Are African Names Disappearing? Who Is Keeping The Tradition Alive And Who Is Letting It Go?

Across Africa, names have always been used as a symbol of identity, family, history, culture and beliefs which are passed down through generations.

However, as urbanization and changing social trends continue to shape modern society, questions are emerging about whether traditional African names are slowly disappearing.

In many African communities, children were given names according to the season they were born, their ancestors what place they were born in and right now that seems to be changing; many African parents are giving their children modern names.

A 2025 study tracked naming practices in Tanzania’s Chasu community across five generations from 1900 to 2024.

African Names

In the first generation, every single name was indigenous. By the fifth, they had almost disappeared, replaced by colonial-era Christian names that are now called “modern.”

Among the Vhavenda of South Africa, grandparents were once the sole name-givers.

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The study confirmed they no longer are. Parents choose now, often from a list that has nothing to do with ancestry and everything to do with convenience.

This is not a single country’s story. It is happening across the continent, in Malawi, in Lesotho, in Cameroon, wherever colonial education systems taught three generations that an indigenous name was an obstacle.

Tradition And Culture

Despite these shifts, many families continue to preserve African naming traditions.

Across Kenya and other parts of the continent, communities still proudly give children indigenous names that reflect their heritage and language.

Among the Kikuyu community, names such as Wanjiku, Nyambura, Kamau and Njoroge continue to be passed down from one generation to another, mostly following a long-established family naming culture.

The Luo community continues to use names such as Achieng, Odhiambo and Atieno, while Kalenjin families still give names like Kiptoo, Chebet and Kiprop.

African Communities

The Luhya, Kamba, Kisii, Maasai and many other communities have also maintained rich naming traditions that continue to reflect cultural identity.

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There has also been renewed interest in young people who claim their African names and even stop using the modern names.

This conversation highlights the broader question of how African communities can preserve their cultural heritage while also adapting to an increasingly globalized and modern world.

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PHOTO/Africa First