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Africa is home to several language families
and hundreds of languages. The people can be divided into over
a thousand different ethnic groups. Some practice various tribal
religions, others Islam or Christianity. This complex background
makes summing up African naming traditions in a few paragraphs
very difficult.Traditional African baby names often reflect
the circumstances at the time of birth. Names such as Mwanajuma-
"Friday", Esi- "Sunday", Khamisi- "Thursday", and Wekesa -"harvest
time" refer to the time or day when the child was born. Other
names reflect the birth order of the newborn, for example Mosi-
"first born", Kunto- "third born", Nsonowa -"seventh born",
and Zesiro- "first of twins". Some names describe the parents'
reaction to the birth (such as Kayode, Gwandoya, Abeni and Monifa)
and still others are descriptive of the newborn or of desired
characteristics (like Yejide, Dada, Chiumbo and Zuberi). Vocabulary
words are also often used as given names. For example: Sefu-
"sword" and Tau- "lion" (masculine) and Marjani- "coral" and
Ife -"love" (feminine).
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| African Boy Names |
| Names |
Meaning |
| Afram | A River in Ghana, Africa |
| Abdalla | Servant of God |
| Abdul | Servant of the Lord |
| Abedi | Worshipper |
| Abiola | Born in Honor |
| Baakir | Eldest |
| Babu | Grandfather |
| Badrani | Full Moon |
| Bello | Helper |
| Chacha | Strong |
| Chibale | Kinship |
| Chimalsi | Proud |
| Daktari | Healer |
| Diallo | Bold |
| Elewa | Intelligent |
| Eze | King |
| Fahim | Learned |
| Farhani | Happy |
| Ghalib | Winner |
| Haamid | Grateful |
| Habib | Beloved |
| Iman | Faith |
| Jaafar | Small River |
| Jamal | Elegance |
| Kosey | Lion |
| Latif | Gentle |
| Maalik | Experienced |
| Moswen | Light in Color |
| Muhammed | Praised |
| Naasir | Defender |
| Nanji | Safe |
| Nassor | Victorious |
| Odongo | Second of Twins |
| Paki | Witness |
| Rafiki | Friend |
| Rashad | Righteous |
| Rasul | Messenger |
| Saad | Good Fortune |
| Said | Happy |
| Salaam | Peach |
| Senwe | Dry Grain Stalk |
| Tahir | Pure |
| Taji | Crown |
| Talib | Seeker |
| Ubora | Excellence |
| Umar | Longevity |
| Ulan | First Born Twin |
| Waitimu | Born of the Spear |
| Yohance | God's Gift |
| Zahir | Shining |
| Zuri | Good Looking |
| Zareb | Protector |
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Top
| African Girl Names |
| Name |
Meaning |
|
Abla
|
Wild Rose
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Afi
|
Born on Friday
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Ama
|
Born on Saturday
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Baba
|
Born on Thursday
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Binah
|
Dancer
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Bunme
|
My Gift
|
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Chiku
|
Chatterer
|
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Chinue
|
God's Blessing
|
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Damisi
|
Cheerful
|
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Doli
|
Doll
|
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Efia
|
Born on Friday
|
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Eshe
|
Life
|
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Fadhila
|
Outstanding
|
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Faiza
|
Victorious
|
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Farida
|
Unique
|
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Ghalyela
|
Precious
|
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Gimbya
|
Princess
|
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Haiba
|
Charm
|
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Hanna
|
Happiness
|
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Hamida
|
Gracious
|
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Halla
|
Unexpected Gift
|
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Imena
|
Dream
|
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Jahia
|
Prominent
|
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Jamila
|
Beautiful
|
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Johanna
|
God's Grace
|
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Kali
|
Energetic
|
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Kamili
|
Perfection
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Kia
|
Season's Beginning
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Latifa
|
Gentle
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Layla
|
Born at Night
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Lila
|
Good
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Lisha
|
Mysterious
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Maisha
|
Life
|
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Malika
|
Queen
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Nabila
|
Noble
|
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Nadia
|
Caller
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Naima
|
Graceful
|
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Paka
|
Cat
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Pulika
|
Obedience
|
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Rabia
|
Spring
|
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Rafiya
|
Dignified
|
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Raisa
|
Exalted
|
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Reta
|
Shaken
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Ridhaa
|
Goodwill
|
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Saada
|
Helper
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Sabra
|
Patience
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Saida
|
Happy
|
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Tabita
|
Graceful
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Tawia
|
Born after Twins
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Tisha
|
Strong Willed
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Uzima
|
Vitality
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Uzuri
|
Beauty
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Wangari
|
Leopard
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Winna
|
Friend
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Yakini
|
Truth
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Yasmin
|
Jasmine
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Yusra
|
Ease
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Zalika
|
Well Born
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Zina
|
Secret Spirit
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