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African surnames often reflect the diverse cultures, languages, and histories of the continent. In this list, we explore 100 common African surnames and their meanings. These names carry the rich heritage of Africa and tell stories of families and communities.
African surnames are a testament to the continent’s vastness and diversity. They can reveal a person’s ethnic group, clan, or even their ancestral history. Let’s embark on a journey to discover the meanings and origins of these 100 common African surnames.
List of Most Common Surnames in Africa
Here is the list of the top and most common African surnames for baby boys, girls, and families in Africa with their meanings.
Okeke – Meaning “God creates” in Igbo.
Nkrumah – Referring to “ninth born” in Akan.
Mukamal – Signifying “complete” or “perfect” in Arabic.
Diop – Meaning “first son” in Wolof.
Keita – Referring to a “great king” in Mandinka.
Sankara – Signifying “to be blessed” in Moore.
Sissoko – Meaning “son of Sissi” in Bambara.
Nkosi – Referring to a “chief” or “king” in Zulu.
Toure – Signifying “elephant” in Soninke.
Kamau – Meaning “quiet warrior” in Kikuyu.
Mandela – Referring to “one who steers” or “leader.”
Ba – Signifying “father” in Wolof and Mandinka.
Sow – Meaning “to be clear” or “pure” in Serer.
Kone – Referring to “hunter” in Bambara.
Diallo – Signifying “bold” or “brave” in Fula.
Mohammed – Meaning “praised” or “praiseworthy” in Arabic.
Gaye – Referring to “joy” or “happiness” in Wolof.
Kabila – Signifying “a great man” in Kikongo.
Abdul – Meaning “servant of” in Arabic.
Ouedraogo – Referring to a “humble” or “honest” person.
Obi – Signifying “heart” or “mind” in Igbo.
Kebede – Meaning “gift” or “offering” in Amharic.
Mwamba – Referring to “rock” or “stone” in Bemba.
Tshabalala – Signifying “happy” or “rejoicing” in Zulu.
Adebayo – Meaning “crown meets joy” in Yoruba.
Fofana – Referring to someone “pleasant” or “gentle.”
Ndiaye – Signifying “one who prevents quarrels” in Wolof.
Ouedraogo – Meaning “born on the last day” in Moore.
Achebe – Referring to “leader of ceremonies” in Igbo.
Issa – Signifying “Jesus” or “savior” in Arabic.
Bailey – Meaning “bailiff” or “law enforcer.”
Zuma – Referring to “peace” or “tranquility” in Zulu.
Okonkwo – Signifying “born on Nkwo day” in Igbo.
Azikiwe – Meaning “the past is bright” in Igbo.
Gebre – Referring to “servant of” in Amharic.
Toure – Signifying “elephant” in Soninke.
Sagna – Meaning “one who helps” in Serer.
Diagne – Referring to a “noble” or “gentle” person.
Kwame – Signifying “born on a Saturday” in Akan.
Sankoh – Meaning “warrior” or “fighter” in Mende.
Dabo – Referring to a “rich” or “wealthy” person.
Modibo – Signifying “one who believes” in Bambara.
Jammeh – Meaning “peaceful” or “calm” in Mandinka.
Obi – Referring to “heart” or “mind” in Igbo.
Nkrumah – Signifying “ninth born” in Akan.
Amin – Meaning “trustworthy” or “faithful” in Arabic.
Ndiaye – Referring to “prevents quarrels” in Wolof.
Chukwu – Signifying “God” or “divine” in Igbo.
Mukamal – Meaning “complete” or “perfect” in Arabic.
Nkosi – Referring to a “chief” or “king” in Zulu.
Jalloh – Signifying “savior” or “redeemer” in Fula.
Gueye – Meaning “one who helps” in Wolof.
Banda – Referring to “family” or “clan” in Chewa.
Kamau – Signifying “quiet warrior” in Kikuyu.
Ba – Meaning “father” in Wolof and Mandinka.
Diawara – Referring to a “noble” or “gentle” person.
Mohammed – Signifying “praised” or “praiseworthy.”
Mwangi – Meaning “quick” or “swift” in Kikuyu.
Cheruiyot – Referring to “one who meets adversity” in Kalenjin.
Bello – Signifying “savior” or “deliverer” in Fulfulde.
Kone – Meaning “hunter” or “gatherer” in Bambara.
Nabhan – Referring to “prophet” or “messenger” in Arabic.
Fofana – Signifying “pleasant” or “gentle” in Malinke.
Nyang – Meaning “younger sibling” in Mandinka.
Ghana – Referring to “warrior” or “fighter” in Akan.
Mballo – Signifying “one who helps” in Wolof.
Mensah – Meaning “third son” in Akan.
Sylla – Referring to “thankful” or “grateful” in Mandinka.
Ndao – Signifying “one who helps” in Wolof.
Kwame – Meaning “born on a Saturday” in Akan.
Toure – Referring to “elephant” in Soninke.
Sagna – Signifying “one who helps” in Serer.
Diagne – Meaning “noble” or “gentle” in Wolof.
Okonkwo – Referring to “born on Nkwo day” in Igbo.
Azikiwe – Signifying “the past is bright” in Igbo.
Gebre – Meaning “servant of” in Amharic.
Toure – Referring to “elephant” in Soninke.
Sagna – Signifying “one who helps” in Serer.
Diagne – Meaning “noble” or “gentle” in Wolof.
Kwame – Referring to “born on a Saturday” in Akan.
Sankoh – Signifying “warrior” or “fighter” in Mende.
Dabo – Meaning “rich” or “wealthy” in Wolof.
Modibo – Referring to “one who believes” in Bambara.
Jammeh – Signifying “peaceful” or “calm” in Mandinka.
Obi – Meaning “heart” or “mind” in Igbo.
Nkrumah – Referring to “ninth born” in Akan.
Amin – Signifying “trustworthy” or “faithful” in Arabic.
Ndiaye – Meaning “prevents quarrels” in Wolof.
Chukwu – Referring to “God” or “divine” in Igbo.
Mukamal – Meaning “complete” or “perfect” in Arabic.
Nkosi – Referring to a “chief” or “king” in Zulu.
Jalloh – Signifying “savior” or “redeemer” in Fula.
Gueye – Meaning “one who helps” in Wolof.
Banda – Referring to “family” or “clan” in Chewa.
Kamau – Signifying “quiet warrior” in Kikuyu.
Ba – Meaning “father” in Wolof and Mandinka.
Diawara – Referring to a “noble” or “gentle” person.
Mohammed – Signifying “praised” or “praiseworthy.”
Mwangi – Meaning “quick” or “swift” in Kikuyu.
Cheruiyot – Referring to “one who meets adversity” in Kalenjin.
Conclusion
African surnames encompass a rich tapestry of meanings and histories. These 100 common African surnames offer just a glimpse into the diverse cultures and languages found across the continent. Each name tells a unique story and carries the legacy of generations.
African Surnames Starting with A-Z
We hope you found the most popular last names you are interested in and, follow the links for further information. We’ll go through all of our most popular surnames in alphabetical order.
African Surnames Starting with A
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Most Common Last Names by Country of Origin
Here we have listed thousands of surnames from around the world. You’re bound to find the origin of your last name here!