African Submitted Surnames

African names are used on the continent of Africa, covering a wide number of languages. See also about African names.
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Onyilogwu Nigerian (Rare), Igbo (Rare)
Possibly means "he who is invulnerable to dark magic" in Igbo.
Oosthuizen South African
Came from a village in the Dutch province of North Holland.
Oranje Afrikaans
Oranje is the Dutch word for "orange" and is historically associated with the House of Orange-Nassau, the royal family of the Netherlands. The name carries connotations of nobility, national pride, and cultural heritage... [more]
Orelias Nigerian (Latinized, Modern, Rare), Italian (Tuscan), Venetian
Means "golden", when coupled with a first name becomes "the golden". Varied from Orelia, "golden".... [more]
Osas Somali
Variant of Ossas
Osei Western African
Very popular surname in Ghana.
Osei Ghanian, Akan
This name is of Ghanaian, Akan, and Fante origin and means "noble, honorable"
Osy Nigerian
From Imo, Nigeria
Ouabdesselam Berber, Arabic, Arabic (Maghrebi)
Means "father of peace, man of peace" from Maghrebi prefix وواب` (ouab) (Arabic: أبو (abu)) (In North African dialects, abu is often rendered as ouab or oua in Latin script) meaning "father of" combined with ديسسيلام (desselam) (Corresponds to السلام (as-salām)) meaning "peace".
Ouaguenouni Berber
Means "from/of Guenoun"
Ouahmed Berber, Northern African
Kabyle name meaning "son of Ahmed", from the Berber prefix ou- meaning "son (of)" combined with the Arabic name Ahmed (chiefly Algerian).
Ouattara Western African, Manding
From the name of the Wattara or Watara clan of the Dyula people, believed to be derived from a word meaning "prince".
Oubeid Western African
Mauritanian variant of Obeid (see Ubayd).
Ouedraogo Western African, Mossi
Derived from the name of the semi-legendary Ouedraogo, who is believed to have founded the Mossi Kingdoms in the 11th century. Means "son of the elephant" in the Mossi language.
Oumarou Western African
From the given name Oumarou.
Ousman Western African
From the given name Ousman.
Ousmane Western African
From the given name Ousmane.
Ouyahia Berber, Northern African
Means "son of Yahia", from the Berber prefix ou- meaning "son (of)" combined with the Arabic given name Yahia (chiefly Algerian).
Owo Nigerian
From the given name Owo.
Owusu Western African, Akan
Means "strong-willed, determined" in Akan.
Ọyáwálé Yoruba, Nigerian
Means "the river goddess came home" in Yoruba.
Oyekan Yoruba
Means "the next to be crowned" in Yoruba.
Oyiakwan Akan
Meaning unknown.
Oyinade Western African
Of Yoruba origin, predominantly found in Nigeria. A compound surname from the word Oyin meaning "honey" or "sweetness" and Ade: meaning "crown" or "royalty".
Oyinvwi Urhobo
A name from the history of the urhobo culture. It's been noted that the name indicate strength and is the name attached to it. The important vice of the tradition. Leads trivial matters in hope for liberty.
Oyuela Spanish, Western African
The surname Oyuela is likely of Spanish or African (specifically, West African) origin, with roots in both linguistic and cultural traditions.... [more]
Penda Wolof
Penda stems from the Swahili “kupenda” = to love/like/be pleasant. Notable bearer was Fara Penda, a Waalo noble of the Wolof people in West Africa. Waalo was a kingdom on the lower Senegal River in in what is now Senegal and Mauritania.
Peres Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese, Gascon, Breton, Central African
Means "son of Pedro" in Spanish and Portuguese. Means "son of Pere" in Catalan... [more]
Phukuntsi Tswana, Sotho
This surname has multilayered meanings... [more]
Pienaar Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of French Pinard.
Popoola Yoruba
"The way of the rich man" or "The way of prosperity"
Prinsloo Afrikaans
Prinsloo is an Afrikaans surname. The name is derived from the dutch word Prins (meaning prince), and a loo suffix meaning clearing in the forest. Variant spellings include Prinzloo and Prinslo.
Quartey Western African, Ga
Ga surname of unknown meaning.
Rajkoomar Mauritian Creole, South African
Variant of Rajkumar used by Mauritian and South African Indians.
Ramaphosa Southern African, Venda
Means "the one who is born in the evening" in Venda. This name is borne by the South African president Cyril Ramaphosa (1952-).
Ramkissoon Trinidadian Creole, Mauritian Creole, South African, South American
Altered form of Ramakrishnan used mainly in Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius, South Africa and Guyana. This surname is not used in India.
Ramogi Luo
Meaning unknown.
Rangarirai Shona
Rangarirai means "Remember, think over, consider".
Retief Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Rétif.
Rufaro Shona
It is a form of the Shona name Mufaro.
Sadie South African
Pissibly from the given name Sadie.
Sahra Arabic, Persian, Somali, Turkish (Rare)
Derived from Arabic meaning "desert".
Said Arabic, Somali, Urdu
From the given name Sa'id.
Sajuyigbe Yoruba (Americanized, Rare)
The Sajuyigbe family, with its roots in the Yoruba tribe, carries a rich and complex history. The family is believed to descend from a line of royals that held significant influence in Yorubaland around the time of the Nok culture... [more]
Sako Western African, Manding
From the name of a Soninke and Mandinka clan most likely derived from saaxo meaning "heron, egret".
Sakyi Akan
Meaning unknown.
Samoura Fula
Mauritanian Fula Surname, From the name {Sow}
Sandouno Western African
Sandouno is a Kissi surname of an unknown meaning in Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Sankara Mossi (?), Fula (?)
The surname of the assassinated Burkinabé president Thomas Sankara (1949-1987).
Sanogo Mossi
Not available yet.
Sarpei Akan
Meaning unknown.
Sarr Western African, Serer
Meaning uncertain.
Sawadogo Mossi
Not available.
Sayyid Swahili, Muslim
From the Arabic honourific title سَيِّد (sayyid) which means "master, lord, prince, mister".
Schalkwyk Afrikaans
Afrikaans variant of Van Schalkwijk.
Schutte Dutch, Low German, South African
Variant of (Schütte), an occupational name for an archer.
Selassie Ethiopian, Amharic, Western African
Possibly means "trinity" in Amharic. A notable bearer was Haile Selassie (1892-1975), the regent and emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974.
Senesie Western African
Kissi surname of unknown meaning.
Sesay African, Temne, Loko, Limba, Kuranko
Is a Muslim Surname from Sierra Leone. It is used among many tribes.
Shettima Kanuri, Nigerian
Meaning unknown.
Shikongo Southern African
Potentially means "people's leader". Prevalent in Nambia.
Shirima African
Common in Tanzania
Shitu Nigerian
Related to Shittu.
Shodipe Western African
From the Yoruba compound elements “Sho" (Ṣọ́) meaning "to guard" or "to watch over.", “Di” meaning "to become" or "to be.", and “Pe” which means "complete," "perfect,".
Siangla Luo, Eastern African
Meaning unavailable.
Siaw Akan
Meaning unknown.
Siddig Northern African, Arabic
Derived from Arabic صَدِيق (ṣadīq) meaning "friend" (chiefly Sudanese).
Sika Akan
Meaning unknown.
Siriboe Akan
Meaning unknown.
Sirleaf Western African
Altered form of Sheriff (a predominantly Mandinka Muslim surname, itself a variant of Sharif).
Sithole Zulu
Derived from Zulu isithole meaning "heifer".
Slaa Eastern African, Iraqw
Slaa has an unknown meaning.
Snyman Afrikaans
Afrikaans version of the German surname Schneider, which is German for tailor.
Soueidi Western African
Mainly found in Mauritania.
Soueilem Western African
Meaning unknown—this surname is mainly found in Mauritania.
Sow Western African, Fula
Meaning uncertain.
Steenbok Afrikaans, Dutch
Dutch and Afrikaans form of Steinbock.
Steyn Afrikaans
Derived from Old Dutch stēn "stone" referring ot a (bowl) stone or a weapon made of stone or rock.
Sullubawa Hausa
The Hausa transliteration of a noted Fulani Clan coming from the Bilād as-Sūdān region of West Africa.
Sunga Bemba, Central African
Sunga is a surname of the Bemba tribe, meaning "a person that takes care of others".... [more]
Suruma Kiga
Suruma is a Kiga surname. Ezra Suruma is a notable person with that surname.
Swanepoel Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
From the place name Zwaenepoel "swan pool".
Swart Afrikaans
Means "black" in Afrikaans
Sylla Manding, Western African
Susu surname of unknown meaning.
Tafara Shona
Tafara means "We are happy or we rejoice". It is a name of rejoicing
Takyi Akan
Meaning unknown.
Tamazight Berber, Northern African
Derived from ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵗⵜ (Tamaziɣt), the Berber (Amazigh) name for the collective Berber language family used in North Africa.
Tangara Western African, Manding
Malian Bambara surname of unknown meaning.
Tarawele Manding
The original variant of Traoré.
Tasifa Amharic
Means “hope” in Amharic.
Tawanda Shona
Tawanda means "We have increased or multiplied". #It is a name acknowledging the birth of a child as an increase to the family".
Tchimpoko Kongo
Of uncertain meaning.
Temu Swahili
Derived from Swahili timu meaning "team".
Tersoo Tiv
Means, "father's love". Has its history from Tiv origin. Its a common name amongst the Tiv people of Nigeria.
Tesfamariam Ethiopian
Meaning "Mary hope", from 'tesifa' (hope), and 'mariyami' (Mary).
Tesfaye Amharic, Ethiopian
From the given name Tesfaye.
Teshome Eastern African, Amharic
From the given name Teshome.
Theron Southern African, Afrikaans, Occitan
Habitational name for someone from any of various locations in Occitanie named Théron or Thérond, ultimately from Latin torus meaning "elevation, height, embankment". A famous bearer is South African and American actress Charlize Theron (1975-).
Tinetariro Shona
Tinetariro means "We have hope". Usually given to declare that we have our hope in God.
Tombura Zande, Central African
Tombura is of unknown etymology.
Tonderai Shona
Tonderai means "Remember". This name is given as a call to remember a particular event or to remember one's origins.
Touré Western African
Probably derived from tùùré meaning "elephant" in the Soninké language.
Traoré Western African, Manding
Francization of Manding Tarawele, which is of uncertain etymology. It was originally used by 13th-century Malian warrior Tiramakhan and possibly means "going to call it".
Tshabalala African, Zulu, South African
Means "shooting star"