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Somali names and their meanings

Search names across all cultures

The Somali are one of Africa’s most linguistically homogeneous peoples: nearly all Somalis, across Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti, speak a single Cushitic language. Somali society is organized around a clan system, and for centuries the majority lived as nomadic pastoralists herding camels, cattle, sheep, and goats across the Horn of Africa’s plains.

First names (17)

descriptive name
Aar
Somali for "the lion".
Barkhad
Somali for "blessing" and "prosperity".
Barwaaqo
Somali for "abundance, prosperity" — the green plenty that follows good rains.
Cawaale
"The fortunate one" — a person born with luck.
Dahabo
From dahab ("gold").
Deeqa
From deeq ("gift, generosity"): "generous one".
Diiriye
"The one who warms" — who comforts and encourages.
Faarax
An old Somali name meaning "joy, happiness" — distinct from, though often conflated with, the Arabic name Farah.
Guled
From guul ("victory"): "victor". Also spelled Guuleed.
Hodan
Somali for "wealthy" or "rich".
Samatar
From sama ("good"): "he who works for good".
Ubax
Somali for "flower".
Warsame
From war ("news"): "he brought the news" — a bearer of good tidings.
Warsan
Somali for "bringer of glad tidings" or "good news".
Xirsi
"Protective amulet, safeguard" — a name meant to shield the child from harm.
birth circumstance
Geeddi
From geedi ("journey, migration"): a boy born while the family was on the move with the herds.
Rooble
From roob ("rain"): a boy born during the rains — a blessing in a pastoralist land.
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