716 African Baby Girl Names With Meanings

african-baby-girl-names-with-meanings

African baby girl names are often traditional and have unique stories behind them. Factors like the time a baby is born or the circumstances or the surroundings during the birth often influence choosing a name for the baby. These events and surroundings can be positive or negative. Some of the names are a complete picture of the conditions. For example, "Yetunde Nwaokeke” is the name of a baby girl whose grandmother died just before her birth. "Yetunde" means mother has come back. Before the parents decide the names of their children, circumstances also play a part. It happens among some Ghanaian ethnic groups where a name is automatically assigned based on the day a child is born. For example, a baby girl who was born on Friday was named "Ghanaian Efua" which means a Friday-born. Several local names also have strong religious faith in keeping their baby's name. Among the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups in Nigeria, baby names mostly start or end with "Chi" "Chukwu" or "Oluwa" which has some reference to God (1). Some groups in eastern or southern Africa choose certain names depending on the time of the day or season a baby is born. In Yoruba tradition, it is very common for each parent or grandparent of a baby to contribute in at least one name of the baby (2). As a result, a baby ends up with several names, each telling its own unique story. With Western influence, newer names have found their way into African families. In this post, we have curated a list of famous African baby names that you can choose using our baby names tool.

NameGenderMeaning
heart image Fabunni Baby Girl Sign Girl This was given to me by God
heart image Fadhila Baby Girl Sign Girl A woman who is abundant
heart image Fadiya Baby Girl Sign Girl Redeemer; One who redeems
heart image Fahari Baby Girl Sign Girl A girl who is very smart
heart image Faika Baby Girl Sign Girl Superior; Better
heart image Faizah Baby Girl Sign Girl A victorious girl
heart image Falala Baby Girl Sign Girl She who is born into abundance
heart image Fana Baby Girl Sign Girl Wealth; Honour; One who provides light; Shining; A variant transcription
heart image Fanaka Baby Girl Sign Girl Prosperity or success
heart image Fara Baby Girl Sign Girl Level; Measure; Beautiful; Lovely; Pleasant; Good Looking; Joyful; Reason for rejoicing
heart image Faraja Baby Girl Sign Girl Comfort; relief; rest
heart image Farashuu Baby Girl Sign Girl Kenyan word for butterfly
heart image Fatu Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Fortunate; Lucky
heart image Fayola Baby Girl Sign Girl An African name meaning good fortune walks with honor
heart image Feechi Baby Girl Sign Girl A god-worshipping woman
heart image Feven Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Faith
heart image Finnley Baby Girl Sign Girl Fair warrior
heart image Firyali Baby Girl Sign Girl Unusual; Extraordinary
heart image Fisseha Baby Girl Sign Girl Blissfulness; Mirthful joy
heart image Floarea Baby Girl Sign Girl A blooming flower
heart image Flodwig Baby Girl Sign Girl A Dithematic name
heart image Fola Baby Girl Sign Girl Glory and prestige; One who is honorable
heart image Folami Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Honor and respect; One who spreads warmth and sparkle
heart image Fufu Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A traditional African dish
heart image Fulani Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A Large ethnic group of people from West Africa
heart image Fumnaya Baby Girl Sign Girl One who wants to be loved by someone
heart image Fungai Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Think; Imagine; Meditate
heart image Furaha Baby Girl Sign Girl Blissful; Contented
heart image Gakeri Baby Girl Sign Girl Variant of Gakere; A small muscle
heart image Gamada Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is happy and cheerful
heart image Gasira Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is brave
heart image Gathoni Baby Girl Sign Girl She is an in law
heart image Gavivi Baby Girl Sign Girl The one who loves the money of wealth
heart image Gawahir Baby Girl Sign Girl Variant form of Jawahir; Precious stones or jewels
heart image Genet Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Refers to the very first garden of Eden which was created by the God Almighty
heart image Ghalyela Baby Girl Sign Girl A person who is very valuable
heart image Ghana Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A name of the country in Africa
heart image Ghanima Baby Girl Sign Girl A person who has a great fortune
heart image Gheche Baby Girl Sign Girl Small
heart image Gzifa Baby Girl Sign Girl The peaceful one; Calm and patient
heart image Habiba Baby Girl Sign Girl Beloved; Lover; Darling; Sweetheart
heart image Habika Baby Girl Sign Girl Sweetheart; Darling; Beloved
heart image Hadaya Baby Girl Sign Girl Gift; Present; A variant of Hadiya
heart image Hagos Baby Girl Sign Girl Joy; Happiness; Pleasure
heart image Haiba Baby Girl Sign Girl Attractive; Charm; Attraction
heart image Halima Baby Girl Sign Girl Patient; Tolerant; Gentle; Mild mannered; Generous
heart image Hamisi Baby Girl Sign Girl One who was born on a Thursday
heart image Hanuni Baby Girl Sign Girl Happy and cheerful
heart image Hanzila Baby Girl Sign Girl Road; Street; Path; Trail
heart image Haracha Baby Girl Sign Girl Frog; A creature of God
heart image Haseena Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful; Pretty
heart image Hashiki Baby Girl Sign Girl Passion
heart image Hawla Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is graceful like an antelope
heart image Haydin Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Heathen; Pagan
heart image Hazina Baby Girl Sign Girl Treasure
heart image Hiari Baby Girl Sign Girl Free will
heart image Hidi Baby Girl Sign Girl Root; Origin
heart image Hija Baby Girl Sign Girl Daughter
heart image Hinaa Baby Girl Sign Girl Henna; Myrtle
heart image Hinna Baby Girl Sign Girl Henna; A natural dying color
heart image Hiwot Baby Girl Sign Girl Life
heart image Hoor Baby Girl Sign Girl A celestial; Virgin of paradise; Nymph; A virgin maiden of paradise for its dwellers
heart image Hoyam Baby Girl Sign Girl Passionate Love
heart image Huso Baby Girl Sign Girl Sadness of the bride
heart image Ilyasah Unisex Baby Sign Unisex God's promise
heart image Imani Baby Girl Sign Girl Faith; Belief
heart image Indusa Baby Girl Sign Girl Desire for a system
heart image Ingumba Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is easy going
heart image Isoke Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Gift from God
heart image Jahia Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is widely known
heart image Jahmelia Baby Girl Sign Girl A beautiful african woman
heart image Jahni Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Gift from god
heart image Jahzara Baby Girl Sign Girl A blessed princess
heart image Jakari Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Remembered by God
heart image Jala Baby Girl Sign Girl Large fish from fresh water
heart image Jalah Baby Girl Sign Girl A small-leafed wild indigo
heart image Jalani Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Strong; Powerful
heart image Jalayah Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beauty of the night; Dew; Hoarfrost
heart image Jaliah Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Exalted; Noble
heart image Jamala Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is well mannered
heart image Jamaris Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Strong; Handsome warrior
heart image Jamaya Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful; Greatly loved; God's gift
heart image Jameelah Baby Girl Sign Girl A chaste woman
heart image Jameila Baby Girl Sign Girl She who is beautiful
heart image Jameka Baby Girl Sign Girl One with strong will and determination
heart image Jamelia Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful
heart image Jamelle Baby Girl Sign Girl One of great beauty
heart image Jamilia Baby Girl Sign Girl She who is chaste
heart image Japera Baby Girl Sign Girl One who offers thanks
heart image Jariah Baby Girl Sign Girl A tributary Lord
heart image Jela Unisex Baby Sign Unisex The father who faced many difficulties during the birth of his child
heart image Jelani Unisex Baby Sign Unisex One who is mighty
heart image Jendayi Baby Girl Sign Girl Thankful
heart image Jenue Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Person from the city of Jenue, Nigeria
heart image Jetta Baby Girl Sign Girl Encircled; Surrounded
heart image Jettie Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Surrounded by things or people
heart image Jioni Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Evening; Determined, dynamic, confused or jealous
heart image Jira Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Sporty individuals; Possess a good sense of humor and often achieve fame
heart image Johari Baby Girl Sign Girl Something of value; Jewel; Something precious; Which is adored
heart image Jonbenet Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Jolly, blossom-named, exotic
1 2 3 4 5 8

African baby girl names have evolved over time while keeping their traditional essence. However, traditional names are still favored because of their cultural and religious significance. These names may be given in honor of ancestors or to praise the Lord. Many names are associated with nature and the personal traits of a person. These names are versatile and will carry forward your ancestral legacy and African heritage. Also, make sure the name you are choosing also rhymes well with your child’s last name.

Infographic: Auspicious African Baby Girl Names With Meanings

Africa is a great continent and has a variety of tribes and cultures with traditions and conventions attached to each of them. It may be challenging to encompass the entire range of names used throughout the continent. However, we brought you some of the most popular ones. If you are interested in African baby girl names with religious or gentle meanings, check out the infographic below.

appealing african baby girl names for your princess (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some African baby girl names inspired by nature or animals?

Wambui is an African name that means 'zebra' in Kikuyu. Zahrah, on the other hand, means 'blooming flower' in Arabic. Ayanna is an elegant name meaning 'flower' in Amharic.

2. What are the specific traditions or cultures that influence African baby girl names?

Africa is home to several cultures, each with unique naming traditions and cultures. For instance, the Akan people from Ghana name their children based on their birth order. Conversely, the Shona people of Zimbabwe choose nature-inspired names for their babies, whereas the Tswana people from Botswana choose names based on the circumstances surrounding the child’s birth. Like these, several specific naming traditions and customs can vary across diverse African cultures.

3. What African names mean ‘star’?

Anangikwe, derived from the terms anang 'star' and ikwe' woman,' means star woman in Ojibwe. Nthanda is another name commonly used in Southern Africa and means 'star' in Tumbulka. Some other titles that are commonly used in Africa and are associated with stars are Danica and Aster.

4. What is the African name for ‘queen’?

Thema is a beautiful name that means 'queen' in Akan. Some other African titles associated with queens are Makeda, an Amharic name related to the Queen of Sheba, who is believed to have ruled over some parts of Ethiopia and Yemen. Nzinga is a Bantu name derived from Njinga. It was the name of the queen of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms in the 17th century.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Geraldine Ifesinachi Nnamdi-Eruchalu; A Sociolinguistic Study of the Emerging Trends in Igbo Personal Names;
    https://journals.scholarpublishing.org/index.php/ASSRJ/article/download/4408/2723/11625
  2. African Names: A Guide for Editors.
    https://www.csescienceeditor.org/article/african-names-guide-editors/
Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
The following two tabs change content below.