36 Ethiopian Baby Names With Meanings

Ethiopia, the African country bordered by Eritrea, is one of the most populous nations in the world. With over 80 ethnolinguistic groups and archeological treasures dating back to millions of years, Ethiopia is indeed a melting pot of culture.
The same variety can be seen in Ethiopian baby names as well. Ethiopian baby names are of different origins, primarily because they are divided into several religions such as Islam, Christianity, and local African customs and traditions.
In Ethiopia, babies are named at the time of the birth, by which they will be known the rest of their lives. In order to differentiate the same name from other in the same generation, the father’s or grandfather’s name can be added.
In modern Ethiopia, a baby name includes a given name and brother's, father’s, and grandfather’s name. So the father’s name becomes a child’s middle name.
Ethiopians do not have any particular family surname. They use the first name of the father as their last names. This is quite similar to Icelandic and Arabic naming convention. Also, people do not use surnames to address a person formally.
Women are not obligated to change their names after marriage, as the second name isn’t essentially a surname.
Discover an extensive list of MomJunction baby names below. We’ve arranged the names alphabetically for better navigation. Take a look.

Name		Gender	Meaning
Abai		Girl	The Nile River
Afomia		Girl	Fruitful; Productive
Arsema		Girl	Beloved, graceful, brave
Belkis		Girl	Queen of Sheba
Benaim		Boy	Son of the right hand
Boreda		Unisex	One of the woreds in Ethiopia
Eremias		Boy	God will uplift
Ermias		Boy	God is my curse; God has cursed
Eyob		Boy	Gift from God
Ezana		Unisex	Powerful, noble, and victorious
Gelila		Unisex	The one who is peaceful and calming
Hadlea		Girl	variation of the name hadley
Hakiem		Boy	Doctor
Hermela		Girl	Protected by God
Kebron		Boy	Steadfast, noble, strong
Kees		Girl	The priest of an Ethiopian church
Mahlet		Unisex	Gift or chosen one
Makeda		Girl	One who achived Greatness
Makonnen		Unisex	Noble or prince
Mekeda		Girl	Vastness; Magnitude; Greatness
Meklit		Girl	One who brings peace; Peaceful
Melat		Girl	Beautiful flower
Menelik		Boy	King, son of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
Misgana		Girl	A truthful person who speaks the truth
Nahome		Unisex	Comforting, consistent, loyal
Najjash		Boy	A serpent from Rio Negro
Negasi		Boy	Healing; Bringing together
Nipsey		Boy	Victory; Success; Determination
Nolawi		Unisex	Gift of God
Nolawit		Unisex	Gift of God
Ras		Boy	Leader; Duke
Seble		Unisex	Harvest
Soliyana		Boy	Peaceful or calm
Tariku		Boy	Events surrounding his birth
Yodit		Girl	Praised; Commendable
Yohannes		Boy	Gift of God