Swahili names are widely used by Swahili speakers in Eastern Africa, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the region.
Discover over 200 unique Swahili baby names with meanings. From traditional to modern. Find beautiful names for your little one with origins and significance in Swahili culture.
Swahili Baby Names
Swahili Boy Names With Meanings
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Abdu | Worshipper of God |
| Adamu | Swahili form of Adam |
| Aijuka | He knew or he understands |
| Akili | Mind, intelligence |
| Andwele | God brings me |
| Angavu | Clear, lucid |
| Anoni | Variation of Anno |
| Asani | Rebellious |
| Asanti | Thank you |
| Athumani | Third one |
| Azizi | Treasure, rarity, something valuable; lover |
| Bahari | Sea or ocean |
| Bale | Yes, correct |
| Balinda | Guard |
| Bibuwa | Boss |
| Boma | Fort or enclosure |
| Cheusi | Black |
| Chuki | Born during a time of hatred |
| Dai | Demand |
| Daudi | Beloved or uncle (variation of David) |
| Duma | Cheetah |
| Dunia | World, earth, kingdom |
| Ekundu | Red |
| Enzi | Powerful |
| Fahari | Fame, honour, splendour |
| Fanaka | Nice |
| Faraja | Consolation, comfort |
| Hafidh | Variant of Hafiz, keeper of the Quran |
| Hamis | Thursday |
| Harambee | All pull together |
| Hekima | Wisdom |
| Isaya | Swahili form of Isaiah |
| Issack | Swahili form of Isaac |
| Ituri | Perfume, scent, fragrance |
| Jalia | Honorary |
| Jangwa | Desert |
| Jelani | Powerful |
| Jua | Sun |
| Jumaane | Tuesday |
| Justiniani | Swahili variation of Justinianus |
| Kashangaki | Surprise |
| Kenyangi | In the countryside |
| Khamani | Son of king, first born, great king |
| Khamisi | Thursday |
| Kiapo | Oath |
| Kiburi | Pride |
| Kijana | Young person |
| Kijani | Warrior |
| Kimbilio | Refuge |
| Kinubi | Harp |
| Kipenzi | Darling, favorite, loved one |
| Kiume | Stamina, strength |
| Kondo | War |
| Konradi | Variation of Conrad |
| Kovu | Scar (famous character from The Lion King) |
| Kurunzi | Torch |
| Kurwa | First of twins |
| Kusiima | Thankful |
| Kweli | Truth |
| Makini | Of good character, strength of character |
| Makunga | Crazy |
| Makuu | Great |
| Matunda | Fruit |
| Mavuno | Harvest time |
| Mohamedi | Swahili form of Muhammad |
| Mulele | Flying man, man of flight |
| Mwezi | Moon or month |
| Ngamia | Camel |
| Ngeni | Stranger |
| Ntimi | Pastor |
| Nuhu | Swahili form of Noah |
| Nwabudike | The son is the father’s power |
| Osogo | Movement |
| Pambe | Decorated |
| Pelaji | Variation of Pelagius |
| Popobawa | Bat-wing, winged bat (mythological creature) |
| Pumbaa | To be foolish, silly, weak-minded (from The Lion King) |
| Ramadhan | Swahili form of Ramadan |
| Rashidi | Rightly guided |
| Rubani | Pilot |
| Ruhiu | Spirit |
| Rungo | Weapon of war (war club) |
| Sadaka | A religious offering |
| Sadiki | Faithful, loyal |
| Safari | Journey (often associated with travel) |
| Samweli | Swahili form of Samuel |
| Shida | Suffering, hardship |
| Sifa | Praise |
| Siku | Day |
| Takatifu | Sacred, holy |
| Thabiti | Stable |
| Tisa | Nine (often given to the ninth-born child) |
| Tufani | Storm |
| Tukufu | Exalted |
| Ushindi | Victory, triumph |
| Usiku | Night |
| Uzima | Life |
| Wamwema | Belonging to the good |
| Yakobo | Swahili form of Jacob |
| Yohana | Swahili form of John |
| Yohane | Swahili form of John |
| Zahur | Flower |
| Zende | Strong, firm |
| Zuba | Jump |
| Zwatie | People of language |
Swahili Girl Names With Meanings
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Abigail | Swahili version of Abigail |
| Adhra | Apology |
| Adia | Queen (Igede), Valuable gift (Swahili) |
| Adimu | Rare |
| Akumu | Unknown |
| Almasi | Diamond |
| Amani | Peace |
| Amondi | Peace (Swahili version of Amani) |
| Anasa | Joy |
| Angalia | Unknown |
| Arusi | Born at wedding time |
| Asali | Honey |
| Asanti | Thank you |
| Asatira | History, legend |
| Asmini | Swahili version of Jasmin |
| Atiena | Guardian of the night |
| Bahari | Sea or ocean |
| Boma | Fort or enclosure |
| Busara | Wisdom |
| Chaniya | Wealthy |
| Chausiki | Born at night |
| Chipukizi | Bud, sprout, shoot |
| Chuki | Born during hatred time |
| Dainess | Unknown |
| Dalili | Omen, symbol |
| Enzi | Powerful |
| Fahari | Fame, honor, splendor |
| Faisa | Successful, victorious |
| Fanaka | Nice |
| Faraja | Consolation, comfort |
| Farhiya | Joy, happiness |
| Farijika | Be relieved |
| Gethera | Harvest |
| Goma | Unknown |
| Haiba | Charm, grace, beauty |
| Halisi | Genuine |
| Hanja | Brown |
| Hashiki | Doesn’t hold |
| Hatima | Fate |
| Hawehindi | Unknown |
| Hekima | Wisdom |
| Hidaya | Beautiful |
| Hodari | Strong |
| Humaiya | Unknown |
| Imany | Faith |
| Imara | Strong, firm, stable |
| Itanya | Hope |
| Jahi | Worthy |
| Jana | Yesterday |
| Jasiri | Bold, courageous |
| Jina | To walk |
| Jua | Sun |
| Kaluwa | Forgotten one |
| Kaombwe | Unknown |
| Karama | Gift |
| Kaskazi | North wind, hot season |
| Kiah | Dawn |
| Kibafupia | Acceptance and low |
| Kibibi | Little lady |
| Kiburi | Pride |
| Kijana | Young person |
| Kimya | Silent |
| Kinaya | Independence |
| Kiojah | Miracle |
| Kipenzi | Darling, loved one |
| Kipepeo | Butterfly |
| Kisima | Water spring |
| Kiwara | Savannah |
| Kuchanua | Blossom |
| Kurwa | First of twins |
| Lailati | Night |
| Laini | Fine, soft, smooth |
| Madaha | Grace |
| Madini | Gem |
| Madoa | Freckles |
| Mahali | Place |
| Maisha | Life |
| Majani | Leaves |
| Makini | Good character, strength of character |
| Maliza | Accomplished woman |
| Marini | Pretty |
| Marjani | Coral |
| Matunda | Fruit |
| Maua | Flower |
| Misuli | Muscle |
| Mkarkara | Passion flower |
| Mrihani | Reyhan (a name) |
| Muhima | Important |
| Musila | Unknown |
| Mwamini | Honest |
| Mwasaa | Time |
| Najuma | Abounding in joy |
| Naki | Firstborn girl |
| Nashipie | Joy |
| Nasra | Helper, support |
| Nathari | Prose |
| Nayfa | Benefit |
| Nelah | Gift with purpose |
| Niara | High purpose |
| Nigesa | Born during harvest season |
| Njozi | Dream |
| Nula | Variant of Nola and Nala |
| Nya | Purpose |
| Nyasi | Grass |
| Nyoni | Bird |
| Nyota | Star |
| Nyuki | Bee |
| Opwonya | Unknown |
| Panya | Crowned one |
| Paskalia | Unknown |
| Reshoni | Unknown |
| Rua | Known among Swahili-speaking communities |
| Sabari | Leader (Swahili and Hindi) |
| Sadao | Leader |
| Safari | Journey |
| Safiri | Traveler |
| Sarabi | Mirage |
| Sarafina | Bright star |
| Sauti | Voice |
| Serafina | Variant of Sarafina |
| Shani | Wonder |
| Shida | Hardship, suffering, struggles |
| Sifa | Praise |
| Siku | Day |
| Skolastika | Scholastica (a variant) |
| Sungara | Rabbit, hare |
| Swala | Antelope |
| Tambika | Offering |
| Tamu | Sweet |
| Ta-tanisha | Unknown |
| Tisa | Nine |
| Tuere | Sacred |
| Tufani | Storm |
| Udeera | Overcoming trials, story of help |
| Ujamaa | Socialist |
| Umande | Dew |
| Umoja | Unity, harmony |
| Uzima | Life |
| Waceera | Unknown |
| Wamwema | Belongs to the good, belonging to God |
| Waridi | Rose |
| Waseme | Let them talk |
| Yasinta | Unknown |
| Zabibu | Grapes |
| Zahnya | Unknown |
| Zaituni | Olive |
| Zumaridi | Emerald |
| Zuwena | Small and beautiful |
Unisex Swahili Baby Names
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Asanti | Thank you |
| Bahari | Sea or ocean |
| Boma | Fort or enclosure |
| Chuki | Born during a time of hatred |
| Enzi | Powerful |
| Fahari | Fame, honor, splendor |
| Fanaka | Nice |
| Faraja | Consolation, comfort |
| Hekima | Wisdom |
| Jua | Sun |
| Kaombwe | Unknown |
| Kiburi | Pride |
| Kijana | Young person |
| Kipenzi | Darling, favorite, loved one |
| Kurwa | First of twins |
| Makini | Good character or strength of character |
| Matunda | Fruit |
| Rua | Used in Swahili communities for both genders |
| Sabari | Leader (Swahili and Hindi) |
| Safari | Journey (Swahili, Bantu, Arabic origin) |
| Shida | Suffering, hardship, struggles |
| Sifa | Praise |
| Siku | Day |
| Tisa | Nine |
| Tufani | Storm |
| Uzima | Life |
| Wamwema | Belonging to the one that is good, belonging to God |
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