African Names for Girls

Nilla

African

"glorious"

Something slightly negative about that Nil beginning; more positive similar names would be Lilla or Willa, Lucilla or Priscilla. Nilla may also be a short form of the Scandinavian Gunilla.

Asantewaa

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…

Zuva

Shona

"daylight, sunlight"

A zippy, cheerful name with a bright meaning to match, Zuva is a Shona name, used in Zimbabwe. Meaning "sunlight" or "daytime", it is one that could easily work in multiple languages. It appeared in…

Nyeredzi

Shona

"stars"

A unisex Shona word name with a celestial meaning, Nyeredzi appeared in the 2023 novel Ndima Ndima by Tsitsi Mapepa and in the title of a song by artist Jah Prayza. An alternative form is Nyenyedzi.

Lulit

Amharic

"pearl"

A sweet Lu- name with a gemstone meaning, Lulit is predominately used in Ethiopia and by those with Ethiopian heritage.

Libya

African place-name

Libya is an ancient place-name taken the Egyptian word for the people of Berber tribes who lived in the region. English speakers might relate the name to the word liberty, from which the African…

Ade

Yoruba

"crown"

Folami

Yoruba, African

"honor and respect me"

Nigerian name with an honorable meaning.

Alile

Yao, Malawian

"she weeps"

Fayola

Yoruba, "lucky, good fortune, blessed"

"lucky, good fortune, blessed"

A beautiful Yoruban name associated with honor and good fortune. Both fy-o-la and fay-OH-luh are used as pronunciations. Instagrammer Fayola Leo and musician Sri Fayola are notable bearers.

Asante

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.

Falala

African, Fula

"born in abundance"

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

Ngozi

African, Nigerian-Igbo

"blessing"

Dynamic and creative; common in Africa, challenging here. Pronunciation isn't as difficult as you'd guess, but everyone will have to ask. Many favor n-GO-zee, but a native speaker tells us that it is…

Baraka

Kiswahili

"blessings"

Its resonant rhythm and positive connotations have led to some popularity with African-American parents, though it tends to have a masculine feel, particularly considering the rise of a certain…

Effia

Akan

"born on Friday"

One of the many gorgeous names originally used for children born on a specific day of the week, popular in West African culture. Effia is Akan in origin — the Akan people originate in southern Ghana…

Moya

Irish variation of Máire or Mary, Spanish place name, Zulu, Sotho, Lala

"beloved, bitter; estate of Modius, estate of measure; spirit, wind"

A multicultural choice with a distinctive sound, Moya may appeal as a unique alternative to Maia/Maya or Mia. Given to a handful of girls each year in the US, it is more commonly heard in the UK or…

Baxsan

Somali

"escape"

Derived from the Somali baxsasho meaning "escape, elude", this name was notably borne by singer and stage actress Seynab Haji Ali Siigaale, a one of Somali's most popular performers in the 20th…

Kwanza

Swahili

"first fruits"

Kwanza, or Kwanzaa, is best known as a non-religious holiday celebrated by African-Americans for seven days between Christmas and New Years. As a first name for girls, Kwanza is identified with…