If the spirit world possesses nothing else, it has at least the power of its name. —Ghana (Ashanti)
Enjoy this list of African alternatives for Biblical names. If you don’t discover a name you like, please review the 5,508 names in The African Book of Names or try our African Name Generator. Much like The African Book of Names, AfrikanNames.com takes a unique approach to names by focusing on meaning while still working to maintain the integrity of sound, region, and gender distinction (where applicable). However, please do not accept meanings as exclusive or absolute. Where there are errors in meaning, no disrespect is intended. Names have been researched to the best of our competence.
BIBLICAL NAME | AFRICAN NAME | PRONUNCIATION | MEANING | ORIGIN | GENDER |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AARON (mountain of strength, shining light.) | KHANYISA CHIONESU | KAHN-YEE-sah chee-oh-NEH-soo | Bring forth light. Guiding light. | Azania (Xhosa) Zimbabwe (Shona) | M M |
ADAM (man, earth) | NDODA NAMIJI | n-DOH-dah nah-MEE-jee | The man. Male, masculine. | Azania (Xhosa) West Africa (Hausa) | M M |
DANIEL (God is my judge.) | CHIMAOBI ONYECHI OSAWE | chee-mah-OH-bee ohn-yeh-chee oh-SAH-weh | God knows the heart. Humans cannot play God. God says or decides. | Nigeria (Igbo) Nigeria Nigeria (Edo) | M |
EMMA (God with us.) | NATHI | NAH-tee | The Lord is with us. | Azania | M |
EVE (Life, life-giver.) | ASHA MAISHA | AH-shah mah-EE-shah | Life. Life. | East Africa (Kiswahili) Kenya, Tanzania | F F |
EZEKIEL (God will strengthen.) | IKECHI | ee-KEH-chee | God’s strength. | Nigeria (Igbo) | M |
HANNAH (Favored, grace.) | NEEMA NYASHA | neh-EH-mah neejh-ah-tch-ah | Grace. Grace of God. | Kiswahili Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia (Shona) | |
ISAIAH (Salvation of God.) | CHIDEBE SINDISO | chee-deh-beh seen-DEE-soh | God saves. Salvation. | Nigeria (Igbo) Azania (Xhosa) | M |
JACOB (To follow, to succeed.) | MALANDELA ANDAMA ZUMME | mah-lahn- deh-lah ahn-DAH-mah zoo-meh | The follower. To follow. Teach me to follow the right path of God. | Azania (Zulu) Kiswahili Nigeria (Igarra) | M |
JEREMIAH (Raised up or appointed by God.) | MANZILI | MAHN-zee-lee | Sent by God. | Kenya, Tanzania (Kiswahili) | M |
JOHN (Gracious gift of God.) | NEO | NEE-oh | Act of God; free gift. | Azania (Sotho) | M |
JOSHUA (God is my salvation.) | ISSA | ee-SAH | God is our salvation. | East Africa (Kiswahili) | M |
LUKE (Bringer of light, morning.) | ADDAE | ah-DAH-eh | Morning sun. | Ghana (Akan) | M |
MARK (Hammer, warlike, of Mars.) | FELA | feh-leh | Warlike. | Nigeria | M |
MARTHA (Royal lady.) | MALIA | MAH-lee-ah | Queen. | East Africa (Kiswahili) | F |
MARY (Rebellion, overthrow.) | KUBA | KOO-bah | Rebellion. | Azania (Zulu) | F |
MATTHEW (Gift of God.) | NONI | noh-nee | Gift of God. | West Africa | F |
PAUL (Small, humble.) | THOBA | TOH-bah | Be humble. | Azania (Xhosa) | M |
RUTH (Friend.) | RAFIKI RAMOSA | rah-FEE-kee rah-MOH-sah | Trusted friend. The friendly one. | Kenya, Tanzania Lesotho (Basotho) | F |
SAMUEL (God hears.) | SESE | SEH-seh | God hears; God has heard. | Ghana | |
SOPHIA (Wise, sagacious.) | NIMI | NEE-mee | Wisdom. | Nigeria |
What are your favorite BIBLICAL names? Do you have BIBLICAL names to share? If so, please share these names in the comments section.
Is the name JOTON an African name it might be pronounced a little different? I would really love to find out more about this name which is both my husband & are sons middle name
My name is Yasmine Easley I’m looking for an African name. Can you find meaning in my name