Are you looking for a first name for a little girl or a little boy from Africa? Rare, old, in Swahili… Here is the guide to the most beautiful African names, female and male!
What you were looking for an African first name for a girl or for a boy, You’re at the right address ! Over the 54 countries and cultures of Africa, the more than 2000 languages spoken on the continent, and the many legends, tales, deities… There are many choices of names for a baby boy or a little girl, inspired by Africa.
List of female African names
In Africa, first names for little girls are very varied, there are short ones like Amy, Awa, Oumou, Fatou, Aida, Aisha, Nene, Akem… But also long ones that refer to history, like Mariama, Kadiatou, Aminata, Ramatoulaye, Dieynaba. All of them are endowed with important meanings, like Amanda which means “power”, Ayoka “which produces joy around her”, Afiya “richness”, Busara “wisdom, prudence”, Charminique “that which is born of love”.
Which male African first names to choose?
THE african names for boys are very numerous, and vary according to the countries of the continent. Among the most beautiful, we can note Mody which means “one who comes from two worlds”, Abena, “obtained through prayer” or even addiahthe gift of God. Hidi, Daktari, Bakari, Tidiane are other very pretty African male names. Of Senegalese origin, there are first names Moussa, Ousmane, Ibrahima, Moustapha or The mine which are very well known and popular.
Ideas for little-worn African first names
There are relatively rare African first names, such as Ziza, Ndenze, Nalin, Masmili or even Fousseni for the girls. In the list of female first names of African origin, still little worn in France, we also note Djenin, Akusua or Mamoussa. Keya, Janila, Ayanna, Manila are rare African feminine first names. Dawit Enaam, Essien, Etemaad, and Dada are other rare first names, but for boys this time. There is also Camar, Daquan which refers to hope, Themba or Gawadır which means “precious jewel”.
List of old African first names
In the list of old and retro African names, we find first names for boys that evoke history.
- As Khphrenwhich means “god manifests” in ancient Egypt.
- Imhotepwhich is the one who comes in peace, is also an old name,
- Shen returns to eternity
- Ahmes and Khepry (“god reveals himself)
- Souleymane
- Ibrahim
- Mohammad, referring to the prophet.
For girls, we can note Kaneferwhich means “beautiful is her soul”, Isis, which refers to the “black woman” and the wife of Osiris, or mariamawhich refers to Marriedmother of Jesus. Aisha is also one of the old feminine first names of African origin.
What French-speaking African name to give to your baby?
In the list of French-speaking African first names, we find classics from countries where French is one of the national languages, as is the case in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. In fact, for boys, there are Malik, Caleb, Mbaye, Moustapha, Moussa, Babacar, Ousmane, Oumar, or even Lamine.
For the girls, we find the first names Fatou, Aminata, Khady, Aissatou, Amy, Aida, Oumou, Ayélé, Inaya, Anne, Djoëlle, Gloria, or even Laura.
What are the African names inspired by Christian culture?
In African Christian culture, we find the great biblical classics that are Joseph, Paul, John, Abel, Eden, James, Aaron, Adam for the boys. And also on the girls’ side: Marie is a first name often attributed, like Myriam, Oprah, Eve, Anne,…
Ideas for African names in Swahili
In the Swahili language, there are many choices for boys: like Zakiawhich refers to intelligence, Zuri which embodies beauty or Akil, which is the symbol of reason! To name a baby boy in Swahili, you also have Tendajiwhich refers to the fact that your child will do great things with his life, Amani, AmaziaChandu…
For girls, the options in Swahili are no less! There is for example Malaika, which means “Angel” in Swahili, or Nihsah for “black princess”. Aisha means “the one who is alive” and Jalia, “to honour”. There is also Asso, Astou, Meyya, Coumba.