African Boy Names

A simple and straightforward choice from northwest Africa.

Among the Ewe people of Ghana and Togo, Yao is the name for babies born on Thursday.

A common unisex name used frequently in South Africa.

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

This town in northern Libya could find a spot on the name map.

Variation of Alexander.

Ebo is a powerful African day name that can be used to fit its definition.

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

Unusual and attractive name, might be worth considering if you're expecting twins.

Christian Igbo people use Chi as the name for their god.

Upbeat name for a son with a hopeful future.

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

Themba is a common male name in southern African countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini.

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.

Variation of Ejiroghene

Uduak is a name from the Ibibio language, native to Southern Nigeria.

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.

Tariku is a traditional Ethiopian name as well as that of a river in Indonesia.

A name appropriate for boys born during the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca every Muslim is expected to make once in his lifetime.

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