African baby names
Names from African languages such as Swahili, Yoruba, Igbo and Akan. Of the names we have researched, 10 are African, given to 3,650 US babies in 2025.
African girl names (8)
| Name | Meaning | Rank 2025 | Babies 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zuri | good, beautiful (Swahili) | #329 | 932 |
| Imani | faith (Swahili) | #579 | 512 |
| Amani | peace (Swahili) | #678 | 419 |
| Nia | several origins (Swahili 'purpose'; short for Antonia) | #702 | 403 |
| Zendaya | from Shona Tendai, 'be thankful' | #1,189 | 195 |
| Kenya | from the country (Mount Kenya) | #2,499 | 71 |
| Candace | title of the queens of ancient Kush | #3,173 | 50 |
| Candy | pet form of Candace | #4,576 | 30 |
African boy names (2)
How origins are assigned
Each name gets one origin: the language its meaning comes from, which is not always the language it reached English through. Mateo is Spanish in form but Hebrew in origin, so it is listed as Hebrew. The lists cover the roughly 2,000 most used names we have researched so far. Common meanings among African names: names from places, king or queen, beautiful.