International Baby Names · Boy Names Lists
African Boy Names
Across 6 pages
of 6
Jengo
African, Swahili
"building"
Jengo is pronounced like Django, best known to Americans as the first name of the hero of Quentin Tarantino's film Django Unchained.
Kabelo
African and Sotho
"given"
A cool and charismatic Sotho name with a great meaning.
Kamau
Kikuyu
"quiet warrior"
Kamau is from the Kikuyu language native to Kenya. It is recognizable as the middle name of comedian W. Kamau Bell.
Kato
African, Uganda
"second of twins"
Kato gained a lot of attention during the O. J. Simpson trial via witness Kato Kaelin (born Brian). It is also the name of a fictional character in "The Green Hornet." Spelled Cato, it has a lot more…
Kayin
Yoruba
"celebrated child"
Eminently usable Nigerian name that works for both sexes.
Kehinde
Yoruba
"second-born of twins or one who falls behind"
This African name, which derives from the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria, is used for both girls and boys -- but in the US, its most notable bearer is (male) artist Kehinde Wiley. Wiley, who paints brown-…
Khamisi
Swahili
"born on Thursday"
In many African cultures, it is traditional to name children based on the day of the week they were born. For the Swahili people of eastern Africa, Khamisi is used for boys born on Thursday.
Khari
West African
"kingly"
Though used quite often for babies of both sexes, Khari, meaning "kingly," was traditionally a boys' name. Musical couple Fetty Wop and Masika Kalysha, however, named their daughter Khari.
Kofi
Ghanaian, Akan, Twi
"born on Friday"
This Akan day name is very much associated with Kofi Annan, the seventh secretary general of the United Nations. The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the…
Kojo
Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Monday"
The Ashantis of Ghana traditionally use this animated name for boys born on Monday. The girls' equivalent is Adwoa, pronounced ahj-wa.
Kwaku
Ghanaian, Akan, Twi
"Born on a Wednesday"
The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. Most Ghanaians have a name using this…
Kwame
Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Saturday"
The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. Most Ghanaians have a name using this…
Lekan
Yoruba
"my wealth has increased"
Variation of Olamilekan
Lencho
Oromo
"lion"
Fierce choice from the Oromo culture of Ethiopia.
Limbani
Chewa
"be strong"
This strong (literally) African name comes from the Chewa language of southern Africa.
Lishan
Amharic
"award"
A winning choice for a son.
Mandela
African surname
An African family name ripe for adoption in honor of Nelson Mandela, the South African activist imprisoned for almost thirty years for his antiapartheid activities.
Masozi
Tumbuka
"tears"
A sonorous, if mournful, name from the Tumbuka language of Malawi and Zambia.
Massai
African tribe; also Italian
"owner of land and farms"
Unusual name chosen for her son by actress Nia Long, who combined it with the even more unusual literary middle name, Zhivago.
Mosi
Swahili
"first born child"
Traditional Swahili choice for the eldest child.