African Names that Start With O

  1. Obi
    • Origin:

      Short form of Obadiah or African, Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "heart"
    • Description:

      Strongly linked in the US to the complex "Star Wars" character, Obi Wan Kenobi, but also popular in Nigeria as a short form of names containing the element Obi "heart".
  2. Oluchi
    • Origin:

      Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "work of God"
    • Description:

      Nigerian-born supermodel Oluchi Orlandi brought this little-known (to non-Nigerians), lovely choice into the lexicon.
  3. Odion
    • Origin:

      Esan
    • Meaning:

      "first born of twins"
    • Description:

      Strong name from the Esan language of Nigeria, with a satisfyingly specific meaning for a child's place in the family.
  4. Obama
    • Origin:

      Luo; Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "bending or leaning; little beach"
    • Description:

      The surname of the 44th US President has been been adopted as a first, for girls as well as boys, by admiring parents around the world. And the O beginning even makes it fashionable. Though Barack Obama's name derives from the Luo people of Kenya, Obama is also a Japanese place name and a surname that means "little beach."
  5. Ogun
    • Origin:

      African, Yoruba
    • Meaning:

      "god of war"
    • Description:

      Militaristic.
  6. Odissan
    • Origin:

      African
    • Meaning:

      "thirteenth born son"
    • Description:

      If you choose this name, it's not likely to be for the meaning.

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