The African Book of Names: 5,000+ Common and Uncommon Names from the African Continent

by Askhari Johnson Hodari

Book Overview

From an author who adopted an African name as an adult comes the most inclusive book of African names.

Obama, Iman, Kanye, Laila--authentic African names are appearing more often in nurseries, classrooms, and boardrooms. The African Book of Names offers readers more than 5,000 common and uncommon names organized by theme from 37 countries and at least 70 different ethnolinguistic groups. Destined to become a classic keepsake,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0757307795
• ISBN13: 9780757307799
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Hci
• Length: 343 Pages
• Weight: 1.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

An invaluable resource for fiction writers

A lot of writers use baby name books to help them find interesting and meaningful monikers for their characters, but this one belongs on the desk of any writer even considering including African or African-American characters in her work. It is quite simply the best-organized one I've ever encountered -- and believe me, I've thumbed through a lot of them. Or, to put it another way: when's the last time any of us saw a baby name book that was actually interesting enough to sit down and READ cover to cover? What makes it so much better than most? THE AFRICAN BOOK OF NAMES is so intelligently put together, treating both the reader and the subject matter with respect. Unlike the vast majority of baby name books out there, it's not just a straightforward list of names and meanings -- which, let's face it, is fairly readily available on the Internet, if you're looking for only common names -- but a thoughtfully-constructed examination of the significance of naming in various African and African-American cultures. Yes, there are indeed lists, but such lists! Arranged by categories of meaning, the names are also presented by region of origin and circumstance under which a particular name might be applied. And we're not just talking about names that translate as Daisy or Strong One here -- names like the Azanian Nothango (one who forms a buffer against the enemy), the Ugandan Nangila (born while the parents were traveling around), and the Camaroonian Akam Bowho (one who does not have a problem) abound in this book. This is a powerful resource for writers, in short; I highly recommend it. You'll never run out of fascinating name choices.

Inspiring Work of Names

This book presents more than pages filled with names and their meanings. It's a part of the lesson about African Americans' history and heritage that has been lost due to oppression and separation of over 400 years. I have read the book, front to back, and it is absolutely inspiring. The research provided has an intrinsic value to the African Diaspora. This book could also be used to become culturally aware of Africans and African Americans' uniqueness.

What's In an African Name?

In Askhari Johnson Hodari's book, she reveals that enslaved African-Americans often had two names, the ones their masters gave them and the secret names "derived from African words" that family members called them. Those secret or "basket" names gave black people in bondage a chance to control at least a part of their lives. Hodari's book would break new ground even if it merely listed the meaning and origins of more than 5,000 African names. However, by the time you finish her book you'll have learned more than that Latifah means gentle in East Africa, that Bamua means "Daddy is tired" in Cameroon, that Chika means "God is great" in Nigeria or that Nefertiti means "The beautiful one has arrived" in Egypt. You'll have learned something about the many African cultures and experiences these names reflect. You'll also know why singer Gladys Knight named her daughter Kenya, why actor Danny Glover called his daughter Mandisa, why Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali and why basketball player Lew Alcindor became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971. Hodari is an educator and writer who has studied and collected African names for more than two decades. I enjoyed her book not only because she had the good sense to arrange her names by meaning and to include instructions for naming ceremonies. There is something almost intoxicating about saying words like Zalimba, pronounced zah-LEHM-bah, which means "It is difficult" in Malawi or Kambihi, pronounced Kahm-Bee-hee, which means "whirlwind" in Zambia. Hodari says she embraced African names because they "feel elegant to my ear and enthuse my tongue." So they do.

Amazed!

This is by far THE BEST book of African Names I've seen. I work with a lot of African descended kids and we've looked at names over the years as part of cultural discovery--being able to search by meaning is priceless. The writing in the intro is also thoughtful and relevant. Really makes me want to discover the meanings of names in my own family. Great book!

EXCELLENT BOOK!

This is one of the best Afican Name books that I have read. You can tell a lot of authentic research has gone into the book and the fact that it is broken down by categories is unique and creative. Having information on how to do a naming ceremony is invaluable.