African Boy Names With Meanings

Are you looking for African boy names? Browse through 100’s of baby names for African boys from our list. Each name is explained with the meaning.

Choosing a name for your baby can be such fun – yet for many parents, it can be one of the most stressful decisions they ever make.

There’s so much to think about when choosing the right name for your baby:

• your own ideas
• your partner’s thoughts
• family tradition
• meaning of the name
• name origin
• names already given to baby’s brother or sister…

the list goes on and on. It’s easy to get into a muddle, and then the stress sets in. How to choose a name then? Research the name. Here are some African boy baby names to inspire you.

African Boy Names And Meanings

• Wasswa – African Luganda boy name meaning first born of twins
• Rudo – African Shona unisex name meaning love
• Sizwe – African Xhosa baby boy name meaning nation
• Gachie – African Kikuyu name meaning small pool/river
• Adetokunbo – African boy Yoruba name meaning the crown came from over the sea
• Chitemo – African Kaguru name meaning ax
• Emeka – African Igbo name meaning great deeds. Also a nickname for Chukwuemeka, meaning God has done something great
• Chidubem – African Igbo name meaning guided by God
• Bamidele – African Yoruba name meaning follow me home
• Nkosana – African Xhosa name meaning prince
• Sithembile – African Zulu unisex name meaning we trust
• Yaw – African Akan name meaning born on Thursday
• Kamau – African Kenyan name meaning quiet warrior
• Kwame – African Akan name meaning born on Saturday
• Femi – Egyptian name meaning love
• Dayo – African Yoruba unisex name meaning joy arrives
• Fungai – African Shona name meaning think
• Isoba – African Soga name meaning walks slowly, stealthily
• Jengo – African Swahili name meaning building
• Ochieng – African Luo name, meaning born when the sun shines

Baby names are serious business. You could just go ahead and give your baby any old name you happen to adore at the moment, but it would be much kinder on your baby to consider first what the implications of your choice of baby names might be.

Take a look at these African names for boys.

African Names For Boys

• Tafari – African Ethiopian name, possibly meaning awe-inspiring
• Taonga – African Tumbuka unisex name meaning we are thankful
• Kibwe – African Swahili name meaning blessed
• Mwenye – African Swahili name meaning lord, owner
• Olukayode – African Yoruba name meaning God brings happiness
• Uzoma – African Igbo unisex name meaning follow the right road
• Ayomide – African Yoruba unisex name meaning my joy has arrived
• Budde – African Ganda name meaning night; occasion; time; weather
• Fumbe – African Ganda name meaning civet cat
• Isooba – Variant of African Soga Isoba, meaning walks slowly, stealthily
• Olujimi – African Yoruba name meaning given by God
• Chibuzo – African Igbo unisex name meaning God is the leader
• Afolabi – African Yoruba name meaning born into wealth
• Unathi – African Xhosa unisex name meaning God is with us
• Rutendo – African Shona unisex name meaning faith
• Tinashe – African Shona unisex name meaning God is with us
• Amadi – African Igbo name meaning rejoicing
• Chiemeka – African Igbo name meaning God has performed great deeds
• Melisizwe – African Xhosa name meaning leader of the nation
• Oluwaseun – African Yoruba name meaning we thank God
• Dede – African Luo unisex name meaning grasshopper; locust
• Chinwe – African Igbo unisex name meaning God owns
• Dakarai – Egyptian name meaning happy
• Kwadwo – African Akan name meaning born on Monday
• Olumide – African Yoruba name meaning God arrives
• Cashile – African Zulu name meaning hidden; child of a concealed birth
• Sipho – African Xhosa name meaning gift
• Zuberi – Egyptian name meaning strong
• Bbwaddene – African Ganda name meaning large dog
• Buru – African Shona name meaning bull

More Baby Names

Chamorro Baby Names

Popular African Boy Names

• Imamu – African Swahili name meaning spiritual guide
• Imoo – African Luo name meaning darkness; dusk
• Gebhuza – African Zulu name meaning slashing/thrusting warrior
• Gero -African Luo name meaning fierceness; building
• Dumisa – African Zulu name meaning causes thunder
• Dumisani – African Zulu name meaning glorify
• Katlego – African Tswana unisex name meaning success
• Nnamdi – African Igbo name meaning my father is alive This name is usually given to baby boys who resemble their deceased grandfather.
• Nsia – African Akan unisex name meaning sixth born child
• Simba – African Swahili name meaning lion
• Tafadzwa – African Shona unisex name meaning we are pleased
• Arapmoi – African Nandi name meaning son of war
• Asita – African Taturu name meaning God; the sun
• Chima – African Igbo name meaning God knows
• Chimola – African Kaguru name meaning breaker of things
• Bapoto – African Zezuru name meaning born amidst noise/quarreling
• Barasa – African Luyia name meaning born on Saturday
• Folami – African Yoruba name meaning respect and honor me
• Fudu – African Zulu name meaning tortoise
• Ekwueme – African Igbo name meaning he says, he does

Unique African Boy Names

If you are looking for unique African boy names check these names out.

• Azubuike – African Igbo name meaning your back/past is your strength
• Gwembeshe – African Zulu name meaning bow-legged
• Lusala – African Kenyan name meaning whip
• Obi – African Igbo name meaning heart
• Phirun – African Khmer name meaning rain
• Tau – Egyptian name meaning lion
• Hlatshwayo – African Zulu name meaning the stabbed one
• Fulathela – African Zulu name meaning turn the back
• Awotwi – African Akan unisex name meaning born eighth
• Abimbola – African Yoruba name meaning born to wealth
• Gugu – African Zulu name meaning treasure
• Olufemi – Egyptian name meaning beloved of the gods
• Themba – African Zulu unisex name meaning trust
• Mosi – African Swahili name meaning first born child
• Ndidi – African Igbo unisex name meaning patience
• Oluwasegun – African Yoruba name meaning God has been victorious
• Kerneels – South African Dutch form of Roman Cornelius, meaning horn
• Hlengiwe – African Zulu name meaning rescued
• Farai – African Shona name meaning rejoice
• Enitan – African Yoruba name meaning a person of story; renowned

Strong African Boy Names

African boy names that are strong and powerful.

• Gazini – African Zulu name meaning blood
• Godlumthakathi – African Zulu name meaning holds back the wizard
• Jelani – African Swahili name meaning mighty
• Kgosi – African Tswana name meaning chief, king
• Nthanda – African Tumbuka unisex name meaning star
• Matata – African Swahili name meaning causes worry; troublemaker
• Gunju – African Ganda name meaning wild cat
• Gotto – African Ganda name meaning crushed; pounded; twisted
• Gamyuka – African Ganda name meaning deputy; second in command
• Dabulamanzi – African Zulu name meaning the divider of the waters
• Chari – Gracious, Merciful, Bright, Handsome, Warrior
• Buziba – African Ganda name meaning deep water; open water
• Boipuso – African Sotho name meaning freedom; independence
• Bhekizitha – African Zulu name meaning he watches out for enemies
• Abioye – African Yoruba name meaning born into royalty

African Baby Boy Names With Meaning

• Abubakar – African Kenyan name meaning noble
• Adebowale – African Yoruba unisex name meaning my crown has come home
• Adegoke – African Yoruba name meaning the crown has been exalted
• Ayodele – African Yoruba unisex name meaning joy has come home
• Babajide – African Yoruba name meaning father has come to life again
• Babatunde – African Yoruba name meaning father has returned
• Boitumelo – African Tswana unisex name meaning joy
• Bosede – African Tiv name meaning born on Sunday
• Bujune – African Nyoro name meaning sorrow This name is sometimes given to a child born during time of sorrow.
• Butannaziba – African Ganda name meaning before the night
• Cetshwayo – African Zulu name meaning the slandered one
• Chibueze – African Igbo unisex name meaning God is the king
• Chidi – African Igbo name meaning God exists
• Chidiebere – African Igbo unisex name meaning God is merciful
• Chilongola – African Kaguru name meaning the first Usually given to a first-born son.
• Chinedu – African Igbo unisex name meaning God leads
• Chinwendu – African Igbo unisex name meaning God owns life
• Chukwuemeka – African Igbo name meaning God has done something great
• Gacheru – African Kikuyu name meaning spy
• Gatura – African Kikuyu name meaning renowned
• Githinji – African Embu name meaning butchers
• Gituku – African Kikuyu name meaning notoriously shady and sly
• Gwandoya – African Luganda name meaning met with misery
• Hlelile – African Zulu name meaning reversed Sometimes given to baby boys born feet-first.
• Kayode – African Yoruba name meaning he brought joy
• Kefilwe – African Tswana unisex name meaning I was given
• Khamisi – African Swahili name meaning born on Thursday
• Kofi – African Akan name meaning born on Friday
• Kweku – African Akan name meaning born on Wednesday
• Kwesi – African Akan name meaning born on Sunday
• Masozi – African Tumbuka unisex name meaning tears
• Munashe – African Shona unisex name meaning with God
• Nkemdilim – African Igbo unisex name meaning forever mine
• Odhiambo – African Luo name meaning born in the evening
• Olabode – African Yoruba name meaning wealth returns
• Olanrewaju – African Yoruba name meaning my wealth is the future
• Oluwaseyi – African Yoruba unisex name meaning God made this
• Oluwatoyin – African Yoruba unisex name meaning God is worthy to be praised
• Onyekachukwu – African Igbo unisex name meaning “who is greater than God?”
• Opeyemi – African Yoruba name meaning I should give praise
• Paki – Egyptian name meaning witness
• Qinisela – African Zulu name meaning persevere
• Samanya – African Bantu unisex name meaning the unknown one
• Tatenda – African Shona unisex name meaning thank you

Tips To Help Naming Your Baby

How many times has your “all-time favorite” name changed over the years? You need to take a really long-term view when making this decision. A horrible or inappropriate name can blight someone’s life.

Here are five tips to help you make the right decision:

Don’t Rush With The Name

It’s a good idea to have one of more names in mind, but don’t decide until you hold your baby in your arms. When you look into those beautiful eyes, you’ll know.

Duna

Origin: African Zulu

Meaning: African Zulu name meaning headman

Eniola

Origin: African Yoruba

Meaning: unisex name meaning wealthy

Giconi

Origin: African Embu

Meaning: name meaning bird

Isoke

Origin: African Nyoro

Meaning: name meaning hairy

Kwabena

Origin: African Akan

Meaning: name meaning born on Tuesday

Ayotunde

Origin: African Yoruba

Meaning: unisex name meaning joy has returned

Abrafo

Origin: African Ghanaian

Meaning: name meaning warrior or executioner

Bongani

Origin: African Zulu

Meaning: name meaning grateful

Chieng

Origin: African Luo

Meaning: creator, daylight, and god

Chiumbo

Origin: African Mwera

Meaning: name meaning small

Talk About The Name

Other than, “Is it a boy or a girl?” the question you’ll be asked most is “What will you name your baby?” You’ve probably already heard that one a hundred times. Talking with your spouse, family and friends makes it a team effort and it’s fun, too. You might even have a baby naming party. Check out your family tree. Call relatives, especially those you haven’t talked to in awhile. Of course, don’t expect a unanimous decision, but everyone will feel like they helped play a role in an important family decision.

Take a look at these African names for boys:

Bohlale

Origin: African Sotho

Meaning: name meaning wisdom

Chizoba

Origin: African Igbo

Meaning: unisex name meaning God protect us

Enitan

Origin: African Yoruba

Meaning: Person of story; renowned

Gwala

Origin: African Zulu

Meaning: name meaning coward

Jumaane

Origin: African Swahili

Meaning: name meaning born on Tuesday

Kojo

Origin: Variant of African Akan Kwadwo

Meaning: born on Monday

Neo

Origin: African Tswana

Meaning: unisex name meaning gift

Otieno

Origin: African Luo

Meaning: name meaning born at night

Thabo

Origin: African Tswana

Meaning: name meaning joy

Pich

Origin: African Khmer

Meaning: unisex name meaning diamond

Say The Name Out Loud

How does the African boy name you like sound? Whisper it softly and then loudly. How about when it’s said with a middle name or your last name? Does it rhyme? If it does, does it sound good? Think about associated nicknames and say them out loud too. Does the name pass the “playground test?” Kids can be pretty tough. Would you say it loudly at a mall? If not, don’t give it to your child. Do you have another child with the same sounding name or even the same first letter? Sometimes, that can be confusing when said aloud.

Here are some more African boy names

Wekesa

Origin: African Bantu

Meaning: name meaning born during harvest

Ayo

Origin: African Yoruba

Meaning: unisex name meaning joy

Baako

Origin: African Akan

Meaning: unisex name meaning born first

Adisa

Origin: African Yoruba

Meaning: name meaning one who is clear

Boipelo

Origin: African Tswana

Meaning: unisex name meaning proud

Chakide

Origin: African Zulu

Meaning: name meaning weasel

Dubaku

Origin: African Akan

Meaning: unisex name meaning eleventh born child

Enu

Origin: African Akan

Meaning: unisex name meaning fifth born

Ekenedilichukwu

Origin: African Igbo

Meaning: unisex name meaning all praise to God

Isingoma

Origin: African Luganda

Meaning: name meaning first of twins

Kwaku

Origin: Variant of African Akan Kweku

Meaning: born on Wednesday

Spell The Name Out

It’s amazing how creative parents can be. Unfortunately, that’s not always best for their child. Creative spellings or pronunciations of popular names will have your child constantly correcting those who mistake it with its more popular version. You can’t forget the initials, either. What do they spell or represent? And, if you plan to call your child by a pet name, it’s probably best to register the full version at birth, so your child has the option to later use a more formal version.

Some more popular African boy names.

Kirabo

Origin: African Lugandan

Meaning: unisex name meaning gift

Mudiwa

Origin: African Shona

Meaning: unisex name meaning beloved

Nsonowa

Origin: African Akan

Meaning: unisex name meaning seventh born child

Refilwe

Origin: African Tswana

Meaning: unisex name meaning we were given

Tichaona

Origin: African Shona

Meaning: name meaning we will see

Ayokunle

Origin: African Yoruba

Meaning: name meaning joy has filled the home

Anan

Origin: African Akan

Meaning: unisex name meaning fourth born child

Chiratidzo

Origin: African Zezuru

Meaning: name meaning a sign

Ekene

Origin: African Igbo unisex

Meaning: name meaning praise

Ekundayo

Origin: African Yoruba

Meaning: unisex name meaning sorrow becomes joy

Dube

Origin: African Zulu

Meaning: name meaning zebra

And Finally Make It Meaningful

Your baby’s name should evoke happiness and pleasant feelings. It should reflect qualities and traits that you hope your child will possess. Family names are great and give your baby a rich heritage, but if you don’t like the name, it probably won’t feel right, even if it pleases relatives. A unique name may make your child stand out and feel extra special. But, if it’s too unusual, it could cause problems. It’s also very important that your child has a name with clear gender identification. And finally, it’s always tempting to pick today’s most popular name, but will it be popular 10 or 20 years from now? And, do you really want your first-grader with the same name as four others in the same class?

Related:

Maya Nicknames