Hausa Names and Meaning

Hausa Names and Meaning

Hausa is a major cultural group located in Northern Nigeria, and they are mostly Muslims. This is a list of Hausa names and their meanings.

The Hausa ethnic is the largest ethnic group in Africa. Hausa is the second largest language after Arabic in the Afroasiatic family of languages.

The Hausa-speaking communities are scattered throughout West Africa. The Hausa people are over 70 million, with populations in Nigeria, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Togo, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Gana, Senegal, the Gambia, and Gabon.

In Nigeria, most people regard the Northern part as predominantly Hausa, but this is not so, as we have some minor tribe and religion in that part of the country that are not Hausas.

In this article, we list some Hausa names and their meaning:

  1. Adamu – Adam
  2. Ali – excellent or noble
  3. Aminu – reliable and trustworthy person.
  4. Amir – A ruler, prince or commander
  5. Aisha – to live in prosperity.
  6. Amina – safe protected and secure.
  7. Asmau – loftier or eminent personality
  8. Atikah – of a pure heart
  9. Asabe – child born on Saturday.
  10. Balaraba – female child born on Wednesday
  11. Balarabe – male child born on Wednesday
  12. Bashir – someone who brings good news.
  13. Bilal – a companion of the prophet.
  14. Danasabe – child born on Saturday
  15. Danjuma – male child born on Friday
  16. Danladi – male child born on Sunday
  17. Danlami – male child born on Thursday
  18. Faidah – advantage
  19. Faiqah – someone who surpasses excellence
  20. Fatimah – daughter of the prophet
  21. Faizu – victorious
  22. Faruq – the distinguisher of truth from falsehood
  23. Faisal – decisive
  24. Fuad – heart
  25. Gambo – a child after twins
  26. Hassan – first boy in a set of twins
  27. Hassana – twin girl
  28. Hussain – second boy in a set of twins
  29. Hussaina – twin girl
  30. Habibah – beloved
  31. Hafsah – wife of the prophet
  32. Halimah – gentle heart
  33. Hamidah – appreciative
  34. Habib – beloved
  35. Hadi – calm person
  36. Hafiz a guardian or protector
  37. Hamzah – lion
  38. Imam – leader
  39. Isa – Jesus
  40. Ismaila – Ishmael
  41. Jummai – female child born on Friday
  42. Jamilah: a beautiful, elegant and graceful person.
  43. Jalil – exalted
  44. Jamal – beauty and grace
  45. Jibril – archangel
  46. Kaka – grandmother
  47. Khamees – female child born on Thursday
  48. Khamisa – female child born on Thursday
  49. Khadijah – wife of prophet Muhammad
  50. Kubra – a senior person or someone with higher authority.
  51. Kamil – complete or perfect
  52. Khalifah – a successor
  53. Ladi – female child born on Sunday
  54. Lami – female child born on Thursday
  55. Lantana – female child born on Monday
  56. Laraba – female child born on Wednesday
  57. Larai – female child born on Wednesday.
  58. Latifah – kind and gentle heart
  59. Lubabah – the innermost essence
  60. Musa – Moses
  61. Mansurah – supporter
  62. Maryam – mother of Jesus
  63. Maimuna – blessing
  64. Mahmud – praised
  65. Mansur – aided
  66. Mushin – benevolent
  67. Mustafa – chosen
  68. Nabilah – nobility
  69. Nafisah – precious, rare gem
  70. Naimah – enjoying blessing of God
  71. Rahmah – kind and compassionate
  72. Ruqayyah – name of the prophet daughter
  73. Rahid – righteous
  74. Safiyah – pure and serene heart
  75. Sakinah –peace of mind
  76. Salimah – a jovial companion
  77. Shukriyah – thanksgivings
  78. Sumayyah – a proper name
  79. Salim – safe
  80. Talatu – female child born on Tuesday
  81. Tahir – pure
  82. Umar – lifetime
  83. Usman – companion
  84. Yakubu – Jacob
  85. Yohanna – john
  86. Yusuf – Joseph
  87. Zahrah – flower
  88. Zakiyyah – pure
  89. Zainab – name of prophet daughter
  90. Zaytum – olive
  91. Zubaydah – radiant

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How Hausas name their children

  • The Hausas, like many other ethnic groups in Nigeria, may pick a name based on events (which can be good or bad) surrounding the birth of the child. For instance, the Hausa Ajuji meaning ‘born on a rubbish heap’ is given to a child who is ‘born to die’ so as to deceive evil spirits.
  • Hausas may name their child according to the order of birth. For instance, ‘Hassan’ is given to the first child of a Hausa family.
  • Hausas may also name their children according to how their birth corresponds with the days of the week. For instance, ‘Danjuma’ is a name given to a child born on Friday.
  • Most Hausas’ names reflect the Islamic belief or faith. ‘Isa’ is the Islamic name for Jesus and ‘Musa’ is for Moses.

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