100 African Last Names or Surnames

Africa is known for its beautiful landscapes, ethnic groups, diverse culture, beautiful landscapes and scenery, breathtaking artistic items such as totem carving, mask, beading as well as music and dance.

So are the African surname and last names, unique, and meaningful reflective and indigenous. So if you are looking for some innovative names for your baby, African names are one of a kind.

100 African Last Names or Family Names With Meanings

Here is an extensive list of African names to select:

1. Abara

This unique name belongs to the Igbo group hailing in West Africa and means spirit.

2. Abebe

This name has its origin in the Amharic language spoken in Ethiopia. It means blossom and flower.

3. Abimbola

This surname is dominant in several countries of West Africa and it means the one who is born along with wealth. It is extensively used by people of the Yoruba group.

4. Abiodun

This word is used as a first name as well as a surname. It is a unisex name that can be used for boys as well as girls and it means a baby born during war or festival. The name has its origin in the Yoruba group.

5 Abioye

This name again hails from the Yoruba group and can be used as a first name as well as a last name. But most popularly it is used to address a male. The meaning of Abioye is one who is born royal or the son of a royal clan.

6. Acheampong

The Asante or Ashanti group of people admire and appreciate this name a lot. They believe that this name promises to bring a virtuous and good future to the child. This word means destined for greatness.

7. Achebe

This last name comes from the Igbo group. This word is a citation for a deity. Chinua Achebe was a very famous African writer and winner of the Man Booker International Prize in the year 2007. The word implies the protection of the Goddess.

8. Adebayo

This word is normally spelt as Adébáyọ̀ and is used by Nigerian men as a first name as well as last name. It originates in the Yoruba group and means one born in the time of joy or royalty combining the joy.

9. Adebisi

The Yoruba group of people believe this word inculcates hopes, prosperity, and positivity. It can be used as a boy’s name as well as a surname. This word implies that the royalty, crown or king produced more.

10. Adebowale

The word has its birth in Yoruba and can be used for boys as well as a girl. The word can be interpreted as the comeback of the crown.

11. Adeleke

Normally used as a boy name, this word again has its origin in the Yoruba group. This word is a synonym for victory or conquest of royalty, crown or king.

12. Adegoke

Coming from the Yoruba lineage this word is used for a boy’s name and surname. It is stated as the progress of the crown.

13. Adekunle

Normally used for male members of the Yoruba group, this name is believed to bring optimism and is widely used. The meaning of the word is a house filled with royalty, crown or king.

14. Adelakun

Popularly used as a boys surname but is also rarely used as the first name. The word can be defined as womb or belly opened by the royal dynasty.

15. Ademola

One more last name for Yoruba people. This word implies a king born with wealth.

16. Adesina

This word is predominantly used for the female population from Nigeria. It is a word of inspiration. People also have faith that this word has good omen for couples who are unable or have problems conceiving. This word means the opening of the path by her.

17. Adesiyan

This beautiful word also has its origin in Yoruba groups of people. It is another word for good crown.

18. Adeyemi

This name is a male-dominated word and used in several parts of the world. The meaning of the word is a person worthy to be the king.

19. Adisa

Again a unisex name popular amongst the Yoruba people. It is a synonym for a coherent person.

20. Afia

This word originated in Akan and is favored amongst girls. When used amongst the males it is called Kofi. The meaning of the word is one who is born on a Friday.

21. Afolabi

This is another beautiful and unique name that can be chosen for the prosperity of your baby. A person born with status and wealth is stated as Afolabi.

22. Afolayan

People of Yoruba admiringly use this name as a nickname. It means one who confidently walks or with grace.

23. Agrinya

This word has its stems in the Yala language. It means warrior or brave.

24. Agu

This is a one of its kind Igbo surnames and is used worldwide. The word is a synonym for tiger.

25. Aguta

A kind of male word, this surname originated in the Igbo language. This is another word for abundance or plenty.

26. Agwuegbo

A sober girlish surname has its origin in the Igbo language. It is a single word for the end of hardship.

27. Akinjide

This word has a male aura in it and so is used generally for boys. The meaning of the word is the return of strength.

28. Akintola

With the flavor of masculinity in it, this surname is again used for boys. It is a synonym for brave, valour.

29. Akinyemi

This word has its roots in the Yoruba language and is used to address boys. It means warrior-to-be.

30. Akpabio

This is one more male-dominant word having its origin in the Ibibio group. The word means prime, noble or leader.

31. Alasa

It is a perfect synonym of shield and so is also termed as a male name. The meaning of the word is lord of the shield.

32. Alioune

This word originated from Wolof Linage and is used to address boys. This is a synonym for sublime, lofty.

33. Amaechi

Coming from the Igbo language, this word depicts uncertainty and potential future. It is best suited to boys. It can be interpreted as no knowledge about tomorrow.

34. Anenih

This is a very popular male name for people in Nigeria and desirable for boys. This word is the name of God.

35. Anotidaishe

This is a unique last name familiar in Zimbabwe amongst the Shona group of people. This word means love of the Lord.

36. Asaju

This word describes the trait and qualities of the person and is normally used for boys due to its meaning. It means warrior’s leader.

37. Awolowo

Yoruba originated surname, is given to boys. The word can be interpreted as a herald of majesty.

38. Babangida

This last name is primarily popular in the tribal areas of Hausa in Nigeria and is commonly used to address boys. The word means master of the home.

39. Bankole

The Yoruba group of people believe that this word is full of hope, aspiration, and dreams and therefore is used to address the son of the house. It implies assist in creating or building the house.

40. Banmeke

This is a very unique and imploring name for any child. The word means holding the rafter along with me in the house.

41. Biobaku

This last name is like a ray of hope and sunshine in the darkness. It can be used for boys as well as girls. The word is defined as if death is away from him or her.

42. Buhle

This is a very desired and admired name amongst the Ndebele and Xhosa tribes of Africa. This is another word for beautiful, handsome.

43. Chamapiwa

The roots of this word fall to the branches of the Shona people in Zimbabwe. It implies gratitude and thankfulness towards a family. The word simply means all that is given to you.

44. Chidozie

This word comes from the Igbo group. It is believed to be a spiritual name. It means repaired by God, or perfected by the Lord.

45. Chidubem

This is a kind of praise or depicting the worth of God amongst the Igbo group. This word can be interpreted as God is the guidance and advisor.

46. Chukwunyelu

Having its origin in the Igbo language and showering divinity, this is a spiritual name. It means given by God.

47. Dogo

It is used by Hausas as a nickname. This is another word for little.

48. Eesuola

The word is popular amongst the Yoruba group of people. The meaning of the word is large pile of wealth.

49. Egebe

Though a kind of nickname it is used popularly as a last name. It is a synonym for Kite.

50. Eke

This word implies power and is a short and sober name. It means the roof’s superstructure.

51. Ele

A sportive name used as a family name and nickname as well. This word implies one who can run well.

52. Emem

This is a unisex name suitable for boys as well as girls. It is another word for peace.

53. Etienam

This word comes from the Ibibio group. It is a synonym for benevolent.

54. Falade

This Yoruba family name is unique as its meaning completes a sentence. The word means the divine God combines with royalty.

55. Folorunsho

This Yoruba surname is appreciation and praise towards God. It means protected by God.

56. Furaha

The culture that dominates this name is Swahili culture. The word is a synonym for happiness, delight.

57. Gcobani

This is a Xhosa lineage name and implies positivity, optimism, and popularity. This word is inclined towards the male population. It is another word for joyful.

58. Gowon

The word comes from the Tiv language and is used for the male population. It is another word for the rainmaker.

59. Igbinedion

The Benin cultured word represents respect. This word means asking for protection from elders.

60. Igwe

A short and sweet name that leads to the divinity of existence and respect towards the king of Igboland, it has its origin in Igbo groups. It is a synonym for heaven.

61. Ihejirika

This is used as a nickname as well as a surname amongst the Igbo groups and depicts pride. This word means what ‘I have is greatest.’

62. Jelani

A very adorable name given to boys by Swahili people. It is a synonym for mighty, strength.

63. Kanye

This word is dominated by Igbo and Nguni language. The rapper celebrity also is named Kanye West. It implies provide tribute or honor.

64. Kenyatta

Very common name among the Kenyan male population. This is another word for the musician.

65. Kikelomo

The Yoruba group uses this name for their beautiful daughters. The word means a child for cherishing and pampering.

66. Lapido

A word used for the last name and first name of both boys and girls. It is another word for prosperity, wealth.

67. Mensah

A very common name in the whole of Africa, it has its origin in the Akan group. The word means the third child of a couple.

68. Mmeremikwu

This word has its origin in the Igbo language and trails aspirations and dreams. It means ‘to be better.’

69. Mawanajuma

The family name has its roots in Swahili culture. The meaning of the word is birth on Friday.

70. Ndiaye

The Senegal people take this word to be a ferocious and aggressive word and can be used for both genders. This word means the successor of the lion.

71. Nenge

A very unique and short name in the Tiv language. It implies as to see.

72. Nnadi

This surname has its descendant in the Igbo language. The meaning of the word is God or Father is living.

73. Nnamani

This name is dominated by masculine members of the family. The word means as a land of my father or home of ancestors.

74. Nwachukwu

This word originates in the Igbo language and represents faith in God and belief in religion. This word can be interpreted as a child of God.

75. Nwadike

This word origins from the Igbo language and is normally used for boys. This word means a strong person, warrior, a descendant of the hero.

76. Obama

The word comes from the Luo language and we popularly know this name through Barack Obama, The US president. It is another word for bend, lean.

77. Obi

A male surname from the Igbo group of Nigeria. This is a synonym for the heart.

78. Okiro

This is a nickname for the child of both genders. The word means chubby cheeks.

79. Okoye

A Traditional surname all over Africa and popular by the character Okoye in the movie Black Panther. The meaning of the word is born on the orie market day.

80. Okusanya

A Yoruba word to praise the God of wealth Ijebu. The word means reward by God for my sufferings.

81. Oladoyinbo

Male-dominated Nigerian Word. The meaning of the word is honor surrounded.

82. Olanrewaju

A Yoruba originated name given to boys. This word can be interpreted as future is wealth.

83. Olatunji

Suitable for boys and girls and as a nickname too. It implies regeneration of wealth.

84. Olowe

It comes from the Yoruba group and is male-dominated. The word means many people can be called to assist.

85. Omenma

Can be used as nickname and surname. This word means doing good for others.

86. Omenuko

This word depicts a helpful nature. The word means acting when required.

87. Onai

This word has its origin in Zimbabwe’s Shona group. This is a synonym to observe.

88. Orji

A male-dominated word representing physical strength. The meaning of the word is a mighty tree.

89. Osei

This origin from Ghana’s Akan group. This is another word for royalty.

90. Otueome

A very rare male surname. The word is a synonym for commitment.

91. Owusu

A typical male Akan family name. The word can be interpreted as determined.

92. Oyekan

This word is popular among the Shona group as well as the Yoruba group. The word means multiplied, next royal king.

93. Popoola

A beautiful and unique name. It is another word for intelligent.

94. Sarpong

Originated in the Ashanti group, it is suitable for boys. It is another word for supreme, warrior.

95. Tersoo

It has its origin in Tiv. The meaning of the word is the love of Father.

96. Toure

It is believed to be derived from the Soninke language and is a male name. It is another word for elephant.

97. Uduike

This name represents power and is used for the male population. This word is a combination of udu that means clay pot and Ike that means strength.

98. Umburter

A primary male name in the Tiv language. The meaning of the word is to remember God.

99. Zadzisai

This word origins in the Shona group and used for male. It means fulfilling the promise.

100. Zivai

A Shona originating name for boys. The word means to have knowledge.

So here is the list of interesting, relevant, remarkable, unique, and unusual African names to choose from. As per your choice and suitability, you can select the name for your baby.