170+ Swahili Baby Girl Names & Meanings

From cute names to powerful ones, you'll love our list of Swahili girl names.

Updated September 9, 2024
Girls dancing on city sidewalk

If you're looking for a beautiful and meaningful name for your little girl, Swahili girl names might be perfect. Any of these gorgeous names could be just right for your baby girl. 

Popular Swahili Girl Names

Looking for a name that's in fashion? You can't go wrong with one of these popular Swahili girl names. 

  • Amani - means "wish"
  • Ayana - means "flower"
  • Batini - means "inner thoughts"
  • Chaniya - means "wealthy"
  • Dalila - means "gentle"
  • Dinka - means "people"
  • Jaha - means "dignity"
  • Jahaira - means "dignified"
  • Jamaa - means "a relative"
  • Jina - means "named child"
  • Julisha - means "advisor"
  • Kadija - means "early baby"
  • Kalere - means "short woman"
  • Kaluwa - means "forgotten one"
  • Kameke - means "blind"
  • Kenene or Kanene - means "a little important item"
  • Kimya - means "silent"
  • Lela - means "dark beauty"
  • Mtupeni - means "unwelcome"
  • Mwamini - means "honest"
  • Mzuzi - means "inventive"
  • Nadira - means "rare"
  • Najia - means "offspring"
  • Nathari - means "prose"
  • Nyimbo - means "song"
  • Nyofu - means "shy"
  • Onyesha - means "clear"
  • Otesha - means "garden"
  • Rafiya - means "dignified"
  • Rahma - means "compassion"
  • Rehema - means "compassionate"
  • Salama - means "safety"
  • Sanaa - means "shining light"
  • Sarabi - means "mirage"
  • Shafira - means "distinguished"
  • Siti - means "a respected woman"
  • Tahiya - means "security"
  • Taraji - means "faith"
  • Tosha - means "satisfaction"
  • Ujana - means "young"
  • Zalika - means "born into royalty"
Girl With Dreadlocks

Cute Swahili Names for Girls

Love a name that sounds adorable as it rolls off your tongue? One of these cute Swahili girl's names could be perfect. 

  • Adia - means "a gift from God"
  • Barika - means "flourishing"
  • Binti - means "daughter"
  • Chiku - means "talkative"
  • Kamari - means "moonlight"
  • Kamaria - means "moon"
  • Leta - means "bringer"
  • Marjani - means "of a coral reef"
  • Nuru - means "light"
  • Nyota - means "stars"
  • Ramla - means "a fortune teller"
  • Rukiya - means "awake"
  • Safari - means "expedition"
  • Safiri - means "journey"
  • Subira - means "patience"
  • Tabia or Tabea - means "talented"
  • Tulia - means "calm"
  • Winda - means "hunter"
  • Yumna - means "good fortune"
Baby girl playing in the bathtub

Beautiful Swahili Names for Girls

Nothing is as beautiful as your baby girl, but these name choices come close! If you're looking for a girl name that means "beautiful" or is related to beauty (or just one that sounds beautiful), you have a lot of options.

  • Abla - means "wild rose"
  • Aiesha - means "life"
  • Aleela - means "a girl who cries"
  • Amini - means "trust"
  • Asali - means "sweet like honey"
  • Asha - means "life"
  • Ayanna or Ayonna - means "beautiful flower"
  • Dara - means "beautiful one"
  • Hasnaa - means "beautiful woman"
  • Jamila - means "beautiful"
  • Johari - means "jewel"
  • Jokia - means "beautiful robe"
  • Marini - means "pretty"
  • Salima - means "greet"
  • Sauda - means "dark beauty"
  • Zahara or Zahra - means "to bloom" 
  • Zainabu - means "beautiful"
  • Zuri - means "beautiful"
Smiling mother kissing baby

Powerful Swahili Girl Names

Looking for a name that implies strength of character and spirit? These girl names are perfect ideas for parents striving to raise the future generation of independent young women.

  • Adhra - means "apology"
  • Aiysha - means "prosperous"
  • Akili - means "intelligence"
  • Amana - means "trustworthy"
  • Amne - means "safe and secure"
  • Arafa - means "knowledgeable"
  • Asatira - means "legend" 
  • Asha - means "life"
  • Atiena - means "guardian of the night"
  • Aza - means "strong"
  • Aziza - means "powerful"
  • Eshe - means "giver of life" 
  • Fahari - means "splendor"
  • Faizah - means "victorious woman"
  • Imara - means "resolute"
  • Jelani - means "mighty"
  • Nalla - means "a successful person"
  • Nia or Nyah - means "purpose"
  • Niara - means "with utmost purpose"
  • Tisha - means "strong will"
Baby girl smiling

Happy Swahili Girl Names

She has a whole lifetime ahead of her, bringing joy to others. Give her a joyful name like one of these.

  • Ahadi - means "promising"
  • Akina - means "family bond"
  • Bina - means "dancer"
  • Furaha - means "joy"
  • Goma - means "joyful dance"
  • Hasina - means "good"
  • Inira - means "sing"
  • Itanya - means "hope"
  • Jama - means "friend"
  • Jamala - means "friendly"
  • Kakena - means "happy one"
  • Kanai - means "contentment"
  • Kichaka - means "one who blushes"
  • Lakeisha - means "joyful"
  • Lakicia - means "woman who is the favorite of everyone"
  • Malaika - means "angel"
  • Mchumba - means "sweetheart"
  • Nia - means "purpose"
  • Najuma - means "boundless joy"
  • Njema - means "good"
  • Oyana - means "inspire"
  • Penda or Penha - means "beloved"
  • Radhiya - means "friendly"
  • Raziya - means "agreeable"
  • Safiyya - means "friend"
  • Shany or Shanee or Shani or Shanie - means "wonderful"
  • Shanit - means "marvelous"
  • Sikudhani - means "a pleasant surprise"
  • Terema - means "cheerful"
  • Tumaini - means "hope"
  • Uzima - means "full of life"
  • Zuwena - means "good"
Happy Toddler with Hair Ribbon

Faith-Based Swahili Names for Girls

If you're looking for a name with faith at its roots, one of these names could serve you well. 

  • Amali - means "hope"
  • Aminali - means "faithful"
  • Chinira - means "God receives"
  • Chriki - means "blessing"
  • Hediye or Hadiya - means "gift"
  • Imani - means "faith"
  • Kaisa - means "pure"
  • Kalifa - means "holy child"
  • Kiojah - means "miracle"
  • Muraty - means "sacred one"
  • Nala - means "gift"
  • N'bushe - means "godly one"
  • Safiyah - means "pure"
  • Tambika - means "a religious offering"
  • Zawati - means "gift"
A young girl in a village, sitting with an open book on her legs, looking at the camera, smiling.

Swahili Names for Girls Based on Time

Some Swahili female names are related to birth order, when a daughter is born, days of the week, and certain times of the day or year. 

  • Afia - means "born on Friday"
  • Asya - means "born during mourning"
  • Chauski - means "born at night"
  • Hasana or Huseina - means "she arrived first"
  • Fifi, Fifia - means "born on Friday"
  • Jioni - means "evening"
  • Kande - means "firstborn"
  • Kapukie, Kapuki, Kapukie, Kapuky, Kapukee, Kapukea, Kapukey - means "first-born daughter"
  • Kesi - means "born at a time of trouble"
  • Koffi - means "born on Friday"
  • Kudio - means "born on Monday" 
  • Kwashi - means "born on Sunday"
  • Kwau - means "born on Thursday"
  • Layla - means "born at night"
  • Mashika - means "born in the rainy season"
  • Mosi - means "she is first"
  • Mwasaa - means "timely"
  • Mwatabu - means "born during sorrow"
  • Neema - means "born during good times"
  • Tisa - means "ninth born"
girl during Swahili language class

Swahili Names Based on Animals

Love animals? Then you may love one of these names. 

  • Kinda - means "chick"
  • Pacca or Paka - means "catlike woman"
  • Panya or Panyin - means "resembles a mouse"
  • Nalah - means "lioness"
  • Nyoka - means "resembling a snake"
  • Sanora - means "kitten"
  • Sanura - means "kittenlike"

Related: 100+ Muslim Baby Names & Their Meanings

The Perfect Name for Your Baby Girl

Whether you want a name filled with power or one that sounds adorable rolling off your tongue, we have plenty of names. One of these Swahili names might be perfect for your princess. 

170+ Swahili Baby Girl Names & Meanings