African Boy Names

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" or "way," and Chi, referring to God. Uzochi is most frequently used in Nigeria.

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.

Fierce choice from the Oromo culture of Ethiopia.

A name that originated in Rwanda, rhythmically evocative.

Common in Nigeria, Chima is used as both a full name and a nickname for names beginning with Chima-.

Upbeat name for a son with a hopeful future.

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 -- beh-KEH-lee.

This strong (literally) African name comes from the Chewa language of southern Africa.

A traditional name in southern Nigeria.

A winning choice for a son.

A sonorous, if mournful, name from the Tumbuka language of Malawi and Zambia.

A unisex name with a lovely serene meaning in the Ambaric language of Ethiopia.

Jengo is pronounced like Django, best known to Americans as the first name of the hero of Quentin Tarantino's film Django Unchained.

A unisex Xhosa name used in South Africa.

Rutendo is a unisex name used in southern Africa, particularly Zimbabwe. It is used more often among baby girls.

Variation of Alexander.