African and African American Inspired Baby Girl Names

When I was searching for names for my daughter, we looked to my family roots in Ghana, Nigeria and our Muslim heritage. I wish I had this list back then! The 10th name on this list is my beautiful daughters name, Amira.

• Aaliyah: Exalted, to ascend.
• Abeba (Ethiopia): Flower.
• Adanna (Igbo, Nigeria): Father's daughter.
• Aïcha (North Africa): Alive, well.
• Akosua (Akan, Ghana): Born on Sunday.
• Alexis: Defender, helper.
• Aliyah: Exalted, noble.
• Amara (Igbo, Nigeria): Grace.
• Amina (Swahili, East Africa): Trustworthy, faithful.
• Amira: Princess
• Amaya: Night rain.
• Amber: Fossilized tree resin, color orange or yellow.
• Anaya: Look up to God.
• Angel: Messenger of God.
• Arianna: Most holy.
• Autumn: Season of fall.
• Ava: Bird, living one.
• Binta (West Africa): With God.
• Brianna: Strong, virtuous, honorable.
• Brooklyn: Broken land or pretty brook.
• Camille: Young ceremonial attendant.
• Chiamaka (Igbo, Nigeria): God is beautiful.
• Chloe: Blooming, fertility.
• Dalila (Swahili, East Africa): Gentle.
• Deka (Somalia): Pleasing.
• Destiny: Fate, destiny.
• Diamond: Invincible, brilliant.
• Efia (Akan, Ghana): Born on Friday.
• Eshe (Swahili, East Africa): Life.
• Faduma (Somalia): Lucky.
• Faith: Trust, belief.
• Farai (Shona, Zimbabwe): Rejoice.
• Fatoumata (West Africa): Weaned or baby who is weaned.
• Gabrielle: God is my strength.
• Hailey: Hay's meadow.
• Halima (Swahili, East Africa): Gentle, humane.
• Harmony: Perfect unity, agreement.
• Imani (Swahili, East Africa): Faith.
• Isabella: Pledged to God.
• Isioma (Igbo, Nigeria): Good luck.
• Jada: Precious stone.
• Jade: Precious green stone.
• Jahia (Swahili, East Africa): Young woman.
• Jasmine: Fragrant flower.
• Jordyn: To flow down or descend.
• Kadiatou (West Africa): The first daughter.
• Kamaria (Swahili, East Africa): Like the moon.
• Kayla: Pure.
• Kendall: Valley of the River Kent.
• Kennedy: Misshapen head.
• Kiara: Dark, clear; famous.
• Kyla: Narrow, slender.
• Laila: Night.
• Layla: Night, dark beauty.
• Leah: Weary.
• Lerato (Sotho, South Africa): Love.
• London: From the great river.
• Mackenzie: Child of the wise leader.
• Madison: Son of Maud.
• Makena (Kikuyu, Kenya): The happy one.
• Makayla: Who is like God?
• Mandisa (Xhosa, South Africa): Sweet.
• Mariama (West Africa): Gift of God.
• Maya: Water.
• Mia: Mine or bitter.
• Minenhle (Zulu, South Africa): Beautiful day.
• Morgan: Sea-born, sea-song or sea-circle.
• Naledi (Sotho, South Africa): Star.
• Nia (Swahili, East Africa): Purpose.
• Nneka (Igbo, Nigeria): Mother is supreme.
• Nomusa (Ndebele, Zimbabwe): With kindness.
• Nontle (Xhosa, South Africa): Beauty.
• Nthabiseng (Sotho, South Africa): Make me happy.
• Oluchi (Igbo, Nigeria): Work of God.
• Olivia: Olive, symbol of peace.
• Omotola: A child equals wealth.
• Paris: The capital of France, or from Paris.
• Palesa (Sotho, South Africa): Flower.
• Peyton: Fighting man's estate.
• Rethabile (Sotho, South Africa): We are happy.
• Riley: Wood clearing.
• Sade (Yoruba, Nigeria): Honor confers a crown.
• Safiyah (Arabic, North Africa): Pure.
• Salama (Swahili, East Africa): Peace.
• Samantha: Told by God.
• Senait (Amharic, Ethiopia): Peaceful.
• Serenity: Peaceful disposition.
• Simisola (Yoruba, Nigeria): Rest in wealth.
• Tandie (Ndebele, Zimbabwe): Fire.
• Taraji (Swahili, East Africa): Hope.
• Thandiwe (Ndebele, Zimbabwe): Beloved.
• Tigist (Amharic, Ethiopia): Patience.
• Titilayo (Yoruba, Nigeria): Eternal happiness.
• Tumelo (Sotho, South Africa): Belief or faith.
• Udo (Igbo, Nigeria): Peace.
• Yaa (Akan, Ghana): Born on Thursday.
• Yewubdar (Amharic, Ethiopia): Beautiful beyond limits.
• Zahra (Swahili, East Africa): Flower, beauty.
• Zoe: Life.
• Zuri: (Swahili, East Africa): Beautiful

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