Africa is a vast continent, spanning 5000 miles long and almost as wide. As far as culture, languages are spoken, and customs go, the continent is as diverse as it is large.
From the Arabic-speaking countries such as Libya and Morocco in the North to the multicultural British, Indian, European, and African people in South Africa, there is a lot to see, smell, and explore.
As such, there are thousands of unique African baby name options – including Egyptian, isiXhosa, Igbo, Swahili, Bantu, Nguni, Arabic, Zulu, and more!
I’ve picked out just a few of my favorite cute African girl and boy names to share with you below!
Cute African Girl and Boy Names
Are you looking for a unique African name to call your baby girl? These authentic and cute African girls and boy names are all winners!
- Ada
Meaning: “first daughter,” “nobility,” adornment,” “of noble birth,” “princess.”
Variations: Adda
Ada is a girl’s name originating from the Igbo or Ibo people of South-East Nigeria. It means a first daughter and one of noble descent.
- Adhra
Meaning: “virgin,” “pure,” “pious,” “maiden.”
Variations: Adra, Adira, Aydhra
Adhra is a girl’s name of Arabic origin. It means a pure girl who is also pious and faithful.
- Aadan
Meaning: “Adam,” “first man,” “man.”
Variations: Adan, Aidan, Aden, Adin, Aaden
Aadan is a boy’s name of African origin. Aaden is the Somali version of the name Adam, the first man.
- Abina
Meaning: “born on Tuesday.”
Variations: Abeena, Abyna, Abynah
Abina is an African girl’s name of Ghanaian origin, meaning a girl born on a Tuesday.
- Ajo
Meaning: “journey,” favorable journey,” “the journey favors me.”
Variations: Ajoe, Ajosanmi
Ajo is a boy’s name originating from the Yoruba people of South-West Nigeria. It means one who embarks on a favored or blessed journey.
- Amari
Meaning: “strength,” “strong,” “strong-willed,” “mighty.”
Variations: Amahri, Amarih, Ahmari
Amari is a girl’s name originating from the Yoruba people of South-West Nigeria. It means one who is a strong-willed and mighty woman.
- Amandla
Meaning: “power.”
Variations: Ahmandla, Amandhla
Amandla is a boy’s Zulu and isiXhosa name popularized by the anti-apartheid cry “Amandla, Awethu,” meaning “power to the people.” Amandla means power.
- Amon
Meaning: “the hidden one,” “invisible,” “unseen.”
Variations: Amun, Amin
Amon is an Egyptian boy’s name meaning the invisible or unseen one. The name is derived from Amun, the Egyptian God of air, who later merged with Ra, the Sun God, to form Amun-Ra.
- Andiswa
Meaning: “grow,” “expand,” “increase.”
Variations: Andi, Andiswah, Aandiswa
Andiswa is an isiXhosa girl’s name meaning one who expands or grows fruitfully.
- Ashanti
Meaning: “thanks,” “thank you,” “gratitude.”
Variations: Ashanta, Ashante, Ashantay, Ashante, Ashaunte, Ashaunti, Shante, Shanti
Ashanti is an African girl name of Swahili origin. It means to give thanks or gratitude.
- Azibo
Meaning: “earth,” “of the earth.”
Variations: Aziboh, Aazibo
Azibo is a popular Malawian boy’s name meaning earth, or of the earth; just like the first man, Adam was made “of the earth.”
- Baako
Meaning: “firstborn,” “firstborn child.”
Variations: Bako, Baku
Baako is a unisex name originating from the Akan people of West Africa, particularly those located in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. It means the firstborn child, daughter, or son.
- Bahati
Meaning: “luck,” “good fortune,” “fortune,” “good luck.”
Variations: Behati, Bahate
Bahati is a beautiful African girl’s name of Swahili origin. It means good luck or a fortunate one. Behati Prinsloo is a famous Namibian supermodel.
- Bomani
Meaning: “warrior,” “strong,” “soldier.”
Variations: Bhomani, Bomhani
Bomani is a boy’s name of Malawian origin, meaning strong one or warrior.
- Chike
Meaning: “power of God” “God’s strength.”
Variations: Chiki, Shike, Shiki
Chike is a boy’s name originating from the Igbo or Ibo people of South-East Nigeria. It means God’s strength or might.
- Chinua
Meaning: “God’s blessing.”
Variations: Chinui, Kinua
Chinua is a Nigerian boy’s name meaning a blessing from God. Chinua Achebe is a famous Nigerian novelist renowned for such notable literature as Things Fall Apart, amongst others.
- Cleopatra
Meaning: “glory of the father,” “fame,” “glory.”
Variations: Cleo, Patra, Kleopatra
Cleopatra was the last Egyptian ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Famed in mythology and history for her beauty and power, she is known worldwide. Cleopatra, or Cleo for short, is a lovely Egyptian name to call a girl.
- Esraa
Meaning: “walking at night,” “traveling at night.”
Variations: Esra, Mesrour, Ezra, Ezraa
Esraa is a unisex Arabic name of Libyan and Moroccan origin. It means one who walks at night.
- Dumisani
Meaning: “honorable,” “thunderous,” “praise.”
Variations: Dumi, Dhumisani, Dhumi, Thumisani, Thumi
Dumisani, or Dumi for short, is a boy’s name of South African and Zimbabwean origin. The meaning of this Zulu and Ndebele name is honorable one or thunderous one.
- Hasina
Meaning: “good,” “pretty,” “good girl.”
Variations: Haseena, Hasinah, Haseenah, Hasaan, Hasan
Hasina is an African girl name of Swahili origin. It means a good and pretty girl. You can easily change this name into a boy’s name by dropping the “a” at the end to form Hasan or Hasin.
- Ike
Meaning: “mighty,” “might,” “power.”
Variations: Ikke
Ike is a boy’s name originating from the Igbo or Ibo people of South-East Nigeria. It means powerful or mighty one.
- Imani
Meaning: “faith,” “belief,” “piety.”
Variations: Imane, Iman
Imani is a girl’s name of Swahili origin, meaning faithful or pious one.
- Isoke
Meaning: “gift of God,” “wonderful gift from God,” “blessing from above.”
Variations: Isok, Isoki
Isoke is a unisex name of Nigerian origin, meaning a wonderful gift from God or a blessing from above.
- Jabari
Meaning: “ruler,” “leader,” “brave one,” “brave ruler.”
Variations: Jabaari, Jabarri, Jabarii, Jabarih, Jabariyah
Jabari is a unisex name of Swahili origin, meaning brave or powerful one or leader. It derives from the Arabic word jabbar, meaning ruler.
- Jabulani
Meaning: “rejoice,” “be happy,” “happiness.”
Variations: Jabu, Jabula
Jabulani is a joyous boy’s name of Zulu and of South African origin. It means happiness or one who is happy and joyous.
- Jamila
Meaning: “chaste,” “pure,” “virtuous,” “innocent.”
Variations: Jamilla, Jamilah, Yamila, Yamilah, Jamil
Jamila is a girl’s name of Swahili and of Arabic origin. It means a girl who is pure, chaste, virtuous, and innocent.
- Kali
Meaning: “fierce,” “lively,” “energetic,” “time,” “black,” “goddess of destruction,” “goddess.”
Variations: Kalee, Kalih, Khali, Kaliman, Kala
Kali is the Hindu goddess of destruction, time, and doomsday. The name Kali originates from the name Kala, meaning black in Swahili.
- Kasim
Meaning: “controller of anger.”
Variations: Kaasim, Kazim, Casim, Caasim, Qazim, Qaseem, Qazim
Kasim is an Arabic boy’s name meaning he who controls anger or stays calm through his strong will.
- Kellan
Meaning: “powerful,” “strong,” “mighty.”
Variations: Kelan, Kellani, Kelani, Celan, Khelan
Kellan is an African boy’s name meaning one who is strong, mighty, and powerful.
- Keyara
Meaning: “beautiful river.”
Variations: Kiyara, Kiyarah, Khiyara
Keyara is a beautiful girl’s name of African and Indian origin. It means a beautiful river or stream.
- Khalid
Meaning: “eternal,” “endless,” “immortal.”
Variations: Kalid, Calid, Kalidh, Calidh, Khalida
Khalid is a boy’s name of Arabic origin, meaning one who is eternal or immortal.
- Kofi
Meaning: “born on Friday.”
Variations: Cofi, Khofi, Kofhi, Kofe, Kofee, Kofih
Kofi is an African boy’s name originating from the Akan people of Ghana. It means one who is born on a Friday.
- Layla
Meaning: “born at night,” “night,” “nighttime.”
Variations: Lila, Laylah, Layila, Leila, Laila, Laela, Laelah, Leyla, Lejla, Leighla
Layla is a beautiful Arabic girl’s name that means dark night or nighttime. This name is often given to girls who are born at night.
- Latifa
Meaning: “gentle,” warm-hearted,” “kind,” “friendly,” “pleasant.”
Variations: Laatifa, Latifah, Lateefah, Latefa, Latefah
Latifa is a lovely girl name of Arabic origin. It means kind, gentle, loving, and warm-hearted.
- Makena
Meaning: “delighted,” “joyous,” “joyful,” “thrilled,” “glad.”
Variations: Makkena, Makhena, Makenah
Makena is a unisex name of Swahili origin. It means one who is delightful, joyous, and glad.
- Mandisa
Meaning: “sweet,” “cute,” “lovely,” “nice,” “bright.”
Variations: Mandisah, Mandi, Mandiswa
Mandisa is an African girl’s name of isiXhosa origin, meaning one who is sweet, cute, and lovely.
- Masego
Meaning: “blessings,” “gift,” “godsend.”
Variations: Masegoh, Mhasego
Masego is an African boy’s name originating from the Bantu-speaking Tswana tribe of Botswana and South Africa. The name means one who is a blessing or gift from the Gods.
- Mosi
Meaning: “firstborn,” “first child.”
Variations: Mose, Moshe, Moshee, Moshi
Mosi is a unisex name of Swahili origin often given to those children who are firstborn.
- Nabil
Meaning: “noble,” “royalty,” “of noble birth,” “honorable,” “dignified.”
Variations: Naabil, Nabhil, Nabilah, Nabila, Nabeela
Nabil is an elegant Arabic boy’s name, meaning one of noble or royal birth or stature. The name can be adapted to a girl’s one by adding an “a” at the end.
- Nala
Meaning: “first drink of water in the desert,” “gift,” “queen,” “lion,” “successful.”
Variations: Nahla, Niyala, Nalah
Nala is a girl’s name of Swahili, Arabic, and Sanskrit origin, meaning the first drink of water had in the desert. In Swahili, Nala also means queen or queen lion. You may recognize the name from the female lion character, Nala, in The Lion King movies.
- Neema
Meaning: “born in prosperity,” “abundant,” “prosperous,” “of wealth.”
Variations: Nema, Nemah, Neem
Neema is a beautiful girl’s name of Swahili origin, meaning one who is born into prosperity or will be blessed with prosperity in their lifetime.
- Nqobile
Meaning: “conqueror,” “strong man,” “powerful,” “integrity.”
Variations: –
Nqobile is a unique isiXhosa and Zulu boy’s name originating from the Nguni tribes in Southern Africa. It means one who is strong, powerful, and mighty. The name is unique as you pronounce the “q” in it using a click sound.
- Odion
Meaning: “firstborn of twins,” “firstborn twin,” “eldest twin.”
Variations: Odhion, Odon, Odien
Odion is a boy’s name originating from the Igbo or Ibo people of South-East Nigeria and Benin. It means one who is the firstborn of a set of twins.
- Ola
Meaning: “gold,” “surmount,” “high,” “arise,” “high up.”
Variations: Olaa, Olah, Olae
Ola is an African and Arabic girl’s name originating from the Igbo or Ibo people of South-East Nigeria. It means one who is as valuable as gold or one who arises or rises up high.
- Omari
Meaning: “God is the highest,” “God is exalted.”
Variations: Omarih, Omar
Omari is a Swahili name meaning God is the greatest, highest, most exalted, and mightiest.
- Palesa
Meaning: “flower,” “bloom,” “blossom,” “beautiful flower.”
Variations: Palisa, Palesah
Palesa is an African girl’s name originating from Lesotho. It means a beautiful flower or bloom.
- Rashida
Meaning: “righteous,” “wise woman,” “one who knows her way,” “mature,” “of true faith.”
Variations: Rashidah, Rashid
Rashida is an Arabic girl’s name, meaning a woman who is wise, faithful, pious, moral, and strong.
- Sade
Meaning: “honor earns a crown,” “honorable,” “crowned by honor.”
Variations: Saade, Sadey, Sadeh
Sade is a girl’s name originating from the Yoruba people of South-West Nigeria. It means one who is crowned by honor and dignity.
- Sayed
Meaning: “lord,” “master,” “ruler,” “divinely chosen.”
Variations: Sayeed, Sa’id, Sayyid, Zayed, Sayidah, Sayidaa
Sayed is an Arabic boy’s name meaning one who is ruler, master, leader, or divinely chosen to lead the people.
- Siyanda
Meaning: “we are growing together,” “we are growing,” “growing together.”
Variations: Siyandah, Siya
Siyanda is a South African boy’s name of Zulu origin, meaning we are growing together.
- Tafariah
Meaning: “she who inspires awe,” “awesome woman,” “awe-inspiring.”
Variations: Tafaryah, Tafari, Radar, Mustafar, Tafar
Tafariah is an elegant girls name of Ethiopian origin. It means one who is inspiring, awesome, and amazing. You can adapt this name into a boy’s name by dropping the “iah” at the end to form Tafar.
- Tamala
Meaning: “dark tree,” “ebony tree.”
Variations: Tamalah, Tamaa, Tamaar, Tami, Tamal
Tamala is a girl’s name of Hassaniya-Arabic and Berber origin. It means dark wood tree or ebony tree, as it is more commonly known. The ebony tree is prized for its dense, dark-hued wood and used to make beautiful furniture, adornments, and musical instruments. You can drop the “a” at the end of Tamala to form a boy’s name – Tamal.
- Tariq
Meaning: “morning star,” “visitor.”
Variations: Tarik, Tarikh, Tariqa, Tariqah, Tarika, Tariqah
Tariq is an Arabic boy’s name meaning one who is like a morning star or divine visitor. You can adapt this name into a girl’s name by adding an “a” or “ah” at the end to form Tariqa or Tariqah.
- Thandeka
Meaning: “loved one,” “beloved,” “lovable one,” “dear one.”
Variations: Tandeka, Tandekha, Thandekha, Thandi, Thando
Thandeka is an isiXhosa girl’s name originating from South Africa. It means one who is beloved, dearly loved and dear.
- Ulan
Meaning: “firstborn twin,” “firstborn of twins.”
Variations: Ulaan
Ulan is an interesting African boy’s name meaning one who is the firstborn of twins.
- Xolani
Meaning: “please forgive,” “forgiveness,” “peace.”
Variations: Xola, Zolani, Zola
Xolani is a boy’s name of isiXhosa and Zulu origin. It means forgiveness, mercy, and peace. The “x” in Xolani or Xola, for short, is pronounced as a “z.”
- Zahra
Meaning: “flower,” “beautiful flower,” “bloom,” “blossom.”
Variations: Zara, Zarah, Zaharah, Zihara, Zahaar, Zahar
Zahra is an exotic African girl’s name of Swahili and Arabic origin, meaning beautiful bloom or flower. It can be adapted into a longer name, Zahara, which is similar to Sahara, the word for a flat African grassland or plain.
- Zendaya
Meaning: “to give thanks,” “gratitude,” “grateful,” “gift of God.”
Variations: Zendaia
Zendaya is a beautiful girl’s name originating from the Bantu-speaking people of Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Western Africa. Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman is a famous American actress and singer who has popularized the name.
- Zola
Meaning: “peaceful,” “tranquil,” “calm,” “serene,” “be calm.”
Variations: Zoliswa, Xola
Zola is a boy’s or girl’s name of isiXhosa origin, meaning one who is at peace, tranquil, calm, or slow to anger.
- Zuma
Meaning: “of God.”
Variations: –
Zuma is a strong boy’s name of South African origin, meaning one who is of God or picked by God.
Conclusion:
African baby names and nicknames are as varied as they are unique. Hopefully, you found a cute African girl or boy’s name on this list to call your baby!