African Boy Names

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

A form of Ahmad popular in Western Africa. It ranked in the French Top 500 for much of the 1980s.

In the Shona language of souther Africa, this simple and wearable boys' name means love.

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

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 town in northern Libya could find a spot on the name map.

A unisex Xhosa name used in South Africa.

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.

Djimon has become a familiar African name via powerful Benin-born, Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou.

Fierce choice from the Oromo culture of Ethiopia.

Variation of Olamilekan

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.

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.

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