African Names for Girls

Affectionate sounding name that could have birth-order meaning.

Might frequently be understood as "pilly." Can also be a short form of Pilar -- though the long form is better.

A lively name often used to honor a deceased grandmother in Yoruba culture.

The three soft a's make for a calm and rhythmic name, though some risk of salami jokes.

This name of Angola's capital city has occasionally been used for baby girls.

Kadida is an Anglicized form of the Arabic name Khadija, wife of the Muslim prophet Muhammad.

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).

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.

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.

Unlikely to take over Kenya's spot as the dominant African place-name.