Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Aug 20, 2025

On the East African coast, Swahili baby names unify Bantu roots, Arabic influences, and a tradition of maritime trade. Whether referencing virtues—like Neema (“grace”)—or local flora, each name brims with lyrical ease. Parents may mark blessings for health, bravery, or kindness, melding spiritual aspirations with a communal ethos. Choosing a Swahili name reflects the enduring rhythm of coastal life and its welcoming spirit toward diverse cultures.

Zuri -

Beautiful

Nia -

Purpose

Kenia -

A variant of the Swahili word for

Nala -

Queen

Damari -

Warrior

Emani -

Faith

Taraji -

Hope

Nya -

Purpose or friend in swahili

Zhuri -

Good, beautiful

Niya -

To pass over

Zamari -

Musician

Delani -

To be great

Jahari -

Jewel

Malaika -

Angel

Niah -

Purpose in swahili

Mehki -

One who is distinguished

Javari -

Brave, fearless

Teyana -

To flourish

Jamauri -

Beauty, pool

Zury -

Beautiful

Niara -

Treasure

Jelani -

Mighty

Imani -

Belief, faith, trust

Jahiem -

Raised up

Zamaria -

A variant of the Swahili language

Zyaire -

River that swallows all rivers

Neema -

Grace

Keniyah -

Born of fire

Kemani -

Graceful warrior

Jamyra -

Hope

Imara -

Graceful or firm

Damani -

Wealth

Zurie -

Beautiful

Damari -

Warrior

Zuri -

Beautiful

Nyeli -

Loving

Keyani -

Gift of god

Nyema -

Rule

Zykeria -

Sunrise

Emani -

Faith

Jahi -

Dignified

Zhane -

Beautiful

Raha -

Free

Kimoni -

In swahili is not clearly defined in the available sources

Jamani -

Friend, friendship

Zyiah -

God is my strength

Jamoni -

Benevolent, brilliant, inventive

Karisa -

Pure

Zanai -

Beautiful

Nyala -

Antelope

Kimoni -

In swahili is not clearly defined in the available sources

Zawadi -

Gift

Janaye -

God is gracious

Niana -

Purpose

Jamani -

Friend

Nakita -

To know

Kimara -

A powerful warrior

Kabella -

Beautiful

Tiona -

To see

Kamarah -

Beautiful

Kania -

Gift

Kamazi -

"quiet, peaceful"

Jabarri -

Courageous and strong

Rehema -

Compassion or mercy.

Makaiyah -

One who brings joy

Leba -

Leba means "heart" or "pine" in Hebrew.

Qiana -

Silky

Taleya -

Bright

Simba -

Lion

Jasiri -

Brave

Kenyatta -

All powerful

Kamaree -

Of African origin origin.

Naleyah -

And origin are not widely documented

Nyia -

Purpose

Zurich -

Beautiful

Sakani -

Dweller

Zyree -

And are often chosen for their positive attributes or qualities they embody

Laini -

Soft

Lakia -

Treasure

Tyheem -

One who is praised

Kimyah -

Of the name

Enzi -

Powerful, home ruler

Kamare -

A place of abundance

Demere -

Gentle

Nyesha -

And significance

Traniya -

Holds great significance in many african cultures

Lakenya -

To be content

Nhyla -

Beautiful flower

Emanie -

A variant of Emanuelle

Zaliya -

Zaliya is often interpreted to mean "high" or "exalted."

Hadija -

Hadija means "early child" or "trustworthy" in Arabic.

Julani -

Youthful

Layoni -

The name "Layoni" means "Lion."

Kovu -

Kovu means "scar" in Swahili.

Kiasia -

And origin of kiasia are unclear

Juma -

Juma means "born on Friday."

Nyan -

Wisdom or knowledge in swahili

Diani -

Joyful

Nyheim -

In the provided sources

Tamani -

Eight

Raeyah -

Raeyah is a variant of the name Raya, which means "friend" or "queen" in Hebrew.

Khasir -

King

Ziasia -

Light

Siniya -

Bright

Imanie -

Of Swahili origin origin.

Riziki -

Provision or sustenance.

Nyalah -

Antelope

Markiya -

Warrior

Jamaiya -

One who is loved, Yahweh will protect

Bahati -

Luck

Mazuri -

Mazuri means "beautiful" or "good" in Swahili.

Jamina -

Jamina means "right hand" or "dove."

Quianna -

Grace

Kanyia -

Little girl

Tiasia -

Of joy

Shyonna -

Shyonna

Tyara -

Tyara

Khamren -

Son of king

Jabori -

One who brings comfort to people or bringer of consolation

Zekani -

Promise

Nyera -

Queen

Nyaja -

Desire

Azhuri -

Majestic

Kandie -

Blossom

Ranaya -

Of being admired or beloved

Onya -

And are often chosen to reflect the qualities or aspirations that parents have for their children

Khamoni -

Of khamoni is often associated with

Kaiza -

Kaiza is a name of Swahili origin meaning "leader" or "king."

Jekai -

God is my strength

Mizani -

Balance

Mwajuma -

Born on Friday

Zurisaday -

A variant of various languages

Zalika -

Of African culture origin.

Kyza -

Kyza is a name of Greek origin meaning "throne" or "reigning."

Vitani -

Mistreated

Maru -

Maru means "round" or "circle" in Japanese.

Kawon -

A variant of a language like Korean or Swahili

Nyajah -

Of hope and dream

Mazani -

Variety

Khamoni -

Beautiful

Uzuri -

Beauty

Tameka -

Sweet

Kemia -

Chemistry

Tniya -

Desire

Kameila -

Perfection

Tanaja -

In swahili according to the provided sources

Tangela -

To make a circle

Kenyana -

Beautiful

Kimayah -

A variant of a combination of elements

Zhanae -

Linked to beauty and grace

Anza -

The name Anza means "beginning" or "start."

Makenya -

Graceful

Kayela -

Of historical or origin.

Ijanae -

May vary depending on the specific interpretation

Ramadhani -

Ramadhani means "born during Ramadan."

Raionna -

Queen

Tyiona -

Princess

Kimarah -

Powerful warrior

Makiaya -

Beautiful

Talesha -

Born during a journey

Niajah -

Purpose

Zykiria -

Queen of the sun

Tysha -

Gift from god

Lakaia -

Intelligent

Tanazia -

Princess

Tajiri -

The name Tajiri means "wealthy" or "prosperous."

Saidi -

Saidi means "happy" or "fortunate."

Jioni -

Jioni means "evening" in Swahili.

Shabani -

Shabani is a name of Swahili origin, meaning "born in the month of the Islamic calendar called Sha'ban."

Namiri -

The meaning of Namiri is "swift" or "fast."

Imena -

Imena means "dream" or "faithful" in Swahili.

Ziare -

Of the name ziaire is

Faila -

Faila means "successful" or "fortunate."

Tazara -

Railway in Africa.

Nyaisa -

Grandmother

Dnaya -

Gift of god

Dashyia -

Joyful

Nyobi -

Star

Kamazi -

Rejoice

Lakaila -

Make it a popular choice for parents seeking a name that is both meaningful and beautiful

Tanaisha -

River and

Tnyah -

Hope

Kenae -

Silent

Tynae -

Unity or togetherness

Bibihalima -

The name Bibihalima is of Swahili origin and means "a woman who is gentle and caring."

Janazia -

Funeral procession

Dunia -

Dunia means "world" or "life."

Niyasia -

And significance

Duquan -

Strong

Kashanti -

Beautiful

Tyja -

Hope

Teairah -

And cultural roots

Tanzania -

Sail and

Bahati -

Luck or fortune.

Kenija -

A variant of the Swahili word for

Iysha -

Gift or blessing

Jakazi -

Ready, initiate

Kijana -

Young one

Kyiara -

Beautiful

Diyonna -

Divine

Ekaya -

Ekaya means "home" or "house."

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