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Writer's pictureKostas Drakatos

Top 180 African baby girl names and their meanings

Updated: Oct 6, 2023

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:

  1. Abebe (Amharic, Ethiopia) - Asked for or He has blossomed

  2. Abena (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Tuesday

  3. Adeola (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Crown brings happiness or The crown brings wealth/honor

  4. Adhiambo (Luo, Kenya) - Born after sunset

  5. Afolabi (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Born into wealth

  6. Aisha (Arabic, North Africa) - Alive, living

  7. Almasi (Swahili, East Africa) - Diamond

  8. Amara (Igbo, Nigeria) - Grace or kindness

  9. Bhekizizwe (Zulu, South Africa) - Look after the nations

  10. Binta (Fula, West Africa) - With God

  11. Boipelo (Tswana, Botswana) - Proud

  12. Bolanle (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Finds wealth at home

  13. Bongani (Zulu, South Africa) - Be grateful

  14. Busisiwe (Zulu, South Africa) - Blessed

  15. Chebet (Kalenjin, Kenya) - Born during the day

  16. Chiamaka (Igbo, Nigeria) - God is beautiful

  17. Chidochashe (Shona, Zimbabwe) - God's will

  18. Chidubem (Igbo, Nigeria) - God is my guide

  19. Chijioke (Igbo, Nigeria) - God's portion is the best

  20. Chike (Igbo, Nigeria) - God's power

  21. Chikumbutso (Chewa, Malawi) - Remembrance

  22. Chipo (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Gift

  23. Dakarai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Rejoice

  24. Dalia (Arabic, North Africa) - Grapevine

  25. Dalili (Swahili, East Africa) - Sign or omen

  26. Dalmar (Somali, Somalia) - Versatile

  27. Daudi (Swahili, East Africa) - Beloved

  28. Deren (Kikuyu, Kenya) - Bird

  29. Dikeledi (Tswana, Botswana) - Tears

  30. Dumisani (Zulu, South Africa) - Give praise

  31. Ebele (Igbo, Nigeria) - Mercy, kindness

  32. Efia (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Friday

  33. Efua (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Friday

  34. Ekon (Ibibio, Nigeria) - Strong

  35. Elima (Lingala, Congo) - First-born

  36. Eshe (Swahili, East Africa) - Life

  37. Esosa (Bini/Edo, Nigeria) - God's gift

  38. Farai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Be happy

  39. Femi (Yoruba, Nigeria) - God loves me

  40. Feyisa (Oromo, Ethiopia) - Freedom

  41. Fola (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Honor

  42. Folake (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Taken care of by God

  43. Folami (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Honor me

  44. Fungai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Think or ponder

  45. Furaha (Swahili, East Africa) - Joy, happiness

  46. Gadifele (Tswana, Botswana) - Without any blemish

  47. Gakuru (Kikuyu, Kenya) - Eldest

  48. Gbemisola (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Carry me into wealth

  49. Gcobani (Xhosa, South Africa) - Be joyful

  50. Gobez (Amharic, Ethiopia) - Brave, valiant

  51. Goitsemang (Tswana, Botswana) - Who knows?

  52. Gontse (Tswana, Botswana) - Joy

  53. Gugulethu (Zulu, South Africa) - Our treasure

  54. Habibah (Arabic, North Africa) - Beloved

  55. Hadiya (Amharic, Ethiopia) - Gift

  56. Halima (Arabic, North Africa) - Gentle, forbearing

  57. Hasani (Swahili, East Africa) - Handsome

  58. Hassan (Arabic, North Africa) - Handsome, good

  59. Hawa (Swahili, East Africa) - Desire, wish

  60. Hiwot (Amharic, Ethiopia) - Life

  61. Hlengiwe (Zulu, South Africa) - Rescued

  62. Idris (Arabic, North Africa) - Studious, eager

  63. Ife (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Love

  64. Ijeoma (Igbo, Nigeria) - Safe journey

  65. Iniko (Ibibio, Nigeria) - Trouble birth

  66. Isoke (Ibibio, Nigeria) - Satisfying look/view

  67. Iyapo (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Numerous pleasant times

  68. Jabali (Swahili, East Africa) - Rock

  69. Jabari (Swahili, East Africa) - Brave

  70. Jaha (Wolof, Senegal) - Dignity

  71. Jalil (Arabic, North Africa) - Revered

  72. Jamila (Swahili, East Africa) - Beautiful

  73. Jengo (Swahili, East Africa) - Building

  74. Kamaria (Swahili, East Africa) - Moonlight

  75. Karama (Arabic, North Africa) - Dignity, respect

  76. Kgosi (Tswana, Botswana) - King or chief

  77. Khadija (Arabic, North Africa) - Premature child

  78. Kito (Swahili, East Africa) - Jewel

  79. Kofi (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Friday

  80. Kwabena (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Tuesday

  81. Kwame (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Saturday

  82. Lakisha (Swahili, East Africa) - The favored one

  83. Langa (Zulu, South Africa) - Sun

  84. Lerato (Sotho, Lesotho/South Africa) - Love

  85. Leruo (Tswana, Botswana) - Wealth

  86. Lethabo (Sotho, Lesotho/South Africa) - Joy

  87. Letoya (Sotho, Lesotho/South Africa) - Happiness

  88. Lindiwe (Zulu, South Africa) - Waited for

  89. Lungi (Zulu, South Africa) - With me

  90. Makena (Kikuyu, Kenya) - The happy one

  91. Masego (Tswana, Botswana) - Blessings

  92. Mbabazi (Runyankole, Uganda) - Grace

  93. Mbali (Zulu, South Africa) - Flower

  94. Mosi (Swahili, East Africa) - First-born

  95. Mpho (Tswana, Botswana) - Gift

  96. Mwanajuma (Swahili, East Africa) - Born on Friday

  97. Naledi (Sotho, Lesotho/South Africa) - Star

  98. Ndidi (Igbo, Nigeria) - Patience

  99. Nia (Swahili, East Africa) - Purpose or will

  100. Nkiruka (Igbo, Nigeria) - The future is great

  101. Nthanda (Tumbuka, Malawi) - Star

  102. Nuru (Swahili, East Africa) - Light

  103. Nyasha (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Mercy or grace

  104. Okechukwu (Igbo, Nigeria) - God's gift

  105. Ola (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Wealth

  106. Oluchi (Igbo, Nigeria) - God's work

  107. Olufemi (Yoruba, Nigeria) - God loves me

  108. Oluwa (Yoruba, Nigeria) - God

  109. Omotola (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Child is as valuable as wealth

  110. Oni (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Born on holy ground

  111. Onyeka (Igbo, Nigeria) - Who is the greatest

  112. Paki (Swahili, East Africa) - Witness

  113. Paridhi (Swahili, East Africa) - Realm

  114. Pelonomi (Tswana, Botswana) - I am thankful

  115. Penda (Swahili, East Africa) - Love

  116. Pendo (Swahili, East Africa) - A gender-neutral name, that means Love

  117. Pheko (Sotho, Lesotho/South Africa) - Reflection

  118. Pumla (Xhosa, South Africa) - Rest or relaxation

  119. Qhamani (Xhosa, South Africa) - Shine

  120. Qhawe (Zulu, South Africa) - Hero

  121. Qondile (Zulu, South Africa) - Acceptance

  122. Qondiswa (Xhosa, South Africa) - To be sanctified

  123. Quanza (Kikongo, Angola) - The beginning

  124. Qwara (Amharic, Ethiopia) - Traditional Ethiopian title

  125. Rafaela (Amharic, Ethiopia) - Healed by God

  126. Rafiki (Swahili, East Africa) - Friend

  127. Ratidzo (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Light

  128. Rehema (Swahili, East Africa) - Compassionate, merciful

  129. Rethabile (Sotho, Lesotho/South Africa) - We are happy

  130. Rudo (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Love

  131. Salim (Arabic, North Africa) - Safe, sound

  132. Sanaa (Swahili, East Africa) - Work of art, beauty

  133. Sefu (Swahili, East Africa) - Sword

  134. Sekai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Be humorous

  135. Sibusiso (Zulu, South Africa) - Blessing

  136. Simisola (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Rest in wealth

  137. Siti (Swahili, East Africa) - Lady

  138. Tandie (Ndebele, Zimbabwe) - Fire

  139. Tapiwa (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Given

  140. Tatenda (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Thank you

  141. Tau (Tswana, Botswana) - Lion

  142. Tendai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Be thankful

  143. Thabo (Tswana, Botswana/South Africa) - Joy

  144. Thandeka (Zulu, South Africa) - Beloved

  145. Themba (Zulu, South Africa) - Trust or hope

  146. Uchechi (Igbo, Nigeria) - God's will

  147. Uchenna (Igbo, Nigeria) - God's idea

  148. Udo (Igbo, Nigeria) - Peace

  149. Umeko (Bemba, Zambia) - Child of the sea

  150. Unathi (Xhosa, South Africa) - God is with us

  151. Uzoma (Igbo, Nigeria) - Good way

  152. Uzuri (Swahili, East Africa) - Beauty

  153. Vimbai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Trust, believe

  154. Vinjelu (Tumbuka, Malawi) - Grace

  155. Vongai (Shona, Zimbabwe) - Receive

  156. Vumile (Zulu, South Africa) - Agreement

  157. Vusi (Zulu, South Africa) - To open, to lead

  158. Vusumuzi (Zulu, South Africa) - Rekindle the family

  159. Vuyiswa (Xhosa, South Africa) - To be made happy

  160. Wairimu (Kikuyu, Kenya) - Daughter of Jomo

  161. Wamalwa (Luhya, Kenya) - Born during the brewing season

  162. Wanjira (Kikuyu, Kenya) - Daughter of Jira

  163. Wekesa (Luhya, Kenya) - Born during harvest

  164. Wekoweko (Chaga, Tanzania) - Bustle or hustle

  165. Wezi (Bemba, Zambia) - Dawn

  166. Woineshet (Amharic, Ethiopia) - She is beautiful

  167. Xolani (Zulu, South Africa) - Peace

  168. Yaa (Akan, Ghana) - Born on Thursday

  169. Yakini (Hausa, Nigeria) - Truthful

  170. Yamikani (Chewa, Malawi) - Be thankful

  171. Yara (Arabic, North Africa) - Small butterfly

  172. Yedda (Hausa, Nigeria) - Voice

  173. Yewande (Yoruba, Nigeria) - Mother has returned

  174. Yosef (Amharic, Ethiopia) - He will add

  175. Zainab (Arabic, North Africa) - Father's jewel

  176. Zainabu (Swahili, East Africa) - Fragrant plant

  177. Zanele (Zulu, South Africa) - They are enough

  178. Zola (Zulu, South Africa) - Peaceful or quiet

  179. Zuberi (Swahili, East Africa) - Strong

  180. 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:

  1. Lethabo: This is a South African name of Sotho origin. It means "happiness" or "joy."

  2. Melokuhle: This is a name of Ndebele and Zulu origin, commonly used in southern parts of Africa. It translates to "wait for the good."

  3. 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.”

  4. 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.

  5. 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:

  1. Amara (Igbo - Nigeria): Means "grace" or "mercy" but is often associated with beauty.

  2. Zuri (Swahili - East Africa): Means "beautiful."

  3. Jamilah/Jamila (Arabic, common in North and parts of East Africa): Means "beautiful."

  4. Thandeka (Zulu - South Africa): Means "lovable," and while it doesn’t translate directly to "beautiful," it conveys a sense of beauty in its sentiment.

  5. Malaika (Swahili - East Africa): Means "angel."

  6. 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.

  7. 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:

  1. Aaliyah: Of Arabic origin, meaning "exalted" or "noble."

  2. Zuri: Of Swahili origin, meaning "beautiful."

  3. Imani: Of Swahili origin, meaning "faith."

  4. Nia: Of Swahili origin, meaning "purpose."

  5. Tasha: A diminutive of Natasha, of Russian origin, meaning "born on Christmas."

  6. Keisha or Lakeisha: Likely derived from the Swahili name "Aisha," meaning "life" or "alive."

  7. 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:

  1. 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."

  2. Baraka or Barakah: Of Swahili origin, meaning "blessing."

  3. Thandeka: In Zulu (from South Africa), it means "loved" or "beloved," which can carry the sentiment of being blessed.

  4. Nthabiseng: From Sotho (Southern Africa), meaning "make me happy" or "bring joy," which can be associated with feelings of being blessed.

  5. Bontle: A Setswana name meaning "beauty," and while not a direct translation, being named "beauty" can be seen as a form of blessing.

  6. 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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