African Names

This name from the Igbo language of Africa, which feels like the more-familiar Arabic Ahmad, might be an original and attractive choice.

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 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."

If you're looking for an African place-name, this one belongs to the main town in eastern Morocco.

More original than any made-up name.

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

A wonderful meaning for a bright and musical West African name.

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

Igbo name made more familiar by its relationship to the popular Belle and Bella.

Gingery.

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

One African choice that might be easier to understand if spelled phonetically: it's pronounced TAH-shee.

Nigerian name with an honorable meaning.