African names

The African continent contains over a thousand ethnic groups speaking hundreds of languages so there are a great many different naming systems. The majority of names included are of African origin but it should be remembered thatmany countries retain the customs, religions and languages of the colonial powers and many native Africans have European, Muslim or Christian names.

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Introduction Aims and intentions of the Onomastikon
Sources Sources of Onomastikon
Ancient AfricaAethiopia, Early Cultures, Numidia
Northern Africa Morocca, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt
Eastern AfricaKiswahili, Sudan, Eithiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania
Central AfricaChad, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Zaire
Western AfricaMauritania, Mali, Burkina Fasu, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Niger, Nigeria
Southern Africa Angloa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
African Islands Madagascar, Comoro Islands, Mauritius, Small Islands


This collection of names compiled by Kate Monk. Copyright January 1997, Kate Monk. Copies may be made for personal use only.