African Boy Names
- Amadi
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"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.
- Amadou
Origin:
West AfricanDescription:
A form of Ahmad popular in Western Africa. It ranked in the French Top 500 for much of the 1980s.
- Rudo
Origin:
ShonaMeaning:
"love"Description:
In the Shona language of souther Africa, this simple and wearable boys' name means love.
- Rutendo
Origin:
ShonaMeaning:
"faith"Description:
Rutendo is a unisex name used in southern Africa, particularly Zimbabwe. It is used more often among baby girls.
- Bekele
Origin:
AmharicMeaning:
"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.
- Jatau
Origin:
HausaMeaning:
"light, fair"
- Garian
Origin:
African place-nameDescription:
This town in northern Libya could find a spot on the name map.
- Adebayo
Origin:
YorubaMeaning:
"the crown meets joy"
- Unathi
Origin:
XhosaMeaning:
"God is with us"Description:
A unisex Xhosa name used in South Africa.
- Ositadimma
Origin:
IgboMeaning:
"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.
- Djimon
Origin:
African, meaning unknownDescription:
Djimon has become a familiar African name via powerful Benin-born, Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou.
- Lencho
Origin:
OromoMeaning:
"lion"Description:
Fierce choice from the Oromo culture of Ethiopia.
- Lekan
Origin:
YorubaMeaning:
"my wealth has increased"Description:
Variation of Olamilekan
- Okonkwo
Origin:
IgboMeaning:
"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.
- Chibuike
Origin:
IgboMeaning:
"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.
- Thabo
Origin:
TswanaMeaning:
"joy"
- Selam
Origin:
AmharicMeaning:
"peace"Description:
A unisex name with a lovely serene meaning in the Ambaric language of Ethiopia.