Swahili baby names are very popular in East Africa, where Swahili, also known as Kiswahili, is the most widely spoken language. The Swahili people are primarily found in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda, and some parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the official language of Kenya and Tanzania.
With more than 200 million speakers, this unifying language is straightforward to speak, which makes their names easy to pronounce.
Whether you are expecting a child (congrats!), or you are looking to adopt a Swahili name, or you are just looking for names, here are some amazing Kiswahili names for girls. Before then, it is important to understand that some words in the language, including the Swahili names, are influenced by Arabic because of the contact the Swahili people established with the Arabs many centuries ago.
Here are some popular Swahili names for girls
1. Adea– This name is often spelled Adia or Adiah
- Meaning: “A kind gift from God”.
2. Adimu
- Meaning: Something that is “rare”.
3. Amina
- Meaning: Honest, faithful, or Trustworthy
4. Amya
- Meaning: Night rain or tender and soft
5. Asha
- Meaning: “live, exist”
6. Asante
- Meaning: Thank You; Gratitude
7. Ayanna or Ayana:
- Meaning: “beautiful flower”.
8. Bahati
- Means: Luck or good fortune
9. Barika
- Meaning: To blossom or to be successful
10. Binti
- Meaning: Daughter
11. Chausiku
- Meaning: Born at night
12. Chiku
- Meaning: “the one who talks a lot”.
13. Dalila
- Meaning: Gentle or Delicate
14. Furaha
- Meaning: Joy or happiness
15. Haleema
- Meaning: Forbearing; Gentle; Mild-mannered
16. Hawa
- Meaning: Air; Desire; To live; To breathe
17. Hidayah
- Meaning: Guidance
18. Imani
- Meaning; Faith
19. Jaleah
- Meaning: Greatness or Honorary
20. Jamala
- Meaning: Beauty
21. Kamili
- Meaning: Flawless or perfect
22. Kiah
- Meaning: A new beginning or Dawn
23. Kinga
- Meaning: Protect, shield, defend (it is linked to bravery and strength
24. Lela
- Meaning: Dark beauty
25. Lulu
- Meaning: Pearl or Precious
26. Maisha
- Meaning: Life or vitality
27. Malaika
- Meaning: Angel
28. Melek
- Meaning: Angel
29. Mwanahamisi
- Meaning: Child born on Thursday
30. Mwanaidi
- Meaning: Child born during the festival
31. Mwanajuma
- Meaning: Child born on Friday
32. Nala (sometimes spelt as “Nanlah”)
- Meaning: Lioness
33. Nalah
- Meaning: Beloved
34. Nalla
- Meaning: A Successful one, who achieved everything
35. Nava
- Meaning: Aim or Purpose
36. Neema
- Meaning: Divine grace
37. Nia
- Meaning: Goal or purpose
38. Niara (The name can also be spelled Niarah or Niyara).
- Meaning: With utmost purpose
39. Nuru
- Meaning: Light
40. Nyasia
Meaning: Purpose or aim
41. Nyia
- Meaning: Bright or benevolent
42. Penda
- Meaning: Admired, loved, or pleasant
43. Qiana
- Meaning: Silk or soft
44. Ramla
- Ramla means prophetess
45. Rehema
- Meaning: Mercy or compassion
46. Sadiki
- Meaning: Faithful and loyal
47. Safiri
- Meaning: Journey
48. Salima or Salma
- Meaning: To greet
49. Sanora
- Meaning: Kitten
50. Sarabi
- Meaning: Mirage or Illusion
51. Sarafina
- Meaning: Bright star or Fiery ones
52. Sauda
- Meaning: Dark beauty
53. Shani
- Meaning: Marvel or wonderous
54. Subira
- Meaning: Patience
55. Talaya
- Meaning: Creator or the one who weaves
56. Tanesha
- Meaning: An ambitious one
57. Taniya
- Meaning: Fairy queen
58. Taraji
- Meaning: Hope or confidence
59. Terema
- Meaning: Cheerful one
60. Tula
- Meaning: To be tranquil
61. Upendo
- Meaning: Love
62. Zahara
- Meaning: Flower, to shine, or to bloom
63. Zalika
- Meaning: Well-born
64. Zawadi
- Meaning: Gift or provisions
65. Zuhura
- Meaning: Venus (planet)
66. Zuri
- Meaning: Beautiful
67. Zuwena
- Meaning: Good
See Also: 100 Popular Xhosa Names For Girls And Meanings
Swahili Names for Girls That Boys Also Bear
Just as it is with all other tribes and languages, there are unisex names among the Swahili people that both girls and boys bear, even though you may find such names more dominant with either. Here are some of such names and their meanings:
68. Camari
Meaning: Moonlight; Moon
69. Emonie
- Meaning: This is a unisex Swahili name that means Faith
70. Imara
- Meaning: Strong, Firm, Stable, or Resilient
71. Kamara
- Meaning: Moon or Moonlight (It is another variant of the name Camari or Camara)
72. Kimara:
- Meaning: Rare beauty or Precious
73. Neya
- Meaning: Aim or purpose
74. Rubani
- Meaning: A pilot
75. Tumaini – This girl’s name in Swahili can also be given to a boy
- Meaning: Wish, hope, or desire
76. Zori
- Meaning: Mighty or Beautiful
77. Zury
- Meaning: Beautiful or something good or pleasant
How the Swahili name their children
Different cultures and people around the world have a way in which they name their young ones. It is the same with the Swahili people.
For them, naming a child is a very serious business which sometimes involves wide consultations. Family elders, religious leaders, and people considered important are all contacted before a child is named, 7 days after birth.
Sometimes, they write several names on pieces of paper, which they fold and scatter on the ground. Whichever is selected becomes the name of the child. They believe the name will influence the life of the child as well as who he becomes and his personality traits.
Sometimes, children are named based on the circumstances of their birth or based on the wishes the parents have for the child.
