African names

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
African names
16
Sat, 03-10-2007 - 11:52am

I am entering a writing contest and I writing a short story set in present day Africa. I know there are some people on this site who know a TON about names, and I was hoping someone might be able to help me properly name my characters! All I need, is two girl names and 1 boy name (although the boy name isn't really important, very minor character).

I have tried looking at websites, but I don't really trust them and I am getting mixed messages. I found the name Sade, and thought I liked that- very strong sounding, but then found one website which said it was pronounce "sade" (1 syllable, like beginning of Sadie), and another that said it was "shah-DAY" or "shar-DAY". I would feel kinda stupid if I didn't even know how to properly pronounce my character's name, and to be honest, the "shah-DAY" or "shar-DAY" pronunciations don't really appeal to me.

So, does any know any African names (and the pronunciation and meaning as well)?? The meaning is important for one of the girl characters because I want to touch on that slightly in the story.

Sorry if this is a bit confusing, but hopefully someone can help!

Thanks,
-Nikki


                             

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
In reply to: nat_c_123
Sun, 03-11-2007 - 3:50pm
Aw, darn. I wish it was pronounced like the beginning of Sadie. I like that pronunciaiton, but shaw-day or shar-day is not my style. I will find something else!

                             
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2007
In reply to: nat_c_123
Sun, 03-11-2007 - 5:50pm

Alot of African names arn't condisered boys or girls names, a few are:

Girls Names:
Ashanti (Uh-shawn-tee)
Aina (eye-nah)
Olakuotu (Oh-la-coo-oh-too)

Boys Names:
Ojo (oh-joh)
Akinkuotu (Ah-keen-coo-oh-too)

Could be either: (MORE TRADITIONAL)
Sade (shah-dae) in the african sense, in english it is pronounced sayd
Ajayi (Ah-jah-yee)
Ige (Ee-gay)
Dada (Dah-dah)
Ige (Ee-gay)
Taiwo (Tie-woe)
Kehinde (Kay-hin-day)
Idowu (Ee-dough-woo)
Ola (Oh-la)
Otunla (Oh-tune-la)
Etaoku (Eh-ta-oh-coo)
Erioku (Air-ee-oh-coo)
Ilori (Ee-lore-ee)
Orishabiyi (Or-ee-shah-bee-yee)
Ifasen (Ee-fa-sen )
Efasehun (Ee-fah-say-hoon)
Ogunfiditimi (Oh-goon-feed-ee-teem-ee)
Shangokoya (Shan-go-coy-ah)
Adedayo (Ah-day-dye-yo)
Aderonke (Ah-day-wrong-kay)

WHAT PARENTS ARE NAMING THEIR CHILDREN IN AFRICA TODAY (ZAMBIA) (taken from a list of kids you can sponsor in Africa):

Females:
Joyce (x4)
Sandra
Juliat
Misozi
Florance (x2)
Ester
Eliza
Jennipher
Tisiyane
Esnart
Natasha
Nadine
Martha (x2)
Mulumba
Scollastica
Gift
Charity
Rexina
Nancy
Eneless
Mubanga
Steria
Musitanga
Elinah
Shilika
Linda (x2)
Ellen
Tendai
Astridah
Alice
Selina
Joshine
Mailess
Meka
Matildah
Christine
Catherine
Namangolwa
Nditzua
Misozi (x2)
Antea
Annah
Brenda (x3)
Elizabeth
Medrin
Lucy
Rosemary
Abigail
Megren
Tisauke
Mevis
Lwendo
Naomi
Esnart
Elaida
Namakau
Priscilla
Beatrice (x2)
Grace
Mercy
Precious
Queen
Jesica
Bertha
Mary
Mildred
Rabbecca
Ruth

Males:
Hermet
Ackson
Davies
Jonathan
Shepard
Chola
Amos
Gaston
Telly
Douglas
Michael (x2)
Franco
Jones
Patrick
Leckson
William
John (x4)
Raphael
Alice
Gift (x4)
Evans
Denny
Rabecca
Mwitila
Samson
Mirriam
Edward
Eric
Gregory (x2)
Cleopus
Monday
Charles
Lameck (x2)
Nalishebo
Benard
Rawlings
Chisha
Adonijah
Kayabi
Joshua
Paul
Brison
Nelson
Temba
Nowel
Kaoma
Enock
Joseph
Patrick
Joe
Amon
Sebestian
Isacc
Edward
Levy
Benny
Jeston
Adrian
Rao
Vency
Erick
Peter
Muke
Costa
Lazarous
Thomas
Bwalya
Richard
Alex
Godfrey
Mike
Mushota
Martin
Tomson
Davis

I hope this just doesn't overwhelm you

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
In reply to: nat_c_123
Sun, 03-11-2007 - 6:20pm

Wow, that didn't overwhelm me- it was INCREDIBLY helpful! I have a lot to think over but you gave me TONS of ideas. I see at least a dozen that I love. Thank you very, very, very much!


                             
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2006
In reply to: nat_c_123
Sun, 03-11-2007 - 6:36pm

I would look at books and websites set in, from, or about Tanzania (or whatever country you settle on) and see what the people on them are named. Also, there are a lot of different ethnic and language groups in Africa, so which group (and which religion) your characters belong to will make a difference.

You may also think about contacting a professor of African studies - I'm always surprised how eager most people are to share their expertise.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2007
In reply to: nat_c_123
Wed, 03-14-2007 - 2:31am

Looking through the posts I see that you are writing it about girls in Tanzania, Swahili being the language, I found a name that actually has Tanzanian roots:

DALILA: The girl's name Dalila \d(a)-li-la\ is of Swahili and Tanzanian origin, and its meaning is "delicate, gentle".

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
In reply to: nat_c_123
Wed, 03-14-2007 - 10:44am

Thanks, I LOVE that name! It is very pretty, I will have to search for some more info on it. Thanks again.

-Nikki


                             

Pages