50 Cool and Unique African Names for Your Little Boy (2024)

Our list of African boy names contains trendy and unique options that mean everything from freedom to joy. Many African names carry uplifting messages across the board, making them a great choice for parents who value positivity, or, of course, parents who want to pay homage to their African roots.

If you’re looking for African boy names that are short yet meaningful, names like Ayo and Tuma won’t lead you astray. Ayo is a name of Yoruba origin meaning “joy.” And Tuma is a popular Sotho name meaning “everlasting or immortal.”

A longer but endearing name that has South African roots is one of Bongani. This Zulu name has a humbling definition, as it means “be grateful.” However, if you would rather give your son an African name with a mighty meaning attached to it, Zuberi fits the bill. Zuberi is a name of Swahili origin meaning “strong.”

Although African names aren’t very common outside of Africa, the name Kanye has become increasingly popular in North America thanks to rapper Kanye West. However, it still doesn’t hold a spot in the US top 1,000. This Nigerian name means “honor, tribute, or freedom.”

Like these names but aren’t sold on them? Well, we’ve got plenty of other African boy names for you to choose from below.

Abayomi

Meaning: Bringer of happiness
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Abdalla

Meaning: Servant of God
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Abeeku

Meaning: Who is born on Wednesday
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Abejide

Meaning: Who is born in the wintertime
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Abiodun

Meaning: Born during war
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Abiola

Meaning: Born during the New Year
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Addae

Meaning: The morning sun
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Ade

Meaning: Royal
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Adebayo

Meaning: He was happy
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Adejola

Meaning: The crown needs honour
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Adesola

Meaning: The crown honoured us
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Adio

Meaning: Righteous
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Adisa

Meaning: The clear one
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Adom

Meaning: God’s blessing
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Aiyetoro

Meaning: Peace on earth
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Ajani

Meaning: He fights for possession
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Akanni

Meaning: Profitable encounter
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Akiiki

Meaning: Friend
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Akinlabi

Meaning: We have a boy
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Akinlana

Meaning: Brave
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Akono

Meaning: My turn
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Amadi

Meaning: Fated to die at birth
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Ambonisye

Meaning: God rewards me
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Andwele

Meaning: God brings me
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Aniweta

Meaning: Brought by a spirit
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Babafemi

Meaning: My father loves me
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Bakari

Meaning: Promising
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Baruti

Meaning: Teacher
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Bello

Meaning: Assistant
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Chi

Meaning: God
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Chinese

Meaning: God protects
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Chuma

Meaning: Bead
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Dabir

Meaning: Teacher
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Dada

Meaning: Curly-haired child
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Dakarai

Meaning: Happiness
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Daren

Meaning: Born at night
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Ekon

Meaning: Strong
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Enam

Meaning: Gift from God
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Faraji

Meaning: Consolation
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Fulumirani

Meaning: A journey
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Hasan

Meaning: Handsome
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Jabarl

Meaning: Valiant
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Jameelah

Meaning: Chaste
Origin: African
Gender: Boy

Nuru