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Popular African Boy Names and Their Meaning
If you’re looking for popular African boy names, you’ve come to the right place!
How old were you when you first asked or wondered about the meaning of your name? In most African cultures, like many cultures around the world, several factors come to play when picking a name for a child. Issues like the day or time the child is born, his position at birth (first male child or first female child) all influence the choice of baby names.
Also, the event surrounding the birth of the child, emotional and circumstantial delivery, cultural religious belief can determine a baby’s name – Christian, Muslim, Arabic, or Jewish. However, some of these black baby names are re-invented from names of other cultures
Some African boy names are a mouthful; others sound funny, interesting, and appealing. Well, here is a list of African baby boy names, their meaning, and origin to aid your search.
List of Popular African Boy Names, Meaning, and Origin
Name Meaning Origin
Aaliyah To rise Arabic
Abdi Servant of God African/ Hebrew
Abidemi Father’s reborn Nigeria
Abimbola Born to be rich Nigeria
Abiola Born into wealth Nigeria
Abioye Son of royalty Nigeria
Absko Power and strength Kenya
Abuchi Nobility of God Nigeria
Adah Ornament, beautiful African
Adamu Father of humankind Kenya
Ade Crown Nigeria
Adeben 12th child Akan/ African
Adegoke Crown ascending Nigeria
Adebowale The crown returns (long-awaited child) Nigeria
Ademola Wealth brings crown Nigeria
Adeola Crown of high estate Nigeria
Adil Righteous Mozambique
Adisa A person who speaks clearly African
Adjatay Prince Cameroon
Addo king of the path, ornament Nigeria
Adric A blessed ruler Ghana
Afam Friendly Nigeria
Afolabi High-status Nigeria
Front view of African American boy playing game on digital tablet at dining table in kitchen at home
Agu Strength of a leopard Nigeria
Ajani A person who fights for possession Nigeria
Akachi God’s hand Nigeria
Akuchi Wealth from God Nigeria
Ahmad Highly praised Egypt
Amari Associated with strength Nigeria
Amarion Popular, flourish Arabic
Amina Faithful or trustworthy Swahili & Arabic
Ammon The hidden one Egypt
Andre brave, manly African
Apep To slither Egypt
Apophis To slither Egypt
Armando Male army Mozambique
Ashante One who can experience good things Ghana
Ashon 7th born son Swahili
Astor Hawk Angola
Ato/Atu Born on Saturday Ghana
Auni Help, assistant Swahili
Ayomide (AY) My joy has come Nigeria
Azad Freedom Mozambique
Babajide Father is coming home Nigeria
Bandile Increase South Africa
Bakari Noble promise Swahili
Barrack Blessed Kenya
Barasa Meeting site Kenya
Bayo Finding joy Nigeria
Binta With God African
Bisa Greatly loved African
Bobo One born on Tuesday African
Bokamoso Future South Africa
Bwana Gentleman Swahili
Cayman One who is like an alligator African American
Chacha Eagle, Strongman African
Chane Dependable Swahili
Chege People of Kenya Kenya
Chibueze Where God is King Nigeria
Happy african descent family
Chibuzo God is leading Nigeria
Chike Power of God Nigeria
Chima God knows all Nigeria
Chuks God did great things Nigeria
Chuma Iron Swahili
Dakarai Happiness African
Demarco Demanding person African
(one who is of the mark)
Darbir An intelligent teacher African/Muslim
Darweshi Holy Kenya
Dauid A form of David Swahili
Dayo Joy arrives Nigeria
Denzel Wild One African American
DeAnthony Praiseworthy, rambunctious African American
Desta Pleasure African
Demarcus Son of Marcus African American
Diallo A bold person (strong) African American
Donkor Humble one Egypt
Dubem The Lord is My Shepherd Nigeria
Ebo Born on Tuesday Ghana
Efua Born on Friday Ghana
Efrem Twice fruitful African
Ekow Born on Friday Ghana
Elolo God is great Ghana
Emeka God did great things Nigeria
Enitan Born with a story Nigeria
Essien 6th born son Ghana
Eze king Nigeria
Fahim Scholar Mozambique
Faraji Consolation Swahili
Femi Adored Nigeria
Fynn/Finn River Ofinn Nigeria
Gikuyu Founder of the Agikuyu nation Kenya
Hakeem Wise African
Hamza Sour leaves, lion, smart African
Hanbar Perfect, purity Egypt
Husani Handsome boy Egypt
Isa God of our salvation Swahili
Izaak Laughter Arabic
Jaja Highly honored person Nigeria
Jaaji Powerful Kenya
Jabari Brave, fearless Swahili
Jabulani One who rejoices Swahili
Jabir One who consoles Arabic
Jafari Comforter Swahili
Jahi Dignified Swahili
Jamal/ Jamel Handsome or beautiful Angola/ Arabic
Jamere Good looking African American
Ja Marion Handsome African American
Jelani A mighty one Swahili
Jayden Thankful African American
Jimiyu Born during summer Kenya
Jojo God lifts African
Javaris Graceful, happy African American
Kahlil Friend African
Kahlan Strong warrior African
Kamogelo Acceptance, to receive South Africa
Kanye Freedom, honor African
Karim Generous and noble Egypt/ Arabic
Kayode One who brings joy Nigeria
Kehinde Second twin Nigeria
Keita The child is a huge gift (a blessing in Africa) African
Kendi The beloved African
Khalid Eternal Egypt/ Arabic
Kito Precious child, jewel Swahili
Kobby Born on Tuesday Ghana
Kofi Born on Friday Ghana
Kwame/ Kwami Born on Saturday Ghana
Kungawo Power from God South Africa
Kyan Generations of king Arabic
Lamech Powerful African American
LaShawn God is merciful or gracious African American
Lebron King African American
Leonildo Lion strength Mozambique
Lethabo Happiness South Africa
Mahmoud One who is praised by many Egypt/ Arabic
Malik Owner Arabic
Mandela Spectacles African
Mansa king Swahili
Mensah 3rd son Ghana
Moeshe A variant of Moses Egypt
Nkruma The 9th born child Ghana
Nnamdi My father still abides (lives on) Nigeria
Nokutenda By Faith Zimbabwe
Nolan Nobility, renowned African
Oba king Nigeria
Obama The enchanting support of someone Kenya
Obi One with a charming appeal Nigeria
Odion First twin Nigeria
Odongo Second twin Kenya
Olu Extraordinary person Nigeria
Olufemi Adored by God Nigeria
Omari/ Omarion A form of Omar Swahili
Orion Hunter African
Osaro God exists Nigeria
Pilis Second-born son Egypt
Ra The sun Egypt
Rameses Son of Ra Egypt
Rashaad Great guidance, wisdom African
Rashidi One who thinks a solution Swahili
Rashidi A wise man Nigeria
Safari Born while traveling Swahili
Saka Hunter Swahili
Selassie One that refers to the trinity Ethiopia
Sherman Shearer of woolen garments African American
Sibusiso Blessed South Africa
Simba Lion Swahili
Siyabonga Thanks South Africa
Sizwe Nation South Africa
Sultan One with authority African
Taiwo/Taye First twin Nigeria
Talib One who seeks the truth African
Thabiti A true man Kenya
Thabo He who brings joy African
Tinaye Gift of God, we are with God Zimbabwe
Yaro Son Kenya
Zahair Shining bright African
Zaire/Zy’ aire River African
Zefania Secret of God Mozambique
Zuberi Strong, powerful Egypt/ Africa
The list of popular African Boy Name is an endless one. These black baby boy names are not only exciting but filled with inspiring meanings. A lot of the names above have, over the years, remained popular while some keep gaining popularity.
There are some celebrities and famous figures who go by some of these names. If you want to know more about names, check your baby’s name’s popularity or what your name would be if you were born today.
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