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).

Friendly and energetic name from the Mende language of West Africa.

The raja sequence of sounds gives it a regal feel.

A bold and evocative African place name. The country of Kenya gets its name from Mount Kenya, referred to it as "Kirinyaga" or "Kerenyaga" by the local Kikuyu people, meaning "mountain of whiteness" due to its snow-capped peak.

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

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

Nigerian-born supermodel Oluchi Orlandi brought this little-known (to non-Nigerians), lovely choice into the lexicon.

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

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

Not many parents would want to use Tisa for its literal meaning in this era of smaller families, but Tisa is a name with much crossover appeal. Simple and straightforward, it's also both distinctive and feminine and relates to similar-sounding Western names such as Lisa and Trisha and Tea. If you're looking for an African name that can bridge cultures, Tisa is an excellent pick.

Peppy cheerleader with African roots.

Nigerian name with an honorable meaning.

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