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African baby names inspo

18 replies

Amlen · 01/11/2018 18:55

What it says on the tin, what are some African baby names you like and what do they mean. Country of origin/language would also be good to know too.

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Didyeeaye · 01/11/2018 22:33

Girls names;
Asha
Lulu
Zola

Boys names;
Zain
Taj
Tau

thegreylady · 01/11/2018 22:58

I only know girls my favourites are Mariama and Ayodele.

Amlen · 02/11/2018 00:10

Mariama - what does that one mean

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Ricekrispie22 · 02/11/2018 05:11

Imani means faith
Dalia is Tanzanian and means flower
Jamila means beautiful

Ade is Nigerian and means royal
Jafari is Swahili but not sure of its meaning.

Sungura · 02/11/2018 06:01

Mukisa (moo-kee-sah) Ugandan Blessing or Luck
Kibwe (keeb-weh) DRC Blessed Boy's Name
Haleema (hah-LEE-mah) North Africa (Arabic) Calm or Serene
Shuari (shoo-AH-ree) East Africa (Swahili) Calm, Placid
Magoma (mah-goh-MAH) East Africa (Swahili) Celebration Boy's Name
Igulu (ee-goo-loo) Ugandan Sky, Heaven Boy's Name
Dutuva (doo-TOO-vah) Southern Africa (Tsonga) Overcast, Cloudy
Tamasha (tah-MAH-shah) East Africa (Swahili) Happy Occasion Girl's Name
Juru Rwanda, Burundi &DRC (Hutu, Tutsi, Twa) Sky Boy's Name
Kianga (kee-AHN-gah) East Africa (Swahili) Sunbeams Girl's Name
Kamaria (ka-mah-REE-ah) West Africa Like the Moon Girl's Name
Faraja (FAH-rah-jah) East Africa (Swahili) Relief Girl's Name
Mujasi (moo-jaah-see) Ugandan Courageous Fighter Boy's Name
Zuber (ZOO-behr) (Swahili) Brave Boy's Name
Ise (EE-sah) Action West Africa (Yoruba)
Kinah (kee-NAH) Nigerian Willful, Persistent Girl's Name
Jinga Cameroonian Determination Boy's Name
Alam (AH-lahm) Ethiopian World Girl's Name
Alemu (ah-LEH-moo) Ethiopian His World Boy's Name
Ezeani (eh-zee-AH-nee) Nigerian (Igbo) Boy's Name
Maysara (MAY-sah-rah) East African (Swahili) Ease Girl's Name
Shadia (shah-DEE-ah) North Africa (Arabic) Educated Girl's Name
Karamba (kah-RAHM-bah) Gambian Great Teacher Boy's Name
Jaribu (jah-REE-boo) (Swahili) One Who Tries Girl's Name
Miniya (MEEHN-ee-yah) Ethiopian I Have Expected Much Of Her. Girl's Name
Abila (ah-bee-lah) Ugandan Shrine Girl's Name
Fana (FAH-nah) Ethiopian Spirited Day Girl's Name
Musim (MOO-seem) Egyptian Believer Boy's Name
Ruhi (ROO-hee) North Africa ( Arabic) Spiritual Boy's Name
Daraja (dah-RAH-jah) Gambian Famous Girl's Name
Mongo (MOHN-goh) Nigerian (Yoruba) Renowned Boy's Name
Sifa (SEE-fah) Eastern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) Fame
Suna (SOO-nah) Western Africa (Hausa) Fame
Akesi (ah-KEH-see) Nigerian (Ishan) We are tied by blood
Afeli (ah- FEH- lee) Togo The House is now established by the first baby in the family
Wandile ( wahn-DEE-leh) Southern Africa (Nguni) Growing family
Hari (HAH-ree) Swahili Heat Boy's Name
Ona (oh- nah) Western Africa Fire Girl's Name
Rura (ROO-rah) Western Africa (Hausa) Roar of Fire
Jiki (jee-kee) Gambian (Mandinka) Trust
Anana (ah-NAHN-nah) Kenyan, Tanzanian Trustworthy Girl's Name
Mondli (mohn-dlee) South African (Zulu) The Provider Boy's Name
Nini (nee-nee) West African Industrious
Shairi (shah-EE-ree) Swahili A poem
Zakiya (zah-KEE-yah) North Africa (Arabic) Discerning, bright, intelligent Girl's Name

I know many more. Haha. I love the African languages, especially Swahili. Let me know if you want more!

thegreylady · 02/11/2018 15:24

Mariama means gift of God

thighofrelief · 03/11/2018 02:39

I recently met Comfort (a nurse) and Adalia.

Perch · 03/11/2018 03:01

Jabu (pronounce the J like Joe) is Zulu and means Joy, mostly given to boys but gan be both.
Thandi (g)
Sibenzile (Si-ben-zie-leh) (g)
Musi
Mandla (mahn-dhla) (b)
Bongi (b)
Cba to look up meanings, some of my nicest friend’s names.

17caterpillars1mouse · 03/11/2018 11:15

I met an African man called Tuesday once which I thought was quite nice

DuckofDoom · 03/11/2018 11:38

I taught a boy called Kumbirayi, which I thought was lovely. He went by nn Kumbi

If I remember correctly, he was Zimbabwean

PippilottaLongstocking · 03/11/2018 11:43

I love names like Patience, Blessing, Comfort (all people I’ve met but not known well enough to ask where they’re from)
Also biblical names are used quite a lot, not sure if this is universal or only certain countries

thighofrelief · 03/11/2018 14:41

Is it pronounced Thandie or Tandie Newton?

mostdays · 03/11/2018 14:43

Kwame (boys name meaning born on a Saturday). I love this name so much.

MrsMrsMrsMrs · 03/11/2018 15:14

A friend has a son called Tadiwa - which she said means ‘you are loved’

Honey2468 · 05/11/2018 17:56

“Indiza” literally translates to “flight” in English. It’s Zulu.
“Tai” literally translates to “Eagle” in English. From Swahili.
They aren’t really African names but they are so lovely.

Perch · 05/11/2018 20:53

Thighofrelief I would say tandie, but in Zulu the second vowel is held and the last one sharp (not always though) , so it would be tahn-di with the emphasis on the -di

drspouse · 05/11/2018 21:00

Mariama/Mariamu are the equivalent of Miriam or Mary.
Lots of nice versions of Bible names: Hawa (Eve), Adamu, Daudi, Zawadi means Gift, Rehema means Mercy, Neema means Grace, Maua means Flowers, all Swahili.

0ccamsRazor · 05/11/2018 21:20

Safiya is Swahili for pure, mainly North Africa.
Shasa is San for water, west africa.
Juba is East African and means dove.

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