African Names for Girls
- Kissa
Origin:
African-UgandanMeaning:
"born after twins"Description:
Affectionate sounding name that could have birth-order meaning.
- Pili
Origin:
African, SwahiliMeaning:
"second born"Description:
Might frequently be understood as "pilly." Can also be a short form of Pilar -- though the long form is better.
- Iyabo
Origin:
African, YorubaMeaning:
"mother has returned"Description:
A lively name often used to honor a deceased grandmother in Yoruba culture.
- Salama
Origin:
African, SwahiliMeaning:
"peace, safety, security"Description:
The three soft a's make for a calm and rhythmic name, though some risk of salami jokes.
- Luanda
Origin:
African place-nameDescription:
This name of Angola's capital city has occasionally been used for baby girls.
- Kadida
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"premature child"Description:
Kadida is an Anglicized form of the Arabic name Khadija, wife of the Muslim prophet Muhammad.
- Yaba
Origin:
TwiMeaning:
"Born on a Thursday"Description:
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 Ghanans have a name using this system (think Kofi Annan, whose name means born on a Friday).
- Kehinde
Origin:
YorubaMeaning:
"second-born of twins or one who falls behind"Description:
Although the best-known Kehinde is the male painter Kehinde Wiley, this name is used for both genders in its native Nigeria and can be just as attractive for a girl.
- Amadi
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"free man"Description:
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.
- Senegal
Origin:
African place-nameDescription:
Unlikely to take over Kenya's spot as the dominant African place-name.