African Boy Names

  1. Djimon
    • Origin:

      African, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      Djimon has become a familiar African name via powerful Benin-born, Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou.
  2. Yao
    • Origin:

      Ewe
    • Meaning:

      "born on Thursday"
    • Description:

      Among the Ewe people of Ghana and Togo, Yao is the name for babies born on Thursday.
  3. Thando
    • Origin:

      Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
    • Meaning:

      "love"
    • Description:

      A common unisex name used frequently in South Africa.
  4. Shango
    • Origin:

      African, Yoruba, mythology name
    • Description:

      More substantial than it sounds: Shango was the god of thunder and legendary ancestor of the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
  5. Ebo
    • Origin:

      African, Akeradini
    • Meaning:

      "born on Tuesday"
    • Description:

      Ebo is a powerful African day name that can be used to fit its definition.
  6. Zesiro
    • Origin:

      Luganda
    • Meaning:

      "older of twins"
    • Description:

      Unusual and attractive name, might be worth considering if you're expecting twins.
  7. Garian
    • Origin:

      African place-name
    • Description:

      This town in northern Libya could find a spot on the name map.
  8. Odion
    • Origin:

      Esan
    • Meaning:

      "first born of twins"
    • Description:

      Strong name from the Esan language of Nigeria, with a satisfyingly specific meaning for a child's place in the family.
  9. Eskender
    • Origin:

      Amharic variation of Alexander
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      Variation of Alexander.
  10. Ejiro
    • Origin:

      Urhobo
    • Meaning:

      "praise God"
    • Description:

      Variation of Ejiroghene
  11. Themba
    • Origin:

      Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
    • Meaning:

      "trust, hope"
    • Description:

      Themba is a common male name in southern African countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini.
  12. Chima
    • Origin:

      Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "God knows"
    • Description:

      Common in Nigeria, Chima is used as both a full name and a nickname for names beginning with Chima-.
  13. Chidi
    • Origin:

      Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "God exists"
    • Description:

      A very common boys' name (and nickname) in Nigeria that some Americans will recognize as the name of one of the main characters on NBC's The Good Place.
  14. Tariku
    • Origin:

      Amharic
    • Meaning:

      "his story"
    • Description:

      Tariku is a traditional Ethiopian name as well as that of a river in Indonesia.
  15. Tendaji
    • Origin:

      Swahili
    • Meaning:

      "make things happen"
    • Description:

      Upbeat name for a son with a hopeful future.
  16. Chi
    • Origin:

      Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "spiritual being"
    • Description:

      Christian Igbo people use Chi as the name for their god.
  17. Chibuike
    • Origin:

      Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "God is strength"
    • Description:

      In Nigeria, Chibuike is seen as a surname as well as a given name for both girls and boys. John Chibuike is a notable Nigerian footballer.
  18. Uduak
    • Origin:

      Ibibio
    • Meaning:

      "will, desire"
    • Description:

      Uduak is a name from the Ibibio language, native to Southern Nigeria.
  19. Massai
    • Origin:

      African tribe; also Italian
    • Meaning:

      "owner of land and farms"
    • Description:

      Unusual name chosen for her son by actress Nia Long, who combined it with the even more unusual literary middle name, Zhivago.
  20. Lekan
    • Origin:

      Yoruba
    • Meaning:

      "my wealth has increased"
    • Description:

      Variation of Olamilekan