African baby names

Baby-naming trends vary greatly across Africa, as about 2,000 languages are spoken throughout 53 countries. Naming conventions are generally localised according to the community dialect.

Narrative names

Throughout parts of Central and Southern Africa, babies are often named according to particular events or circumstances surrounding their birth. For example, Swahili boys' name Badru means "born at full moon", and Rwandan girls' name Mukantagara means "born during a time of war".

Where the baby was born also helps parents choose a name: Ugandan boys' name Nangila means "born on a journey", and Nigerian Yoruba name Oni means "born in a sacred abode".

Days of the week are popular, too: boys' names Kofi (from Ghana) and Danjuma (from Nigeria), both mean "born on a Friday", and some babies are named simply "Sunday" or "Tuesday", or whichever day of the week they were born.

Popular politicians

In some African countries, parents like naming their babies after politicians and people featured in the news, in the hope that their children will be as successful as their namesakes. In Kenya, many parents have named their sons after half-Kenyan US President Barack Obama. Indeed, one mum named her twins after Barack and his opponent Mitt Romney in the presidential election.

Other famous political figures are also popular throughout Africa: former South African president Nelson Mandela and his wife Graça Machel, former-UN chief Kofi Anan, US senator Hillary Clinton, Ghanan former-leader Kwame Nkrumah, and South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko.

Names from the North

In many North African countries, such as Egypt, Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia, the main religion is Islam, so many babies are given Muslim names. In Tunisia, a popular name for a boy is Youssef, a Muslim prophet, and a common girls' name is Mariam, mother of the prophet Isa.

Some popular African names

Country	Girls' names	Boys' names
Botswana	Dikeledi ("tears") Goitsemedi ("the lord knows") Kagiso ("peace")	Tau ("lion") Letsego ("armament") Fenyang ("victory")
Egypt	Isis ("supreme goddess of the stars") Nailah ("successful") Kanika ("black")	Upton ("high village") Maahes ("lion") Kafele ("would die for")
Eritrea	Aatifa ("affection") Zula ("brilliant") Azzeza ("respected")	Iggi ("only son") Nasih ("advisor") Fethawi ("justice")
Ethiopia	Ayana ("beautiful flower") Aamina ("safe") Gabra ("gift of offering")	Amare ("handsome") Berhanu ("light") Dawit ("beloved")
Kenya	Imani ("faith") Numa ("beautiful") Maluum ("special")	Aban ("clear") Aasir ("captivating") Zarif ("elegant")
South Africa	Puleng ("put in rain") Lefu ("sickness") Naledi ("star")	Mamello ("patience") Tumelo ("belief") Uuka ("arise")
Tanzania	Aailyah ("of the highest") Abla ("with a full figure") Khadijah ("born prematurely")	Abasi ("stern") Hamisi ("born on Thursday") Darweshi ("holy")
Uganda	Acanit ("hard times") Kaikara ("traditional name of God") Achen ("twin")	Dembe ("peace") Ochen ("one of twins") Nasiche ("born during the locust season")

Still stuck for a baby name? Use our Baby name finder for some inspiration.