100+ African Boy Names 2026 (With Meanings)
African 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 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
