MEANINGS; With Ethic Group or Region
MAISHA Life (Kiswahili)
Marali (mar-ah-lee) Essence (Antigua and Barbuda))
MANDISA Sweet (Xhosa of South Africa)
Mardea (my-dee-a) Last (Ghana)
Mbhali (m'bhali) Rose (Zulu of South Africa)
MONIFA I am lucky (Yoruba of Nigeria)
MALAIKA Angel (Kiswahili)
MAFUANE Soil (Bachopi, South Africa)
MALI Wealth, Riches (Kiswahili)
MALKIA Queen (Kiswahili)
Malaika Angel
Makeda (Ma-kee-da) The beautiful (Ethiopia)
MAKENA The happy one (Kikuyu of Kenya)
Mamello ( ma-me-low) Patience (Lesotho)
MARA A Time (Kiswhaili)
MARAHABA Thank you (Kiswahili)
MARIAMA Gift of God (West Africa)
MARJANI Coral (Swahili)
MENE (Me-na) She who is never lonely (Yoruba of Nigeria)
Mesi (May-see) Water (Asante)
Mwangaza Light (Swahili)
Meeka (Mee-ca) Will of gold, strong hearted, brave
Minkah (Men-kah) Justice ( Tanzania)
Milumbe (Me-loom-beh) Tidings of blessings (Tonga)
Marvena (Mar-ve-nyah) Child of two planets (Anguilla)
Mmaabo (mm-a-bo) Their mother (Botswana)
MONTSHO Black
Moliehi (Mo-dee-yeh-hee) One who was awaited (Basotho of Lesotho)
Mudiwa Loved one (Shona of Zimbabwe)
Mumbi (Mom-be) First women ( Kikuyu of Kenya)
Mutinta (Moo-tin-ta) a child born after two or more children of the opposite sex (Tonga)
MYEISHA (My-ee-sa) One who is loved greatly


NADRA Unusual (Kiswahili)
NADIRA Rare
Nbulungi Beautiful One (Ghana)
NADIFA Born Between Seasons (Somalia)
NAFULA Born during the rainy season (Abaluhya - Kenya)
NAKI First girl (Adangbe of Ghana)
Nakisai (nah-ki-sigh) Beautify (Shona of Zimbabwe)
Nala (Nah-lah) Queen (Tanzania)
Nanyamka (nuh-yam-kuh) God's gift (Ghana)
Na'weh To have walked before (Liberia)
Ndapewa (Nda-pe-wa) Given (Oshiwambo of Namibia)
NIA Purpose (Kiswahili)
NAJA Success (Somalia)`
NANDE (Nan-day) Mother of Chaka Zulu
NDAPEWA (nDA-pE-Waa) I am given (Ovambos of Namibia)
NDAHEPULUKA (N'da-he-pu-lu-ka)) I became richer (Ovambo of Namibia)
Ndidi (En-di-di) Patience (Nigeria)
Na'Zyia A mother's love (Kenya)
NEHANDA Hardiness (Zezuru of Zimbabwe)
NEFERTITI The beautiful one has arrived (Egyptian)
NGINA (Na'-gee-na) Attended to a queen (African American)
Ngoni (N'Go Knee) Mercy of God (Shona of Zimbabwe)
NILAJA (Nee-Lah-jah) One who comes with joy (Yoruba of Nigeria)
Nombuso (No-mbu-so) One who has kingdom / joyous celebration (Zulu of South Africa)
NOURBESE A wonderful child (Benin - Nigeria )
Nosine (no-see-nay) Born on Thursday (Xhosa - South Africa)
NJEMILE (n-jeh-mee-lay) Upstanding (Malawi)
Njeri (neh - jeer - ee) Warrior's daughter
NKECHI (n-kay-kee) Loyal (Ibo of Nigeria)
Ntatu (Na-ta-tu) Born on Wednesday (Xhosa of South Africa)
Nneka (Nay-ka) Mother is Supreme (Ibo of Nigeria)
Nubia (New-be-a) Strong orignal blackwoman mother of a nation (Egypt)
Nweka (nway-ka) Mother is supreme (Ibo of Nigeria)
NyAshia (Nih-AH-sha) Beautiful African princess of purpose (Swahili)
Nyota (ni-o-ta) Warrior
Nyarai (Nia-rye) Be humble (Shona of Zimbabwe)
Nyela (Ni-ee-lah) One who succeeds or perseveres (Somalia)
NZINGA (n-zing-uh) From the river

OBAX (OH-bah) Flower (Somalia)
Obioma (O-be-o-ma) Good heart (Ibo of Nigeria)
Ogechi God's time is the best time ( Ibo of Nigeria)
ONA Fire (West Africa)
ONAEDO (oh-nah-ay-DOH) Gold (Ibo)
Ontibile God is watching over me (Setswana of Botswana)
Olabisi Joy is Multiplied
Olabunmi Honor has rewarded me
Olaniyi There's glory in wealth
Olayinka Honor surrounds me (Yoruba, Krio of Sierra Leone)
Oluchi (Oh-lew-chee) The art/work of God
Ohenewaa Queen (Guan or Kyereponi of Ghana)
Olufunmilayo God gives me joy
Oluwa-seyi (olu-wa-shai-yi) God made this (Yoruba of Nigeria)
Oluremi (O-loo-reh-me) God consoles me (Yoruba of Nigeria)
Omosupe A Child is the most precious thing
Oni Born in sacred abode
Ontibile God is watching over me (Botswana)
Onyinyechi (own-yeen-yeh-chee) Gift from God (Igbo of Nigeria)
Ozigbodi Patience

Pamoja Together (Swahili)
Panyin Elder of twins (Fante - Ghana)
Penda Beloved (Fula - Senegal)
Poni Second Born (Bari of South Sudan)
Phenyo (peh-nyoh) Victory (Batswana of Botswana)

Qalhata Nubian Queen who ruled Egypt under the XXV dynasty.
Qwara A people in Ethiopia who speak a Cushitic language

RADHIYA (rahd-Hee-yah) Agreeable (Swahili)
RAHA Happiness (Kiswahili)
RACHIDA Righteous (Swahili)
RAMAKEELE (Rem-ah-key-lay) Came to us by surprise (Sotho of South Africa)
RAZIYA Sweet, agreeable (Swahili)
Randa To dance (Kiswahili)
Ramla Prophet (Swahili)
Ratiba (rat'eba) (Morocco)
Rashida Righteous (Virgin Islands)
Rhaxma Sweet (Somali)
Rehema Compassion (Kiswahili)
Rukiya (roo-key-ah) She who rises high (Swahili)
Rusha To throw off (Kiswahili)

Saada Helpful
Sankofa One must return to the past in order to move forward. (Akan of Ghana)
Sanjo One who appreciates her past (Yoruba)
Sanyu (sa-niyu) Joy or happiness (Baganda of Uganda)
Shani Marvellous (Swahili - East Africa)
Sayblee (say-blee) Stay in home (Liberian)
Shakina Beautiful One
Seble (Seb-luh) The harvest (Amhara of Ethiopia)
Selam Peace (Eritrea)
Serwa Noble one (Ewe - Ghana)
Sesen (se-sen) To wish for more (Eritrea)
Sharifa Distinguished one (Swahili - East Africa)
Shakia (shu-kee-a) She takes after her mother (African American)
Shartati (Sha-tah-ree) Most beautiful mountain (Ethiopia)
Shakarri Great hunter (African American)
Shakir (sha-keer Child born in the grace of God (Nigeria)
Shaquana (Sha-kwan-a) Truth in life (African American)
Shateque (Sha-tee-kwa) Follower (African American)
Shoorai A broom that sweeps (Shona - Zimbabwe)
Shema (Shay-mah) Person who's quiet,calm & reserved) Tutsi of Rwanda)
Sisi (see see) Born on Sunday (Twi of Nigeria)
Salama Peace
Sauda Dark Beauty (Swahili)
Shukura I am grateful
Sikudhani A pleasant suprise
Siyanda (See-yah -ndah) We are growing (Zulu of South Africa)
Safiya Pure
Saida Helper (Swahili)
Samia A people in Uganda
Saran Joy (Guinea and Cote D'Ivoire)
Sela Savior (Ewe of West Africa)
Sekai Laughter (Zimbabwe)
Sheba Queen of Sheba (Real name Makeda)
Sema To Speak (Kiswahili)
Sushaunna (su-sha-na) Princess / Goddess of of men (Ethiopia)

Tamu Sweet one (Swahili)
Tanginika (Tann-J-Nee-ka) Lake Godess (African American)
Tapiwa gift (Shona of Zimbabwe)
Tata To Tangle (Kiswahili)
Tangela (tang-a-la) Caring one (African American)
Tangeni (ta-nge-ni) Praise God (Ovambo of Namibia)
Taariq (Tah-reek) Morning Star (Swahilli)
Tarisai (Tari-sayi) Look at (Zimbabwe)
Tawiah First child after twins (Ga - Ghana)
Takiyah Righteous
Tatu Third born (Swahili)
Tendai (ten-dhai) Be thankful [to God] (Shona of Zimbabwe)
Terehasa (Ta-ra-Ha-sa) Blessed (Ethiopia)
Thandiwe The loving one
Thema Queen
Tiombe (Tee-ohm-bay) Shy (West African)
Titilayo (tee-tee-lye-oh) Happiness Is Eternal (Yoruba of Nigeria)
Tumpe Let us thank God
Tuwalole Exemplary
Tusajigwe We are blessed
Tafui Glory to God (Mina of Togo)
Taja To mention (Kiswhili)
Tarana Born during the day (Hausa of Nigeria)
Tanisha Born on Monday (Hausa of Nigeria)
Tsehai Sunshine (Ethiopia)
Tshepiso A promise (Tswanna of South Africa)

Ubekwenisha (Ooo-bek-kwen-eesha) Mother of the righteous (Yoruba)
Udako Respect (your elders) (Namimbia)
Udama (U'da'ma) Beautiful flowers (Algeria)
Uchenna God's will (Ibo of Nigeria)
Ugochi (Ooh-go-chi) Glory of God (Nigeria)
Urbi Princess
Urenna Father's Pride
Uboro Excellence (Kiswahili)
Ulu Second Born (Ibo of Nigeria)
Uhuru Freedom (Kiswahili)
Uwimana Daughter of God
Uzuri Beauty (Swahili)

Vana To Grant (Kongo)
Vai A people in Sierra Leone
Vasha A langauge in South Africa
Venda Bantu people of South Africa

Wambui Singer (Kikuyu of Kenya)
Wanjiko (Wahn-jee-koh) Kikuyu of Kenya
Walasma Name of a royal family who ruled in Eastern Ethiopia
Wanda Get Fat (Kiswahili)
Wanjiru Kikuyu of Kenya
Wangui (Wan-go-i) it's short form is Kui pronounced koi One of the nine daughters of Gikuyu and Mumbi (who are the Kikuyu of Kenya equivalent of Adam and Eve in the traditional Kikuyu story of creation.)
Wub Gorgeous or Beautiful (Ethiopia)

Xetsa (heht-sah) Name given to a twin (Ewe of Ghana)
Xhosa (Koh-sah) A people in South Africa

Ya Born on Thursday brave, courageous (Akan of Ghana)
Yahminah (yah-mee-na) Proper with respect (Egypt)
Yejide The image of mother
Ye Elder of twins
Yeshi For a thousand (Ethiopia)
Yatima An Orphan (Kiswahili)
Yoruba A people in Nigeria

Zahabu The golden one (Galla - Ethiopia)
Zahina Swahili
Zalika Well Born (Swahili)
Zahra Flower (Swahili)
Zainabu Beautiful (Swahili)
Zaji Woman (Tappa of West Africa)
Zakilya Intelligent
Zakiya Intelligent (Swahili)
Zanta Beautiful girl (Swahili)
Zari (Zar-ree) Golden
Zawadi Gift (Kiswahili)
Zeinab Good (Somali)
Zena Fame (Ethiopian)
Zenaib (zay-nab) Flower (African American)
Zhenga (Zen-ja) African Queen (South Africa)
Zindzhi (ZEEENZEE) Warrior (South Africa)
Zwena Good (Swahili)
Zola Productive (Congo) or Quietness in Xhosa
Zuna Abundance