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)

If you’re feeling adventurous, try our Random African Name Generator, or try The African Book of Names.