International Baby Names · Boy Names Lists
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
"love"
A common unisex name used frequently in South Africa.
"trust, hope"
Themba is a common male name in southern African countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini.
Igbo
"peace"
Udo is the Igbo word for peace, and, in Nigeria, is a name usually reserved for men. Related names include Akudo, Udoka and Udo-Amaka.
Ibibio
"will, desire"
Uduak is a name from the Ibibio language, native to Southern Nigeria.
Xhosa
"God is with us"
A unisex Xhosa name used in South Africa.
"God's way"
We're always looking for cool new U names (it's the least common initial for first names!) and Uzochi is our latest favorite find. It's an Igbo name derived from the components uzo , meaning "road"…
Ewe
"born on Thursday"
Among the Ewe people of Ghana and Togo, Yao is the name for babies born on Thursday.
Amharic
"raining"
Zenebe is an appealing name well-used in Ethiopia but rarely heard outside its native land. But it translates easily into English and Zen makes for a cool and attractive nickname. A winning choice…
Luganda
"older of twins"
Unusual and attractive name, might be worth considering if you're expecting twins.
Swahili
"strong"
Zuberi has separate origins as a Swahili given name meaning "strong," and an Arabic surname — primarily among Sunni Muslims in Pakistan — meaning "superior."
Amharic form of Theodore
"gift of God"
A form of the classic Theodore, most often used in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Tewodros is an alternative spelling. Notable bearers include director-general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom…
Short form of Ositadimma, Igbo
"if it starts to get better today it started early"
Derived from the Igbo name Ositadimma, Osita comes from the longer phrase Osi-ta-dị-mma-ọdịbalụ-gboo meaning "if it starts to get better today it started early". A powerful meaning with a simple…
Ositadimma comes from longer Igbo phrase Osi-ta-dị-mma-ọdịbalụ-gboo meaning "if it starts to get better today it started early", though it is sometimes interpreted as "may all be well from now". A…
Southern African, English
"loving and kind person"
Used as a surname and as a first name, Lovemore is predominantly given to boys in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana. It is a virtue name with spiritual undertones, and may be used alongside names…
"gift"
Also spelled as Nunamé, Nuname is a name used by the Ewe tribe of West Africa. Derived from the word nunana meaning "gift", it is a pleasant sounding choice. Nunana is the used as a feminine form.
Mandinka/Malinke, West African
"Sogolon's lion, lion king, lion prince"
A grand, bright, and powerful feeling name, Sundiata was notably borne by Sundiata Keita, the 13th century founder and prince of the Mali Empire in Western Africa. He is remembered and celebrated in…
Variation of Sundiata, Mandinka/Malinke, West African
An alternative form of the bright, leonine name Sundiata, Sundjata is associated with Sundiata Keita, the 13th century founder and prince of the Mali Empire in Western Africa. He is remembered and…
"born on Nkwo day"
Given to boys born on the last of the four Igbo market days ( Nkwo Things Fall Apart , in which Okonkwo is a famous wrestling champion and feared warrior, who opposes the Christian missionaries and…
"may my strength not be in vain, let my strength not be wasted"
Predominantly used in Nigeria, Ikemefuna is a name of Igbo origin, with a hopeful and determined meaning. It appears in Chinua Achebe's classic novel, Things Fall Apart , borne by an ill-fated boy…
Western African, Akan, Ewe
"born on Tuesday"
Predominantly used in Ghana and the Togolese Republic, Komla is a handsome and friendly sounding name from the Ewe language. Given to boys born on Tuesdays, it was been notably borne by Komla Dumor,…
