A unique Ethiopian baby name for your precious little one.
Ethiopia is known for its coffee, delicious food, and is home to the second-largest African population after Nigeria. Ethiopians have a special way of naming their children. If you’re interested in Ethiopian baby names, you’ve come to the right place. In Ethiopia, children take on the given names of their paternal grandfather and father, with the grandparent’s given name becoming the family surname and the baby’s and father’s names forming the first name. Here, we present a long list of Ethiopian baby names for you to consider for your child.
Ethiopian Baby Names For Girls With Meanings
1. Liya
Liya is a Hebrew name that Ethiopians are familiar with. Some people think of it as the Russian version of Lily or Lia. It’s the first name of Ethiopian supermodel and philanthropist Liya Kebede. In English, this ethiopian baby name can be spelled as Lia or Leah.
2. Aida
Aida is a popular ethiopian baby name that is linked to a Verdi opera about a princess from Ethiopia who sacrifices herself for her people. Aida Turturro, known for her role as Tony Soprano’s sister in ‘The Sopranos,’ shares this name. In Italian, the name means ‘happy’.
3. Nyala
Nyala is a unique and interesting name for a baby. The name comes from Ethiopia and was popularized by a character in a 1940s film. The name means ‘mountain goat’.
4. Zala
Zala is a straightforward and attractive ethiopian baby name that originates from southwest Ethiopia. This name is used for a character in the video game ‘Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom’, and it is simple to both spell and say.
5. Maaza
Maaza is a name in Ethiopia that describes the nice smell of the yellow daisy flower that is common in the country. It is pronounced as ‘mah-zah’ and became popular thanks to Ethiopian-American author Maaza Mengiste. The name means ‘aroma.’
6. Kia
Kia is a common Ethiopian girl’s name, but it has become more well-known as a brand of Korean cars. In 2013, 2100 girls were named Kia, making it a popular choice. Kia is considered more modern than names like Thea, Nia, or Keira. The name means ‘season’s beginning’.
7. Marjani
The ethiopian baby name Marjani is linked to the Arabic name Marjina and may be a variation of it. Marjani Satrapi, an Iranian graphic novelist famous for ‘Persepolis,’ shares the same name. The name means ‘coral.’
8. Dani
Dani is the female version of Daniel and a nickname for Danita and Danielle. Originally just a short form, it has become popular on its own for being both unisex and approachable.
9. Eshe
Eshe is a variation of the name Asha and has connections to the Arabic name Aisha. It is becoming more popular in the United States, along with names such as Zoe and Vivienne. Eshe is also the middle name of Diani Greene, the daughter of American rapper Talib Kweli. The name means ‘life.’
10. Kamali
Kamali is a spirit from Africa that keeps babies safe from sickness. The name name means ‘protector or spirit guide’. This spirit is named after the famous designer Norma Kamali. For boys, you can also use the name Kamal, which is one of the 99 names of Allah.
11. Ife
Ife is a common Ethiopian baby name that is not commonly used in Europe and the United States. It is comparable to names like Eva, Ava, or America. The name means ‘love’.
12. Zoya
Zoya is a name of East African descent that means ‘dawn’. It is well-liked not only in Ethiopia but also in Arabic countries. Some people think of Zoya as a Russian and Greek variation of the name Zoe, and it is commonly used in the U.K. and the U.S. According to a survey, it is considered the top name in Wales.
13. Nuru
Nuru is a ethiopian baby name from Ethiopia that is similar to the Muslim name Noor, and it means ‘born during the day’. People like this name because it is simple and reminds them of the fashionable Western name Nora. Nuru Kane, a well-known singer and songwriter from Senegal, is a famous person with this name.
14. Aisha
Aisha was Muhammad’s favorite wife and it’s a beautiful name. It’s known worldwide in the Muslim community, even in Ethiopia. Aisha has many variations like Aicha, Ayesha, and Ayishah. The famous TV personality Aisha Tyler bears this name.
15. Neela
Neela, derived from the name Nila, is commonly used in Ethiopia by the Indian community there. This ethiopian baby name originates from Sanskrit and refers to the color ‘sapphire blue’. You may also see it spelled as Neila or Neala.
16. Abena
In Ethiopia, it is common for parents to name their children based on the day of the week and their birth order. For example, the name Abena means ‘born on Tuesday’, so it is a popular choice for girls born on that day.
17. Afia
The ethiopian baby name Afia is from an African language and means ‘born on Friday’. This name is modern and can be used by Americans for their daughters. If you want something even more unique, you can use Afua.
18. Subira
Subira is a beautiful ethiopian baby name from Ethiopia that begins with the letter ‘S’ which is not commonly heard in the West. The name Subira is a combination of strength and gentleness, and it means ‘patience’.
19. Taci
Taci is a unique and powerful name from Ethiopia that would be a great option for a girl, as long as you spell it the way it sounds. The right way to say Taci is ‘Tah-shee’.
20. Zuri
The Ethiopian baby name became popular among females after a zoo in Ohio gave it to a female giraffe. It has been increasing in popularity and has moved up 50 spots since it was first included in the top 500 list in 2013. Zuri Ross was a character in a Disney show called ‘Jessie.’
21. Amara
Amara is a trendy and strong version of the name Mary and it means ‘grace or bitter’. It has cultural significance and is a Mongolian name that means ‘peaceful’ and a Sanskrit name that means ‘immortal’.
22. Maya
This unique and intriguing ethiopian baby name has been increasing in popularity. The name comes from the Greek mythology as the mother of Hermes. A well-known model named Gate Maya Samuelsson also goes by this name.
23. Bathsheba
Bathsheba is the name of the queen of Shea’s daughter, who is the ruler of Abyssinia. The name means ‘daughter of the oath’. Bathsheba was also the name of the main character in Thomas Hardy’s novel ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’.
24. Edna
The popularity of naming babies after ancestors and deceased family members has led to the revival of the name Edna. This name has origins in the Bible and is associated with a kind mother in the Apocrypha.
25. Kayla
The Arabic name became popular because of the soap opera ‘Days of our Lives’. It was the 12th most popular name in the 1980s. More recently, it was also mentioned in ‘Desperate Housewives’.
26. Jamila
Jamila is a name of Arabic origin that is commonly used in several African countries, such as Ethiopia. People who enjoy literature might recognize this name from Salman Rushdie’s book ‘Midnight Children’, where there is a character named Jamila Singer. This ethiopian baby name means ‘beautiful’.
27. Faizah
Faizah is a unique ethiopian baby name that comes from Arabic and African origins, and it means ‘victorious’. This name used to be uncommon outside of Arabic communities but is now popular among Ethiopian parents.
28. Habiba
The name Habiba is common in all African regions with a large Muslim population, like Somalia and Ethiopia, and means ‘beloved’. Another option is Hababah, the daughter of Ajlan and a narrator of Hadith.
29. Makda
Makda is the Ethiopian equivalent of the Hebrew name Magda, which means ‘high tower’. This name might seem a bit old-fashioned compared to Magda and Magdalene, but it could be a distinctive choice for your daughter.
30. Mariam
Mary’s popularity is decreasing while her different versions are gaining more popularity. Mariam is a variation of the name Mary that is used in Africa and the Arabic world. It can also be spelled as Maryam.
31. Lola
The name comes from the Ethiopian rapper Lola Monroe, who was nominated for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards.
32. Akosua
Another great choice for those searching for a name inspired by the day is Akosua. This name comes from the Twi language and means ‘born on Sunday’.
33. Baraka
Baraka is a name that is commonly chosen for girls from African families because of its positive meaning and pleasant sound.
34. Anika
The name Anika is popular in various African cultures which means ‘sweetness of face.’
35. Behati
Behati is an African name that is similar to Beatrice. It became more popular because of the Namibian supermodel Behati Prinsloo. The name means ‘she who brings happiness.’
36. Diarra
Diarra is a pretty Ethiopian baby name that means gift.
37. Fana
Fana is a unique and elegant ethiopian baby name that has a simple meaning of ‘jungle’.
38. Halima
This name, which is of African and Muslim origin, is the name of the nurse who cared for Prophet Muhammad. The name means ‘gentle and humane’.
39. Kadida
Kadida is an African version of the name Khadija which comes from Arabic. The name was chosen by Peffy Lipton and Quincy Jones for their daughter.
40. Izara
Izara is a lovely and melodic name for a baby girl, which means ‘part of a tree.’
Ethiopian Baby Names For Boys With Meanings
41. Abel
Abel is the son of Adam and Eve who is less fortunate. Despite this, the name has positive meanings such as being prepared and capable. Abel is ranked at number 124 in popularity. Two famous people with the same name are movie directors Abel Ferrara and Abel Glance.
42. Yonas
Yonas or Yunus is the Arabic version of the Hebrew name Jonah, who was a prophet in the Old Testament. He survived being swallowed by a large fish and emerged unharmed after three days. This ethiopian baby name is a good choice if you want something different from more popular names like Joshua or Jacob.
43. Amadi
The ethiopian baby name Amadi comes from an Ethiopian language and is similar to the Arabic name Ahmed. We think it would be a unique and appealing option for those interested in the name Ahmed. The name means ‘tree man’.
44. Aaron
This Hebrew name, Aaron, has been popular worldwide for the past 20 years. The double vowel in Aaron makes it sound gentle. In the Bible, Aaron is Moses’ older brother.
45. Ahmed
Ahmed is a ethiopian baby name that has five hundred different versions of Muhammad and it means ‘greatly praised’. Another option is to use the spelling Ahmad.
46. Negasi
If you want a name that is unique in America or Europe, consider Negasi. Negasi is not very common, but it ranked 225th last year. The name means ‘he will wear a crown.’
47. Kofi
Kofi is a ethiopian baby name that comes from Ethiopia and it means ‘born on Friday’. It’s like the male version of Afia. One famous person with this name is Kofi Annan, who was the seventh leader of the United Nations. He also won a Nobel Peace Prize.
48. Abraham
Abraham, who is known as the founding father of the Jewish people, is a well-liked name among Ethiopians. This name has been popular since the beginning. The name means ‘father of the multitudes.’
49. Hakim
Hakim is a lovely ethiopian baby name for your son, derived from the Arabic name Hakeem. It is one of the 99 names of Allah approved by Muhammad. The name means ‘judicious’ and is associated with the famous Nigerian-American basketball player, Hakim Abdul Olajuwon.
50. Kaleb
Kaleb is a popular name in Ethiopia, chosen by about 3000 parents for their sons. It is an example of the letter C being replaced with K at the start of a name. Even Kevin Federline named his son Kaleb.
51. Alimayu
Alimayu is a unique Ethiopian baby name that means ‘in honor of God’. It is associated with Prince Alemayu of Ethiopia, who was a ruler from 1861 to 1879. Actor Wesley Snipes selected this name for his son and often uses the nickname Ali.
52. Salana
Salana is the Ethiopian form of the name Solana, which means ‘sunshine’. This name is very bright, warm, and distinctive. It became somewhat popular in the United States, reaching a peak ranking of #459.
53. Panya
Panya is a short form of the Russian name Pavel and it means ‘small’. This name is liked by English speakers and Americans. However, in Ethiopian language, Panya means ‘rat’, which may not be appealing to some parents.
54. Ajani
The ethiopian baby name Ajani means ‘the victor’ and is a modern take on the name Johnny. This name from the mid-20th century has a vintage appeal. If you prefer, you can use the nickname Aja.
55. Amari
Amari is a well-liked name in Ethiopia because of its vowel ending and gentle sound. This name has connections to words and names in various languages, including African, Thai, Hebrew, and Yoruba, all with positive meanings. It ranked as the 265th most popular choice for baby boys.
56. Chinua
The name ‘Chinua’ from Ethiopia comes from the word Ibo, which means ‘blessing of God’. The best-known person with this name is likely to be Chinua Achebe, the author of the popular book ‘Things Fall Apart’, which is one of the most sold books worldwide.
57. Gyasi
Most parents believe their child is amazing. The name Gyasi means ‘wonderful baby’ and has a pleasant sound. It comes from the Egyptian language.
58. Zesiro
Are you expecting twins or is this your first time being pregnant? If so, you might want to think about the name Zesiro, which means ‘firstborn of twins’. This name can also be used for a baby girl.
59. Barack
This ethiopian baby name became well known because of the 44th President of the United States. It is an African name that means blessed. The name comes from an Arabic word meaning ‘Mubarak’. Some people believe it comes from the Hebrew word ‘baruch’, which also means ‘who is blessed’.
60. Ebo
Ebo is a strong name from Ethiopia that means ‘born on Tuesday’. Another option is the name Ibo, which also has a powerful sound but a different meaning of ‘my people’.
61. Haji
Haji is a common Arabic name given to boys born during the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims are required to make.
62. Kato
Kato is a name from East Africa that means ‘second of twins’. The name became popular because of Kato Kaelin, a witness in the O.J. Simpson trial. It is also the name of a made-up character in ‘The Green Hornet’. If you want, you can also spell it as Cato to give it a more authentic feel.
63. Selassie
Selassie is a common Ethiopian baby name that means ‘trinity’. It is often used as a suffix, like in Selim Selassie, or as a middle name. This name is becoming increasingly popular worldwide.
64. Salim
Salim is a name from Africa that means ‘peace’. This name is known for being linked to the famous African diplomat, Salim Ahmed Salim. It can also be spelled as Salem.
65. Negus
Negus is a traditional royal name in North Ethiopia that means ‘he will be crowned’. This name has been used in Ethiopia since the 17th century by the royal family.
66. Taye
Taye is a name originating from Ethiopia that means ‘he has seen’. It can also be a nickname for Taylor. The name became more common following the rise of actor Taye Diggs.
67. Shango
The name has a deeper meaning than what it may initially seem. It represents the god of thunder and is considered the ancestor of the Africans. In addition, Shango is also a character in DC comics.
68. Omari
Omari is a ethiopian baby name commonly used in Ethiopia that is similar to the name Omar. Like Amari and Omar, Omari has also been popular as a baby name for many years, largely due to the influence of Omari Hardwick. It may be surprising to learn that Omari is the middle name of the well-known American rapper Kanye.
69. Kojo
In Ethiopia, boys born on Monday are called Kojo, which is also used as a female name Adwoa. This name had decreased in popularity in the past century but is now becoming more popular again.
70. Jonathan
The Old Testament is now becoming more popular than the traditional John, which was a top choice for many years. According to the Bible, Jonathan was King Saul’s firstborn son.
71. Jemal
Jemal is an African name that means ‘handsome’. It is popular in the United States because of the memorable character Jamal from the movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. Jemal Pierre Johnson, an English-American soccer player, shares this ethiopian baby name.
72. Ephrem
Ephrem is a name commonly found in Ethiopia and is a variation of the Hebrew name Ephraim. It belongs to the second son of Joseph and the leader of one of the Israelite tribes. This ancient name from the Bible is often overlooked as a choice for baby names.
73. Emanuel
The ethiopian baby name Emanuel is a different way of spelling the name Emmanuel, which is commonly used in Ethiopia. This name became popular again in 2014. The name means ‘god is with us’.
74. Djimon
The name Djimon, which is pronounced as ‘Jee-mahn’, is a well-known Ethiopian baby name. It is named after Djimon Hounsou, who is an actor nominated for an Academy Award.
75. Genet
It’s hard to tell at first that Genet is actually an Ethiopian baby name because it sounds more like a French name. Genet is the Amharic word for ‘Eden’.
76. Zenebe
This is a popular African name that is used in Ethiopia and can be shortened to Zen as a nickname.
77. Daniel
Daniel is a very popular ethiopian baby name that consistently ranks in the top 20 baby names. It is considered modern yet timeless, well-known but not overused.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ethiopia has a diverse culture with unique traditions. Their naming system is distinct and meaningful. This list of Ethiopian baby names reflects their rich heritage. These names bring pride, independence, faith, and a sense of history to individuals. Even those outside the country can appreciate and use these names for their own children. Choose a name that fits your liking from this wide range of Ethiopian baby names.
