African Names for Girls
Across 5 pages
of 5
Sassandra
African place-name
Sassy alternative to Cassandra -- maybe too sassy.
Sena
Korean; Hindi; Turkish; Arabic; Ewe
"this world's beauty or grace; army; to praise; bringing heaven to earth"
Sena is one of those names that is as obscure in the Western World as it is simple and straightforward. Sena exists as a name in a range of languages and cultures and may be pronounced like Senna…
Senegal
African place-name
Unlikely to take over Kenya's spot as the dominant African place-name.
Shany
Swahili
"marvelous, wonderful"
Peppy cheerleader with African roots.
Tabia
East African, Swahili
"talents, gifts"
Has a feminine feline feel.
Taci
African, Zuni
"washtub"
One African choice that might be easier to understand if spelled phonetically: it's pronounced TAH-shee.
Tamala
African
"dark tree"
Would you really want to name your child after a Japanese anime movie called Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space.
Thandie
South African, Xhosa
"beloved"
A captivating and sprightly name brought into the limelight by actress Thandiwe Newton.
Taraja
African, Kiswahili
"hope"
The raja sequence of sounds gives it a regal feel.
Zizi
African, Kiswahili
"pledged to God"
Despite its varied cultural ties, Zizi still sounds like a cancan dancer or a fluffy lapdog.
Tisa
African, Swahili
"ninth born"
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…
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,…
Xois
African place name
This name of the capital of an ancient Egyptian dynasty makes Lois X-rated.
Zagora
North African place-name; also Swahili
If you're looking for an African place-name, this one belongs to the main town in eastern Morocco.
Zala
Ethiopian or Slovene variation of Rozalija
"a people from southwest Ethiopia; rose"
Simple but sultry.
Zeila
African place-name
Zeila, the name of a port town in Somalia, has cultural resonance and an appealing sound.
Zela
African variation of Zoe
See ZELLA.
Zella
African, Bobangi, Libyan place name, diminutive of Rosella, Marcella, Gizella, or Isabella
"lacking nothing, one who knows the way"
Sunny, sassy, and stylish, Zella is a multicultural and versatile choice which works across multiple languages. Popular back in the early 19th century, Zella is now catching the attention of…
Zola
African, Congolese; also literary name
"piece of earth"
When the Eddie Murphys named their fourth daughter Zola, it affirmed the up-and-coming status of the name, which has African roots, but also literary links to Emile Zola. Zola may also be…
Zuwena
Swahili
"beautiful, good"
A bright and melodic Swahili name with a positive meaning, Zuwena is particularly popular in Tanzania and Uganda. It also appears in the title of a song by Tanaznian artist Diamond Platnumz.