Hodan

Somali for "the lion".

Somali for "blessing" and "prosperity".

Somali for "abundance, prosperity" — the green plenty that follows good rains.

"The fortunate one" — a person born with luck.

From dahab ("gold").

From deeq ("gift, generosity"): "generous one".

"The one who warms" — who comforts and encourages.

An old Somali name meaning "joy, happiness" — distinct from, though often conflated with, the Arabic name Farah.

From geedi ("journey, migration"): a boy born while the family was on the move with the herds.

From guul ("victory"): "victor". Also spelled Guuleed.

From roob ("rain"): a boy born during the rains — a blessing in a pastoralist land.

From sama ("good"): "he who works for good".

Somali for "flower".

From war ("news"): "he brought the news" — a bearer of good tidings.

Somali for "bringer of glad tidings" or "good news".

"Protective amulet, safeguard" — a name meant to shield the child from harm.

Tamazight for "spring" (the season).

Tamazight for "freedom".

Amharic for "diamond".

Amharic for "orange" (the fruit). Borne by the opposition leader and judge Birtukan Mideksa.

A Hausa feminine given name meaning "gathering" (also used among Yoruba Muslims, reflecting shared Islamic naming influence across northern and southwestern Nigeria).

From ada ("first-born daughter" — a standing every eldest Igbo daughter holds) + eze ("king"): "the king's first daughter" / "princess." Shortened to Ada.

Igbo for "blessing." Can be short for Ngozichukwu, "God's blessing."

Kikuyu for "the happy one".