International Baby Names · Boy Names Lists
African Boy Names
Across 6 pages
of 6
Chima
Igbo
"God knows"
Common in Nigeria, Chima is used as both a full name and a nickname for names beginning with Chima-.
Congo
Place-name
"gather"
Not long ago, the name of this central African republic was firmly in place-name territory and not seen as baby appropriate. But those boundaries are moving so quickly that all kinds of place-names…
Bayo
African, Nigerian, Yoruba
"the crown meets joy"
Short form of Adebayo
Garian
African place-name
This town in northern Libya could find a spot on the name map.
Dumi
African
"praise"
Short form of Dumisani
Ebo
African, Akeradini
"born on Tuesday"
Ebo is a powerful African day name that can be used to fit its definition.
Ejiro
Urhobo
"praise God"
Variation of Ejiroghene
Enitan
Yoruba
"person of story"
Enitan's origins are in the Yoruba language of Southwestern Nigeria. It has a lovely meaning, referring to a person of notoriety.
Eskender
Amharic variation of Alexander
"defending men"
Variation of Alexander.
Farai
Shona
"rejoice"
Deriving from the Shona word fara , meaning "happy", this would be a joyful name for a long-awaited baby.
Gahiji
African
"the hunter"
A name that originated in Rwanda, rhythmically evocative.
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…
Haji
Swahili
"born during the pilgrimage to Mecca"
A name appropriate for boys born during the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca every Muslim is expected to make once in his lifetime.
Ibo
African
"my people"
Ibo is short but striking. Another, unrelated but equally appealing name is Ivo.
Idi
African
"born during the Idd festival"
Adverse associations with the ruthless Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.
Idir
Berber
"alive"
A simple and straightforward choice from northwest Africa.
Ikenna
Igbo
"father's power"
Ikenna's meaning makes it a subtle way to honor a father or grandfather. Ikenna is the name of a popular YouTube star.
Iniko
Nigerian, Igbo
"born in a time of trouble"
This West African name has an upbeat, energetic sound, yet it is traditionally used for a son who was born during troubled times.
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.
Akachi
Igbo
"the hand of God"
A name of Igbo origin with a spiritual meaning, Akachi is unisex though it is used slightly more often on boys in Nigeria.