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).

The name of a great seventeenth century African warrior queen, known for her brilliance as an administrator and organizer, and unstinting commitment to peace.

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).

This name of the capital of an ancient Egyptian dynasty makes Lois X-rated.

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.

Sassy alternative to Cassandra -- maybe too sassy.

Ibo is short but striking. Another, unrelated but equally appealing name is Ivo.

The three soft a's make for a calm and rhythmic name, though some risk of salami jokes.

Singular, strong, and rare outside East Africa.

Not long ago, the name of this central African republic was firmly in place-name territory and not seen as baby appropriate. But those boundaries are moving so quickly that all kinds of place-names that were once not considered as baby names, from Alaska to Morocco to Chicago to, yes, Congo are on the list. The place-name Congo is taken from the people and language of the Kingdom of Kongo. In that language, the word kongo means "gather".

Diarra has a nice meaning, but we could see it leading to possible teasing re association with a certain digestive problem.

This name of Angola's capital city has occasionally been used for baby girls.

Simple, delicate, and unusual.

The raja sequence of sounds gives it a regal feel.

Kessie is cute but slight.

Peppy cheerleader with African roots.

Unlikely to take over Kenya's spot as the dominant African place-name.

Kwadwo is a name given to men born on Monday in Western Africa, particularly Ghana and some parts of Togo and Ivory Coast. The female variant is Adwoa.

Girlish, but has a nice feeling of uniqueness and unity.

A captivating and sprightly name brought into the limelight by actress Thandiwe Newton.