African Boy Names

A cool and charismatic Sotho name with a great meaning.

A sonorous, if mournful, name from the Tumbuka language of Malawi and Zambia.

A form of the classic Theodore, most often used in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Tewodros is an alternative spelling.

Derived from the Igbo name Ositadimma, Osita comes from the longer phrase Osi-ta-dị-mma-ọdịbalụ-gboo meaning "if it starts to get better today it started early". A powerful meaning with a simple short form, Osita is borne by Nigerian actor Osita Iheme, and is the name of a character in the TV show The Day of the Jackal.

Ositadimma comes from longer Igbo phrase Osi-ta-dị-mma-ọdịbalụ-gboo meaning "if it starts to get better today it started early", though it is sometimes interpreted as "may all be well from now". A powerful and familiar name in Nigeria, it is borne by footballer Ositadimma "Osi" Umenyiora.

Used as a surname and as a first name, Lovemore is predominantly given to boys in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana. It is a virtue name with spiritual undertones, and may be used alongside names such as Loveness, Moreblessing, and Gracious — names that may feel bold elsewhere but are familiar in southern Africa. Notable bearers include footballer Lovemore Mokgweetsi, boxer and solicitor Lovemore N'dou, writer Charles Lovemore Mungoshi, and politician and activist Lovemore Madhuku.