African Names that Start With N

  1. Nala
    • Origin:

      African, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      A Disney name—Nala was the friend who became the wife of Simba, hero of The Lion King. It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2015.
  2. Nya
    • Origin:

      Swahili, Basque, "tenacity, purpose, aim; sea fam, wave"
    • Meaning:

      "tenacity, purpose, aim; sea fam, wave"
    • Description:

      A relatively new name on the scene, increasing in popularity since 1999. It is likely a variation of Nia, a Swahili name based on the Arabic Niya meaning "tenacity, purpose, determination". Alternatively it may be based on Naia, a Basque name meaning "sea foam, wave" or it may simply be a modern creation, influenced by the popularity of Mia, Mya, Kaia, and similar.
  3. Neela
    • Origin:

      Hindi, Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "sapphire blue"
    • Description:

      A variation of Nila, a name spread through African by the substantial Indian population there. Also a variant of Neala and Neila.
  4. Nyala
    • Origin:

      African, Ethiopian
    • Meaning:

      "mountain goat"
    • Description:

      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 Chinese Year of the Goat -- though the last one was 2015 and we won't have another until 2027. Although the nee beginning is most frequently cited as the correct pronunciation, the name can -- and often will -- be pronounced with the first syllable rhyming with my and sigh.
  5. Nairobi
    • Origin:

      African place-name, Maasi
    • Meaning:

      "cold water"
    • Description:

      Kenya is fairly commonly heard as a girl's name, but its capital city makes a much more exceptional choice. The name comes from the Maasai phrase "Enkare Nairobi," which translates to "cold water." Nairobi is popularly known as the Green City.
  6. Ngozi
    • Origin:

      African, Nigerian-Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "blessing"
    • Description:

      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 closer to n-GAW-zee, and we've found at least one n-GAH-zee, too.
  7. Nemy
    • Origin:

      Mende
    • Meaning:

      "sweet"
    • Description:

      Friendly and energetic name from the Mende language of West Africa.
  8. Nairobi
    • Origin:

      African place name
    • Description:

      The capital of Kenya makes a melodic and worldly name.
  9. Nilla
    • Origin:

      African
    • Meaning:

      "glorious"
    • Description:

      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.
  10. Nayo
    • Origin:

      African Nigerian
    • Meaning:

      "she is our joy"
    • Description:

      A bit masculine in feel.
  11. Nzingha
    • Origin:

      African, Matamba
    • Description:

      The name of a great seventeenth century African warrior queen, known for her brilliance as an administrator and organizer, and unstinting commitment to peace.