Afrikan Names

Popular African Names

drhodari — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 05:49:25 +0000

African Names for Twins

drhodari — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 05:41:36 +0000

African Names for the New Year

drhodari — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 10:00:30 +0000

Please enjoy these African names for the new year:

KISASA (kee-SAH-sah). New, modern. Kenya, Tanzania
NYONGPUA. A new thing has come. Cameroon (Mubako)
SABO (SAH-boh). New. West Africa (Hausa)
SHA (SHAH). New. Azania (Zulu)
UPYA (OOP-yah). Something new. Kiswahili
YALERO (yah-LEH-roh). It is new. Zambia (Chewa)
ZWELITSHA (zway-LEET-shah). New world. Azania (Xhosa)

_{The African Book of Names | www.AfricanBookofNames.com}

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African Names for Dogs

drhodari — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 09:00:20 +0000

Dog names come in many different forms and from places around the world. In the U.S., where I live, the most popular dog names tend to be names like Spot, Buddy, Lucky, Daisy, Coco, or Rocky. Other common canine names include Bandit, Princess, Zeus, Duke and Ginger.

Somewhat surprisingly, in the last few years, I have had quite a few persons contact me looking for an African name for a dog. Fortunately, African cultures offer us suitable choices for dog names.

For instance, instead of naming a dog Buddy, you can choose a name that will let the world know your dog is your “non-human” friend by naming the dog KUUME (koo-OO-meh) or OGBO (oh-boh) meaning friend. Instead of Princess, Queenie, or King, you could name your dog, KWINI (KWEE-nee) (queen), TOR (toor) (king) or ADE (ah-DEH) (royal).

Looking for the perfect dog name? Each of the names below is accompanied by its meaning, pronunciation and place of origin. Hopefully you will find a name to fit the size, color, or personality of your pooch.

AMAR (ah-MAH). Long life. East Africa (Kiswahili) (M)
ANE (AH-neh). Keep them guessing. Nigeria (Ishan)
AZA (AH-zah). Powerful, strong. Kiswahili
BAAYO (BAH-yoh). Orphan. Gambia (Wolof)
BIKA (BEE-kah). Announcement, omen. Kiswahili
CHAGA (CHAH-gah). To do vigorously. Kiswahili (M)
CHEBE (CHEH-beh). Chance, luck, fortune. Azania (Xhosa)
DINGA (DEHN-gah). To wander, to be without a home. Azania (Zulu)
DIYA (DEE-yah). Light. North Africa (Arabic) (F)
DOMME (DOHM-meh). I have been blessed. Ghana (Akan)
DUMA (DOO-mah). Lightning, thunder. Zulu
EMI (EH-mee). Ghost. West Africa (Yoruba)
ENYI (ahn-yee). Friend, friendship. Nigeria (Igbo) (F)
FAA (FAAH). Be useful. Kiswahili
GONI (GOH-nee). A promise. Azania (Xhosa)
INAANI (ee-NAHN-nee). Who is left at home? Southern Africa
JAMA (JAH-mah). One who brings people together. Somalia (M)
JUBA (JOO-bah). Fearless. Africa (M)
KAABO (kah-AH-boh). Welcome. West Africa (Yoruba)
KAFI (kah-fee). Quiet, serene. Central Africa (F)
KAMIKAZI (kah-mee-kaah-zee). Queen. (Rwanda, Burundi) (F)
KANZI (KAHN-zee). Treasure; valuable. East Africa (Kiswahili) (F)
KHATA (KHAH-tah). Home. Azania (Zulu)
KHAYA (KAH-yah). Home. Azania (Xhosa) (M)
KHAYAKAZI (kah-yah-KAH-zee). The great home; she will be refuge to many. Azania (Xhosa) (F)
KIFAA (kee-FAAH). Useful. Kenya, Tanzania (Kiswahili) (F)
KUUME (koo-OO-meh). Friend. Namibia (Ovambo)
KWINI (KWEE-nee). Queen. (Kiswahili) (F)
LOMO (LOH-moh). Sunshine. Nigeria
MINZI (MEEN-zee). Defender; protector. East Africa (M)
MOJA (MOH-jah). One; single. Kiswahili
MORITI (moh-REE-tee). Shadow, messenger. (North Sotho)
MOYO (MOH-yoh). Life, well-being, good health. Malawi (M)
NATA (NAH-tah). To be faithful. Kiswahili (F)
NIMA (NEE-mah). Blessing. North Africa (Arabic) (M)
OBI (OH-bee). Heart. Nigeria (Igbo)
ODE (oh-DEH). Born along the road. Benin
OGBE (OHG-beh). Shelter. Eritrea, Ethiopia (Tigrinya) (M)
OGBO (oh-boh). Friend, mate, twin. West Africa
OKAKA (oh-KAH-kah). Blessing. Nigeria (Eleme)
OKRA (OHK-rah). Soul. Ghana (M)
OLEE (oh-lee). Happy moment. Nigeria
RAADI (rah-AH-dee). Thunder. (Kiswahili)
REMBA (REHM-bah). Beautiful. Kenya, Tanzania
ROHO (ROH-hoh). Spirit; soul. Kiswahili (M)
RORO (ROH-roh). Fierce. West Africa (Yoruba)
SAFARI (sah-FAH-ree). Journey, trip. Kiswahili (M)
SISA (SEE-sah). Benevolent; fondness. Azania (M)
SISAY (see-say). A blessing. Ethiopia (Amharic)
SITI (SEE-tee). Lady. East Africa (Kiswahili) (F)
STARA (s-TAH-rah). Protected. East Africa (Kiswahili) (F)
SUDI (SOO-dee). Luck. East Africa (Kiswahili) (M)
TEKE (TEH-keh). Prayer. Nigeria
TEZI (TEH-zee). One who stays. Azania (Zulu)
TIIFU (tee-ee-FOO). Loyal, faithful. East Africa (Kiswahili) (M)
TINDO (TEEN-doh). Active. Kiswahili (M)
TITA (tee-tah). Prince. Cameroon (Mubako) (M)
TITI (tee-tee). Flower. Nigeria
TOR (toor). King. Nigeria (Tiv) (M)
UCHE (OO-cheh). Deep thought, reflection. Nigeria (F)
UJE (oo-jeh). Happiness. Nigeria (Igarra)
UKI (OO-kee). Honey. Africa (F)
YAHYA (YAH-yah). Grant someone a long life. North Africa (Arabic) (M)
YATO (YAH-toh). Different. West Africa (Yoruba)
YOLA (YOH-lah). Firefly. Nigeria (Hausa) (F)
ZOZO (zoh-zoh). The calm, meek one. Azania (Xhosa)
ZUKA (ZOO-kah). To appear suddenly; to come onto the scene as an upstart. Kiswahili
ZULA (ZOO-lah). To wander, roam about. Azania (Zulu)
ZWAYI (zwah-yee). The home has expanded. Azania (Xhosa) (M)

Which names are your favorites? If you have a suggestion or a dog with an African name, please share the name and a picture of the dog with us.

African Names for Kwanzaa

drhodari — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 09:07:58 +0000

Even in the monastery there is occasion for song and merriment. _-Ethiopia

Enjoy this list of African names for Kwanzaa.

Umoja (Unity)

AZUBUIKE (ah-zoo-boo-EE-keh). Unity is strength. Nigeria (Igbo) M
LUSAMBYA (loo-sahm-bjah). The unifier. DRC (Rega) M
SIRA (see-rah). May he join together his friends. Somalia
SOMBOZA (ssohm-boh-zaah). One who brings together. Uganda (Ganda) M
TIZILALE (tee-zee-lah-leh). We shall gather together, unite. Zambia M
UNGAMANA (oon-gah-MAH-nah). Be united. Kiswahili
YANJANANI (yahn-jahn-ah-nee). Unite, understand each other. Zambia M

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)

DHATI (DAH-tee). Determination, free-will. (Kiswahili)
IBHEJI (ee-beh-jee) Determination. Azania (Zulu)
JILELE (jee-LEH-lee). Be self-reliant. Zambia (Tumbuka) M
JINGA (jehn-gah). Determination. Cameroon (Mubako) M
OBIORA (oh-bee-OH-rah). The will of the people. Nigeria

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)

DARAKA (dah-RAH-kah). Responsibility. Kiswahili
IKEDIORA (ee-kee-dee-OH-rah). The power of a community. Nigeria M
MADARAKA (mah-dah-RAH-kah). Responsibility. Kiswahili
ODUSINA (oh-doo-SEE-nah). Hard work opens ways. Nigeria
SHIME (SHEE-meh). We work together; we pull together. Kiswahili
THANDIZANI (tahn-dee- ZAH-nee). Let’s help people in the community who are suffering. Zambia M

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)

AKOLU (ah-KOH-loo). Success is more likely when there is cooperation. Nigeria
AKUDO (ah-KOO-doo). Wealth is acquired by peaceful means. Nigeria (Igbo)
IBEBUIKE (ee-beh-boo-EE-keh). Partnership is power. Nigeria (Igbo) M
KBELLO (K-BEHL-loh). Something shared. Azania (Sotho)
KETASE (keh-TAH-seh). Cooperation. Zambia (Tumbuka) F
ODOZIAKU (oh-doh-zee-ah-koo). Keeper of wealth. Nigeria (Igbo) F
OLAMINA (oh-lah-MEE-nah). This is my wealth. Nigeria (Yoruba)
SIHAM (SEE-hahm). Sharing; participation. Kiswahili F
UNGANA (oon-GAH-nah). To combine. Kiswahili

Nia (Purpose)

ASHIA (ah-SHEE-ah). Meaningful existence. East Africa
MAKUSUDI (mah-koo-SOO-dee). On purpose. Kiswahili
NIAMOJA (nee-ah-moh-JAH). One purpose. East Africa (Kiswahili) M
NYAH (n-yah). Purpose. East Africa F
SABABU (sah-BAH-boo). The reason why. Sierra Leone M

Kuumba (Creativity)

ADWIN (AHD-ween). Creative, imaginative. West Africa
DALA (DAH-lah). Be creative; create something new. Azania (Xhosa) M
KENYA (KEHN-yah). Artist. East Africa
SEITU (seh-ee-too). Artist. East Africa

Imani (Faith)

AMINIFU (ah-mee-NEE-foo). Faith, belief. Kenya, Tanzania
DINI (DEE-nee). Faith, religion. Kenya, Tanzania (Kiswahili) M
EJIRA (eh-JEE-rah). Believe. Nigeria (Eleme)
KEMBA (KEHM-bah). She is full of faith. Central Africa F
NKOLO (n-KOH-loh). Faith. Azania (Xhosa) M
SUBI (SOO-bee). Faith. Zambia (Bemba)
TUMELO (too-MEH-loh). Believe. Azania (North Sotho)

Download a PDF copy of African names for Kwanzaa here.

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Add to the “Look Who’s Reading The African Book of Names” Gallery

drhodari — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:00:07 +0000

Please share a photo of yourself, a friend, or family member reading or buying THE AFRICAN BOOK OF NAMES. Be creative with your pictures!

Submission Rules

Email your photograph to: writedrhodari@gmail.com. At least one copy of The African Book of Names should be visible in the photograph.
When sending your picture, please put “Look Who’s Reading The African Book of Names” in the subject line of your message.
Please include your name and e-mail address in the body of the email to be eligible. Your name and personal information will be kept confidential.
All photos should be sent in either JPEG, GIF, PNG, or TIFF format.
Please do not send any photo larger than 1MB.
Please share a caption or title with your photo if you like.
The book (The African Book of Names) must appear in the photograph.
By sending the photo you acknowledge that your photo may be shown online and shared with others and may be used by AfrikanNames.com in various promotional ways. Please note that submitted photos will be shared with our community of readers on the AfrikanNames.com web site, and on our Facebook pages.
Your name and personal information will not be shared or displayed. However, if you want your name to be posted with your picture, please say so in your email.
We reserve the right to reject any photos that are offensive, vulgar, or impossible to see.

Please do your best to follow the rules, but also don’t forget to have fun!

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Look Who’s Reading The African Book of Names

drhodari — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 06:45:33 +0000

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The African Book of Names

The African Book of Names Gallery

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Please share a photo of yourself, a friend, or family member reading or buying THE AFRICAN BOOK OF NAMES. Be creative with your pictures!

Submission Rules

Email your photograph to: writedrhodari@gmail.com. At least one copy of The African Book of Names should be visible in the photograph.
When sending your picture, please put “Look Who’s Reading The African Book of Names” in the subject line of your message.
Please include your name and e-mail address in the body of the email to be eligible. Your name and personal information will be kept confidential.
All photos should be sent in either JPEG, GIF, PNG, or TIFF format.
Please do not send any photo larger than 1MB.
Please share a caption or title with your photo if you like.
The book (The African Book of Names) must appear in the photograph.
By sending the photo you acknowledge that your photo may be shown online and shared with others and may be used by AfrikanNames.com in various promotional ways. Please note that submitted photos will be shared with our community of readers on the AfrikanNames.com web site, and on our Facebook pages.
Your name and personal information will not be shared or displayed. However, if you want your name to be posted with your picture, please say so in your email.
We reserve the right to reject any photos that are offensive, vulgar, or impossible to see.

Please do your best to follow the rules, but also don’t forget to have fun!

UHUTI- my sister

drhodari — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:13:00 +0000

On September 8, 2001, the US Open had the first all Black women’s final featuring Venus & Serena Williams. An African name to honor the Williams sisters is: UHUTI (oo-HOO-tee), meaning “my sister” (Kiswahili).

DUNGU- to fly away

drhodari — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:31:06 +0000

On August 3, 1922, Bessie Coleman, pilot, made her flight debut in U.S. An African name to honor Coleman is DUNGU (DOON-goo), meaning to “to fly away” (Xhosa).

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Eight Bowl Naming Tradition

drhodari — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:29:39 +0000

If your sister is in the group of singing girls, your name always comes into the song. _{— Ghana}

Parents can choose from a wide range of naming ceremonies from all over Africa. However, for the past thirty-five years, myself and other Blacks in the United States have highlighted significant life passages–naming ceremonies, weddings, graduations, funerals–by observing the House of Umoja’s Eight Bowl Ceremony, summarized here:

In preparation for the ritual, a low-lying table is decorated with traditional African-centered cultural symbols and then used as a ceremonial altar.
An elder, either female or male (dressed in authentic African attire), usually leads the ceremony.
This ceremony requires eight bowls, made of wood, glass, clay, or other aesthetically pleasing material.
The following eight elements are also needed: wine, honey, lime, salt, cayenne pepper, water, African palm oil, and fresh coconut. One element is placed in each of the bowls.
The bowls are placed in a circle around the table symbolizing the path of the sun around the earth. If the circle were a clock face, the elements would be placed around the circle counterclockwise in the following manner:

Salt at twelve o’clock
Cayenne pepper at eleven o’clock
Water at nine o’clock
Palm oil at eight o’clock
Coconut at six o’clock
Wine at four o’clock
Honey at three o’clock
Lime at two o’clock

When naming a child, typically the parents sit together in front of the ceremonial leader who gives instruction to the community and reminds the community to be responsible for helping the child learn the lessons of life. The child to be named should be held by the eldest family member in attendance who sits up front alongside the child’s parents.

The Eight Bowl Naming Ceremony begins with an offering of libation, to remember and honor the community’s ancestors. Water is poured onto the ground, or into a potted plant. The libation usually involves invoking the names of personal and community ancestors, the purpose of the occasion, and requests for prosperity and blessing. The libation is not intended to be a solo performance. Rather, there is call and response as attendees verbally compliment the libation. Libation text written by members of the House of Umoja is included here as an example:

Oh Ancestors
Blacker than the skies at midnight

Pyramid builders
Great ancient priests, warriors, and mystic scientists
Give us the inspiration to fight a thousand lions
Give us the enlightenment to unravel the mysteries of the universe
Give us the sustenance to travel through the trackless swamps of disharmony
Praised be your Black African names
Help us in our time of need

Oh Ancestors

Umoja (unity)

After the libation, the main part of the ceremony includes the tasting of the eight elements and brief presentations of the life lesson related to each element. The elements are tasted first by the baby (the leader puts the element into her/his mouth) and parents (or adult to be named), and then by the participants as all present listen to the lesson from the ceremonial leader:

Wine. The wine represents appreciation for tradition and family. As well, wine symbolizes strength in racial/ethnic pride, commitment to household and extended family, and reverence and appreciation for the foundation laid by those who came before.
Honey. Honey represents an ability to appreciate and remember the sweetness and goodness of life.
Lime. Hurt and betrayal are unavoidable during the life cycle. In this ritual, lime represents an ability to overcome bitterness by retaining dignity, composure, and self-worth, even when feeling hurt by words, actions, or inaction of others.
Salt. Salt symbolizes wisdom and balance in making life choices as well as flexibility, creativity, variety, and moral balance in making choices and decisions.
Cayenne pepper. Crisis and tragedy are also unavoidable during the life cycle. Cayenne pepper represents resilience in response to critical situations. Cayenne reminds ritual participants to expect unpredictable circumstances and to develop the ability to rebound in the face of crisis.
Water. The fluid of life represents a willingness to change. Additionally, water represents spiritual depth and renewal, and coolness in the midst of crises.
Palm oil. For this ceremony, palm oil represents reliance on community power. More essentially, the palm oil represents an ability to move towards inevitable death with confidence and grace. This confidence can be born of a cohesive family and community where each person is valued for their contribution.
Coconut. Fresh, broken coconut symbolizes assurance of inevitable blessings and unexpected luck. This coconut also represents reliance on that which is greater than oneself and life benefits that have nothing to do with an individual’s own intelligence, skill, or power, but are due solely to the unpredictable goodness of the divine.

The elements’ life lessons are interrelated. While it is important for an individual to be steeped in heritage and tradition (wine), it is equally important for a person to be willing to change (water). Children should be surrounded by all the sweetness and joy a family can provide (honey), yet they will not be strangers to bitterness (lime). Power is longed for in life (African palm oil), but must be moderated by wisdom when making decisions (salt). And, while African-descended people are used to experiencing “hot and critical times” (cayenne pepper), an uneasy expectation can be complimented by the assurance that blessings/good luck will someday surely follow (coconut).

The tasting of elements is often followed by songs, dance, drumming, and of course, feasting (food).

The Eight Bowl Ceremony owes its origin to African culture. Across the African continent, there are commonalities in the substance and concepts associated with naming ceremonies and practices for children:

The most common waiting period between birth and naming is from three to nine days.
Most traditional African naming ceremonies take place outdoors, representing an African attachment to land. Indoors, the connection to the outdoors can be demonstrated by lifting the child to the sky, or using water (an element of the sky and earth).
The baby is connected to heaven and earth. This is best illustrated in the classic miniseries Roots by the lifting of the baby to the sky and the touching of the baby to the ground.
The ceremony usually takes place in the morning or midday, but does not normally take place after sunset.
A sacred space is cleared or prepared for the ceremony.
Many African ceremonies and rituals begin with bathing, cleansing, or some other act of purification.
Prayer is involved.
Ceremonies commonly involve libation, a pouring of a drink as a sacrifice or offering. Liquid is poured onto the earth, into a potted plant, onto some meaningful object, or into another vessel or bowl. Prayers or chants often accompany the pouring of liquid. Water, an element of sky and earth, is often used during the pouring of libations.
More often than not, a link is made between the living and those who have passed on. Palm wine is often offered to the ancestors. Sometimes, there is animal sacrifice, a portion of which is offered to the ancestors and then shared with the attendees during the concluding feast.
The essentials of life tend to be represented. For example, salt may represent life; pepper may represent the “spice of life”; and honey may represent the sweetness of life. Other elements include water (vitality and change); plant (life); soil/earth (child’s origin, humanity’s origin); oil (calm); kola nut (longevity); wine (happiness of community); a candle (guiding light); and cowry shells (wealth).
The child is the focus of attention. The child is almost always presented and an announcement of names is made. Usually, people offer prayers and good wishes to the child.
The mother, more often than not, has been in seclusion since childbirth, and the father announces the birth and makes the preparations for the naming ceremony.
The entire community is invited to participate. Many naming ceremonies involve call and response and the audience is invited to be participatory. Often attendees offer advice, poems, and proverbs and present gifts. Silver bangles, thought to have healing properties (and protect children from illness) are common gifts. Many West African women give babies cowry shells as the first gift. At one time, a cowry shell, used as the main source of currency in West Africa, was worth one eighth of an ounce of gold.
Elders have an active role in the ceremony.
The kola nut is presented, broken, and shared by all. The kola nut is especially important in West Africa, symbolizing good wishes for the newborn, and is a general token of friendship.
Narrative, dance, singing, and the beating of drums and other instruments are almost always included.
Ceremonies tend to culminate with a feast (food is usually brought and prepared by participants).