
"sapphire blue"
A variation of Nila, a name spread through African by the substantial Indian population there. Also a variant of Neala and Neila.
West African and French form of Uthman and Osman, Arabic
"young bustard (bird)"
Popular in French-speaking countries in West Africa, including Mali, Guinea, and Senegal, Ousmane is a form of the Arabic Uthman, likely via Osman or Usman, used in Urdu, Turkish, Malay, and Kurdish.…
Short form of Obadiah or African, Igbo
"heart"
Strongly linked in the US to the complex "Star Wars" character, Obi Wan Kenobi, but also popular in Nigeria as a short form of names containing the element Obi "heart". Obi can also be a nickname for…
Malagasy
"chameleon"
Originating in Madagascar, Kamara has a pleasant and familiar sound, with a cool, unexpected animal meaning.
Igbo
"God has answered me"
Chizaram is a name of Igbo origin from Nigeria, most commonly given to girls although it can be unisex in some contexts. The name carries deep cultural and spiritual significance, typically…
Manding, Western African
"king, ruler"
Traditionally used as a title within the Mali empire, this regal choice is now used as a given name in Western African countries and among Mandinka and Maninka speakers.
