Updated October 2026
Across 2 pages
of 2
African
"free man"
Though this is traditionally a male name, it can work for a girl in our culture. Might also be considered a short form of the Italian Amadea.
Variation of Aba or Abena, Akan, Ghanaian
"born on Thursday; born on Tuesday"
Deriving from either Abena, which is the traditional name for Tuesday-born daughters, or as a variation of Aba, meaning "born on Thursday", this is a name of African origin with a concise but…
Yoruba
"crown"
African, Yoruban
"joy"
Rhythmic and unusual.
Ethiopian
"in honor of God"
Wesley Snipes chose this distinctive East African name for his son.
African place-name
Abyssinia is the ancient name of the Ethiopian Empire, no longer found on any map but with a possible future as a melodic girls' name in the ever-expanding place-name category. Among African names…
Twi
"Born on a Tuesday"
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…
"Born on a Wednesday"
Akan
"warrior; one who fights for her people"
Yaa Asantewaa was a Queen mother in the Ashanti Empire (now part of Ghana) who led the Ahsanti war against the British Empire and colonialism in 1900. The name is therefore predominantly used in…
African, Ibo
"I have joined the family"
Rhythmic, strong, and buoyant.
Yao, Malawian
"she weeps"
Northern African, French, Arabic
"the lord is salvation"
Also appearing Aïssa, this name is largely used in French-influenced countries, including Algeria, Morocco, Belgium, and France itself. It derives from the Arabic Isa, the name by which Jesus is…
Ashanti, Akan, Twi
"African ethnic group; warlike"
Although Ashanti is a much better known name via the female hip-hop singer, Asante is also an appealing way to honor Asante or Ashanti heritage. It's the name of a people and language based in Ghana.