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.

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.

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.

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.

Home • Baby Names

72 African Girl Names with Meanings, Starting With A

Written by Shikha Thakur, MBA

Edited by Siddharth Kesiraju, MA, Certification in Relationship Coaching

Fact-checked by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd

Last Updated on Oct 3, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Name	Gender	Meaning
Aiyana	Girl	Eternal bloom; Ever-blooming flower; Flower; Silent
Ayana	Girl	Beautiful flower; Color; Design; Spring water; Delicate
Ayanna-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History:-Complete-Guide	Girl	Flower; Silent
Aiyanna	Girl	Eternal blossom; Everlasting bloom; Beautiful flower; Clear; Revelation; Going; Fountain; Downy-bearded
Aminata	Unisex	Feel safe
Ayra	Unisex	Respectable; Intelligence; Happiness; Honorable; Awe-inspiring; Vision-filled
Anaiya	Girl	Look up to God
Ayani	Girl	Protector; Helper; Supporter; Path; Course
Assata	Girl	She who struggles
Adanna	Girl	Eldest daughter of father

Aissata	Girl	Living; Alive
Alima	Girl	Learned; Wise; Cultured; Intelligent; Educated; Intellectual
Abena	Girl	Born on Tuesday
Afia-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Popularity,-And-Personality	Girl	A child who is born on Friday
Afiyah	Girl	Health
Adana	Girl	Eldest daughter; Man
Afiya	Girl	Health
Adeola-Name-Meaning:-Rich-Yoruba-Roots-&-What-You-Need-To-Know	Girl	Crown of wealth
Ayira	Girl	Chosen; Worthy of respect; Exalted; Revered
Akia	Girl	Clear sky; Bright; Tomorrow

Akua	Girl	A child who is born on a Wednesday
Adiah	Girl	God's gift; Of Adah; Nobleness; Nobility
Annica	Girl	Sweetness of face; Favored; Graceful
Ayiana	Girl	Beautiful flower; Intelligent; Moving
Abeni	Girl	We prayed for her; Now she is ours; Someone who is prayed for
Akosua	Girl	Born on Sunday
Araba	Girl	One who is born on a Tuesday
Afua	Girl	Born on Friday
Aymen	Girl	Blessed; Lucky; Right-handed
Adut	Girl	God's gift; Noble

Aba	Girl	Born on Thursday
Abiona	Girl	Born during a journey;
Abeba	Girl	Flower; Abeada and Abyda are variant transcriptions of the name
Abiba	Girl	The first child born after death of grandmother; Abeaba and Abeabah are the variant spellings of Abiba
Adamma	Girl	Child of Beauty; Beautiful Girl
Adanne	Girl	Being the mother's daughter; A child who resembles her mother; A variant of name Adane
Adhiambo	Girl	A daughter who is born after sunset
Adhra	Girl	Apology; Virgin
Affrica	Girl	From Africa
Afi	Girl	A child who is born on Friday

Akinyi	Girl	Born in the morning
Amne	Girl	Safe; Secure
Amondi	Girl	Born at dawn
Athiambo	Girl	Born in the late evening
Atta	Girl	Twin; Forefather; Child; Gift; You
Avongara	Girl	To tie
Ayoka	Girl	One who causes joy all around; A variant of Ayo
Abana	Girl	This Biblical name means strong personality made with a stone
Abraha	Girl	A girl who is born on Tuesday
Adaeh	Girl	Crowned; Chosen; Pinnacle of a peak

Addiah	Girl	Ornament of God; Gift from God
Adilah	Girl	Equal
Amurta	Girl	Beautiful; Ambrosia; A veritable drink that gives immortality
Aoko	Girl	An evergreen blue tree
Aparaa	Girl	Unique; Materialistic; Matchless
Aduke	Girl	Beloved; One (people) struggle(d) to care for
Awo	Girl	Mystery; Ancestor; Stepchild; Cotton or peanut market
Abina:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning-&-More	Girl	One born on a Tuesday
Akuba	Girl	One who is born on Wednesday
Absco	Girl	One with an inventive mind

Abuya	Girl	One who was born when the garden was overgrown
Achieng	Girl	One born during the day time
Adongo	Girl	The second of twins
Akello	Girl	Baby girl born after twins
Akeyo	Girl	One who was born during the harvest
Aluoch	Girl	One who was born on an overcast morning
Angweng	Girl	One who was born during the time of white ants
Anyango	Girl	Midday-born; Born at noon
Apiyo	Girl	First of the twins
Arogo	Girl	One who nagged a lot during pregnancy

Atieno	Girl	One who was born at night
Awino	Girl	One who was born with the cord around

Infographic: Top African Girl Names with Meanings, Starting With A

Our infographic below features options from timeless classics to contemporary favorites that complement your child's personality. Scroll through the list to find the perfect name that reflects your preferences and your family's shared values.

African Girl Names with Meanings, Starting With A(infographic)

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Author Editor Fact Checker

Shikha ThakurMBA

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

Read full bio of Shikha Thakur

Siddharth KesirajuMA, Certification in Relationship Coaching

Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

Read full bio of Siddharth Kesiraju

Praggya JoshiMA, BEd

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

Read full bio of Praggya Joshi