Have you ever felt that sense of intimacy and connection when holding an old object that once belonged to a close relative? That feeling of closeness and resonance with your past?
Well, if you come from a proud African family and wish to honor your ancestry, giving your girl an African name would be akin to clutching the soil from the very same place where your ancestors lived.
You see, African baby names are more than monikers: they are stories waiting to be passed down to the new generations. They are the amulets of your predecessors, the tokens of your homeland that will bless your female child's life!
They are more than that: legendary and adored, they are internal constants to help your girl find her place in the world and embrace the meaning of her past.
Serving as intriguing images of African history, our phantasmagoria of the top 180 African baby girl names and their meanings is a captivating safari through the African savanna - and as unique as the golden sunsets in Serengeti!
In this article:
As ancient as Kilimanjaro, here are the top 180 African baby girl names and their meanings:
Top 180 African names for girls:
Abebe (Amharic, Ethiopia) - Asked for or He has blossomed
Abena (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Tuesday
Adeola (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Crown brings happiness or The crown brings wealth/honor
Adhiambo (Luo, Kenya) - Born after sunset
Afolabi (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Born into wealth
Aisha (Arabic, North Africa) - Alive, living
Almasi (Swahili, East Africa) - Diamond
Amara (Igbo, Nigeria) - Grace or kindness
Bhekizizwe (Zulu, South Africa) - Look after the nations
Binta (Fula, West Africa) - With God
Boipelo (Tswana, Botswana) - Proud
Bolanle (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Finds wealth at home
Bongani (Zulu, South Africa) - Be grateful
Busisiwe (Zulu, South Africa) - Blessed
Chebet (Kalenjin, Kenya) - Born during the day
Chiamaka (Igbo, Nigeria) - God is beautiful
Chidochashe (Shona, Zimbabwe) - God's will
Chidubem (Igbo, Nigeria) - God is my guide
Chijioke (Igbo, Nigeria) - God's portion is the best
Chike (Igbo, Nigeria) - God's power
Chikumbutso (Chewa, Malawi) - Remembrance
Chipo (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Gift
Dakarai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Rejoice
Dalia (Arabic, North Africa) - Grapevine
Dalili (Swahili, East Africa) - Sign or omen
Dalmar (Somali, Somalia) - Versatile
Daudi (Swahili, East Africa) - Beloved
Deren (Kikuyu, Kenya) - Bird
Dikeledi (Tswana, Botswana) - Tears
Dumisani (Zulu, South Africa) - Give praise
Ebele (Igbo, Nigeria) - Mercy, kindness
Efia (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Friday
Efua (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Friday
Ekon (Ibibio, Nigeria) - Strong
Elima (Lingala, Congo) - First-born
Eshe (Swahili, East Africa) - Life
Esosa (Bini/Edo, Nigeria) - God's gift
Farai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Be happy
Femi (Yoruba, Nigeria) - God loves me
Feyisa (Oromo, Ethiopia) - Freedom
Fola (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Honor
Folake (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Taken care of by God
Folami (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Honor me
Fungai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Think or ponder
Furaha (Swahili, East Africa) - Joy, happiness
Gadifele (Tswana, Botswana) - Without any blemish
Gakuru (Kikuyu, Kenya) - Eldest
Gbemisola (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Carry me into wealth
Gcobani (Xhosa, South Africa) - Be joyful
Gobez (Amharic, Ethiopia) - Brave, valiant
Goitsemang (Tswana, Botswana) - Who knows?
Gontse (Tswana, Botswana) - Joy
Gugulethu (Zulu, South Africa) - Our treasure
Habibah (Arabic, North Africa) - Beloved
Hadiya (Amharic, Ethiopia) - Gift
Halima (Arabic, North Africa) - Gentle, forbearing
Hasani (Swahili, East Africa) - Handsome
Hassan (Arabic, North Africa) - Handsome, good
Hawa (Swahili, East Africa) - Desire, wish
Hiwot (Amharic, Ethiopia) - Life
Hlengiwe (Zulu, South Africa) - Rescued
Idris (Arabic, North Africa) - Studious, eager
Ife (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Love
Ijeoma (Igbo, Nigeria) - Safe journey
Iniko (Ibibio, Nigeria) - Trouble birth
Isoke (Ibibio, Nigeria) - Satisfying look/view
Iyapo (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Numerous pleasant times
Jabali (Swahili, East Africa) - Rock
Jabari (Swahili, East Africa) - Brave
Jaha (Wolof, Senegal) - Dignity
Jalil (Arabic, North Africa) - Revered
Jamila (Swahili, East Africa) - Beautiful
Jengo (Swahili, East Africa) - Building
Kamaria (Swahili, East Africa) - Moonlight
Karama (Arabic, North Africa) - Dignity, respect
Kgosi (Tswana, Botswana) - King or chief
Khadija (Arabic, North Africa) - Premature child
Kito (Swahili, East Africa) - Jewel
Kofi (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Friday
Kwabena (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Tuesday
Kwame (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Saturday
Lakisha (Swahili, East Africa) - The favored one
Langa (Zulu, South Africa) - Sun
Lerato (Sotho, Lesotho/South Africa) - Love
Leruo (Tswana, Botswana) - Wealth
Lethabo (Sotho, Lesotho/South Africa) - Joy
Letoya (Sotho, Lesotho/South Africa) - Happiness
Lindiwe (Zulu, South Africa) - Waited for
Lungi (Zulu, South Africa) - With me
Makena (Kikuyu, Kenya) - The happy one
Masego (Tswana, Botswana) - Blessings
Mbabazi (Runyankole, Uganda) - Grace
Mbali (Zulu, South Africa) - Flower
Mosi (Swahili, East Africa) - First-born
Mpho (Tswana, Botswana) - Gift
Mwanajuma (Swahili, East Africa) - Born on Friday
Naledi (Sotho, Lesotho/South Africa) - Star
Ndidi (Igbo, Nigeria) - Patience
Nia (Swahili, East Africa) - Purpose or will
Nkiruka (Igbo, Nigeria) - The future is great
Nthanda (Tumbuka, Malawi) - Star
Nuru (Swahili, East Africa) - Light
Nyasha (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Mercy or grace
Okechukwu (Igbo, Nigeria) - God's gift
Ola (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Wealth
Oluchi (Igbo, Nigeria) - God's work
Olufemi (Yoruba, Nigeria) - God loves me
Oluwa (Yoruba, Nigeria) - God
Omotola (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Child is as valuable as wealth
Oni (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Born on holy ground
Onyeka (Igbo, Nigeria) - Who is the greatest
Paki (Swahili, East Africa) - Witness
Paridhi (Swahili, East Africa) - Realm
Pelonomi (Tswana, Botswana) - I am thankful
Penda (Swahili, East Africa) - Love
Pendo (Swahili, East Africa) - A gender-neutral name, that means Love
Pheko (Sotho, Lesotho/South Africa) - Reflection
Pumla (Xhosa, South Africa) - Rest or relaxation
Qhamani (Xhosa, South Africa) - Shine
Qhawe (Zulu, South Africa) - Hero
Qondile (Zulu, South Africa) - Acceptance
Qondiswa (Xhosa, South Africa) - To be sanctified
Quanza (Kikongo, Angola) - The beginning
Qwara (Amharic, Ethiopia) - Traditional Ethiopian title
Rafaela (Amharic, Ethiopia) - Healed by God
Rafiki (Swahili, East Africa) - Friend
Ratidzo (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Light
Rehema (Swahili, East Africa) - Compassionate, merciful
Rethabile (Sotho, Lesotho/South Africa) - We are happy
Rudo (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Love
Salim (Arabic, North Africa) - Safe, sound
Sanaa (Swahili, East Africa) - Work of art, beauty
Sefu (Swahili, East Africa) - Sword
Sekai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Be humorous
Sibusiso (Zulu, South Africa) - Blessing
Simisola (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Rest in wealth
Siti (Swahili, East Africa) - Lady
Tandie (Ndebele, Zimbabwe) - Fire
Tapiwa (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Given
Tatenda (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Thank you
Tau (Tswana, Botswana) - Lion
Tendai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Be thankful
Thabo (Tswana, Botswana/South Africa) - Joy
Thandeka (Zulu, South Africa) - Beloved
Themba (Zulu, South Africa) - Trust or hope
Uchechi (Igbo, Nigeria) - God's will
Uchenna (Igbo, Nigeria) - God's idea
Udo (Igbo, Nigeria) - Peace
Umeko (Bemba, Zambia) - Child of the sea
Unathi (Xhosa, South Africa) - God is with us
Uzoma (Igbo, Nigeria) - Good way
Uzuri (Swahili, East Africa) - Beauty
Vimbai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Trust, believe
Vinjelu (Tumbuka, Malawi) - Grace
Vongai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Receive
Vumile (Zulu, South Africa) - Agreement
Vusi (Zulu, South Africa) - To open, to lead
Vusumuzi (Zulu, South Africa) - Rekindle the family
Vuyiswa (Xhosa, South Africa) - To be made happy
Wairimu (Kikuyu, Kenya) - Daughter of Jomo
Wamalwa (Luhya, Kenya) - Born during the brewing season
Wanjira (Kikuyu, Kenya) - Daughter of Jira
Wekesa (Luhya, Kenya) - Born during harvest
Wekoweko (Chaga, Tanzania) - Bustle or hustle
Wezi (Bemba, Zambia) - Dawn
Woineshet (Amharic, Ethiopia) - She is beautiful
Xolani (Zulu, South Africa) - Peace
Yaa (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Thursday
Yakini (Hausa, Nigeria) - Truthful
Yamikani (Chewa, Malawi) - Be thankful
Yara (Arabic, North Africa) - Small butterfly
Yedda (Hausa, Nigeria) - Voice
Yewande (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Mother has returned
Yosef (Amharic, Ethiopia) - He will add
Zainab (Arabic, North Africa) - Father's jewel
Zainabu (Swahili, East Africa) - Fragrant plant
Zanele (Zulu, South Africa) - They are enough
Zola (Zulu, South Africa) - Peaceful or quiet
Zuberi (Swahili, East Africa) - Strong
Zuri (Swahili, East Africa) - Beautiful
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the most popular girl name in Africa?
According to the Recorded Live Births, 2021 report released by Statistics South Africa, almost 1 million births occurred in 2021 and the most popular baby names were Lethabo and Melokuhle for boys and girls respectively.
Concerning males, the forenames that topped the list were Lethabo, followed by Lubanzi and Melokuhle. For females, the leading forenames were Melokuhle, followed by Omphile and Iminathi in third place.
Here are the meanings of these beautiful names:
Popular girl names of African origin:
Lethabo: This is a South African name of Sotho origin. It means "happiness" or "joy."
Melokuhle: This is a name of Ndebele and Zulu origin, commonly used in southern parts of Africa. It translates to "wait for the good."
Lubanzi: This name's origin is not as commonly known as the others, but it is reminiscent of Xhosa or Zulu names from South Africa, meaning “acceptance.”
Omphile: This name is of Setswana (or Tswana) origin, a language spoken primarily in Botswana and parts of South Africa. "Omphile" means "he/she has given me," often in the context of a gift or blessing, potentially from a higher power or God.
Iminathi: This is a name of Xhosa origin from South Africa. It means “God is standing with us.”
What is the African name for a beautiful girl?
Here are some African girl names with meanings that typify beauty through and through - a perfect choice for your beautiful woman:
African names for girls that mean beautiful:
Amara (Igbo - Nigeria): Means "grace" or "mercy" but is often associated with beauty.
Zuri (Swahili - East Africa): Means "beautiful."
Jamilah/Jamila (Arabic, common in North and parts of East Africa): Means "beautiful."
Thandeka (Zulu - South Africa): Means "lovable," and while it doesn’t translate directly to "beautiful," it conveys a sense of beauty in its sentiment.
Malaika (Swahili - East Africa): Means "angel."
Ayanda (Zulu - South Africa): Often means "they augment (increase or make more elaborate)," referring to the beauty or value they add to one’s life.
Nefertiti (Ancient Egyptian): This famous name means "a beautiful woman has come."
What's a popular black girl name?
In the United States, names among African-American families are influenced by diverse cultural backgrounds.
As a result, there is an assortment of baby names, spanning the gamut from traditional African names to unique and modern creations, as well as biblical or Islamic names across Black communities.
Names popular in Caribbean Black communities might reign as unique choices, quite different from those in African or African-American communities.
That said, here are a few names that have been popular among African Americans and in various Black communities globally:
Popular Black names for girls:
Aaliyah: Of Arabic origin, meaning "exalted" or "noble."
Zuri: Of Swahili origin, meaning "beautiful."
Imani: Of Swahili origin, meaning "faith."
Nia: Of Swahili origin, meaning "purpose."
Tasha: A diminutive of Natasha, of Russian origin, meaning "born on Christmas."
Keisha or Lakeisha: Likely derived from the Swahili name "Aisha," meaning "life" or "alive."
Tiana: Of Greek origin, meaning "princess."
What African girl name means blessed?
Here are some unique African girl names that are plain beautiful, as though they were blessings bound to grant you eternal happiness and love:
Ashanti: This name is of African origin, specifically from the Akan people in Ghana. While it's the name of an ethnic group and a region, it can also mean "blessed."
Baraka or Barakah: Of Swahili origin, meaning "blessing."
Thandeka: In Zulu (from South Africa), it means "loved" or "beloved," which can carry the sentiment of being blessed.
Nthabiseng: From Sotho (Southern Africa), meaning "make me happy" or "bring joy," which can be associated with feelings of being blessed.
Bontle: A Setswana name meaning "beauty," and while not a direct translation, being named "beauty" can be seen as a form of blessing.
Omphile: While this Tswana name means "He/She has given me," it can be interpreted as a blessing, especially in the context of a gift from God or a higher power.
Final Thoughts
It really sticks in our throats that African baby girl names don’t enjoy as much recognition as they deserve; their distinct charm is far beyond the norm, in that they should stand out as unique choices across the board.
Luckily, these precious stones have drawn in parents during the last decades owing to their palpable beautiful meanings.
If you’re lusting after further inspiration, we are more than glad to share with you our lists of the top African baby names with their meanings and our top African baby boy names and their meanings.
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