By any other name would smell as sweet...
Asked Juliet of Romeo in Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.
Yes it's true that a rose if called by some other name would still smell just as sweet as a rose. However, in her plea to Romeo to shed his surnameMontague, Juliet reiterates the fact that a name has a lot to do with one's identity. Yes, it is true that a change in one's name would not change the person. Nevertheless, in most cultures names have got a lot to do with the child born. Birth of a child is a celebrated event all over the world. There are lot of expectations and joy associated with the arrival of a new member into a family. In many cases, the emotions associated with a child's birth can be understood by the baby name meanings. Of the various cultures, in this article we concentrate on the African culture. Let us see some popular African names along with their meanings.
Popular African Names and Meanings
It isn't one tradition that is followed or one language that is spoken by the African people, not even by the indigenous natives. Africa is the land of several ethnic groups. Some of them stick to their tribal religions whereas there are those that follow Islam and Christianity. Besides the diversity of religion and culture, Africa is home to various language families and even larger number of languages. This makes the tradition of naming children by African people complex, which is outside the scope of a single article. Nevertheless, this article is a modest attempt to know some African names and their meanings (etymological) without delving into the linguistic or cultural significance of these African baby names.
Like African baby names, the traditions or rituals related to baby-naming ceremonies vary from place to place. In Nigeria, the young couple requests the grandfather or great-grandfather to suggest a name for the newborn. The elderly members of the family and the guests pray for long life, health and prosperity of the child. An exotic dinner is arranged for them. Usually, the eldest female member of the family asks the mother whether she has chosen any name for the child. She repeats the question seven times. Every time the mother announces an unimaginable name, the women who are gathered for the ceremony reject the name through traditional songs. At last, when the elderly woman repeats the question for the seventh time, the father of the newborn whispers the actual name to his wife. Then, the mother of the child announces it loudly.
African Names with Meanings for Boys
| Name | Meaning | Name | Meaning |
| Abayomi | One who brings a lot of joy(Nigeria) | Jabulani | Happy |
| Abdul | God's servant. | Jaja | Respectable |
| Abiola | One who is born in wealth and honor. | Jamal | Elegance |
| Ade | Royal (Nigeria) | Jamar | Handsome |
| Adebayo | Born in the time of happiness. | Jawara | Peace loving |
| Adeben | The twelfth born. (Ghana) | Jelani | Powerful |
| Adeen | Little fire. | Kellan | Powerful |
| Ajani | One who wins the struggle. | Kendi | Loved one. |
| Amari | Someone of great strength. | Kibwe | 'Blessed' (In Swahili). |
| Ayo | Happiness in Nigerian. | Kirabo | Gift |
| Azibo | Youth in Nigerian. | Kofi | Born on Friday. |
| Bakari | Promising (In Swahili). | Kojo | Born on Monday. |
| Barke | Blessings. | Latif | Gentle |
| Biton | Born after a long wait. | Lencho | Lion |
| Bobo | One who is born on Tuesday. (Ghanian name) | Lesedi | Light |
| Bomani | Malawian for a strong soldier. | Lutalo | Warrior |
| Bron | The source or origin. | Maalik | Experienced |
| Chacha | Strong (popular in Zimbabwe). | Mahari | Forgiver |
| Chidi | God exists. | Mamelo | Patience |
| Chike | Power of God. | Manu | Second born |
| Chimalsi | Young and proud. | Minkah | Justice |
| Chisulo | Very strong, like steel. | Mhina | Joyful |
| Dakarai | Happiness. | Naasir | Defender |
| Daren | A Nigerian name which means born at night. | Nassor | Victorious |
| Davu | The beginning. | Negasi | Royalty |
| Dia | West African name that means the champion. | Negus | Emperor |
| Diallo | The brave one. | Nuru | Swahili for 'born at night'. |
| Din | Congolese name that means the great. | Obi | Heart |
| Ebo | Born on Tuesday | Ochi | Laughter |
| Ekon | Strong in Nigerian. | Ohin | Chief |
| Elewa | Very intelligent. | Omarr | Long living (In Swahili). |
| Elimu | Knowledge | Omorede | Prince |
| Enam | A gift from God. | Otieno | Born at night. |
| Erasto | Man of peace. | Paulo | Place of rest. |
| Erevu | Clever | Phomello | Succeed |
| Eze | King | Quaashie | Born on Sunday |
| Fabumi | Gift of God. | Raimi | Kind |
| Fahim | Learned | Ramses | Born of the Sun. |
| Fakih | Intellectual | Rashidi | Thinker or counselor (In Swahili). |
| Farhani | Happy | Reth | King |
| Gamba | Warrior | Roho | Soul |
| Gazali | Majestic | Rudo | Love |
| Genet | Eden | Rufaro | Joy |
| Ghalib | Winner | Runako | Handsome |
| Girma | Majesty | Saad | Good luck. |
| Gyasi | Wonderful | Said | Happy |
| Haamid | Grateful | Saleem | Peaceful (In Swahili). |
| Haben | Pride | Sekani | Merriment |
| Habib | Beloved | Sekayi | Laughter |
| Hagos | Joy | Tahir | Pure |
| Hamisi | Born on Thursday. | Taj | Exalted |
| Hasan | Handsome (In Swahili). | Taji | Crown |
| Hasani | Handsome (In Swahili). | Talib | Seeker |
| Idi | Born during the Id-ul-Fitr festival. | Tanishia | Born on Monday. |
| Idrissa | Immortal | Tau | Lion |
| Ipyana | Grace | Uba | Lord |
| Issa | Salvation | Ubora | Excellence |
| Jabari | Fearless | Umar | Longevity |
| Jabarl | Valiant (In Swahili). | Upendo | Love |
| Jabir | Comforter | Yair | Bold |
| Zahur | Flower | Yaro | Son |
| Zola | Quietness | Zuberi | Strong (In Swahili) |
African Names with Meanings for Girls
| Name | Meaning | Name | Meaning |
| Ababuo | A child that returns. | Latanya | Fairy Queen (African-American origin). |
| Abagbe | This child was desired. | Latifa | Gentle |
| Abebe | Blossomed | Layla | Lady of the night. Born at night. |
| Adah | 'First daughter' in Nigerian. | Lewa | Beautiful |
| Afya | Health. | Lila | Good |
| Akili | Someone who is bright and smart. (In Swahili) | Lisha | Mysterious |
| Alika | Most beautiful. (Nigerian) | Lulu | Pearl (Tanzanian). |
| Amina | Truthful (In Swahili) | Madaha | Elegant |
| Anana | Soft and gentle. | Maha | Beautiful eyes. |
| Ananda | One who deserves love. | Maisha | Life |
| Baina | Sparkling. | Makena | Happy person. |
| Beyonce | One who is beyond others (Of African -American origin). | Mandisa | South African name for 'sweet'. |
| Bina | Freshness | Marini | Charming |
| Binta | With God. | Morowa | Queen |
| Bisa | One who is greatly loved. | Mosa | Graceful |
| Bunme/Bunmi | My gift. | Nabila | Noble |
| Chika | God is supreme. | Nadia | The caller. |
| Cyrah | Enthroned | Naima | Graceful |
| Dalia | Tanzanian name for 'flower'. | Naja | Strong |
| Dalila | Gentle in Swahili. | Nala | Successful |
| Dayo | Arrival of joy. | Neema | Born in prosperity. |
| Deka | Pleasing in Somali. | Neema | One who is born in prosperity.(In Swahili) |
| Dore | The gift. | Nichelle | A victorious girl. |
| Ebun | Being a gift. | Oba | River Goddess |
| Efia | Born on Friday. | Obioma | Kind |
| Efuru | Daughter of heaven. | Onaedo | Gold |
| Eshe | Energy in Swahili. | Oni | Born in a blessed place. |
| Esi | Born on Sunday. | Orma | Free |
| Esosa | God's blessing. | Palesa | Flower |
| Faiza | Victorious | Phenyo | Victory |
| Fana | Light | Pulika | Obedience |
| Faraa | Cheerful | Quanda | Companion (African-American origin) |
| Farida | Unique | Rafia | Elegant |
| Fayola | Lucky | Raisa | Of high moral and intellectual qualities. |
| Fola | Glory and honor. | Ramla | Prophetess |
| Gaynell | African-American name that means 'shiny'. | Rhaxma | Sweet |
| Ghalyela | Precious | Ridhaa | Goodwill |
| Gimbya | Princess | Sabah | Sunrise |
| Hadiya | Gift, in Swahili. | Sabra | Patience |
| Haiba | Charm | Sade | Sweetly singing |
| Halla | An unexpected gift. | Saida | Happy |
| Hamida | Gracious | Sanura | A rare name that means kitten in Swahili. |
| Hamnna | Happiness | Saran | Joy |
| Hawa | Desire | Semira | Fulfilled |
| Hazina | Wealth | Shantell | Song (African-American origin). |
| Hija | Daughter | Shasha | Precious water |
| Ife | Love | Tabita | Graceful |
| Ilori | Special treasure. | Tanesha/Taneshea/Tanisha | Born on Monday |
| Iman | Faith | Thema | Queen |
| Imena | Dream | Tisha | Strong willed |
| Isoke | God's precious gift. | Titilayo | Everlasting joy. |
| Iverem | Blessings | Tumpe | Let's thank God. |
| Jahzara | Blessed princess | Uma | Second daughter (Nigerian) |
| Jameelah/Jamelia | Beautiful | Urbi | Princess |
| Jamelia | Beautiful (In Somali) | Uzima | Vitality |
| Johanna | Grace of God. | Uzuri | Beauty |
| Johar | Jewel | Winna | Friend |
| Kabibe | 'Little lady'. | Winta | Desire |
| Juji | Heap of love. | Wub | Beautiful |
| Kabira | Powerful | Yakini | Truth |
| Kafi | Quiet | Zahra/Zahara | Flower |
| Kagiso | Peace | Zainabu | Beautiful (In Swahili) |
| Kalifa | Chaste in Somali. | Xola | Stay in Peace |
| Kamaria | 'Like the moon' in Swahili. | Zakiya | Intelligent (In Swahili) |
| Keyah | In good health. | Zalika | Well born (In Swahili) |
| Kia | Hill | Zawadi | Gift |
| Kianga | Sunshine | Zena | Ethiopian for 'Fame'. |
| Kitoko | Beautiful | Zola | Productive |
| Laqueta | The quiet one (African-American origin). | Zina | Secret Spirit |
The names used by people work like a window to their traditions and beliefs. While making this list, I came across a number of African names meanings that were related to elements of nature and warfare. Some even meant weapons used in wars and certain animals like the leopard and octopus. I believe those are traditional names that highlight the close association of these people with nature and way of living in earlier times in the African heartland, when they fought with other tribes or hunted big game. I have excluded such names from the list and have included those that I thought are relevant for the internet users who are looking for African names for their children. Hope this helps.