African Names
Across 7 pages
of 7
Panya
African, Swahili; or, Russian, diminutive of Stephania
"mouse, tiny one; or, crowned one"
Panya is a multicultural possibility with a sound that's pleasing to the English-speaking ear, though the Swahili translation, which might also be "rat," makes it less than savory as an African name.
Pili
African, Swahili
"second born"
Might frequently be understood as "pilly." Can also be a short form of Pilar -- though the long form is better.
Salama
African, Swahili
"peace, safety, security"
The three soft a's make for a calm and rhythmic name, though some risk of salami jokes.
Sanaa
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…
Sassandra
African place-name
Sassy alternative to Cassandra -- maybe too sassy.
Sena
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…
Senegal
African place-name
Unlikely to take over Kenya's spot as the dominant African place-name.
Shany
Swahili
"marvelous, wonderful"
Peppy cheerleader with African roots.
Tabia
East African, Swahili
"talents, gifts"
Has a feminine feline feel.
Taci
African, Zuni
"washtub"
One African choice that might be easier to understand if spelled phonetically: it's pronounced TAH-shee.
Tamala
African
"dark tree"
Would you really want to name your child after a Japanese anime movie called Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space.
Thandie
South African, Xhosa
"beloved"
A captivating and sprightly name brought into the limelight by actress Thandiwe Newton.
Taraja
African, Kiswahili
"hope"
The raja sequence of sounds gives it a regal feel.
Zizi
African, Kiswahili
"pledged to God"
Despite its varied cultural ties, Zizi still sounds like a cancan dancer or a fluffy lapdog.
Makena
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…
Zina
Russian, Hungarian, Arabic, African, Nsenga
"related to Zeus; rose; adornment, ornament; spirt name"
A truly international name with an arty feel, Zina has many origins. It is used as a short form of Zinaida, Rozina, and Zenobia in Russia, Hungary, and Poland and as an alternative form of Xena,…
Xois
African place name
This name of the capital of an ancient Egyptian dynasty makes Lois X-rated.
Zagora
North African place-name; also Swahili
If you're looking for an African place-name, this one belongs to the main town in eastern Morocco.
Zala
Ethiopian or Slovene variation of Rozalija
"a people from southwest Ethiopia; rose"
Simple but sultry.
Nilla
African
"glorious"
Something slightly negative about that Nil beginning; more positive similar names would be Lilla or Willa, Lucilla or Priscilla. Nilla may also be a short form of the Scandinavian Gunilla.