100 Unique African Baby Boy Names
Naming your baby boy is a wonderful and meaningful journey!
Because as you begin to take a look at African baby boy names, you’ll find a wealth of incredible meanings, cultural significance, and strong stories.
There are names that convey things like strength, wisdom, or courage, and names that reflect family lineage and nature based meanings.
African names demonstrate the rich and varied languages and cultures of the continent.
Whether you prefer a name that sounds unique, one that has a significant meaning, or one that connects your child to their African heritage, this list is both useful and inspiring!
Take a moment to read through our selection of unique and meaningful African baby boy names so your baby can have their own story to tell.
african baby boy names
Abasi – (Efik) The Almighty God
Ade – (Yoruba) Crown, royalty
Adebayo – (Yoruba) The crown meets joy
Amari – (Yoruba) Strength, builder
Ashanti – (Akan) Warrior, royal
Azubuike – (Igbo) The past is your strength
Babatunde – (Yoruba) Father has returned (reincarnation)
Baraka – (Swahili) Blessing
Chike – (Igbo) Power of God
Chinedu – (Igbo) God leads
Diallo – (Fulani) Bold, courageous
Dumi – (Zulu) Praise
Efrem – (Ethiopian) Fruitful
Enoch – (Biblical African) Dedicated
Eshe – (Swahili) Life, energy
Femi – (Yoruba) Loves me
Gamba – (Mandinka) Strong
Ghedi – (Somali) Brave
Habib – (Arabic, used in North Africa) Beloved
Haki – (Swahili) Justice, truth
Ibrahim – (Arabic, common in Africa) Father of many
Imani – (Swahili) Faith
Jabari – (Swahili) Brave one
Jelani – (Swahili) Mighty
Kato – (Luganda) Second of twins
Kelechi – (Igbo) Thank God
Kwame – (Akan) Born on Saturday
Lamine – (Wolof) Trustworthy
Leroy – (French African) The king
Mosi – (Swahili) Firstborn
Mandela – (Xhosa) Name of a great leader
Mubarak – (Arabic, used in Africa) Blessed
Nia – (Swahili) Purpose
Obasi – (Igbo) Leader
Oluwafemi – (Yoruba) God loves me
Omari – (Swahili) God is the highest
Onyekachi – (Igbo) Who is greater than God?
Osei – (Akan) Noble
Sekou – (Mandinka) Leader
Simba – (Swahili) Lion
Sipho – (Zulu) Gift
Tariq – (Arabic, common in Africa) Morning star
Thabo – (Sotho) Joy
Tumelo – (Sotho) Faith
Umar – (Arabic, common in Africa) Life
Zuberi – (Swahili) Strong
Zola – (Zulu) Peaceful
Adebola – (Yoruba) Crown meets wealth
Biko – (Igbo) Born during a war
Chibuzo – (Igbo) God leads
Dakarai – (Shona) Rejoice
Ekene – (Igbo) Thanks
Faraji – (Swahili) Consolation
Gideon – (Biblical African) Mighty warrior
Hassan – (Arabic, common in Africa) Handsome
Idris – (Arabic, African origin) Interpreter, prophet
Juma – (Swahili) Born on Friday
Kofi – (Akan) Born on Friday
Lekan – (Yoruba) The one who is greater
Mandla – (Zulu) Strength
Nuru – (Swahili) Light
Obinna – (Igbo) Father’s heart
Oluwatobi – (Yoruba) God is great
Paki – (Somali) Pure
Qadir – (Arabic, common in Africa) Powerful
Rashid – (Arabic, African) Rightly guided
Sefu – (Swahili) Sword
Shaka – (Zulu) Legendary warrior king
Temba – (Shona) Hope
Tinashe – (Shona) God is with us
Uba – (Igbo) Wealth
Vuyo – (Xhosa) Happiness
Wekesa – (Luhya) Born during harvest
Xolani – (Zulu) Peace
Yahaya – (Hausa) God’s gift
Zain – (Arabic, used in Africa) Beauty
Abdul – (Arabic, African) Servant of God
Bashir – (Arabic, African) Bringer of good news
Chibuike – (Igbo) Power of God
Dumisani – (Zulu) Praise
Elimu – (Swahili) Knowledge
Faruq – (Arabic, African) One who distinguishes truth
Gugulethu – (Xhosa) Our pride
Halim – (Arabic, African) Gentle
Ikechukwu – (Igbo) Power of God
Jelani – (Swahili) Mighty, powerful
Khamisi – (Swahili) Born on Thursday
Lutalo – (Luganda) Warrior
Mandla – (Zulu) Power
Nkosinathi – (Zulu) The Lord is with us
Obafemi – (Yoruba) The king loves me
Paki – (Somali) Pure
Qadir – (Arabic) Powerful
Rudo – (Shona) Love
Sibusiso – (Zulu) Blessing
Thulani – (Zulu) Be quiet, calm
Uba – (Igbo) Wealth
Vusumuzi – (Zulu) Rebuilder of the home
Wasiu – (Yoruba) Gift of God
Zuberi – (Swahili) Strong
