Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Selecting a baby name is like embarking on a treasure hunt, where you are sure to be a winner. The perfect name is hidden on the Internet or between the folds of a baby name book. You just have to find out the perfect one, which, you surely will. If you’re on a hunt for a Swahili baby name, MomJunction has created a cheat sheet for you. Swahili, the official language of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Democratic Republic of Congo, is highly influenced by other languages and dialects. Some of the Swahili words are Arabic, obtained from the 12 centuries contact with the Arabic nations. The vocabulary also includes English, Persian, Portuguese, German, and French words, attained through contact with these countries in the past centuries. This influence is reflected in Swahili baby names as well, considering a large number of Swahili names are either Arabic or Biblical. Below is MomJunction's wide selection of traditional, modern, unique, and famous Swahili baby names with meanings and its traditional gender use.
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| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
Adea |
|
Girl |
A kind gift from the God |
|
Adia |
|
Girl |
A gift, or a gift from the God |
|
Adiah |
|
Girl |
God's gift or God's ornaments |
|
Ahadi |
|
Girl |
Promising, With much promise |
|
Aiysha |
|
Girl |
Powerful and complete |
|
Akida |
|
Boy |
Chief, Officer; one who is determined and diplomatic |
|
Akina |
|
Girl |
Solidarity, bond, family bond |
|
Amana |
|
Unisex |
A warrior at heart who is faithful and loyal |
|
Amaziah |
|
Boy |
The one who has the strength of God, is unusual and extraordinary |
|
Amne |
|
Girl |
African - Swahili - Safe; Secure |
|
Asafa |
|
Boy |
One who is son of a chief and a Persian officer |
|
Asani |
|
Boy |
Rebellious |
|
Asanis |
|
Boy |
Rebel; a clear and modest person |
|
Ashura |
|
Boy |
Friend or the one who accompanies. |
|
Athumani |
|
Boy |
The third Khalifa |
|
Atiena |
|
Girl |
Guardian of the night. |
|
Auni |
|
Boy |
African Swahili - Help; Assist |
|
Azizi |
|
Boy |
Arabic - Beloved; Precious One; Treasure; Valuable |
|
Badru |
|
Boy |
Arabic - Full Moon; A variant of name Badr |
|
Bakari |
|
Boy |
一种很有前途的和可爱的人 |
|
Banou |
|
Girl |
Female; Lady; Princess |
|
Barika |
|
Girl |
Bloom, Be Successful |
|
Binti |
|
Girl |
Daughter |
|
Chacha |
|
Boy |
A strong man |
|
Chandu |
|
Boy |
An octopus |
|
Chane |
|
Boy |
The oe having a strong Oak-heart |
|
Chiku |
|
Girl |
The one talking a lot |
|
Djimon |
|
Boy |
One who has a strong blood; powerful person |
|
Elewisa |
|
Boy |
An intelligent and mindful person |
|
Hami |
|
Boy |
Defender, Patron, Protector, Supporter, Show Favor, From Swahili |
|
Hashaan |
|
Boy |
Good-looking |
|
Hasnaa |
|
Girl |
veru beautiful |
|
Hassian |
|
Boy |
英俊的 |
|
Hediye |
|
Girl |
Gift |
|
Jabali |
|
Boy |
一个人是圣的rong as a rock |
|
Jabori |
|
Boy |
One who brings comfort to people |
|
Jel |
|
Boy |
Refers to Strong and hard. |
|
Jina |
|
Unisex |
they are born investigator with the leadership skills. They like to keep themselves moving and have curiosity to learn and gain knowledge. |
|
Johari |
|
Girl |
Something of value,jewel,something precious which is adored |
|
Kamaria |
|
Girl |
The name means Bright like the Moon |
|
Kamili |
|
Boy |
Kamili name means He is Perfecr, He has No Flaws |
|
Kenyada |
|
Boy |
The name means Gem |
|
Kenyatta |
|
Boy |
Kenyatta means Jewel |
|
Kesi |
|
Girl |
Born at time of great trouble for father |
|
Kichaka |
|
Girl |
Kichaka means The one Who Blushes |
|
Kito |
|
Boy |
一个宝石。 |
|
Kobe |
|
Boy |
Kobe meand Tortoise |
|
Kondo |
|
Boy |
A warrior |
|
Lakeisha |
|
Girl |
Lakeisha means Joyful |
|
Lakicia |
|
Girl |
She who is a Favorite among people |
|
Mosi |
|
Unisex |
The first born child |
|
Mosiya |
|
Unisex |
The child who born first to the parents |
|
Nalah |
|
Girl |
A lioness, furious as lioness |
|
Nalla |
|
Girl |
A successful person, who achieved everything |
|
Nea |
|
Girl |
Radiant, Shimmering, Glossy, Glistening. |
|
Niagh |
|
Girl |
An aim or a purpose |
|
Nya |
|
Girl |
A friend, a companion |
|
Nyimbo |
|
Girl |
An Arabic word one who gives respect and honour others. |
|
Pacca |
|
Girl |
Another name of a pussycat; lovely person |
|
Penda |
|
Girl |
African - Admired; Loved; Beloved; A variant of Penha |
|
Reth |
|
Boy |
The King, the Ruler |
|
Russom |
|
Unisex |
One who is a leader, a head of the charge |
|
Sefu |
|
Boy |
Sword |
|
Shani |
|
Girl |
A wonderful woman |
|
Shomari |
|
Boy |
One with a forceful personality |
|
Sikudhani |
|
Girl |
A pleasant surprise |
|
Simba |
|
Boy |
To be like a lion |
|
Tabari |
|
Boy |
A famous Historian |
|
Tabia |
|
Girl |
Polite behavior and talented |
|
Tambika |
|
Girl |
Religious offering |
|
Thimba |
|
Boy |
He who hunts lions |
|
Tish |
|
Girl |
A strong will or will-power |
|
Tishala |
|
Girl |
One who has a strong will power |
|
Zahara |
|
Girl |
To shine, to bloom |
|
Zalika |
|
Girl |
One who is well born. |
|
Zalika |
|
Girl |
One who is well born. |
Infographic: Mesmerizing Swahili Names For Your Bundle Of Joy
The quaint Swahili region has a long and unique cultural history. Its eponymous language is a multicultural polyglot. So you can expect to find many profoundly meaningful names for your little one. Moreover, most of them are easy to pronounce without any silent letters. This infographic lists the top ones.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What name means beautiful in Swahili?
In Swahili, the feminine name Zuri means ‘beautiful.’ The names Jamila and Jamala are derived from the masculine Jamil, which means ‘beauty.’
2. What name means blessed in Swahili?
The gender-neutral name, Baraka, means ‘blessed’ in Swahili. The feminine name Neema means ‘blessing’ in the same language.
3. What name means lucky in Swahili?
In Swahili, the unisex name Bahati means ‘luck or ‘good fortune.’
4. What Swahili names mean faith?
The Swahili name Imani, with Arabic roots, means ‘faith.’ The feminine name ‘Taraji’ means ‘hope,’ also associated with faith.
5. What is the Swahili name for hope?
The unisex name Tumaini means ‘hope’ in the Swahili language. The feminine name ‘Taraji’ also means ‘to hope’ or ‘to wish for.’
6. What Swahili names mean courage?
The masculine first name Jabari means ‘the brave one’ in Swahili. The feminine name Jasiri refers to ‘bold and courageous.’
7.斯瓦希里语的名字意味着什么力量?
In Swahili, the masculine name Kiume means ‘stamina’ or ‘strength,’ while the unisex name Makini refers to ‘the strength of a person’s character.’ Nwabudike means ‘the father’s strength lies in his son.’ The name Nguvu means ‘strong’ in Swahili.
8. What are some creative ways that Swahili baby names are being incorporated into modern naming conventions?
Swahili names can be modernized by altering the spelling or adding prefixes or suffixes to create a fresh new variation while still maintaining the Swahili essence. Swahili words having positive meanings or those related to nature or good human virtues and qualities can also be adopted as a name for children.
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