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African Names that Start With N

Updated November 2026

Names13

Total Names13

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About this list

There are 13 African names that start with the letter N for boys and girls, including Nala, Nairobi, Nya, Neela, Nyala, Nzingha, Nyeredzi, Nilla, Ncuti, Nayo, Nemy, Ngozi, and Nairobi.

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African Names African Names for Girls African Names for Boys Names That Start With N

The names

Showing 1–13 of 13

Nala
African, meaning unknown
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. Keenen Ivory Wayans used it for his daughter.
Nairobi
African place-name, Maasi
"cold water"
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."…
Nya
Swahili, Basque, "tenacity, purpose, aim; sea fam, wave"
"tenacity, purpose, aim; sea fam, wave"
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".…
Neela
Hindi, Sanskrit
"sapphire blue"
A variation of Nila, a name spread through African by the substantial Indian population there. Also a variant of Neala and Neila.
Nyala
African, Ethiopian
"mountain goat"
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…
Nzingha
African, Matamba
The name of a great seventeenth century African warrior queen, known for her brilliance as an administrator and organizer, and unstinting commitment to peace.
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.
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.
Ncuti
Rwandan
"friend"
Actor Ncuti Gatwa brought this Rwandan name into the spotlight following his appearance n the show Sex Education and then again when he starred as the Fifteenth Doctor in Dr Who . Derived from the…
Nayo
African Nigerian
"she is our joy"
A bit masculine in feel.
Nemy
Mende
"sweet"
Friendly and energetic name from the Mende language of West Africa.
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…
Nairobi
African place name
The capital of Kenya makes a melodic and worldly name.

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