Swahili Girl Names
A Swahili girl name is often a small poem. Nyota is a star, Waridi a rose, Zawadi a gift and Neema grace. Because Swahili is so widely spoken across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, these names are both deeply rooted and easy to recognize, and many have become favorites with African American and diaspora families too.
We’ve collected 90+ Swahili girl names with meanings and pronunciation, plus coastal names adapted from Arabic and a few much-loved names from Kenya’s other languages. For an overview, visit our Swahili names page; for brothers and twins, see Swahili boy names. You can also browse more African girl names.
Popular Swahili girl names
These are the Swahili names for girls you are most likely to meet, in East Africa and abroad.
| Name | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Zawadi | Gift | zah-WAH-dee |
| Neema | Grace | neh-EH-mah |
| Imani | Faith | ee-MAH-nee |
| Amani | Peace | ah-MAH-nee |
| Nuru | Light | NOO-roo |
| Malaika | Angel | mah-lah-EE-kah |
| Zuri | Beautiful, good | ZOO-ree |
| Rehema | Mercy, compassion | reh-HEH-mah |
| Upendo | Love | oo-PEN-doh |
| Furaha | Joy | foo-RAH-hah |
| Halima | Gentle, patient | hah-LEE-mah |
| Aisha | Alive, living | ah-EE-shah |
| Saida | Happy, fortunate | sah-EE-dah |
| Aziza | Precious, beloved | ah-ZEE-zah |
| Tumaini | Hope | too-mah-EE-nee |
Swahili girl names from nature and treasures
Stars, flowers and jewels: these are ordinary Swahili words that make lovely names. See our nature names for girls for more in English.
| Name | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nyota | Star | Also see <a href="/meaning/name-meanings/names-that-mean-star/">names that mean star</a> |
| Waridi | Rose | From Persian via Arabic |
| Yasmini | Jasmine | Fragrant and feminine |
| Zaituni | Olive | Symbol of peace |
| Maua | Flowers | Popular in Tanzania |
| Johari | Jewel | Classic coastal name |
| Kito | Jewel, precious thing | Short and sweet |
| Lulu | Pearl | From Arabic <em>lu’lu’</em> |
| Zumaridi | Emerald | Rare and striking |
| Tausi | Peacock | Traditional, elegant |
| Mwezi | Moon | Poetic, uncommon |
| Mvua | Rain | Seen as a blessing |
| Bahari | Sea, ocean | Unisex |
| Asali | Honey | Sweet, rare |
| Anga | Sky | Modern choice |
Swahili girl names with meaningful virtues
Word names that carry a wish for the child’s character or life.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Subira | Patience | Swahili, from Arabic |
| Pendo | Love | Swahili |
| Mapenzi | Love, affection | Swahili |
| Nia | Purpose, intention | Swahili |
| Sanaa | Art, work of art | Swahili, from Arabic |
| Shani | Wonder, marvel | Swahili |
| Heri | Blessed, happy | Swahili |
| Bahati | Luck, fortune | Swahili |
| Fanaka | Prosperity | Swahili |
| Hekima | Wisdom | Swahili, from Arabic |
| Tabasamu | Smile | Swahili, from Arabic |
| Uzuri | Beauty | Swahili |
| Tunu | Treasure, precious gift | Swahili |
| Hadiya | Gift | Arabic, used on the coast |
| Riziki | Provision, blessing | Swahili, from Arabic |
| Imara | Strong, firm | Swahili |
| Faraja | Comfort, consolation | Swahili, from Arabic |
| Rafiki | Friend | Swahili |
Swahili girl names that mark the time of birth
The prefix Mwana- means “child of,” so Mwanamvua is a “child of the rain.” These names often record the day, season or event of birth.
| Name | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| Mwajuma | Born on Friday | Friday (Ijumaa) |
| Mwanajuma | Child of Friday | Friday |
| Mwanamisi | Child of Thursday | Thursday (Alhamisi) |
| Mwanaidi | Child of Eid | Born during Eid |
| Mwanamvua | Child of the rain | Born in the rainy season |
| Chausiku | Born at night | Night birth |
| Masika | Long rains | Born during the rainy season |
| Mosi | First | First-born |
| Pili | Second | Second-born |
| Tatu | Third | Third-born |
| Ashura | Tenth of Muharram | Born on Ashura |
| Saumu | Fasting | Born during Ramadan |
Swahili forms of Arabic girl names
On the coast and in Zanzibar, classic Muslim names take a Swahili form. Compare with Arabic girl names.
| Swahili form | From | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Fatuma | Fatimah | One who abstains |
| Mariamu | Maryam (Mary) | Beloved, or bitter |
| Hawa | Hawwa (Eve) | Life |
| Zuhura | Zuhra | Venus, bright star |
| Hadija | Khadijah | Early, premature child |
| Asha | Aisha | Life, living |
| Zainabu | Zaynab | Possibly “fragrant plant” |
| Rukia | Ruqayyah | Gentle, rising |
| Salma | Salma | Safe, peaceful |
| Amina | Aminah | Trustworthy, faithful |
| Mwanaisha | Mwana + Aisha | Child of Aisha |
| Rahma | Rahmah | Mercy |
| Latifa | Latifah | Gentle, kind |
| Jamila | Jamilah | Beautiful |
| Sauda | Sawda | Dark, beloved (wife of the Prophet) |
| Mwanahawa | Mwana + Hawa | Child of Hawa |
| Farida | Faridah | Unique, precious |
| Nasra | Nasrah | Victory, help |
| Zakia | Zakiyyah | Pure, intelligent |
Other beloved girl names from Kenya and Uganda
These are not Swahili, but you’ll hear them every day alongside Swahili names in East Africa. They come from Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya and Luganda.
| Name | Meaning | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Makena | Happy one | Kikuyu (Kenya) |
| Wanjiru | One of the nine Kikuyu clans | Kikuyu |
| Wambui | Kikuyu clan name | Kikuyu |
| Njeri | Traditional, possibly “traveler” | Kikuyu |
| Nyambura | Born during the rains | Kikuyu |
| Achieng | Born when the sun is high | Luo (Kenya) |
| Akinyi | Born in the morning | Luo |
| Atieno | Born at night | Luo |
| Awino | Born with the cord around the neck | Luo |
| Nafula | Born during the rainy season | Luhya (Kenya) |
| Nasimiyu | Born during the dry season | Luhya |
| Nakato | Younger of twin girls | Luganda (Uganda) |
| Babirye | Elder of twin girls | Luganda |
How to choose a Swahili girl name
- Read it syllable by syllable: every vowel is pronounced, so Neema is “neh-EH-mah,” not “NEE-mah.”
- Choose a meaning you’d be happy to explain. People will ask, and “it means star” or “it means grace” is a lovely answer.
- Short names like Nia, Zuri, Kito and Nuru work easily in English; longer ones like Tumaini make beautiful middle names for girls.
- Remember that birth-order names such as Pili and Tatu are counts, so they only fit the second or third child.
- For more names meaning gift, love or hope, see names that mean gift and names that mean hope.
Frequently asked questions
What is the prettiest Swahili girl name?
Favorites include Nyota (star), Waridi (rose), Malaika (angel), Zawadi (gift), Johari (jewel) and Zuri (beautiful).
What does Malaika mean?
Malaika is Swahili for “angel.” It is also the title of a famous East African love song recorded by Miriam Makeba and others.
What Swahili girl name means beautiful?
Zuri means “beautiful” or “good,” and Uzuri means “beauty.” Jamila, used on the coast, is the Arabic word for beautiful.
What does Mwana mean in Swahili names?
Mwana means “child.” In names it is combined with a day, season or mother’s name, as in Mwanamvua (child of the rain) or Mwanaisha (child of Aisha).
Is Nia a Swahili name?
Yes. Nia means “purpose” in Swahili and is also one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.