African Names for Girls

Zala

Ethiopian or Slovene variation of Rozalija

"a people from southwest Ethiopia; rose"

Simple but sultry.

Habiba

Arabic

"beloved, sweetheart"

A name whose sweet sound matches with its meaning, Habiba is popular in Somalia and North Africa. It comes from the Arabic habib meaning "dear, beloved", making it a bright and endearing choice.

Izara

Arabic, Basque, Hausa

"shawl; star; section of tree"

Attractive, rhythmic choice with roots in several languages and cultures. It's a lesser-known a celestial name, meaning "star" in Basque and referring to a star in the constellation Boötes in Arabic.

Afia

African

"born on Friday"

This variant of the more-difficult Afua, from the Akan language of what is now Ghana in West Africa, is a traditional "day name" that can make a perfectly pretty modern choice.

Abena

Akan, Fante, Ghanaian

"born on Tuesday"

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.

Zina

Russian, Hungarian, Arabic, African, Nsenga

"related to Zeus; rose; adornment, ornament; spirt name"

A truly international name with an arty feel, Zina has many origins. It is used as a short form of Zinaida, Rozina, and Zenobia in Russia, Hungary, and Poland and as an alternative form of Xena,…

Ama

Ewe, Akan, Ghanaian, Cherokee

"born on Saturday; water"

Ama is a day name used by the Akan people of Ghana for girls born on Saturday. Names that reference a baby's birth by day of the week, time of day, or season of the year are common in many African…

Kia

African

"season's beginning"

Kia is a sweet, simple name that is now, unfortunately, associated with a Korean car label. Better today: Nia, Thea, or Keira.

Lissa

African, Arabic mythological name; diminutive of Melissa, Greek

"honeybee"

Lissa might be an abbreviation of Melissa, but it's more substantial in its own right: Lissa is the name of a supreme mother goddess in African mythology and an Arabic symbol of rebirth.

Zela

African variation of Zoe

See ZELLA.

Shanti

Hindi, Sanskrit

"peace"

A gentle Hindi name, ultimately from the Sanskrit śāntī , Shanti may equally refer to a state of mental and physical peace, maintained despite any stresses or difficulties and Hindu prayers for…

Amma

Tamil, Akan

"mother, or born on a Saturday"

An anagram of Mama, in tune with its Tamil meaning. Amma is also a Ghanaian name. The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born…

Adwoa

Akan, Ghanaian

"born on Monday"

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. The most famous people with this name…

Akosua

Twi, Ewe, Ghanaian

"born on Sunday"

Akosua means "born on a Sunday," which relates the name to the sun and thus to fire. The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were…

Nyala

African, Ethiopian

"mountain goat"

Nyala is a secret nature name with a fashionable animal meaning. Nyala might be an appropriate name for a baby girl born under the sign of Capricorn, which is symbolized by the goat, or in the…

Zaire

Place-name

While this African place-name is much more popular for boys, nearly 40 girls were named Zaire last year. Among African baby names , this is one of the best-known in the US.

Zeila

African place-name

Zeila, the name of a port town in Somalia, has cultural resonance and an appealing sound.

Amadi

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.

Fana

African

"light or jungle"

Simple, delicate, and unusual.

Kamali

African, Mashona

"spirit guide, protector"

Spirit that protects babies from illness...and surname of designer Naomi.