International Baby Names · Boy Names Lists
African Boy Names
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About this list
African boy names represent the many languages and cultures from around the continent. Americans may be familiar with African names such as Chidi, Kamau, Neo, Kehinde, and Nnamdi through pop culture references. Barack, a Swahili name, is the widest known, as the name of 44th President Barack Obama.
Amari is currently the most popular African boy name in the United States. Along with Amari, other African boy names in the US Top 1000 are Omari, Ayan, Dakari, Khari, and Zaire. Rare African boy names worth considering include Idir, Odion, Zenebe, and Uzochi.
African baby names for boys are historic choices that honor heritage. The possibilities are diverse and varied from the range of African countries and cultures.
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The names
Amari
Hebrew, Sanskrit, Latin, Yoruba
"eternal, goddess, loved, strength"
Amari is a name that's rising in popularity for both boys and girls in the US, used last year for about 2000 baby boys and 1000 baby girls. It's among the Top 20 gender neutral names. The range of…
Zaire
Place name, Congo
"the river that swallows all rivers"
Zaire was a Central African state from 1971 to 1997 that has recently risen up the charts as a boys name. Deriving from a Congo term meaning "the river that swallows all rivers", it makes a bold and…
Omari
Swahili, Arabic
"populous, flourishing"
This name, like Omar and Amari, has been in the US Top 1000 for many years. After taking a downturn in 2008, it's now again on the upswing. Actor Omari Hardwick keeps it in the public eye. As a name,…
Ayan
Somali
"fortune"
The African name Ayan was first seen on the US Top 1000 for boys in 2014. It's both simple and distinctive, a winning combination.
Dakari
African
"rejoice"
This name from the Shona language is a new entrant to the Top 1000 in the US.
Amadou
West African
A form of Ahmad popular in Western Africa. It ranked in the French Top 500 for much of the 1980s.
Amadi
African
"free man"
This name from the Igbo language of Africa, which feels like the more-familiar Arabic Ahmad, might be an original and attractive choice.
Ajani
Nigerian, Yoruban
"the victor"
An easily assimilated African name, a novel twist on Johnny.
Anan
Hebrew, Akan
"cloud; fourth-born child"
Little-known name from the Old Testament.
Chibuike
Igbo
"God is strength"
In Nigeria, Chibuike is seen as a surname as well as a given name for both girls and boys. John Chibuike is a notable Nigerian footballer.
Akello
Ugandan
"I have brought forth"
Energetic but mellow.
Ayo
Yoruba
"joy"
This charming West African mini name fits in with the other similarly short names that are all the rage right now. Actress Ayo Edebiri is the star of TV's The Bear .
Ayu
African, Yoruban
"joy"
Rhythmic and unusual.
Azizi
Swahili
"precious treasure"
Two z's equal double pizzazz.
Bekele
Amharic
"growing"
Bekele is an attractive Ethiopian name prime for use in the English-speaking world, especially given the short form Bek. Pronunciation is three syllables with the emphasis on the second --…
Johari
Arabic, Swahili, Indonesian, Persian
"jewel"
Johari is derived from the Arabic word jawhar , which evolved from the Persian word gouhar , both referring to gemstones. With its glitzy meaning and on-trend sounds, Johari has been quietly on the…
Bayo
African, Nigerian, Yoruba
"the crown meets joy"
Short form of Adebayo
Chi
Igbo
"spiritual being"
Christian Igbo people use Chi as the name for their god.
Barack
Hebrew; also Swahili from Arabic
"thunderbolt, lightning; or blessing"
The name of the 44th president, which he inherited from his Kenyan father, is related to the Swahili word "baraka," meaning "blessing," derived from the Arabic "baracka." It is linked, through the…
Tola
Hebrew or Yoruba
"scarlet red or wealth"
The Biblical Tola was a long-ruling judge of Israel renowned for his wisdom and fairness, definitely a positive association.