Every parent is looking for the right name for their baby. But in doing so, many go for names that aren’t popular for whatever reason.
However, this is a costly mistake because you can’t change the name later.
We’ve all heard stories where parents name their child something that the child ends up growing up to hate it.
How can you avoid that? Do some research and check out some popular african baby names to get a better idea.
Abeke– “We asked for her to pet her”
Zuriah– “Beautiful”
Aiyetoro– “Peace on earth
Adedagbo– “Happiness is a crown”
Afafa– “The first child of the second husband”
Adika– “first child from a second husband”
Hasina– “Cheerful”
Aganju– “the earth goddess”
Adia– “Present of God”
Makeda– “Beautiful
Ashaki– “Beautiful”
Rashi– “Cute,Wealth”
Jemila– “Beautiful”
In the past, some parents have named their children after celebrities or fictional characters. Sometimes the parents themselves will choose a name that is not typical.
Other times they will choose a name that is not common at all.
Some parents are so overwhelmed with the task of naming their child that they opt for a one-word baby name.
And although this has been a popular choice, it’s not always the best decision.
In many cultures around the world, a name is considered an important part of a child’s identity.
Besides, it’s a good idea to avoid naming your child the same as their father, which might lead to confusion.
So, what should the perfect baby’s name be? Let’s dive into the list of awesome african baby names.
Ada– “First daughter”
Sihle– “Beautiful”
Ajani– “He fights for possession”
Abdalla– “Servant of God”
Adamma– “Child of beauty”
Isabis– “Something Beautiful”
Abiba– “child born after grandmother died”
Adesimbo– “Noble birth”
Adebayo– “he was happy’“
Abeje– “We asked to have this child”
Martin– “warlike”
Dixie– “ten”
Sylvia– “spirit of the wood”
Evelyn– “bird”
African Names
Hattie– “ruler of the home”
Inez– “virginal”
Rosalind– “beautiful rose”
Daisy– “beautiful flower”
Kitty – “pure”
Miriam – “wished for”
Hazel – “from the hazelnut tree”
Joyce– “to rejoice”
Catherine– “pure”
Theodora– “gift of God”
Zaina “Lovely”
Adebola– “Honor is hers”
Ahmed– “Praiseworthy”
Popular African Names
Jamyah– “Beautiful One”
Adanna– “Her father’s daughter”
Remba– “Adorn, Beautiful”
Afua– “Born on Friday”
Nabila– “Of Noble Character”
Ahyana– “Beautiful Flower”
Chanya– “Beautiful”
Adah– “First daughter”
Wanja– “Beautiful”
Runako– “Beautiful”
Aina– “Difficult birth”
Meredith– “Lord”
What are some of the cutest african baby names?
Erwin– “army friend”
Cordelia– “daughter of the sea”
Gladys – “royalty”
Oswald– “God’s power”
Gilda– “golden”
Josephine – “God shall grow”
Lucille – “light”
Kay– “rejoice”
Callie– “beautiful”
Lillian – “lily”
Lacy – “cheerful”
Hazel– “hazelnut tree”
Shannon– “old river”
Fariza– “Light”
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Tips for Naming Your Babies
There are millions of baby names out there, and while most parents decide on a name and stick with it for the rest of their lives, there are some who wish the best for their future child, but don’t have a clue how to choose a name.
These parents may be confused about why they can’t come up with a name for their baby, or they may have tried several times and have given up on the idea.
If you are considering giving your child a name, there are some things you should know:
1. Pick the name you love, even if it is popular.
It is popular and you love it. Anything else you need to think upon? Nope. Go for it. If you want to give it uniqueness, think of a great middle name.
Here are some popular african baby names out there:
Adesina– “This child opens the way”
Adejola– “the crown needs honour”
Aba– “born on Thursday”
Sakari– “Sweet”
Ayania– “Beautiful Flower”
Udama– “Flowers”
Zwina– “A Beautiful Woman”
Abayomi– “bringer of happiness”
Gamila– “Gorgeous”
Adom– “God’s blessing”
Keisha– “Precious”
Farisa– “Smart”
Abiona– “Born on a journey”
Nwaoma– “Cute Baby or Beautiful Child”
2. Do not skip lovely african baby names even if they are unique, unusual, and different.
Sometimes, parents will not go for unusual, unique, and different baby names. They consider it weird. Let me tell you that being attractive and thought provoking is the game these days.
How would you like these african baby names:
Abimbola– “Born to be wealthy”
Adowa– “Born on Tuesday”
Maliha– “Strong”
Abeo– “Her birth brings happiness”
Abiodun– “one born during war”
Adisa– “The clear one (Nigerian)”
Adesola– “the crown honoured us’“
Salma– “Safe”
Addae– “the morning sun”
Talha– “Life, Beautiful”
Abikanile– “Listen”
Zeinab– “Flower of the Desert”
Adanma– “Beautiful”
3. Be confident if you want to go toward personalized spellings for your baby’s name.
SURE. You should be confident when giving personalized spellings to your baby’s name.
However, it is important that you do not make it weird. Adding or removing an alphabet would be enough here.
Try changing these baby names spellings into personalized ones:
Chima
Meaning: “God knows”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means God knows.
Spelling and variations: Chima.
Famous people with this name: Chima Okorie.
Diallo
Meaning: “Bold”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Bold.
Spelling and variations: .
Famous people with this name: Diallo Guidileye.
Faraji
Meaning: “Consolation”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Consolation.
Spelling and variations: Fara.
Famous people with this name: Faraji Music, Jamaican singer.
Femi
Meaning: “Love me”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Love me.
Spelling and variations: Olufemi, Oluwafemi.
Famous people with this name: Femi Kuti.
Idir
Meaning: “Alive”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Alive.
Spelling and variations: Yidir.
Famous people with this name: : Idir Ouali.
Ike
Meaning: “God laughed”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means God laughed.
Spelling and variations: Ike Barinholtz.
Famous people with this name: .
Imamu
Meaning: “Spiritual leader”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Spiritual leader.
Spelling and variations: Mamu, Imam.
Famous people with this name: Imamu Mayfield.
Jabari
Meaning: “Brave one”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Brave one.
Spelling and variations: Jabbar.
Famous people with this name: Jabari Parker.
Kamari
Meaning: “Moon”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Moon.
Spelling and variations: Kamaria, Kam, Mari.
Famous people with this name: Kamaria.
Kofi
Meaning: “Born on a Friday”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Born on a Friday.
Spelling and variations: Koffi, Kofie.
Famous people with this name: Ghanaian-American wrestler.
Kwame
Meaning: “Born on a Saturday”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Born on a Saturday.
Spelling and variations: Kwamme, Kwami, Kouame
Famous people with this name: Kwame Brown.
Nnamdi
Meaning: “my father lives”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means my father lives.
Spelling and variations: Nna, Namdi.
Famous people with this name: Nnamdi Oduamad.
Omari
Meaning: “Speaker”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Speaker.
Spelling and variations: Omar, Umar.
Famous people with this name: Omari Banks.
Osiris
Meaning: “With strong eyesight”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means With strong eyesight.
Spelling and variations: Asar.
Famous people with this name: Osiris Eldridge.
4. Crossing your favorite african baby names on the feedback on friends and family members.
Feedback is important. But it does not mean to listen to every other person’s opinion.
You will hardly find african baby names that everybody would like. Therefore, get feedback but still know your choice.
Consider getting feedback on these baby names from your friends and family members:
Abeni– “Girl prayed for”
Sabiha– “A Princess”
Ayanna– “Innocent”
Zanta– “Beautiful Girl”
Abiola– “one born during the New Year”
Ahsaki– “Beautiful”
Aiyetoro– “Peace on earth” (Nigerian)”
Adofo– “Ghanian word for warrior”
Afryea– “Born during happy times”
Zaynab– “Beautiful”
Kimani– “Sweet and Beautiful”
Aduke– “Beloved, cherished
Shana– “Beautiful”
Raysha– “Beautiful Angel of God”
Abena– “Born on Tuesday
Jamila– “Gorgeous Woman”
5. Do a little research and find what is out there.
Research is important step for the first-time parents as well for those who do not know what sort of names people pick. You will be all good once you do a little internet research.
You will also be able to find some great african baby names that you might consider now or in the future.
Here are some common baby names examples to help you:
Masego
Meaning: “blessings”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means blessings.
Spelling and variations: Sego.
Famous people with this name: Masego Ntshingane.
Nala
Meaning: “Us”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Us.
Spelling and variations: Naala, Nale, Nahla, Nalla .
Famous people with this name: Nala Damajanti.
Nia
Meaning: “Purpose”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Purpose.
Spelling and variations: Nyah.
Famous people with this name: Nia Long, American actress.
Ola
Meaning: “Wealth”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Wealth.
Spelling and variations: Olamide, Olaitan.
Famous people with this name: : Ola Al-Fares.
Onika
Meaning: “Who is greater than God?”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Who is greater than God?.
Spelling and variations: Anika.
Famous people with this name: Onika Tanya Maraj.
Sade
Meaning: “Crown”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Crown.
Spelling and variations: Folasade, Shade.
Famous people with this name: Sade.
Taraji
Meaning: “Hope”
Origin: Swahili.
Description: Swahili origin and its means Hope.
Spelling and variations: Tara, Raji.
Famous people with this name: Taraji P. Henson.
Zuri
Meaning: “Beautiful”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Beautiful.
Spelling and variations: Zuri.
Famous people with this name: Zuri Hall .
Abdalla
Meaning: “Servant of Allah”
Origin: Arabic.
Description: Arabic origin and its means Servant of Allah.
Spelling and variations: Abdallah, Abdullah, Abdallah.
Famous people with this name: Abdalla El-Masri.
Yared
Meaning: “Descendant”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Descendant.
Spelling and variations: Jared, Yered.
Famous people with this name: Saint Yared.
Yuusuf
Meaning: “God increases”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means God increases.
Spelling and variations: Yosef, Yusuf, Yussuf.
Famous people with this name: Yusuf Abdullah.
Zaire
Meaning: “river”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means river.
Spelling and variations: Zyere, Ziair, Ziaire, Zyaire.
Famous people with this name: Zaire Anderson.
Abidemi
Meaning: “Born during his father’s absence”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Born during his father’s absence.
Spelling and variations: Bidemi, Demi.
Famous people with this name: Abidemi Sanusi.
Amari
Meaning: “Possesses great strength”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Possesses great strength.
Spelling and variations: Amar, Ammar, Amare.
Famous people with this name: Amari Cooper.
Bamidele
Meaning: “Follow me home”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Follow me home.
Spelling and variations: Bami, Dele.
Famous people with this name: : Bamidele Olumilua.
6. Consider the names of the subsequent children.
Maybe, you are first time parents and figuring out some cool african baby name. It is a good idea to consider the names of subsequent children too.
7. Avoid the names with bad meanings.
Baby names with bad meanings can be a cause of embarrassment for you and your kid.
Be sure to know the meaning of the name you are gonna pick and be sure it is encouraging and positive.
Here are some of the cool african baby names with meanings:
Zahra– “Radiant”
Greta – “pearl”
Henry– “house ruler”
Audrey– “power and strength”
Daisy– “day’s eye”
Lorene– “laurel”
Bessie– “God is my oath”
Kenneth– “handsome”
Iris – “rainbow”
Juntai– “Beautiful”
Saniya– “Moment in Time”
Adelola -“Crown brings honor”
8. Pick up good people’s names from history.
The name of person has an effect on his/her personality, it is said. Maybe, that’s the reason why people choose names from history. You can consider this as well.
I am sure you have heard about many legends from the past. I bet you’d find some awesome and useable african baby names if you look into it.
We have a small list of african baby names here for you to check out and know if you have heard them before:
Ayaan
Meaning: “good luck”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means good luck.
Spelling and variations: Ayan.
Famous people with this name: Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Zendaya
Meaning: “Be thankful”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Be thankful.
Spelling and variations: Tendai.
Famous people with this name: Zendaya Coleman.
Zola
Meaning: “Calm”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Calm.
Spelling and variations: Zolah, Zella.
Famous people with this name: : Zola Jesus.
Chidinma
Meaning: “God is good”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means God is good.
Spelling and variations: Chidi, Chinma, Chidimma .
Famous people with this name: Chidinma Ekile.
Cleopatra
Meaning: “Glory of the father”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Egyptian origin and its means Glory of the father.
Spelling and variations: Clea, Kleopatra, Cleo.
Famous people with this name: Cleo Moore.
Gugulethu
Meaning: “Pride”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Pride.
Spelling and variations: Gugu.
Famous people with this name: Gugu Mbatha-Raw.
Hadiza
Meaning: “One with no desire”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means One with no desire.
Spelling and variations: Hadizatu.
Famous people with this name: Hadiza Aliyu .
Hibo
Meaning: “Gift”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Gift.
Spelling and variations: Hiba.
Famous people with this name: Hiba Tawaji.
Imani
Meaning: “Faith”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Faith.
Spelling and variations: Iman, Imen, Imaan, Eman.
Famous people with this name: Imani Coppola.
Abeba
Meaning: “Flower”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Flower.
Spelling and variations: Abebah.
Famous people with this name: Abeba Haile.
Aberash
Meaning: “shining”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means shining.
Spelling and variations: Aberash.
Famous people with this name: Aberash Bekele, women’s rights advocate.
Aadan
Meaning: “Son of Adam”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Son of Adam.
Spelling and variations: Adan, Aaden.
Famous people with this name: Aaden-Gurey Maxamed Cabdille.
Amara
Meaning: “Grace”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Grace.
Spelling and variations: Amarachukwu, Amarachi.
Famous people with this name: Amara La Negra.
Kenya
Meaning: “Kenya”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Kenya.
Spelling and variations: Kenya.
Famous people with this name: Kenya Moore.
Makena
Meaning: “Happy one”
Origin: Eastern African.
Description: Eastern African origin and its means Happy one.
Spelling and variations: Kena, Makenna.
Famous people with this name: Makena.
9. Make sure the first and second names fit with each other.
This happens rarely that the first and seconds names do not fit and meet each other well. It is, however, something you would not want.
Check out african baby names and try to make full names that fit each other nicely:
Kitoko– “Beautiful”
Sonia– “Beautiful, Pretty”
Ebiere– “Jaw of Niger”
Corris– “A Beautiful Singer”
Zainab– “Decorated or Ornamented Tree”
Ade– “royal”
Leisha– “Angel of God”
Zeeba– “Beautiful”
Afiya– “Health”
Adio– “Righteous”
Solliz– “Sunshine”
Ababuo– “A child that keeps coming back”
Nakawa– “Beautiful”
Fantea– “Beautiful Day”
10. Avoid names with too many syllables.
Baby names with too many syllables are complex. They are hard to remember. They should be avoided.
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