West African Muslim Names

Muslim names used in Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Niger, Ghana, The Gambia and across West Africa. Each name links to its full meaning, Arabic spelling and pronunciation.

Jump to girl names (126)

Boy names (195)

195 names · each links to its meaning, Arabic spelling, origin and pronunciation.

Abba — Father Abdou — Servant (of God)Abdoulaye — Servant of God Abdullahi — Servant of God Abou — Father of; short for Aboubakar Aboubakar — Name of the first Caliph, Abu Bakr Abubakar — Father of the young camel Abubakari — Form of Abu Bakr, the first Caliph Adama — Of the earth; form of Adam Adamu — Adam, the first man and Prophet Ahmadu — Most praiseworthy Akeem — Wise Alassane — The handsome, the good Alhagie — The pilgrim Alhaji — One who has performed the Hajj Alhasan — The handsome, the good Alhassan — The handsome, the good Aliou — High, exalted Alioune — High, exalted Aliyu — High, exalted (Hausa form of Ali)Alpha — Learned man, Islamic scholar Amadou — Most praiseworthy Amadu — Most praiseworthy; form of Ahmad Amidou — One who praises God; praiseworthy Aminu — Trustworthy, faithful (Hausa form of Amin)Ardo — Leader, clan head Assane — Handsome, good Baba — Father; respected elder Babacar — Abu Bakr, the first caliph Bachir — Bringer of good news Bakari — Form of Abu Bakr, the first Caliph Bakary — Form of Abu Bakr, the first Caliph Bamba — Crocodile; honours Cheikh Amadou Bamba Bashiru — Bringer of good news Boubacar — Abu Bakr, the first caliph Brahima — Form of Ibrahim (Abraham), a Prophet Buba — Short form of Abū Bakr Bukar — Short form of Abū Bakr Cheikh — Elder, spiritual master Cheikhou — Elder, spiritual master Cherif — Noble, honourable Dahiru — Pure, clean Danjuma — Son born on Friday Danladi — Son born on Sunday Daouda — Form of Dawud (David), a Prophet Dauda — David; the Prophet Dāwūd Demba — Third-born son Djibril — Gabriel, the archangel Drissa — Form of Idris, a Prophet Ebou — Short for Ibrahim Ebrima — Abraham, friend of God Elamin — The trustworthy one Elhadji — The pilgrim Fallou — Virtuous, excellent; honours Serigne Fallou Fousseni — Little handsome one; form of Husayn Fuseini — Little handsome one; form of Husayn Garba — Traditional Hausa name, meaning not firmly established Goni — One who has memorised the Quran Habibu — Beloved, dear Halilu — Close friend Hamidou — One who praises God; praiseworthy Hamisu — Fifth; boy born on Thursday Haroun — Name of the Prophet Aaron Harouna — Form of Harun (Aaron), a Prophet Haruna — Prophet Harun (Aaron)Hassane — Good, handsome Husaini — Little handsome one Hussaini — Related to Husayn Ibrahima — Abraham, friend of God Iddi — Festival; born on Eid Iddris — Prophet Idris Iddrisu — Form of Idris, a Prophet Idrisa — Form of Idris, the Prophet Idriss — Name of the Prophet Idris Idrissa — Form of Idris, a Prophet Idrisu — The Prophet Idrīs Iliyasu — Elijah; the Prophet Ilyās Isah — Jesus, Prophet of God Isiyaku — Isaac; the Prophet Isḥāq Ismaila — God hears; the Prophet Ismāʿīl Ismaël — God hears; name of a Prophet Issa — Jesus, Prophet of God Ja'afaru — Stream, small river Jamilu — Handsome, beautiful Jibreen — The Angel Gabriel Jibrin — Gabriel, the archangel Junaidu — Little soldier Kabiru — Great, noble Kalilou — Close friend, beloved companion Kamilu — Complete, perfect Karamoko — Teacher, Quranic scholar Kebba — Elder, senior man Khadim — Servant, one who serves Khalifa — Successor, steward, caliph Ladji — Pilgrim; one who has made Hajj Lamido — Ruler, emir Lamin — The trustworthy one Lamine — The trustworthy one Lassana — The good, the handsome Lawali — The first Lawan — Traditional district head (title)Mahama — Praised; form of Muhammad Mahamadou — Praised, praiseworthy Mahamane — Praised, praiseworthy Mainasara — One who has victory Malick — King, owner, master Mamadi — Praised (Muhammad)Mamadou — Praised, praiseworthy Mamady — Praised (Muhammad)Mame — Grandparent, honoured ancestor Mamman — Praised (form of Muhammad)Mamoudou — Praised, commendable Mamuda — Praised, commendable Mansour — Victorious, aided by God Moctar — The chosen one Modibbo — Learned man, Islamic scholar Modou — Praised (short for Muhammad)Modu — Praised (form of Muhammad)Momodou — Praised (Muhammad)Moosa — Prophet Moses Mor — Form of Umar, the second Caliph Mouhamed — Praised, praiseworthy Moussa — Moses, Prophet of God Moustapha — The chosen one Muazu — Protected, given refuge Muhammadu — Praised, praiseworthy Mumuni — Believer, faithful Muniru — Radiant, giving light Murid — Seeker, disciple, one who desires Musah — Name of the Prophet Moses Mustapha — The chosen one Nafiu — Beneficial, useful Nasiru — Helper, supporter, one who gives victory Nuhu — Prophet Noah Oumar — Long-lived, flourishing Oumarou — Long-lived, flourishing Ousman — Baby bustard; name of the third Caliph Ousmane — Uthman, the third caliph Ousseynou — Little handsome one; form of Husayn Pape — Father; honorific for a namesake Rabiu — Spring Razak — Provider (short for Abdul Razak)Sabitu — Firm, steadfast Sadiku — Truthful, sincere Saidu — Happy, fortunate Saikou — Elder, learned religious leader Salami — Peaceful, of peace Salihu — Righteous, virtuous Saliou — Righteous, virtuous Salisu — Third Samba — Second-born son Saminu — Precious, valuable Sani — Second Sanusi — Follower of the Sanusi tradition Saïdou — Happy, fortunate Seidu — Happy, fortunate Sekou — Elder, spiritual master Serigne — Master, religious leader, sheikh Seydou — Master, leader Shehu — Elder, learned leader, shaykh Shola — Wealth, honour; one who brings prosperity Shuaibu — The Prophet Shuʿayb Siaka — Form of Ishaq (Isaac), a Prophet Sidik — Truthful Sidiki — Truthful, sincere Sidiku — Truthful, sincere believer Sidy — My master, my lord Souleymane — Solomon, Prophet and king Soumaïla — Form of Ismail, a Prophet Sulaimon — Prophet Solomon; man of peace Sule — Short form of Sulaymān (Solomon)Sulemana — Form of Sulayman (Solomon), a Prophet Sumaila — Form of Ismail, a Prophet Tahirou — Pure, chaste, clean Tahiru — Pure, clean, virtuous Thierno — Scholar, religious teacher Tidiane — Follower of the Tijani Sufi order Tierno — Scholar, religious teacher Tijan — Follower of the Tijani Sufi order Tijani — Follower of the Tijāniyya path Tijjani — Follower of the Tijāniyya path Umaru — Long-lived, flourishing life Usmanu — Name of the third Caliph Waziri — Minister, vizier Yacine — From Ya-Sin, title of a Quran chapter Yahaya — He lives; the Prophet Yaḥyā Yakubu — Jacob; the Prophet Yaʿqūb Yankuba — Form of Yaqub (Jacob), a Prophet Yaya — Form of Yahya (John), a Prophet Youssouf — Form of Yusuf (Joseph), a Prophet Yunous — Prophet Jonah Yunusa — Jonah; the Prophet Yūnus Zakari — Form of Zakariyya (God has remembered)Zanna — Noble title of the Borno court Zubairu — Strong, firm

Girl names (126)

Aafiya — Good health, well-being, safety Aafiyat — Good health, well-being Abibatu — Beloved, dear one Adizatou — Born early; form of Khadija Adja — Pilgrim woman Afia — Good health, well-being Afiya — Good health, well-being, protection Afiyah — Wellbeing, good health, safety Aicha — Living, alive; she who lives well Aisata — Living, alive (form of Aisha)Aishatu — Living, alive (form of Aisha)Alima — Learned, knowledgeable woman Amana — Trust, trustworthiness, loyalty Aminata — Safe, secure, trustworthy Aminatu — Safe, secure; trustworthy Asana — Good deed, beautiful one Asma'u — Names; lofty, exalted Assanatou — Good deed, beautiful one Assétou — Alive, living; form of Aisha Awa — Form of Hawwa (Eve), the first woman Awawu — Eve, mother of mankind Ayishetu — Living, full of life Aïssatou — Alive, living; form of Aisha Balkissa — Bilqīs, the Queen of Sheba Basirat — Insight, vision Bilkisu — Queen of Sheba Binta — Daughter Bintu — Daughter Dieynaba — Form of Zaynab Diénéba — Form of Zaynab Djénéba — Form of Zaynab Fadima — One who weans; abstaining Fadimatu — Form of Fāṭima Falmata — Fatima, daughter of the Prophet Fanta — Manding form of Fatima Fatou — Short form of Fatima Fatoumata — Form of Fatima, the Prophet's daughter Fatsuma — Form of Fāṭima Fuseina — Little beauty; feminine of Husayn Habibah — Beloved, dear Habibat — Beloved, darling Habibatou — Beloved, dear Habibatu — Beloved, darling Habsatou — Young lioness Haddijatou — Form of Khadija, the Prophet's first wife Haddy — Short form of Khadija Hadiza — Born early; form of Khadija Hadja — Woman who has made the Hajj Hafsatu — Young lioness; form of Ḥafṣa Hajara — Hagar, mother of Prophet Ismail Hajarah — Form of Hajar (Hagar), mother of Ismail Halimatu — Gentle, patient, forbearing Haoua — Eve, mother of mankind Hassana — Good, beautiful; the first of twin girls Hassanatou — Good deed; beautiful Hauwa — Eve; living, life-giving Hawa — Eve; living, life-giving Hawawu — Eve, mother of mankind Isatou — Alive, living; form of Aisha Jainaba — Form of Zaynab Jummai — Born on Friday Kadiatou — Form of Khadija, the Prophet's first wife Kadiatu — Form of Khadija Kadidia — Form of Khadija Kadija — Born early, premature child Kalimah — Word, speech Kaltume — Plump-cheeked; from Umm Kulthum Kareemah — Generous, noble woman Khadidiatou — Form of Khadija, the Prophet's first wife Khadijat — Born early; premature child Khady — Short form of Khadija Khairat — Good things, good deeds, blessings Madina — City; the City of the Prophet Maimouna — Blessed, fortunate Maimuna — Blessed, auspicious, fortunate Maimunah — Blessed, fortunate Maimunatu — Blessed, fortunate Mardiya — One who is pleasing (to God), well-pleasing Mardiyah — Pleasing to God, one who is well-pleasing Mariama — Form of Maryam (Mary), mother of Isa Mariamou — Maryam, mother of Prophet ʿĪsā Mariatu — Maryam, mother of Prophet ʿĪsā Maryama — Form of Maryam, mother of Jesus Maryamu — Hausa form of Maryam (Mary)Maymuna — Blessed, auspicious, fortunate Maymunah — Blessed, fortunate, auspicious Memunatu — Blessed, fortunate Mounira — Radiant, luminous, giving light Nafi — Precious; short for Nafisa Nafissatou — Precious, valuable Nana — Respected elder lady, grandmother Nasirah — Helper, supporter, victorious Nassira — Helper, supporter, victorious Ndeye — Mother Néné — Mother Oumou — Mother; short for Umm Kulthum and similar Oumy — Mother; short for Umm Kulthum Rabi — Fourth; short for Rabi'a Rabi'atu — Fourth (daughter)Rakiya — Ascent, rising; daughter of the Prophet Ramata — Mercy, compassion Ramatou — Mercy, compassion Ramatoulaye — Mercy of God Ramatoulie — Mercy of God Ramatu — Mercy, compassion Rokhaya — Form of Ruqayya, the Prophet's daughter Rokia — Form of Ruqayya, the Prophet's daughter Rukayya — Ascent, rising; gentle and refined Rukiya — Rising, ascending; gentle Rukiyya — Ascent, rising Sa'adatu — Happiness, bliss Safiatou — Pure; chosen friend Sainabou — Form of Zaynab Sakinat — Tranquillity, calm from God Salamatou — Safety, well-being, soundness Salamatu — Safety, well-being, peace Salimata — Safe, sound, unharmed Saratu — Princess, noble lady Seynabou — Form of Zaynab Sokhna — Lady; honoured woman of religious lineage Soukeyna — Name of the daughter of Husayn Touba — Blessedness; a tree of Paradise Yaye — Mother Zainabu — Fragrant tree; form of Zaynab Zaliha — Righteous, virtuous Zenabu — Zaynab; often linked to a fragrant tree