African Boy Names

  1. Amadi
    • Origin:

      African
    • Meaning:

      "free man"
    • Description:

      This name from the Igbo language of Africa, which feels like the more-familiar Arabic Ahmad, might be an original and attractive choice.
  2. Amadou
    • Origin:

      West African
    • Description:

      A form of Ahmad popular in Western Africa. It ranked in the French Top 500 for much of the 1980s.
  3. Rudo
    • Origin:

      Shona
    • Meaning:

      "love"
    • Description:

      In the Shona language of souther Africa, this simple and wearable boys' name means love.
  4. Rutendo
    • Origin:

      Shona
    • Meaning:

      "faith"
    • Description:

      Rutendo is a unisex name used in southern Africa, particularly Zimbabwe. It is used more often among baby girls.
  5. Bekele
    • Origin:

      Amharic
    • Meaning:

      "growing"
    • Description:

      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.
  6. Jatau
    • Origin:

      Hausa
    • Meaning:

      "light, fair"
  7. Garian
    • Origin:

      African place-name
    • Description:

      This town in northern Libya could find a spot on the name map.
  8. Adebayo
    • Origin:

      Yoruba
    • Meaning:

      "the crown meets joy"
  9. Unathi
    • Origin:

      Xhosa
    • Meaning:

      "God is with us"
    • Description:

      A unisex Xhosa name used in South Africa.
  10. Ositadimma
    • Origin:

      Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "if it starts to get better today it started early"
    • Description:

      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 powerful and familiar name in Nigeria, it is borne by footballer Ositadimma "Osi" Umenyiora.
  11. Djimon
    • Origin:

      African, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      Djimon has become a familiar African name via powerful Benin-born, Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou.
  12. Lencho
    • Origin:

      Oromo
    • Meaning:

      "lion"
    • Description:

      Fierce choice from the Oromo culture of Ethiopia.
  13. Lekan
    • Origin:

      Yoruba
    • Meaning:

      "my wealth has increased"
    • Description:

      Variation of Olamilekan
  14. Okonkwo
    • Origin:

      Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "born on Nkwo day"
    • Description:

      Given to boys born on the last of the four Igbo market days (NkwoThings Fall Apart, in which Okonkwo is a famous wrestling champion and feared warrior, who opposes the Christian missionaries and colonialists when they come to his village.
  15. Chibuike
    • Origin:

      Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "God is strength"
    • Description:

      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.
  16. Thabo
    • Origin:

      Tswana
    • Meaning:

      "joy"
  17. Selam
    • Origin:

      Amharic
    • Meaning:

      "peace"
    • Description:

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