South African Baby girl names 2022 – Beautiful African girl names with meaning
100 Iconic African Baby Names For Girls
By Gauri Ratnam -March 21, 2020 2 3716030
100 Iconic African Baby Names For Girls
Last Updated on April 3, 2021
A name is probably the first gift which as a parent you give to your child! So it’s a natural tendency to make it the most special one too! This god sent angel of yours definitely deserves the best of everything the world has to offer! Here we have about 100 iconic African baby names for girls which are simply adorable and unique.
Cute & Unique African Baby Girl Names With Meanings
Read on to follow the list of the trending cute and unique African names for baby girls.
1. Adah
A Hebrew origin name, Adah means ‘a beautiful ornament.’ According to the old testament, the wives of Lamech and Esau were named Adah.
2. Aaliyah
One of the most popular names across the country, Aaliyah is simply wonderful! An Arabic origin name Aaliyah is also famous amongst the Africans. It means ‘the rising.’ It is also the feminine version of the name Ali. The variants of the name include Alia, Aliya, and Alya.
3. Audre
An English origin name, Audre is a sweet name which means ‘noble strength.’ If you have read or heard about Audre Lorde who grew up battling cancer and extreme nearsightedness, you may agree that the meaning is the perfect definition of her name!
4. Adaliya
A German origin name Adaliya means ‘the noble one.’ It’s a beautiful name well suited for your princess, and you can go for a nickname Liya to match with it.
5. Adelaide
Adelaide means ‘nobility.’ Adelaide is a name which is famous all across the globe! Adelaide was the name of the German princess who married the British King William IV in 1830 and was known as the ‘Good Queen Adelaide.’ The city of Australia was inspired after her name!
6. Alyssa
A name with historical importance Alyssa was derived from the German name Adalheidis which means ‘noble and kind.’ Make sure that you get the pronunciation right in this case it is ‘uh-lee-suh.’
7. Aurelia
Coming from Latin origin, Aurelia is a name that would be loved by everyone! It means ‘golden’ and was derived from the name Aurelius. It’s a feminine name that’s extremely popular in many countries!
8. Amber
An Arabic origin name, Amber is referred to a jewel! Amber is a pretty feminine name that’s common in Arabic and African countries. The colour of the amber jewel is of a warm honey shade.
9. Bolanle
One of the most sought after traditional African girl names, Bolanle means ‘the one who finds wealth at home.’ It has an eccentric pronunciation and is believed to attract wealth naturally! So, you may name her Bolanle, and you never know she could be the lucky charm for your life!
10. Bethanie
A Hebrew origin name, Bethanie means ‘a place near Jerusalem where Jesus visited Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
11. Binta
A divine name that belongs to both the places Africa and Arabia! Binta means ‘with god,’ and is perfect for parents looking for a spiritual name for their daughter! Any girl would be lucky to have this name as it is rare to find and she’ll always be blessed with divinity!
12. Bisa
Girls are loved and adored in Africa, and this name is a proof of it! An African origin name, Bisa means ‘greatly loved.’ You may choose to name your daughter Bisa, and she might attract a lot of love, care and blessings all her life!
13. Billie
Billie is an English origin name which is a diminutive of the Dutch origin name Wilhelmina or Wilma. Billie is a short and sweet name which can be named for boys and girls both. The name Billie means ‘resolute protection.’
14. Brianna
An Irish origin name, Brianna means ‘strong, virtuous, and honourable.’ A nickname of Bri would go well with this name!
15. Candice
A name pretty famous in America and Africa, Candice means ‘pure and innocent.’ This pretty feminine name is perfect for your little angel. In the ancient African kingdom of Kush, the title of kandake was given to queen or queen mother. It was derived from the name Candice!
16. Cassandra
A Greek origin name, Cassandra means ‘unheeded prophetess.’ The name is considered to be very important as per Greek history. Cassandra was the name of the Trojan Prophetess who was the daughter of King Priam. Cassandra’s prediction of the fall of Troy was unheeded!
17. Charlotte
A French origin name, Charlotte is the feminine version of the name Charlot or Charles. It means ‘free will,’ the name was found in the 14th century! A cute nickname of Lottie, Charlie, or Carlota would go well with Charlotte.
18. Ciara
Ciara is an Irish Gaelic origin name which is the female version of the name Ciaran. It means ‘dark-haired or black-haired.’ The other variants of this name are Kyra, Kira, and Kiera.
19. Dakota
An American baby name that is popular all across the globe! Dakota means ‘a friend or an ally.’
20. Danielle
A Hebrew origin name, Danielle is the feminine version of Daniel. It means ‘God is my judge.’
21. Delilah
A Hebrew baby name, Delilah is simply the most beautiful names of all times! It means ‘amorous or delightful’. Do consider it while selecting the names!
22. Dominique
A French baby name, Dominique means ‘lord or the one who belongs to god.’
23. Elaine
If you are looking for something cute, short and unique, then Elaine is the perfect name for you! Elaine is an old French version of the popular name Helen; it means ‘bright and shining light.’
24. Edwina
A female variant of the name Edwin, Edwina means ‘rich friend.’ It is an old English name that was famous during the Victorian times.
25. Eloise
An English name that originated in France, Eloise means ‘healthy and wise.’
26. Eshe
The name was the first common amongst Swahili speaking people. Eshe means ‘life and energy’ both of which reflect positivity, zeal and enthusiasm towards life! One of the best choices for female African names, it ascertains your little one would never lack the zeal and energy in life!
27. Frida
Again, a celebrity-inspired name that was pretty common in Germany at one point of time! The famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo was named after the beautiful meaning of the name ‘peaceful.’
28. Fajah
An African name that is rare to find! Fajah means ‘thanks!’
29. Fayola
One of the cutest black baby names for girls, Fayola means ‘one who walks with honour.’ It’s an African origin name and is perfect for your princess if you want her to lead an esteemed life with dignity and self-respect.
30. Gabrielle
Gabrielle is a Hebrew origin name that’s the female variant of Gabriel. It means ‘woman of god.’
31. Gemma
A classic Italian name that’s famous in many countries. Gemma means ‘a precious jewel.’
32. Hailey
A happy-go-lucky kind of a name that means ‘a meadow or an open clearing.’
33. Hannah
A Hebrew origin name meaning ‘grace or favour.’ Someone can also spell it as Hanna.
34. Hyacinth
Hyacinth is a pretty feminine name of the Greek origin. Hyacinth is the name of a pretty purple coloured flower!
35. Indigo
Do you often feel lost in the deep blues of her eyes? Then why not name her after the beautiful Indigo colour!
36. Isis
An Egyptian origin name, Isis was the name derived from the goddess Isis of the Egyptian pantheon.
37. Jemila
Everything about Somalia isn’t bad, and this beautiful name is definitely not! Jemila is a name originated in Somalia and amongst Swahili speaking people. It means beautiful, Jemila is also famous in Arab and other African countries.
38. Jendayi
To be grateful and thankful for all that you have is the perfect sign of humility! Jendayi is a Zimbabwe origin name which means ‘grateful and thankful.’ A name with a beautiful meaning, you must give this name a thought if you want to inculcate the values of being humble in your daughter! This name would remind her to be the same time and again!
39. Jacenta
Jacenta is a Greek origin name which is another name for the Hyacinth, a deep purple coloured flower.
40. Jovita
A Latin origin name which means ‘happy.’ The other variants of the name are Jasmine, Jalena, and Jacinta.
41. Kalifa
A perfect name for parents who are looking for a pious and spiritual name for their daughter. One of the most beautiful names of Arabic and African origin, Kalifa means ‘holy and chaste.’ The essence of this name will surely illuminate her life one way or the other!
42. Keandra
A Gaelic origin name, Kaendra means ‘keen power.’
43. Kadeesha
A beautiful and unique name which means ‘one with an expressive, outgoing nature.’
44. Kalinda
A Sanskrit origin name, Kalinda means the sun. The name holds great importance in Hindu mythology!
45. Keisha
An ancient African name meaning ‘great joy.’
46. Kylie
A Gaelic origin name which means ‘beautiful or graceful.’
47. Laila
Derived from the Persian name Leila, Laila means ‘dark beauty!’
48. Leal
One of the cutest baby names for black girls, Leal is an African origin name which means ‘faithful.’ You can begin by naming your daughter Leal if you want to teach her to be loyal and faithful, an essential ingredient in every relationship!
49. Lysha
A Hebrew origin name which means ‘a happy and delightful person.’
Cute & Unique African Baby Girl Names With Meanings
50. Larah
Larah is a rare Latin origin name which is pronounced as ‘lar-ah.’
51. Makeba
Makeba is unique and rarely found baby girl names. It is an Ethiopian name which means ‘greatness.’ A famous bearer of the name is the infamous singer Miram Makeba from South Africa! Another variant of the name is Makeda.
52. Maya
Maya is a mythological name with a Greek origin! Maya means ‘illusion,’ it is a very common name in many countries, including India! You’ll be amazed to know that this short and simple looking name has a vastly diverse history behind its name.
53. Michelle
The Hebrew name Michael gets a classy makeover to become Michelle. It is a French makeover of a Hebrew origin name which means ‘jus like god.’ One of the most famous bearers of the name is the US First lady Michelle Obama who is considered to be one of the most influential women of the 21st Century.
54. Malika
An Arabic origin name, Malika is popular amongst the blacks across the globe! Malika means ‘queen.’
55. Mandisa
An African origin name, Mandisa means ‘sweetness.’ A delicately feminine name with a cute pronunciation, Mandisa is perfect for baby girls who are sweeter than the honey!
56. Nina
One of the very pretty names for girls which means ‘the priceless one.’ Surely a perfect name for your little bundle of joy!
57. Nzinga
This unique name was originated from the Central African continent! The unique and beautiful name is said to have different meanings, but the one that suits best is ‘beautiful.’ A famous bearer of the name is Queen Nzinga Mbandi who fought against the Portuguese colonizers in Southwest Africa.
58. Nichelle
An African origin name which means ‘victorious maiden.’ Similar to Michelle, Nichelle is a cute feminine name that has a deep meaning attached to it!
59. Nakeisha
A slightly unconventional name, Nakeisha is of African origin. It is a uniquely beautiful name that means ‘her life.’
60. Oba
A purely African origin name that we bet you wouldn’t have heard of! Oba means ‘river goddess.’
61. Phylicia
A Latin origin name, Phylicia means ‘lucky.’ We always say that we are lucky to have you as our daughter, but the fact is your daughter is also equally or even more fortunate to have parents like you! So why not name her after this noble thought!
62. Paulina
A female variant of the name Paul, Paulina in Latin means ‘small.’
63. Patriciana
A Latin origin name which means ‘noble.’ Patricia is another variant of the name!
64. Quiesha
A unique African name which means ‘favourite.’
65. Quanesia
A unique Jamaican baby girl name which means ‘life.’
66. Ruby
A Latin origin name which means ‘a precious stone in deep red colour.’ We know that your god sent angel is a priceless gem for you, so why not name her after this precious stone which is rare and beautiful!
67. Ramla
The origin of the name is still unclear as it is claimed to be both Egyptian and African origin name! A name offering sanctity and piousness, Ramla means prophetess.
68. Serena
A Latin origin name, the meaning goes just like the name, ‘serene and tranquil.’ You also get the satisfaction of naming your daughter after the lauded and best athlete of all times, Serena Williams!
69. Shaniece
Shaneice is an African origin name which is quite rare to find! Shaneice means a ‘gift of God,’ exactly what your daughter is!
70. Shaquana
A pretty unique and worthwhile name, Shaquana means ‘the truth in life.’ Bestow this name upon her, and you never know she may be the guiding light for many!
71. Sakina
A Muslim baby name which means ‘tranquil and devout.’
72. Sierra
A Spanish name that represents strength and groundedness.
73. Taisha
An Arabic origin name which means ‘alive and well.’
74. Taleisha
A Jamaican origin name that’s entirely unheard of, it means ‘blooming life.’
75. Tahleea
A Hebrew origin name that is pronounced as ‘ta-hleea.’
76. Trissa
A Latin-American name which means ‘noble patrician.’
77. Toni
Gone are the days when parents used to name their tiny baby girl with a long name as Antonia! So, a short and sweet form of Antonia is Toni! The best part about the name Toni is it’s meaning ‘priceless one’ which surely your daughter is to you.
78. Tori
Tori means ‘winner or conqueror.’ It’s a diminutive of the name Victoria.
79. Tiffany
A Latin baby name which means ‘manifestation of god.’
80. Ursula
Again, a Latin-origin name which means ‘little bear.’
81. Valeria
A strong feminine name meaning ‘brave and strong.’
82. Viera
A Russian origin name which means ‘the truth.’
83. Vanesia
A Greek origin name, meaning ‘butterfly.’
84. Viola
Again, a Latin origin name Viola is a variant of the name Violet or the beautiful purple flowers! The meaning of the name itself is Violet.
85. Winnie
Winnifred was once a popular name which is now taken over by short and sweet Winnie! Winnie means ‘holy peacemaking or gentle friend.’ Winnie Mandela was the name of the second wife of Nelson Mandela who stood against the test of time and waited for her husband to get out of jail for 27 long years!
86. Wilma
A German origin name that stands for ‘strong will.’
87. Wendalyn
Again, a German origin name which means ‘a wandering woman.’
88. Winona
A unique and unconventional name which means ‘the first-born daughter.’
89. Xia
An ancient Greek origin name meaning ‘hospitable.’
90. Xaviera
According to the Basque language, Xaviera means ‘new house.’
91. Yalonda
An ancient Greek name meaning ‘a pretty violet flower.’
92. Yakeera
A Hebrew name which means ‘precious.’
93. Yana
Again, a Hebrew name which means ‘one who is merciful.’
94. Yafit
A cool Hebrew name that means ‘a worthy woman.’
95. Zahara
An African origin name which means ‘a flower.’
96. Zalena
An ancient Greek name which means ‘shine.’
97. Zuri
An African-Swahili origin name that means ‘beautiful.’
98. Zarene
A Persian name meaning ‘golden vessel.’
99. Zena
A traditional African name meaning ‘friendly or hospitable.’
100. Zora
We couldn’t come across a better name to end this naming guide! Zora is a Serbo-Croatian origin name that’s rare and beautiful! It means ‘dawn.’
We often say that ‘I want to choose the best name for my daughter’, but the truth is whichever name you choose becomes the best name for your kid! Choosing unique names is the trend these days, but we suggest that never to compromise on the meaning and pronunciation of the name.
