Message: "Warrior Names of Africa"

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[Facts] Warrior Names of Africa

by Nanaea

1/2/2001, 10:13 AM

Here's a list of male warrior names for you, Dre. I have taken these names from an book titled: *Names from Africa: Their Origin, Meaning, and Pronunciation* by Ogonna Chuks-orji (Johnson Pub. Co.: Chicago, 1972). At the time of publication, the author of this book was the executive director of Pan Africa House in San Francisco, an association of African and American students which had been established in 1962.

The names I have selected for you from this book are listed in the following order:

Name - Pronunciation - Meaning - Language - Country of Origin

Adofo - ah-DOH-foh - warrior - Akan - Ghana
Ajamu - ah-jah-MOO - he fights for what he wants - Yoruba - Nigeria
Ajani - ah-jah-NEE - he fights for possession - Yoruba - Nigeria
Bomani - boh-MAH-nee - warrior - Ngoni - Malawi
Fenyang - fehn-YANG - conqueror - Towana - Botswana
Gamba - GAM-bah - warrior - Shona - Zimbabwe
Harb - harb - war - Arabic - North Africa
Hondo - HOHN-doh - war - Shona - Zimbabwe
Jabari - jah-BAH-ree - brave - Swahili - East Africa
Jelani - jeh-LAH-nee - mighty - Swahili - East Africa
Kamau - kah-MAH-oo - quiet warrior - Kikuyu - Kenya
Khalfani - kahl-FAH-nee - destined to rule - Swahili - East Africa
Kondo - KON-doh - war - Swahili - East Africa
Lutalo - LOO-tah-loh - warrior - Luganda - Uganda
Nangwaya - nahn-GWAH-yah - don't trifle with me - Mwera - Kenya
Nassor - NAH-sohr - victorious - Swahili - Tanzania
Ojore - oh-joh-REH - a man of war - Ateso - Uganda
Runihura - roo-nee-HOO-rah - one who smashes to bits - Rwanda - Rwanda
Shomari - shoh-MAH-ree - forceful - Swahili - East Africa
Zuberi - zoo-BEH-ree - strong - Swahili - East Africa

Thanks for saying this is a cool site! I'm sure our host Mike C. will appreciate the compliment. Yeah, it's pretty cool. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't. :)

-- Nanaea

Replies

- NoBODY (guest)

7/15/2020, 6:45 AM

Really helpful- thanks so much!

- jelani adofo (guest) +2

5/19/2004, 3:03 PM

I like the list. I was pleased to see my name in the ranks. Though the name Jelani is prevalent in other Afrikan languages and regions, with other meanings and legends. For instance, Senegal. But I have not the time to go all into them at this time especially since no one's posted shit in three years.

- Warren Vick (guest)

11/28/2022, 3:47 PM

I study African culture, in which turns into a club and we will ask to pick out a name for ourselves so while I was looking up the name which means mighty quiet warrior- jelani kamau.ive in which i live by now to the best of my ability.

- Lutalo (guest)

2/10/2018, 10:10 AM

I just named my son Adofo

- Daividh (guest) +3

1/5/2001, 4:58 PM

If you ever decided to drop "Nanaea", Nangwaya or Runihura would be appropriate new possibilities.

Why do I get the feeling this is not a mere elementary school library you have intimate access to?

- Nanaea +2

1/6/2001, 5:09 AM

I think I'll stick with the name "Nanaea" -- it's got enough warlike associations of its own. :)

Where did you ever get the idea that I was associated with an *elementary school* library? You're right about the library part, though. As P.L. already knows, I'm a "bibliotekistino" by profession. :)

-- Nanaea

- PriaposLovs (guest) +1

1/6/2001, 12:43 AM

By the way, who are the bad guys? The Hutus of the Tustis?

- Daividh (guest)

1/6/2001, 3:33 PM

That, Mr. Lovs, is the 64-drachma, uh, Euro question. I can explain the Thirty Years' War in detail to you (no! please!) easier than I can figure that one out.

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