African Baby Names

From the tip of Tunisia to the beaches of South Africa, African baby naming is a highly tuned, culturally rich process, one steeped in significance and mystique. Africans, who believe that the choice of the name influences the life of the child and the family, would never dream of plucking a pleasant name off a popularity chart and rolling with it. That would be an unspeakably shallow way to name your child, as if you were naming a guinea pig or a Volkswagon. Often, African parents select a name with deep meaning to them, in terms of attributes they hope their child possesses, or the family’s tribal “totem,” religious views, or the circumstances surrounding the birth.

In many African cultures, there are elaborate naming ceremonies that take place, followed by joyful celebrations with food and drink and music. In Nigeria, for example, there is a two-part soiree that precipitates naming a baby. The first part I really like (how do I snag an invite to a Nigerian naming party?). Guests get to throw out the name they would have named the child, if given the option to do so. And then, after you divulge your choice, the rest of the partygoers respond, "Ogha gue dia. Ise," meaning "May he or she live long, Amen." Honey beer and goat cheese pizza follow (often, some sort of goat-derived edible follows, anyway). Part two unfolds later in the evening, when the main naming ceremony takes place. Prayers are accompanied by eating such exotic morsels as alligator pepper (to energize the child's speech); honey, sugar, and bitter kola nuts, which symbolize life's sweet and sour experiences; native chalk and salt, to symbolize happiness; water, because it has no enemy; and palm oil, seen as a mitigator of life's problems.

During the ceremony, the eldest female member of the family repeatedly asks the mother what she calls the child. To the first six questions, the mother replies with a crazy, unthinkable name (“Gekko!” “Conehead”), which the women reject amid jocularity, traditional songs and music. When the question is asked for the seventh time, though, the father of the child whispers the actual name to his wife, who then announces it publicly.

I’m not sure about eating alligator pepper and chalk, but the rest sounds like fun. One thing is sure, Africans take baby naming very seriously. They also have some breathtaking, sumptuous names full of rhythm and strength. Beyonce (“beyond others”), Lateefah (“gentle, pleasant girl”), Mandisa (“sweet girl”) and Akon are all familiar to us through their famous bearers.

Halle Berry chose the peaceful African/Arabic Nahla (“honeybee”) for her little honey, making this obscure name a sweet new option. Angelina Jolie dubbed her Ethiopian daughter Zahara, a name that should always link her to her African roots.

There are many more gorgeous, meaningful names where those came from. Keyara rolls off the tongue and means “Beautiful river;” Kamaria is Swahili for “Like the moon.” For boys, Jayvyn (“light spirit”) walks in step with the Aiden/Jadon/Cadon pandemonium, yet just enough off the beaten path to make it interesting. Like so many African boys’ names, Jabari, meaning “brave, fearless,” connotes passion and might. Kyan, another fresh yet accessible name, means “Little king boy.” You may not be a member of the royal family, but your baby boy is always your tiny prince anyway.

More African names:

Girls: Iman (Faith Girl), Karimah (Generous Girl), Kesia (Earth bound Girl), Layla (Born at Night), Mariama (Gift of God), Nailah (Succeeding Girl), Taniel (Feminine of Daniel), Zarina (Golden Girl).

Boys: Jamar (Handsome Boy), Keon (Boy), Haben (Pride), Jelani (Mighty), Kojo (Born on a Monday), Kuron (Thanks), Naeem (Benevolent), Nalo (Loveable).

As you can see, I've just touched the tip of the iceberg in terms of Africa's lovely and mighty names. Which ones do you like? I'm sure I've left out thousands. What's your favorite African name?

D is for Dashiell

D is for Dashiell

Girls

Best Lit Name: Daisy, from “The Great Gatsby,” is as bright and cheerful a name as any, short of Sunny (Adam Sandler’s baby daughter). It’s a warm and wonderful name, popular in England and just waiting to be plucked here. Meg Ryan’s little girl from China is Daisy True. Runners Up: Delia, Doone, and Dorothy (same era as Violet, and due for a comeback).

Best Bible Name: Delilah: I know, she was a bit of a fast and loose lady, with no redeeming story, ala Rahab or Tamar. But as a name, Delilah is romantic, old/new school, and fabulous. Interesting story: When my dad ran his bookstore, he had a longtime employee named Lydia who became our dear family friend. She died around 20 years ago now—hard to believe. Anyway, good old Lydia was raised on a honey farm in Blumenort, Manitoba, with sisters all bearing Bible names. I can only remember two others, Sarah and Delilah. It struck me even then that these super conservative Mennonite farmers had named their daughter after Samson’s temptress. If it’s wholesome enough for a Mennonite bee farmer girl, it may be wholesome enough for anyone. Runners Up: Dinah (although she is my dog!).

Other D Names of Note: Delaney, Delancey, Dabny, Delphine

Boys

Lit Name: Dashiell: I know I blithered on about several names (okay, like, 100 names), in “Atticus,” but the one that may take the cake in terms of my gushing is Dashiell. It’s so singular, so fresh and bold and zippy and handsome…here I go again. Why don’t I just recount what I wrote in the book? “So let’s tally up the pros here—art deco panache, celebrity pick, fabulous animated movie tie-in—and we’re talking name perfection.” I’m referring, of course, to the 1930’s detective novels by Dashiell Hammett, Cate Blanchett’s little boy, and Dashiell “Dash” Parr from “The Incredibles.” And folks, this name hasn’t even cracked the top 1,000 yet, as of 2007. Runner up: Dexter.

Bible Name: Darius: One of my journalistic heroes, Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international correspondent, named her son Darius a few years ago. She’s Iranian, so I thought her choice of this Persian king’s name was particularly apt. Darius the Mede, by the way, had the good conscience to feel terrible when jealous staff members tricked him into throwing Daniel into the lion’s den (Daniel 6). Darius means “He who upholds the good.” Runner up: Daniel!

Irish Names: Darby, Declan and Dermot all sound super fresh and vividly Irish, if that’s your aim.