African Names that Start With N

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."…

Nayo

African Nigerian

"she is our joy"

A bit masculine in feel.

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.

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…

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".…

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…

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.

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.