African Dog Names

Africa is home to some of the world's most diverse wildlife. Acknowledge your dog's wild side by giving it a powerful and unique African name.

Tap the arrow to see a name's meaning, and the heart to save it to your shortlist.

Aaliyah
Derived from Swahili, meaning "highest, most exalted one."
Abena
Born on Tuesday in Akan language from Ghana.
Ada
Associated with beauty and first daughter in Nigerian Igbo culture.
Adanna
Derived from Igbo language, meaning "father's daughter" in Nigeria.
Addia
Derived from African origins, meaning 'being a gift' or 'generous'.
Ade
Common prefix in Yoruba language, signifies royalty or crown.
Akeen
Derived from Akhenaten, an ancient Egyptian pharaoh.
Alika
Derived from African origins, meaning "most beautiful."
Ama
Common female name in Akan language, meaning "born on Saturday".
Amar
Associated with African languages, meaning "long life" or "immortal".
Amina
Common in various African languages, often meaning "trustworthy" or "faithful".
Amine
Derived from Arabic, commonly used in North African countries.
Asha
Derived from Swahili, signifies life and hope in African culture.
Ayo
Common in Yoruba language, meaning "joy" and often used as a name.
Banzai
Associated with Swahili, meaning "ten thousand years" as a cheer or toast.
Barack
Derived from Swahili, meaning "blessed one".
Benya
Derived from Yoruba language, meaning "born on a Thursday".
Bobo
Refers to an ethnic group in Burkina Faso and Mali.
Bonolo
Derived from Tswana language, meaning "the easy one".
Buhle
Originates from Nguni languages, meaning "beauty" or "goodness".
Cebo
Associated with Zulu culture, often used as a male first name.
Chana
Associated with African culture, Chana means "hope" in Akan language.
Chi
Associated with Igbo culture, represents personal spiritual guardian in Nigeria.
Dada
Means "hair" in Yoruba and "sister" in some East African languages.
Delani
Derived from African origins, meaning "debate or consider at length".
Djembe
A traditional drum from West Africa, often used in music and ceremonies.
Dumi
Associated with Zulu culture, often a male given name.
Esme
No connection between Esme and African culture or language exists.
Faa
Associated with West African Mandinka tribe, meaning "split, divide" in their language.
Farai
Derived from Shona language, meaning "rejoice" in Zimbabwean culture.
Fayola
Derived from Yoruba, meaning "good fortune walks with honor."
Jaafan
Derived from Swahili, commonly used in East African communities.
Jama
Derived from Swahili, meaning "gather together" or "congregate".
Jambo
A greeting in Swahili, often used in East Africa.
Jamila
Derived from Arabic, commonly used in African Muslim communities.
Jengo
Derived from Swahili, meaning to build or construct.
Jina
Associated with Swahili language, meaning "name" or "famous".
Kafi
Derived from African origins, often associated with Hausa language.
Kali
Not directly linked to African culture or language.
Kamikazi
Associated with Swahili, meaning "little servant of God."
Kanzi
Associated with Swahili language, meaning hidden treasure.
Kasim
Derived from Arabic, commonly used in African Muslim communities.
Kayin
Derived from Yoruba language, meaning celebrated child.
Kendi
Derived from African languages, signifies loved one or the treasured one.
Kgosi
Means "king" in Tswana and Sotho languages from Southern Africa.
Kianga
Derived from African origins, means "sunshine" in Swahili language.
Kuume
Associated with African culture, possibly a name or term in local dialects.
Kwini
Associated with African heritage, specifically the Bantu language group.
Leki
Associated with Swahili, meaning "care" or "worry".
Limbani
Limbani is a common name in the Chichewa language from Malawi.
Maha
Associated with greatness or superiority in some African languages.
Mandla
Derived from Nguni languages, signifies strength in South African culture.
Masozi
Originates from African languages, meaning "tears" in Tumbuka and Nyanja.
Menzi
Derived from Zulu language, signifies a person who brings change.
Meshindi
Derived from African languages, signifies "one who conquers" or "victor".
Mhina
Derived from Swahili, often used in East African communities.
Monna
Associated with Tswana language, meaning "to see" or "visionary" in Botswana.
Moriti
Associated with Tswana language, meaning "shadows" in Southern Africa.
Mosa
Derived from Sotho language, meaning grace.
Moseka
Associated with African goddess of love and water in Congolese mythology.
Moyo
Derived from African languages, signifies "heart" in Shona and Swahili.
Mufasa
Derived from the Manazoto word for king, reflecting African heritage.
Nala
Derived from Swahili, meaning gift or beloved in African culture.
Nata
Associated with a village in Botswana and means "under the open sky".
Neema
Derived from Swahili, meaning "grace" or "born during prosperous times".
Oba
Oba is a royal title meaning king in Yoruba culture.
Obi
Obi originates from the Igbo language, meaning "heart" in English.
Ode
Ode is a Yoruba term meaning hunter or one who hunts.
Ogbo
Associated with Nigerian culture, often a male given name.
Olee
Derived from Yoruba language, meaning "one who is honored or respected".
Oringo
Associated with Igbo language, meaning "he who enjoys life".
Pula
Currency in Botswana and word for "rain" in Setswana language.
Pumbaa
Derived from Swahili, meaning foolish, naive, or simple-minded.
Rafiki
Rafiki means "friend" in Swahili, a language spoken in Africa.
Ramla
Derived from Swahili, meaning "prophetess" or "one who predicts".
Reta
Derived from Swahili, meaning "counsel" or "advice".
Roho
Means "spirit" in Swahili, a language spoken in East Africa.
Roro
Associated with Yoruba language, often used as a nickname.
Rufaro
Originates from Shona language, meaning "happiness" in Zimbabwean culture.
Sabra
Derived from Swahili, meaning patience, often used in East Africa.
Safari
Derived from Swahili, meaning journey, often associated with wildlife expeditions.
Sarabi
Sarabi is Swahili for "mirage", reflecting African linguistic heritage.
Sarafina
Derived from Swahili, represents "bright star", popular in East Africa.
Sassandra
A coastal town in Ivory Coast, West Africa.
Shenzi
Means "savage" or "uncivilized" in Swahili, a language in Africa.
Simba
Means "lion" in Swahili, a language spoken in East Africa.
Sipho
A common male name in Zulu, meaning "gift".
Siti
Commonly used in Swahili, a language spoken in East Africa.
Sonto
Derived from Zulu language, signifies "Sunday" in South African culture.
Timon
Derived from Tswana language, meaning "respect" or "honor".
Tindo
Associated with Shona language, meaning love or affection.
Titi
Common female name in Yoruba language, often used in West Africa.
Yafeu
Derived from African origins, meaning "bold" in the Yoruba language.
Zazu
Derived from Swahili, symbolizing "movement" or "to move quickly".
Zibu
No connection found between Zibu and African culture or language.
Zula
Derived from Zulu, a Bantu ethnic group in South Africa.
Zulu
Refers to a major ethnic group in South Africa and their language.

African Dog Names currently rank in 9th place out of all PupNames.com categories.

As of May 2025, african dog names seem increasingly popular with new puppy owners. Our stats show that they are more fashionable than they were at this time last year.

We've seen quite a lot of variation for this category, which suggests its popularity could be seasonal or based on cultural events.

Which are the cutest and most unique African Dog Names?

These african dog names range from cute to badass, and from traditional to unique. Click each circle to see the name.

Esme is among the cutest of these. If you prefer tougher, edgier dog names, the one considered the most badass is Zulu.

Jama scored high for its uniqueness, which would help your dog to stand out. But if you prefer more common, old-fashioned names, the more traditional option here is Simba.

How does interest compare across the United States for African Dog Names?

The map below compares each state by the number of people browsing African Dog Names.

The states that love african dog names the most are Virginia, District of Columbia and Oklahoma.

The least amount of interest in this category was registered in Indiana, Montana and Rhode Island.

Which countries have the most love for African Dog Names?

Here's a world map showing the popularity in each country of african dog names.

Who'd have thought?! Some of the countries you might not have thought about that LOVE african dog names are Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania.

On the flip, PupNames data shows there's not much interest in Singapore, New Zealand and China.