Published on 07/20/2020 10:22 By Sarah Nyamekye
Edited by | Fact-checked by
What Kidadl Says…
Africa has always been described as the home of modern civilization.
It is one of the continents that have stood the test of time when it has to do with cultural uniqueness. This is because Africa rarely accepts things that contravene the traditions and belief systems of African heritage.
If you wish to connect with the African heritage and share in their understanding and beliefs, one way to get started is by knowing and appreciating their African names. The meaning of African male names is generally associated with warriors and the strength of gods.
There are also other male African names that are symbolic of mother nature and fearlessness. This article presents a variety of African baby boy names you can give your infant.
Also, meanings have been attached to each of the names. Abiola, Zane, and Bale are some of the beautiful African boy names you can see below.
With so many names to choose from, finding the perfect name for a new baby is by no means an easy task! Traditional African Names are often influenced by a number of factors such as the time or day a baby is born, the family’s faith, naming after ancestors, or the order of the child’s birth.
In the case of West African boy names, like in Ghanaian culture, a child will automatically have a ‘day name’.
It is a given name corresponding to the day of the week that they are born.
So, a baby boy born on a Monday would be named Kojo, and if he was born on a Thursday his name day name would be Yaw. It’s also very common for children to have several other given names as well as their ‘day name’.
We’ve scoured the internet in search of some of the best African names and have included the significant meanings and origins of each name to help you choose the perfect name for your precious new baby boy.
African Baby Boy Names With Swahili Origin
Check out our picks of some of the most popular African boy names with Swahili origin.
Abasi – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘stern’.
Abdalla – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘servant of God’.
Azizi – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘the precious one’.
Badru – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘one who is born on the full night’.
Balozi – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘ambassador’.
Barack – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘thunderbolt’, ‘lightning’ or ‘blessing’.
Daudi – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘beloved’.
Haji – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘born during the hajj’, or ‘pilgrimage to Mecca’.
Hamidi – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘to be commended’.
Hamisi – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘born on the fifth day of the week’.
Issa – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘God is salvation’.
Jabari – Of Swahili origin Meaning ‘fearless’, ‘brave one’.
Jabarl – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘comforter’.
Jafari – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘creek’.
Jahi – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘dignified’.
Juma – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘someone born on Friday’.
Omari – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘God the highest’.
Omarr – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘thriving, long life’.
Rafiki – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘friend’.
Rajabu – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘born in the seventh month of the Islamic calendar’.
Rashid – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘thinker’, ‘counsellor’.
Salim – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘peaceful’.
Tumaini – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘hope’.
Yazid – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘becoming greater’.
Zaim – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘flowering’.
Zain – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘flower’.
Zane – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘well-born, noble’.
Zvi – Of Swahili origin meaning ‘good’.
African Baby Boy Names With Ghanaian Origin
If you’re looking for African boy names with Ghanaian origin then these names are for you!
Abrafo – for West African boys, name them Abrafo. The name means ‘warrior’.
Addae – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘the morning sun’.
Addo – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘king of the road’.
Adeben – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘twelfth born’.
Adisa – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘one who teaches others’.
Agyei – Og Ghanaian origin meaning ‘ from God’.
Botwe – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘the eighth born’.
Bubune – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘honour to him’.
Danso – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘one who is reliable’.
Domelvo – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘do not take others for the value of their face’.
Dzigbode – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘patience’.
Eric -Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘ever or eternal ruler’.
Evans – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘God is good’.
Fynn – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘derived from the name of the Offin river’.
Isaac – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘he will laugh, he will rejoice’.
Kojo – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘one who is born on a Monday’.
Kofi – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘one who is born on a Friday’.
Kwabena – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘one who is born on a Tuesday’.
Kwaku – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘one who is born on a Wednesday’.
Kwame – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘one who is born on a Saturday’.
Kwasi – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘one who is born on a Sunday’.
Malike – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘I will be established’.
Mawuli – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘there is a God’.
Yafeu – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘a bold and strong man’.
Yaw – Of Ghanaian origin meaning ‘one who is born on a Thursday’.
African Baby Boy Names With Nigerian Origin
Here’s our list of African boy names with Nigerian origin.
Abaeze – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘branch of the kings’.
Abayomi – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘brings great joy’.
Abeo – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘the bringer of happiness’.
Abiola – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘born in honour, wealth’.
Adan – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘a huge bat’.
Ade – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘royal’.
Adebiyi – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘the royal one’.
Adedayo – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘the crown has turned to joy’.
Akunna – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘father’s wealth’.
Aren – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘eagle’.
Azi – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘youth’.
Azibo – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘youth’.
Chimaobi – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘God knows the heart’.
Chinua – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘blessing of the Almighty’.
Beluchi – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘provided God approves’.
Edet – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘born on a market day’.
Effiom – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘crocodile’.
Ekon – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘strong’.
Enofe – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘one who is rich’.
Ganiru – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘good luck’.
Ikemba – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘strength of the nation’.
Jaja – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘God’s gift’.
Kelechi – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘glorify God’.
Mobo – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘freedom’.
Mongo – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘a famous man’.
Oba – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘the king’.
Obi – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘heart’.
Tayo – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘boy full of happiness’.
Uzoma – Of Nigerian origin meaning ‘one born during a journey’.
Baby Boy Names With African Origin
You’ll love our picks of African baby names. From traditional names like Kwame to popular names like Amari, you’ll find them here.
Abebe – Of African origin meaning ‘flower’.
Ajani – Of African origin meaning ‘he who wins the struggle’.
Amadi – Of African origin meaning ‘free man’.
Amari – Of African origin meaning ‘possesses great strength’.
Badu – Of African origin meaning ‘the tenth child’.
Chiamaka – Of African origin meaning ‘God is splendid’.
Chidi – Of African origin meaning ‘God exists’.
Davu – Of African origin meaning ‘the beginning’.
Fabumi – Of African origin meaning ‘gift of God’.
Fela – Of African origin meaning ‘warlike’.
Hanisi – Of African origin meaning ‘a person born on Thursday’.
Idi – Of African origin meaning ‘born during the Id al-Fitr’, a festival marking the end of Ramadan.
Jaafan – Of African origin meaning ‘small river’.
Jabir – Of African origin meaning ‘comforter’.
Kaikura – Of African origin meaning ‘ground squirrel’.
Kasim – Of African origin meaning ‘controller of anger’.
Kellan – Of African origin meaning ‘powerful’.
Kendi – Of African origin meaning ‘loved one’.
Kenyatta – Of African origin meaning ‘a musician’.
Kimoni – Of African origin meaning ‘great man’.
Kirabo – Of African origin meaning ‘gift from God’.
Kofi – Of African origin meaning ‘born on Friday’.
Kojo – Of African origin meaning ‘born on Monday’.
Kwame – Of African origin meaning ‘born on Saturday’.
Mablevi – Of African origin meaning ‘do not deceive’.
Mosi – Of African origin meaning ‘born first’.
Naiser – Of African origin meaning ‘founder of clans’.
Odion – Of African origin meaning ‘first child of the twins’.
Oringo – Of African origin meaning ‘he who likes to hunt’.
Panya – Of African origin meaning ‘mouse’.
Shaka – Of African origin meaning ‘chief’.
Simba – Of African origin meaning ‘lion’.
Sultan – Of African origin meaning ‘ruler, king’.
Tanishia – Of African origin meaning ‘born on Monday’.
Tau – Of African origin meaning ‘lion’.
Tibor – Of African origin meaning ‘it is forgotten’.
Uchechi – Of African origin meaning ‘God’s will’.
Zaire – Of African origin meaning ‘the river that swallows all rivers’.
Zuri – Of African origin meaning ‘good, beautiful’.
African Baby Boy Names With Ugandan Origin
Take a look at these African baby boys name with Ugandan origin.
Akello – Of Ugandan origin meaning ‘I have bought’.
Bale – Of Ugandan origin meaning ‘home of the Mutima clan’.
Dembe – Of Ugandan origin meaning ‘peace’.
Kabaka – Of Ugandan origin meaning ‘king’.
Kaikara – Of Ugandan origin meaning ‘traditional name of God’.
Kato – Of Ugandan origin meaning ‘the second born twin’.
Lutalo – is a name of Ugandan origin, with the same meaning as Abrafo.
Mukasa – Of Ugandan origin meaning ‘God’s chief administrator’.
Ochen – Of Ugandan origin meaning ‘one of the twins’.
Ojore– Of Ugandan origin meaning ‘warrior, man of war’.
Okello – Of Ugandan origin meaning ‘born after twins’.
Zesiro – Of Ugandan origin meaning ‘first born of twins’.
Zev – Of Ugandan origin meaning ‘older twin’.
African Boy Names With Kenyan Origin
Here’s our picks of African boy names with Kenyan origin. With so many lovely and to choose from, which will you pick?
Absko – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘power and strength’.
Alamini – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘trustworthy’.
Chiumbo – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘little’.
Gicicio -Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘mirror’.
Jimiyu – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘born during the dry season’.
Jomo – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘a farmer’.
Makalani – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘clerk’.
Natori – O Kenyan origin meaning ‘bird’.
Obama – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘the enchanting support to someone’.
Okeyo – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘one who born during the harvest’.
Onkwani – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘he who talks a lot’.
Othenio – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘give birth by night’.
Otheiambo – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘one who was born in the evening’.
Owour – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘one who was born mid-morning’.
Pili – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘second child’.
Reth – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘the King, the ruler’.
Ruhiu – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘sword’.
Sarki – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘chief’.
Sokoro – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘lucky one’.
Tumaini – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘hope’.
Wambua – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘born during the rain’.
Warui – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘one who comes from the river’.
Yaro – Of Kenyan origin meaning ‘son’.
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