African Name Generator

African names: History, structure, and meaning

Spanning hundreds of thousands of years of human history, straddling widely across two sides of the equator, and forming the foundation for human civilization—there is no continent with as rich a tapestry of traditions, languages, and history as Africa.

From Cleopatra in the north to the legend of Ga-Gorib in the south, myth, history, and folklore often intersect in many African cultures, with one common theme: Africa is the origin point of many of the greatest stories in human history.

African naming conventions

Zooming in on Swahili, names typically fall under patronymic conventions, including putting Christian first names in front of other names—including a potential third name for further specification. In a Swahili-rich country like Kenya, expect to see plenty of poetic vowels with a frequent emphasis on the /ee/ sound of the letter “I.”

African name inspiration

People pay close attention to choosing specific and meaningful names in Swahili and other African cultures—many names often refer to high-level concepts like strength or gentleness. Names are often viewed as tied to destiny, which means you can expect lofty name meanings beyond what springs from local birthplaces or towns.

Looking for names that whisper of secrets from the dawn of time and bridge the modern world with the ancient past? Then try our African-style name generator and discover names that evoke the rich and vibrant world of a continent brimming with stories and legends all its own.

List of African names

Simba in The Lion King made the Swahili word for “lion” famous. But there are many more inspirational names you can take from the cultures of Africa—often with big, bold meanings that can help you richly draw your characters.