87 African Boy Names with Meanings

Every African boy name below comes with its meaning or origin — and 6 of the 87 names include the native spelling, drawn from Wikipedia. Jump to a letter, or play the duel game: choose between two names at a time until your personal top 10 remains.

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T W Y Z

African boy names starting with A

Abdoulayeعبد اللهAbdoulaye is a West African masculine given name and surname. It is equivalent to the Arabic names Abdallah or Abdullah (Arabic: عبد الله ʿAbdu-llahi; servant of God), given name of Muhammad's father.
AlieuAlieu is a West African male given name, which means "strong" and has its origins with the Fula people. It was a common name in the Fulani royal families and used to be reserved for royalty.
AmissiAmissi is both a Burundian masculine given name and surname. Notable people with the name include:
AnastaseAnastase is a masculine given name derived from the Ancient Greek name Anastasíā. It may refer to:
AsanteAsante is both an Ashanti surname and a masculine Ashanti given name. Notable people with the Ashanti name include:
AssaniAssani is a given name and surname. People with the name include: Given name Assani Bajope (born 1982), Ugandan footballer Assani Lukimya-Mulongoti (born 1986), Congolese footballer Surname Hamissi Assani (fl.
AyuelAyuel is a Dinka given name and surname. Notable people with this name include: Aiwel (sometimes spelled Ayuel), Dinka mythological figure Albino Mathom Ayuel Aboug (born 1979), South Sudanese diplomat and politician Ring Ayuel (born 1988), South Sudanese…

African boy names starting with B

BaboucarrBaboucarr is a Gambian masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Baboucarr Gaye (born 1998), Gambian football goalkeeper Baboucarr Njie (born 1995), Gambian footballer Baboucarr-Blaise Jagne (born 1955), foreign minister of the Gambia
BassekouBassekou is a Malian masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Bassekou Diabaté (born 2000), Malian footballer Bassekou Kouyate (born 1966), Malian musician
BassirouBassirou is a West African masculine given name. Notable people with the given name include: Bassirou Badji (fl.
BintouBintou is a given name.
BiyiBiyi is a Nigerian male given name. Notable people with the name include: Biyi Afonja (born 1935), Nigerian professor Biyi Alo (born 1994), English rugby union footballer Biyi Bandele (1967–2022), Nigerian novelist, playwright, and filmmaker
BoureimaBoureima is a given name. Here is a list of notable people, with this name: Boureima Badini (born 1956), Burkinabé politician Boureima Hassane Bandé (born 1998), Burkinabé football player Boureima Maïga (born 1983), Burkinabé football player Boureima Ouattara…
BraimaBraima or Braíma is a masculine given name of West African origin, found most commonly in the country of Guinea-Bissau.
ButiButi is a South African masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Buti Khoza (born 1988), South African football goalkeeper Buti Manamela (born 1979), South African public servant

African boy names starting with C

CheikhouCheikhou is a Senegalese masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Cheikhou Dieng (born 1993), Senegalese footballer Cheikhou Kouyaté (born 1989), Senegalese footballer

African boy names starting with D

DejiDeji is a common given name of Yoruba origin which means "becomes two" or "has doubled". Dèjì is most commonly a diminutive form of "Dimeji" or "Dímèjì" which means "has become two".
DeleọDele also Délé is a Nigerian given name and surname of Yoruba origin meaning "arrive home" It is also a diminutive of names such as Ayọ̀délé (joy arrived home), Akindélé (warrior arrived home), Oladélé (wealth arrived home), Olúdélé (Lord arrives home),…
DiadieDiadie or Diadié is a Malian given name. Notable people with the name include: Diadié Diarra (born 1993), Mauritanian footballer Ismaël Diadié Haïdara (born 1957), Malian librarian and philosopher Diadie Samassékou (born 1996), Malian footballer

African boy names starting with E

EdrissaEdrissa is a masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Edrisa Lubega (born 1998), Ugandan footballer Edrissa Marong (died 2023), Gambian long-distance runner Edrissa Sanneh (born 1951), Gambian-born Italian journalist Edrissa Sonko (born…
ElphasElphas is a masculine given name of Southern African origin. It may refer to: Elphas Buthelezi, South African politician Elphas Ginindza (born 1967), Swazi long-distance runner Elphas Mukonoweshuro (c.
EnockEnock is both a masculine given name and a surname. The bearers of the given name are often of African descent.

African boy names starting with F

FacksonFackson is a Zambian male given name. Notable people with the name include: Fackson Kapumbu (born 1990), Zambian footballer Fackson Nkandu (born 1971), Zambian long-distance runner Fackson Shamenda (born 1950), Zambian trade unionist and politician
FloribertFloribert is a Belgian and Congolese masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Floribert of Liège (died 746), Belgian saint Floribert Anzuluni (born 1983), Congolese politician and activist Floribert Chebeya (1963–2010), Congolese activist…
FrikkieFrikkie is a given name. Notable people with the name include: Frikkie Eloff (1925–2017), South African judge Frikkie Spies (born 1985), South African rugby union player Frikkie Welsh (born 1978), South African rugby union player

African boy names starting with G

GamarielGamariel Mbonimana (born 15 October 1980) is a Rwandan politician who served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies in the Parliament of Rwanda from 2018 to 2022. He is a member of Liberal Party political party in Rwanda.
GbolahanGbolahan is a given name. Notable people with the given name include: Gbolahan Mudasiru (1945–2003), Nigerian Air Force officer and politician Gbolahan Olusegun Yishawu (born 1967), Nigerian politician Gbolahan Salami (born 1991), Nigerian footballer Ogunleye…
GetnetGetnet or Getent is both an Ethiopian masculine given name and surname. Notable people with the name include:
GiftGift is a given name. Notable people with the name include: Gift Atulewa (1986–2024), Nigerian footballer Gift Banda (born 1969), Zimbabwean politician Gift Fred (born 1998), Ugandan footballer Gift Kampamba (born 1979), Zambian footballer Gift Leotlela (born…
GoitomGoitom is a masculine given name with origins in Eritrea. It may refer to: Goitom Kifle (born 1993), Eritrean long-distance runner Henok Goitom (born 1984), Eritrean football striker Merhawi Goitom (born 1996), Eritrean racing cyclist Testfaldet Goitom,…

African boy names starting with H

HarounaHarouna, also spelled Haruna, is an African Muslim surname and masculine given name. It is derived from the accusative case inflected form of the Arabic name Harun.

African boy names starting with I

IdrissaIdrissa is a masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Idrissa Adam (born 1984), Cameroonian sprinter Idrissa Camara, Guinean-born dancer and choreographer Idrissa Camará (born 1992), Bissau-Guinean footballer Idrissa Coulibaly (born 1987),…
ImoruImoru is a Ghanaian masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Imoru Ayarna (c.
IssiakaIssiaka is a masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Issiaka Eliassou (born 1985), Malian footballer Issiaka Fofana (born 1982), Ivorian cyclist Issiaka Kamate (born 2004), French footballer Issiaka Koudize (born 1987), Nigerien footballer…
IssoufIssouf is a West African masculine given name and surname, a Francized form of Yusuf, the Arabic form of Joseph. Notable people with the given name include:

African boy names starting with J

JomoJomo is an African masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Jomo Kenyatta (circa 1894-1978), first Prime Minister and President of Kenya Jomo Kwame Sundaram (born 1952), Malaysian economist Jomo Sono (born 1955), South African soccer club…

African boy names starting with K

KangniKangni is both a Togolese masculine given name and surname. Notable people with the name include:
KanyeKanye () is a Yoruba, Igbo and Swahili name. In Yoruba culture, the name means "next in line".
KipkoechKipkoech is a given name of Kenyan origin meaning "(male) born in the morning". Son/daughters of Kipkoech would then be named "Koech" as their last name and given their individual given names; achieved by just removing the prefix "kip" as it happens to most…
KodjoKodjo is both a surname and a given name. It can be an Akan day name.
KosieKosie is a South African male given name. It is a hypocorism of Jacobus.
KwabenaKwabena is an Akan masculine given name among the Akan people (i.e. Ashanti, Akuapem, Akyem, Bono, Akwamu, Fante) in Ghana that means "born on a Tuesday" in Akan language, following their day naming system.
KwadwoKwadwo/Kwadjo/Kojo (Kwadwo in Ghana) is an Akan masculine given name originating from the Akan people, meaning born on a Monday.
KélétiguiKélétigui is both a masculine given name and surname. Notable people with the name include:

African boy names starting with L

LaminLamin is a Gambian and Sierra Leonean given name for men. Notable people with the name include: Lamin Kaba Bajo (b.
LemogangLemogang is a masculine name of Botswanan origin. Notable people with the name include: Lemogang Kwape, Botswanan politician Lemogang Tsipa, South African actor
LinvalLinval is a given name for males. People named Linval include: Prince Jazzbo, born Linval Roy Carter, Jamaican reggae and dancehall DJ and producer Linval Dixon, Jamaican footballer Linval Joseph, American football defensive tackle Linval Laird, retired…

African boy names starting with M

MaodoMaodo is a masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Maodo Lô (born 1992), German basketball player Maodo Malick Mbaye (born 1995), Senegalese footballer Maodo Nguirane (born 1993), Senegalese basketball player
MbiliniMbilini is a masculine given name. Notable people with the given name include: Jameson Mbilini Dlamini (1921–2008), Prime Minister of Eswatini from 1993 to 1996 Mbilini waMswati (1843–1879), Swazi prince
MbuyiseniMbuyiseni is a South African masculine given name. Notable people with the surname include: Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (born 1985), South African politician Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali (born 1940), South African poet
MeleseMelese is both a masculine given name and a surname that occur primarily in Ethiopia. Notable people with the name include:
MiloudميلودMiloud (Arabic: ميلود) is a masculine given name which refers to the birth of the Prophet of Islam Muhamed El Mawlid Ennabawi (and deriving from the latter). In the Middle East the name is Miled, with the same root.
MomodouMomodou is a Gambian given name that may refer to: Momodou Alieu Bah, Gambian senior army officer Momodou Baboucar Njie (1929–2009), Gambian politician Momodou Ceesay (born 1988), Gambian football striker Momodou Ceesay (artist) (born 1945), Gambian fine…
MxolisiMxolisi is a South African masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Mxolisi Dimaza, South African politician and trade unionist Mxolisi Dukwana (born 1964), South African politician Mxolisi Kaunda (born 1972), South African politician…

African boy names starting with N

NasiruNasiru is a masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Nasiru L.
NekagenetNekagenet Crippa (born 16 September 1994) is an Ethiopian-born Italian middle distance runner and cross-country runner who won a national title in 2019 and at senior level.
NganduNgandu, N’gandu or Ng'andu is an African name that may refer to: Ngandu Kasongo (born 1979), Congolese football player Ng'andu Peter Magande (1947–2023), Zambian economist and politician Canaan Ngandu (born c.1972), Zimbabwean sculptor Pius Ngandu Nkashama…
NkemNkem (pronounced n-kem as in never, no, nine) is a unisex given name found among the Igbo people of Nigeria. It is a short form of either Nkemdilim/Nkemdirim, Nkemjika, Nkemakolam or Nkemakonam and means "mine" or "my own."

African boy names starting with O

OghenetegaOghenetega is an unisex name but mostly given to a male child originated from Nigeria. It is named among Urhobo people in Nigeria.
OladapoỌỌládàpọ̀ (alternatively spelled Ladapo) is a Nigerian given name of Yoruba origin meaning "a combination of prestige, success and wealth has been mixed together (alike)".
OlatunjiỌỌlátúnjí is both a surname and a given name of Yoruba origin meaning "nobility/wealth has resurrected, has returned and becomes stronger, is reasserted". The shortform is Tunji.
OlumideOlumide is both a masculine given name and surname. It may refer to: It has the meaning "My lord has come or My hero has come."
OlusegunOlusegun (sometimes spelled as Oluwasegun or its diminutive form, Segun) is a name of Yoruba origin for males, meaning "God is victorious".
OusseniOusseni, Ousseini or Ousséni is a West African masculine given name and surname, a Francized form of Arabic Hussein. Notable people with the name include:
OusseynouOusseynou is a West African masculine given name, a Francized form of Arabic Hussein. Notable people with the given name include:

African boy names starting with P

PaaPaa is a Ghanaian masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Paa Grant (1878–1956), Ghanaian politician Paa Joe (born 1947), Ghanaian artist Paa Kwesi Nduom (born 1953), Ghanaian politician Paa Nii Lutterodt (1937–2006), Ghanaian…
PetrosPetros, the original Greek version of the name Peter meaning "stone" or "rock",. It is also an Armenian, Coptic, and archaic Spanish name.

African boy names starting with R

RadhouaneرضوانRadhouane (Arabic: رضوان) is a masculine North African given name, a Francized form of Arabic Ridwan, which means "satisfaction".
RugareRugare is an African unisex given name. Notable people with the name include: Rugare Gumbo (born 1940), Zimbabwean politician Rugare Magarira (born 1997), Zimbabwean cricketer

African boy names starting with S

SadioSadio is a West African masculine given name and surname. Notable people with the name include:
SaihouSaihou is a Gambian masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Saihou Gassama (born 1993), Gambian football midfielder Saihou Jagne (born 1986), Swedish-Gambian football striker Saihou Sarr (born 1951), Gambian footballer
SeydoubaSeydouba is an African masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Seydouba Bangoura, Guinean footballer Seydouba Cissé (born 2001), Guinean footballer Seydouba Soumah (born 1991), Guinean footballer
SithembileSithembile is an African unisex given name. Notable people with the name include: Sithembile Gumbo (1962/1963–2019), Zimbabwean politician Sithembile Langa (born 1995), South African cricketer Sithembile Makongolo (born 1985), South African cricketer…
SomadinaSomadina is a masculine name of the Igbo people from south-eastern Nigeria. The name means "May I not exist in isolation".
SulymanSulyman is an African masculine given name and surname, a variant of Suleiman, which is the Arabic form of Solomon. Notable people with the name include:

African boy names starting with T

TawandaTawanda is a Zimbabwean masculine given name that may refer to the following notable people: Tawanda Chirewa (born 2003), English football midfielder Tawanda Chiwira (born 1974), Zimbabwean sprinter Tawanda Kanhema (born 1980 or 1981), Zimbabwean photographer…
TebohoTeboho is a masculine given name.
TetteyTettey is a Ghanaian masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Emmanuel Tettey Mensah (1919–1996), Ghanaian musician Mustapha Tettey Addy (born 1942), Ghanaian drummer and ethnomusicologist
TianTian is a male given name of South African and Chinese origin. Notable people with the name include:
TichafaTichafa is a Zimbabwean masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Tichafa Samuel Parirenyatwa (1927–1962), Zimbabwe physician Mike Tichafa Karakadzai (1957–2013), Zimbabwean military officer

African boy names starting with W

WafulaWafula is a male forename and a surname of African origin. In the Abaluhya tribe of Kenya, the name means a boy born during the rainy season.
WodajoWodajo is a male given name of Ethiopian origin that may refer to: Kifle Wodajo (1936–2004), Ethiopian politician and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Wodajo Bulti (born 1957), Ethiopian long-distance runner

African boy names starting with Y

YacoobYacoob is a masculine given name and surname, a form of Jacob. It may either be a South African form of Jacob or a variant of Arabic Yakub.
YacoubaYacouba is a common West African masculine given name and surname, a Francized form of Yaqub, the Arabic form of Jacob. Notable people with the name include:
YakhoubaYakhouba is a West African masculine given name, a form of Jacob. Notable people with the given name include: Yakhouba Gnagna Barry (born 1998), Guinean footballer Yakhouba Diawara (born 1982), French basketball player
YoussouYoussou is a Senegalese given name. Notable people with the name include: Youssou Lo (born 1992), Senegalese footballer Youssou N'Dour (born 1959), Senegalese singer, percussionist, songwriter, composer, and actor Youssou Ndoye (born 1991), Senegalese…

African boy names starting with Z

ZoubidaZoubida is an Arabic African feminine given name. Notable people with the name include: Zoubida Assoul (born 1956), Algerian lawyer and politician Zoubida Bouazoug (born 1976), Algerian judoka Zoubida Laayouni (born 1956), Moroccan discus thrower

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Frequently asked questions

How many African boy names are in this list?

This list has 87 African boy names, from Abdoulaye to Zoubida, and 6 of them include the native spelling. Every entry comes with its meaning or origin, sourced from Wikipedia.

What are some well-known African boy names?

Well-documented African boy names include Ayuel, Floribert, Idrissa, Tawanda and Olusegun. Scroll the list above for the meaning and origin of each one.

How do I choose the best African boy name?

Reading a list only gets you so far — comparing names head to head is faster. Play Name Duel with this set: it shows you two African boy names at a time, and your choices eliminate names round by round until your personal top 10 remains.