Biblical Names

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.