African Names
- Abena
Origin:
Akan, Fante, GhanaianMeaning:
"born on Tuesday"Description:
This name from the Akan language of Ghana in West Africa is traditionally given to baby girls born on a Tuesday. The male version is Kwabena or Kobena.
- Kessie
Origin:
African, AshantiMeaning:
"chubby baby"Description:
Kessie is cute but slight.
- Abanu
Origin:
African, IboMeaning:
"I have joined the family"Description:
Rhythmic, strong, and buoyant.
- Zenebe
Origin:
AmharicMeaning:
"raining"Description:
Zenebe is an appealing name well-used in Ethiopia but rarely heard outside its native land. But it translates easily into English and Zen makes for a cool and attractive nickname. A winning choice for those looking for an African boys' names that bridges cultures.
- Ebele
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"mercy, kindness"Description:
Igbo name made more familiar by its relationship to the popular Belle and Bella.
- Fana
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"light or jungle"Description:
Simple, delicate, and unusual.
- Zina
Origin:
African, Nsenga, refers to a child's secret spirit name; Russian, related to ZeusDescription:
Old-style arty.
- Nilla
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"glorious"Description:
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.
- Tamala
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"dark tree"Description:
Would you really want to name your child after a Japanese anime movie called Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space.
- Nairobi
Origin:
African place-nameDescription:
Kenya is fairly commonly heard as a girl's name, but its capital city makes a much more exceptional choice.
- Maaza
Origin:
AmharicMeaning:
"aroma or essence"Description:
Pronounced mah-zah, Maaza means a pleasant scent, usually from a yellow daisy popular in Ethiopia. Hot young Ethiopian-American novelist Maaza Mengiste introduced the name to our shores.
- Imena
Origin:
African, ArabicMeaning:
"dream; faith"Description:
A worthy update for Imani.
- Ayu
Origin:
African, YorubanMeaning:
"joy"Description:
Rhythmic and unusual.
- Oluchi
Origin:
IgboMeaning:
"work of God"Description:
Nigerian-born supermodel Oluchi Orlandi brought this little-known (to non-Nigerians), lovely choice into the lexicon.
- Ibo
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"my people"Description:
Ibo is short but striking. Another, unrelated but equally appealing name is Ivo.
- Unika
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"shining"Description:
Girlish, but has a nice feeling of uniqueness and unity.
- Juba
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"born on Monday"Description:
Juba, a strong and resonant unisex name, belonged to an ancient African king, is a city and river name, and is traditionally given to Ashanti (of Ghana) girls born on Monday.
- Obama
Origin:
Luo; JapaneseMeaning:
"bending or leaning; little beach"Description:
The surname of the 44th US President has been been adopted as a first, for girls as well as boys, by admiring parents around the world. And the O beginning even makes it fashionable. Though Barack Obama's name derives from the Luo people of Kenya, Obama is also a Japanese place name and a surname that means "little beach."
- Panya
Origin:
African, Swahili; or, Russian, diminutive of StephaniaMeaning:
"mouse, tiny one; or, crowned one"Description:
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.
- Thandie
Origin:
South African, XhosaMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
A captivating and sprightly name brought into the limelight by actress Thandiwe Newton.