International Baby Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 8 pages
of 8
Xhosa, South African
"peace"
Notably used in South Africa, Noxolo likely derives from Xhosa, combining uxolo meaning "peace, pardon, happiness" with the feminine prefix no- . Distinctive in look, spiky yet mellow in sound and…
Zulu, Xhosa
"bring joy"
A rare and beautiful name that could easily cross cultures.
African, Swahili
"evasion"
Kuchena is an African name rarely used in English-speaking countries. Kuchenga Shenjé is an Afro-British journalist and author of The Library Thief .
Yoruba, Nigerian
"we prayed for her and she arrived"
Perhaps the most perfect name for a long-awaited daughter.
"second child after twins"
A striking option among African girl names, reminiscent of the up-and-coming name Alaia.
Akan, Ewe
"born on Saturday"
Ameyo is a common name in West Africa, where it is traditional to give a child a name that reflects their time of birth. Ameyo means "born on Saturday" and is derived from the word mene . Kwame is…
Yoruba
"my people have arrived"
Aramide is a rare name in the US but better-known in Nigeria, where it's a choice from the Yoruba language.
"joy"
This charming West African mini name fits in with the other similarly short names that are all the rage right now. Ayo is enjoying new visibility thanks to actress Ayo Edebiri, star of TV's The Bear .
African, Nigerian, Yoruba
"the crown meets joy"
Short form of Adebayo
Afrikaans version of Beate or Beata
"blessed"
Namibian supermodel Behati Prinsloo, who has walked the runway for every designer from Prada to Versace to Vera Wang, has introduced us to this Afrikaans version of Beata and relative of Beatrice.…
"born into chieftancy, born into title"
A bouncy Yoruba name used primarily in Nigeria, Bisoye is a variant of the more common Abisoye and lends easily to the cute nickname Bee.
Amharic
An Ethiopian name that means "joy."
African
"mercy, kindness"
Igbo name made more familiar by its relationship to the popular Belle and Bella.
Urhobo
"here is my wealth"
A unisex name used among the Urhobo people of Southern Nigeria.
Akan
"born on Friday"
The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. Most Ghanaians have a name using this…
African, Akan
"fifth born child"
Even if you're not planning on having five kids, Enu makes a cute name for a son or daughter.
"life"
A variant of Asha, which is related to the classic Arabic name Aisha, yet another way to say life. Other on-the-rise names with this uplifting meaning: Zoe and Vivian varieties such as Viviana,…
Shona
"rejoice"
A bright, joyful and unisex name of Shona origin, also used as the name of a fashion brand.
Yoruba, "lucky, good fortune, blessed"
"lucky, good fortune, blessed"
A beautiful Yoruban name associated with honor and good fortune. Both fy-o-la and fay-OH-luh are used as pronunciations. Instagrammer Fayola Leo and musician Sri Fayola are notable bearers.
Bantu, Zulu, Xhosa
"has made people envious, but they won't get it"
Intriguing and rare South African name.
