African Baby Names
African names account for 0.7% of babies given a top-1,000 name in the US — 22 names in all, led by Amara and Amari.
How common are African names?
Measured across every name in the 2025 SSA top 1,000 lists.
African names rising fastest
Already in the top 1,000 and still climbing — the African names gaining ground.
What African names mean
The ideas African names return to most. Nature leads with 8 of them.
Origins that overlap with African
Many names belong to more than one tradition. These share the most names with African.
All African baby names
1,441 names found
Aayana
Mirror, beautiful flower, or good soul
Abanoub
Father of Gold
Abayomi
Born to bring me joy
Abdoulaye
Servant of Allah
Abdulai
Servant of God
Abena
Born on Tuesday
Abeni
We asked for her and she arrived
Abiola
Born during the first of the year
Abisola
Born into wealth or father's wealth
Aboubacar
Father of the young camel
Abuk
The first woman; mother of the Dinka people
Abyssinia
The ancient name for Ethiopia
Achol
A girl born during the rainy season
Adaeze
Daughter of a king; princess
Adama
Earth, soil, or child of the red earth
Adana
Earth, fire, or city in Turkey
Adanna
Father's daughter
Adannaya
Her father's daughter
Adanya
Her father's daughter or Jehovah is my father
Adaora
Daughter of the people
African baby names: common questions
What is the most popular African baby name?
Amara is the most popular African girls' name (#98 in the US) and Amari the most popular African boys' name (#185), based on 2025 Social Security Administration data.
How common are African baby names in the US?
African is the #21 most common origin of the 24 we track. 22 names in the 2025 top 1,000 have African roots, given to 17,556 babies — 0.7% of those receiving a top-1,000 name. A name can have more than one origin, so these overlap with other traditions.
Which African names are getting more popular?
Alora, Zyaire, Jakari, Zyair, Ayan are all in the top 1,000 and climbing in national popularity.
What do African names usually mean?
African names most often carry themes of Nature (8 names), Spirit (6 names), Faith (5 names).