African Boy Names
- Djimon
Origin:
African, meaning unknownDescription:
Djimon has become a familiar African name via powerful Benin-born, Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou.
- Yao
Origin:
EweMeaning:
"born on Thursday"Description:
Among the Ewe people of Ghana and Togo, Yao is the name for babies born on Thursday.
- Thando
Origin:
Xhosa, Zulu, NdebeleMeaning:
"love"Description:
A common unisex name used frequently in South Africa.
- Shango
Origin:
African, Yoruba, mythology nameDescription:
More substantial than it sounds: Shango was the god of thunder and legendary ancestor of the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
- Ebo
Origin:
African, AkeradiniMeaning:
"born on Tuesday"Description:
Ebo is a powerful African day name that can be used to fit its definition.
- Zesiro
Origin:
LugandaMeaning:
"older of twins"Description:
Unusual and attractive name, might be worth considering if you're expecting twins.
- Garian
Origin:
African place-nameDescription:
This town in northern Libya could find a spot on the name map.
- Odion
Origin:
EsanMeaning:
"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.
- Eskender
Origin:
Amharic variation of AlexanderMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
Variation of Alexander.
- Ejiro
Origin:
UrhoboMeaning:
"praise God"Description:
Variation of Ejiroghene
- Themba
Origin:
Xhosa, Zulu, NdebeleMeaning:
"trust, hope"Description:
Themba is a common male name in southern African countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini.
- Chima
Origin:
IgboMeaning:
"God knows"Description:
Common in Nigeria, Chima is used as both a full name and a nickname for names beginning with Chima-.
- Chidi
Origin:
IgboMeaning:
"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.
- Tariku
Origin:
AmharicMeaning:
"his story"Description:
Tariku is a traditional Ethiopian name as well as that of a river in Indonesia.
- Tendaji
Origin:
SwahiliMeaning:
"make things happen"Description:
Upbeat name for a son with a hopeful future.
- Chi
Origin:
IgboMeaning:
"spiritual being"Description:
Christian Igbo people use Chi as the name for their god.
- Chibuike
Origin:
IgboMeaning:
"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.
- Uduak
Origin:
IbibioMeaning:
"will, desire"Description:
Uduak is a name from the Ibibio language, native to Southern Nigeria.
- Massai
Origin:
African tribe; also ItalianMeaning:
"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.
- Lekan
Origin:
YorubaMeaning:
"my wealth has increased"Description:
Variation of Olamilekan