Western African
names include those from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. See also
about African names.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
AGBAJE Nigerian, YorubaMeaning unknown. A bearer is
ADEWALE Akinnuoye-Agbaje (1967-), an English actor and model of Yoruba Nigerian descent.
AGU IgboAgu is an Igbo surname; the word Agu means Tiger in Igobo language.
ARCHIBONG Efik, Ibibioof Efik Origin, originally pronounced asibong but changed by the british to Archibong, meaning Kings Father, Kings Friend, (amasi Obong)
ASANTE Western African, AkanFrom the ethnic name of the Ashanti, a sub-ethnic group of the Akan from southern Ghana. The name possibly means "warlike" in the Twi language.
AZI AfizereAzi is actually pronounced Azīh which means "Unending, in ended father of many generations" it is named after children believed to become the origin or source of lasting families.
BOLAJI NigerianThis surname is very common in Nigeria. Possibly taken from a word in one of the Nigerian tribes languages.
CEESAY Western African, MandingGambian surname of Mandinka origin, which originally indicated a descendant of a marabout, i.e. a West African Muslim teacher and religious leader....
[more] COULIBALY Western African, MandingFrancization of Bambara
kulu bari meaning "without a canoe", referring to someone who crossed a river or another body of water without the use of a canoe.
DABIE Akan (Latinized, Modern)Dabie was originally from the Bono people of Ghana and it is portrayed as a royal name amongst the people. Many individuals who have inherited this name are Chiefs. It's meaning is someone who's a Warrior.
DIALLO Western AfricanA common name throughout West Africa, it is the French transcription of a surname of Fula origin.
DIOP Western African, WolofFrom
Joob, the name of a Wolof clan, which is derived from a totemic word meaning "black craned swan" or "peacock".
EJIOFOR Western African, IgboMeans "one who acts in good faith" in Igbo. A famous bearer is British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor (1977-).
ETIENAM Nigerian, Ibibio (?), Spanish (Caribbean, ?)This is a name which originates from the Calabar/Akwa Ibom region of southeastern Nigeria. It means "a doer of good, or benevolent". It is also found in Spanish-speaking regions of the Caribbean such as Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Cuba (El Oriente) which have populations of people of Ibibio/Efik decent known as "Carabali".
IWUCHUKWU Igbo, AfricanIt means God's covenant is unwavering. This name is a bearer is a testimony of God's command. This ia a Christian name.
JOOF SererThe surname Joof (English spelling in Gambia) whit its derivatives Juuf / Juf (Seereer proper) or Diouf (French spelling in Senegal and Mauritania) is a Senegambian surname found amongst the Seereer people of Senegal, the Gambia and Mauritania...
[more] KPORARO Nigerian (Rare)The name Kporaro translates into the English language as "PROGRESS" (literally Kpo which is "Go", Ra which is "OF" and Aro which is "FRONT" in which case the Ra implies "For" or "Of" thus Kporaro is literally "Go Of Front" or more properly "Move Forward")...
[more] MAOULOUD Western AfricanDerived from Arabic مولود
(mawlud) meaning "born, newborn", used to refer to the مولد
(Mawlid) observance of the birth of the Islamic Prophet
MUHAMMAD (chiefly Mauritanian).
M'BARECK Western AfricanDerived from Arabic مُبَارَك
(mubārak) meaning "blessed, fortunate, lucky" (chiefly Mauritanian).
ODERASAK Yoruba (Rare)It is Yoruba mispronunciation of the the name Oscar. It was a middle name that became a last name.
ODOEMENE NigerianOdoemene roots from Nigeria. It has branched onward to America, and multiple other countries. It literally means 'yellow reluctance' in Igbo.
OKOTURO NigerianA surname most popular in Nigeria; meaning currently unknown.
OLATUNJI Yoruba"Olatunji" is a Yoruba surname and a given name meaning "Wealth awakes again".
OYINVWI UrhoboA 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.
POPOOLA Yoruba"The way of the rich man" or "The way of prosperity"
TERSOO TivMeans, "father's love". Has its history from Tiv origin. Its a common name amongst the Tiv people of Nigeria.
TRAORÉ Western African, MandingFrancization 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".
UMBURTER TivMeans, "Remember the father". Father also used in the context of God.
UWEM Ibibio, Efik, AnangMeaning "Life".
It originates from the Efik, Ibibio and Anang tribes of Cross River state, Nigeria which has now been divided with the Ibibios and Anang people in the newly formed Akwa Ibom state...
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