African Baby Names

There are 14 African baby names in this collection, including 3 boy names and 9 girl names, each with its meaning, its origin and, where the Social Security Administration publishes one, its rank in the United States. Across African naming traditions a name states something true about the day a child arrived — the circumstances, the hope, the thanks.

14Total Names

3Boy Names

9Girl Names

2Unisex Names

All African Names

Name	Gender	Origin	Meaning
AmaniSwahili	Unisex	Swahili	Peace
AmaraIgbo	Girl	Igbo	Grace, immortal
AmariAfrican-American/Yoruba	Unisex	African-American/Yoruba	Strength
ImaniSwahili	Girl	Swahili	Faith
KasaiAfrican	Boy	African	From the Kasai River
NalaAfrican	Girl	African	Gift, successful
NiaSwahili	Girl	Swahili	Purpose
OmariSwahili	Boy	Swahili	God the highest, flourishing
SiyaXhosa	Girl	Xhosa	We give, we go
XolaniZulu	Girl	Zulu	Peace, forgive
ZaireAfrican	Boy	African	River
ZendayaShona	Girl	Shona	To give thanks
ZolaAfrican	Girl	African	Calm, productive
ZuriSwahili	Girl	Swahili	Beautiful

African Boy Names

3 african boy names with meanings and origins.

KasaiFrom the Kasai RiverAfrican OmariGod the highest, flourishingSwahili ZaireRiverAfrican

African Girl Names

9 african girl names with meanings and origins.

AmaraGrace, immortalIgbo ImaniFaithSwahili NalaGift, successfulAfrican NiaPurposeSwahili SiyaWe give, we goXhosa XolaniPeace, forgiveZulu ZendayaTo give thanksShona ZolaCalm, productiveAfrican

...and 1 more african girl names in the table above.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many African baby names are there?

This collection lists 14 African names, including 3 boy names and 9 girl names. Each one carries its meaning, its origin and, where the Social Security Administration publishes one, its rank in the United States.

What makes a name African?

Across African naming traditions a name states something true about the day a child arrived — the circumstances, the hope, the thanks.

Are African names popular in the United States?

Popularity varies name by name rather than by origin. Every entry here links to its own page, where the US rank, the number of births in the latest year and the peak year are shown when the Social Security Administration publishes them.