It makes sense to give your Rhodesian Ridgeback an African-sounding name, since it was once used to hunt lions in the savannahs of Africa.
But maybe you also have a special connection to the continent, which is why you want to call your four-legged friend with a sonorous, African name.
Whatever the reason – here you will find many name suggestions and inspirations and maybe you will even find the right one!
Top 12 African Dog Names
- Safari (travel)
- Aza (strong or powerful)
- Jambo (A Greeting)
- Bheka (Guards)
- Duma (Lightning)
- Enyi (friend)
- Obi (heart)
- Tandi (fire)
- Sengo (Joy)
- Oseye (Happy)
- Nandi (Sweet)
- Zuri (Lovely)
Male African dog names
- Adjo: “Righteous”
- Admassu: “Horizon”
- Ajamu: “The one who fights for what he wants”.
- Ajani: “The one who wins the fight”
- Aka-chi: “Hand of God”
- Amadi: “Good man”
- Asante: “Thank you”
- Ayele: “Powerful”
- Azibo: “Earth”
- Bahari: “sea”
- Barque: “Blessing”
- Braima: “Father of the Nations”
- Chijioke: Igbo name meaning “God gives gifts”.
- Chikezie: “Well done”
- Chinelo: “Thought of God”
- Dakari: “Happiness”
- Davu: “The Beginning”
- Deka: “Pleasant”
- Dembe: “Peace”
- Duka: “Everything”
- Dumi: “Inspirer”
- Edem: “Freed”
- Ejike: Igbo name meaning “he who has strength”
- Ikenna: Name of Igboan origin meaning “power of the father”.
- Ilori: “Special Treasure”
- Iniko: “Born in Troubled Times”
- Issay: “Hairy”
- Jabari: “The Brave”
- Jafaru: “Electricity”
- Jengo: “Building”
- Juma: name of Swahili origin meaning “Friday”
- Kato: “Second of the Twins”
- Kiano: “Tools of the Sorcerer”.
- Kijani: “Warrior”
- Kofi: “Born on a Friday”
- Kwame: “Born on a Saturday”
- Kwasi: “Born on Sunday”
- Lencho: “lion”
- Mahalo: “Surprise”
- Nalo: “Adorable”
- Nuru: “light”
- Oba: “King”
- Okoro: Name of Igbo origin meaning “boy”.
- Oringo: “The one who likes to hunt”
- Pharaoh: Title for ancient Egyptian rulers
- Roho: “soul”
- Sanyu: “joy”
- Sarki: Name of Hausa origin, meaning “chief”.
- Segun: Name of Yoruban origin meaning “conqueror”.
- Thimba: “Lion Hunter”
- Tirfe: “Spared”
- Tumo: “Glory”
- Tunde: Name of Yoruban origin meaning “return”.
- Tut: Short for Tutankhamun, like the pharaoh
- Uba: “Father”
- Uhuru: Name of Swahili origin meaning “freedom”.
- Urovo: “Big”
- Uzo: “Good Road”
- Wasaki: “Enemy”
- Zesiro: “Firstborn Twin”
- Zoob: “Strong”
Female African dog names
- Abeni: “We have prayed and we have received”
- Abiba: “The Beloved”
- Adjoa: “Born on Monday”
- Adola: “The crown brings honor”
- Afi: “Born on Friday”
- Akia: “Firstborn”
- Amaka: “Precious”
- Amani: “Peace”
- Amondi: “Born at dawn”
- Pineapple: “Fourth Birth”
- Asabi: “One of choice birth”
- Ayanna: “Beautiful Flower”
- Badu: “Tenthborn”
- Banji: “second born of twins”
- Chausiku: Name of Swahili origin meaning “born in the night”.
- Cheta: “Remember”
- Chikondi: South African name meaning “love”
- Chima: Igbo name meaning “God knows”
- Chipo: “gift”
- Cleopatra: ancient Egyptian queen
- Delu: Hausa name meaning “The Only Girl”.
- Dembe: “Peace”
- Ekene: Igbo name meaning “gratitude”
- Ellema: “Milk a cow”
- Eshe: West African name meaning “life”
- Faizah: “Victorious”
- Falala: “Born to Abundance”
- Fanaka: name of Swahili origin meaning “wealthy”
- Fayola: “Be happy”
- Femi: “love me”
- Fola: “Honour”
- Folami: Yoruba name meaning “respect me”
- Gimbya: “Princess”
- Gzifa: From Ghana, means “the peaceful one”.
- Haracha: “frog”
- Hazina: “good”
- Hidi: “root”
- Hiwot: Name from East Africa, means “life”.
- Ifama: “Everything is fine”
- Isoke: “Gift from God”
- Isondo: Nguni area name, means “wheel”.
- Iyabo: Yoruba name meaning “mother has returned”.
- Izefia: “Childless”
- Jahzara: “Princess”
- Jamala: “Friendly”
- Jendayi: “Grateful”
- Jira: “Blood Relatives”
- Johari: “Jewel”
- Juji: “Bundle of Love”
- Jumoke: Name of Yoruban origin meaning “loved by all”.
- Kabibe: “Little Lady”
- Kande: “Firstborn Daughter”
- Kanoni: “Little Bird”
- Karasi: “Life and Wisdom”
- Kemi: Name of Yoruban origin meaning “God takes care of me”.
- Keshia: “Favorite”
- Kianda: “mermaid”
- Kianga: “Sunshine”
- Kijana: “Youth”
- Kimani: “Adventurer”
- Kioni: “She sees things”
- Kissa: “First Daughter”
- Kumani: West African name meaning “fate”
- Leva: “Nice”
- Lisa: “Light”
- Loma: “Peaceful”
- Maisha: “Life”
- Mandisa: “Cute”
- Mansa: “Conqueror”
- Marjani: “Coral”
- Mashaka: “Trouble”
- Miyanda: A Zambian surname
- Mizan: “balance”
- Monifa: Yoruba name meaning “I am happy”.
- Mwayi: Name of Malawian origin meaning “opportunity”.
- Nacala: “Peace”
- Nafuna: “Freed Feet First”
- Nathifa: “Pure”
- Neema: “Born to Prosperity”
- Netsenet: “Freedom”
- Nia: “Shiny”
- Nkechi: “God’s Gift”
- Nnenia: “Looks like Grandma”
- Noxolo: “Peaceful”
- Nsomi: “Well brought up”
- Nyeri: “Unknown”
- Nzeru: Name of Malawian origin meaning “wisdom”.
- Oya: A goddess in Yoruba mythology
- Rahma: “Compassion”
- Rehema: Swahili name meaning “mercy”
- Sade: “Honour bestows a crown”
- Safia: “Friend” name of Swahili origin
- Sika: “money”
- Subira: Name of Swahili origin meaning “patience”.
- Taraji: “Hope”
- Themba: “Trust, Hope and Faith”
- Tiaret: “Lion Courage”
- Umi: “Servant”
- Winta: “Desire”
- Yassah: “Dance”
- Yihana: “Congratulations”
- Zendaya: “Thank you”
- Ziraili: “Help from God”
- Zufan: “Throne”
- Zula: “Shiny”