Published on 1/04/2021 15:14 By Georgia Stone
Edited by | Fact-checked by
Choosing names for a baby is quite a daunting task, but names in Swahili are pretty, popular, unique, and have beautiful meanings attached to it.
As a part of the long-lasting culture and tradition, the name you choose for your little one is extremely important as it holds the essence of the connection between past and present generations. Swahili names are often religious in nature and also linked back to their ancestors as a form of protection.
Swahili names are known for how beautiful they are – in spelling, pronunciation, and the meaning of it. Names Swahili culture resonates with are short, strong, and powerful. If you are looking for an exhaustive list of Swahili baby names, you have come to the right place!
While looking to name your precious little one, we often tend to look for the most popular and that exist. Within that parameter, what the name means is also important in the decision-making process. The entire method of how to choose a name can be hectic, and that’s why we’re here!
If you love names with African roots, here are more African Boys Names. For more baby names steeped in culture, take a look at these Puerto Rican Names.
Popular Swahili Names
The Swahili language has some beautiful names. Vowels in Swahili are mainly pronounced as long vowels giving the names a melodic sound. Below we have listed some of the most popular Swahili names which would make a lovely option for your baby.
1.Adhra – For a baby girl, the name means ‘apology.’
2.Achak – For a boy, name hailing from Native American heritage meaning ‘spirit.’
3.Adila -For a baby girl, the name means ‘honesty.’
4.Afiya – Swahili baby names hailing from African heritage, name for a girl that means ‘health.’
5.Daudi – For a baby boy, the name means ‘beloved.’
6.Haki- For a baby boy, the name means ‘truth.’
7.Imani – For a boy, name hailing from African American heritage that means ‘faith.’
8.Imara – Swahili baby names hailing from African heritage, name for a girl that means ‘Resolute.’
9.Jamani -Swahili baby names hailing from African heritage, name for a girl that means ‘friend.’
10.Jelani – Of Arabic heritage, for a boy, name that means’Strong and powerful.’
11.Kali – For a baby girl, the name means ‘intense.’
12.Kai – Hawaiian Hebrew heritage, a unisex name that means ‘from the sea.’
13.Kuamsha -Baby names hailing from African heritage, the name for a girl that means “awaken.”
14.Mzuzi – Hailing from Arabic Swahili, the baby name for a girl that means ‘Inventive.’
15.Nadira – One of the most popular names Swahili culture uses for a baby girl means ‘rare.’
16.Nuru – A unisex name for a baby that means ‘light.’
17.Oyana – Swahili baby names hailing from African heritage, a name that means ‘uplift.’
18.Simba – For a baby boy, the name means ‘lion.’
19.Tumaini – For a baby boy, the name means ‘hope.’
20.Zahoor -For a baby boy, the name means ‘blossom.’
Swahili Baby Names For Girls
Girl Swahili names are rare, unique, and popular across the globe. When a Swahili baby is born, the tradition and culture to name the child are of great significance. Names Swahili culture gives importance to are based on positive words from the Swahili language. Here is a list of Swahili names for a girl:
21.Amina – Of Swahili origin, one of the most used Swahili baby names meaning ‘trustworthy.’
22.Ashia – Like most of the Swahili names for girls revolve around the concept of ‘Life,’ this name captures the essence of it.
23.Aponi – Of Native American origin, this name means ‘butterfly.’
24.Ayan – One of the top 5 Swahili baby names of all time with an African origin meaning ‘Bright.’
25.Bahati– Of Arabic origin, this name means ‘fortune is good.’
26. Chausiku – baby girl names can also be inspired by the time the baby was born, and hence, this name means ‘born at night.’
27.Dalila – Of Arabic origin, this is one of the topmost commonly used names meaning ‘Gentleness is her soul.’
28.Deka – Swahili culture has words that have multiple meanings, but in the context of names, this one means ‘ the one to Satisfy.’
29.Fujo – Many girl names revolve around emotions, feelings, and traits, and on that note, this name is of African origin and means ‘strife’.
30.Gulai – Another Swahili name based on the season of birth, this name has African roots and means ‘born during rains.’
31.Habiba – Of African Swahili origin, name meaning ‘beloved.’
32.Jaha – Of African Swahili origin, name meaning ‘good.’
33.Karolina – Of Czech Danish origin, name meaning ‘tiny and feminine.’
34.Muga – Of African Swahili origin, baby name meaning ‘Mother of all.’
35.Najuma – One of the top favourites of baby names, this one means ‘Raining.’
36.Ngina – Of African Swahili origin, a name meaning ‘one who serves.’
37.Pili – Of African Swahili origin, name meaning ‘second child’.
38.Pua – One of the top baby names of Hawaiian Hebrew origin, this one means ‘flower.’
39.Rhamah – Of African Swahili origin, name meaning ‘my sweetness.’
40.Shamfa – Of Arabic Swahili origin, a name meaning ‘Sunshine.’
Swahili Names For Boys
Names of African, Arabic, and other origins generally have multiple meanings, but when it comes to naming a Swahili baby, it is done with the utmost amount of care. A name that you give to a newborn can have significant effects on the growth of the child.
A lot of thought goes into choosing a name for a baby that is born into the Swahili culture, and that’s why we’re here to help! Here’s a list of Swahili boy names with meanings and their origin:
41.Alimayu – Of Arabic Swahili origin, a name meaning ‘God is honored.’
42.Ato – One of the most popular Swahili baby names meaning ‘brilliant.’
43.Ayele – Of African Swahili origin, name meaning ‘powerful.’
44.Baraka – Popular baby name meaning ‘blessing in Swahili’.
45.Bomani – Of Arabic Swahili origin, a name that means ‘mighty soldier.’
46.Cacnja – Of African Swahili origin, a name that means ‘A Medicine priest.’
47.Damik – Of Czech Danish origin, meaning “he who is from Earth.”
48.Dedan – Of Arabic Swahili origin, a baby name that means ‘loves the city.’
49.Idi – Of African Swahili origin, name meaning ‘born during the season of Idi.’
50.Jojo – Baby names of African Swahili, a name that means ‘storyteller.’
51.Karanja – Of African Swahili origin, name meaning ‘A guide.’
52.Kenyatta – Swahili baby names hailing from African heritage, a name that means ‘musician.’
53.Macharia – Of African Swahili origin, name meaning ‘eternal friend.’
54.Mbiyu – Swahili baby names hailing from African heritage, a name that means ‘this one runs fast.’
55.Mwando – Of African Swahili origin, name meaning ‘Efficient worker.’
56.Njonjo -Swahili baby names hailing from African heritage, name for a boy that means’ disciplined.’
57.Odai – Swahili baby names hailing from African heritage, a name that means ‘Third son.’
58.Oding -Of African Swahili origin, name meaning ‘Artist.’
59.Sentwaki – Swahili baby names hailing from African heritage, a name that means ‘courageous.’
60.Yusufu – Of African Swahili origin, a name meaning ‘A charmer.’
Swahili Girls Names Meaning Beautiful
Swahili girl names that are precious and have a meaning or notion of beauty attached to it are quite important. The meanings of names are very pertinent to the Swahili culture, and here’s a list to help your search for the perfect name for your princess:
61.Anya – a name with multiple meanings like ‘gracious/graceful.’
62.Aziza – name that means ‘Baby is gorgeous.’
63.Bahiya -a name that means ‘beautiful.’
63.Buhle – Swahili baby names hailing from African heritage, the name for a girl that means “Beauty.”
64.Doli – name that means ‘beautiful like a doll.’
65.Gamila – name that means ‘gorgeous.’
66.Haifa – means ‘beautiful being’.
67.Hiba – Hailing from Arabic Swahili, a baby name that means ‘gift from God’.
68.Ibby – name that means ‘beautiful, God-like.’
69.Jemila – a name that means ‘Beautiful.’
70.Kamara -Swahili baby names hailing from African heritage, name for a girl that means “As beautiful as moonlight.”
71.Kasha – a name that means ‘Pure.’
72.Keva – a name that means ‘beautiful child.’
73.Koshi – Hailing from Arabic Swahili, a baby name that means ‘beautiful flower.’
74.Lulu – Swahili baby names hailing from African heritage, the name for a girl that means ‘As beautiful as a pearl”.
75.Musu -Hailing from Arabic Swahili, a baby name that means ‘beautiful baby.’
76.Sune – a name that means ‘Beautiful Angel.’
77.Wub – name that means ‘with gorgeous features’
78.Zahra – name that means ‘lovely, cheerful, beautiful and strong.’
79.Zainabu – Swahili name meaning ‘beautiful’.
80.Zuri- Swahili baby names hailing from African heritage, name for a girl that means “Beautiful.”
has lots of great baby names articles to inspire you. If you liked our suggestions for Swahili Names then why not take a look at Cuban Names, or for something different take a look at Baby Names Beginning With V.
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