Nigerian Fulani names are quite distinctive. Each Fulani name, whether given to a boy or a female, has a distinct significance. As one of the cultures that has maintained its traditions, the Fulani still give their children traditional Fulani names, just as the Hausas do with their traditional Hausa names.
Native names are nice; people consider them to be very charming and lovely. Sometimes because of the significance associated with these native names, they cherished them. People thought that their ancestors’ names were favorable traits that accurately described them and their characteristics.
Brief Background of the Fulani People
A predominantly Muslim group known as Fulani, sometimes known as Peul or Fulbe, are dispersed across several regions of Africa, particularly in West Africa from Lake Chad in the east to the Atlantic coast. Although they are present in many other nations as well, they are primarily concentrated in Nigeria, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, and Niger. The Niger-Congo language family’s Atlantic branch is where the Fulani language, also known as Fula, belongs.
The widely distributed Fulani’s interactions with several other tribes have led to a range of socioeconomic trends. The demands of their herds were central to the lives and social structure of the Fulani because they were essentially a pastoral people. As the most accurate representation of Fulani culture, pastoral Fulani currently enjoy greater status than town and sedentary agricultural Fulani.
Brief Background of the Hausa People
The Hausa people are primarily found in northern Nigeria and neighboring southern Niger. They make up the area’s largest ethnic group, along with the Fulani, who make up another sizable ethnic group and may make up half of the ruling class among the Hausa after assimilating to Hausa language and culture.
The intensive cultivation of sorghum, corn (maize), millet, and many other crops farmed using rotational farming techniques and using Fulani cow dung has been the foundation of the Hausa economy. Agriculture has produced far more than is necessary for subsistence, allowing the Hausa to perform crafts like thatching, leatherworking, weaving, and silversmithing. Trade is widespread and the selection of handcrafted goods is broad, especially during often held markets in the larger cities. The Hausa are well known for being local and long-distance traders as well as sellers of tourist and Hausa-made leather goods.
200 Hausa/Fulani Male Names and their Meanings
An interesting thing of note with both Hausa/Fulani names is that most have their roots in Islam, as the religion is the two group’s dominant religion. In addition, as with most Nigerian ethnic groups and tribes, the Hausa and Fulani people often give circumstantial names to their babies. These names, to a speaker of the Hausa of Fulbe or Fulfulde language, will easily stand out and known what it means. While we lump them together, it is worthy of note that the two groups, though mixed and often referred to as one and the same today, are different ethnic groups/tribes. Here are over two hundred names of Hausa/Fulani male names, as well as their meanings.
1. Dawo: He who was born when his mother was pounding millet delicacy used in preparing Hura.
2. Dandawo: He who was born when his mother was pounding millet delicacy used in preparing Hura.
3. Arzika: He whose mother undergoes severe child labour before he was eventually given to birth.
4. Dawi: He who was born in a season when his father harvested plentiful bundles of Guinea-corn.
5. Maidawa: He who was born in a season when his father harvested plentiful bundles of Guinea-corn.
6. Gerau: He who was born in a season when his father harvested aboundant bondles of Millet stalks.
7. Maigero: He who was born in a season when his father harvested aboundant bondles of Millet stalks.
8. Maiwake: He who was born in a season when his father harvested lot of beans.
9. Shekarau: He who completes a year in his mother’s womb.
10. Makau: He who was born when it was raining cat and dog in a community.
11. Makao: He who was born when it was raining cat and dog in a community.
12. Hankurau: A husband who was extremely patient in a community.
13. Shibkau: He who was born during sowing season.
14. Nomau: He who was born during farming season.
15. Sarki: One who has a king’s name.
16. Maifari: He who was born during drought.
17. Maihwari: He who was born during drought.
18. Yarima: Prince.
19. Nagona: He who was born at the farm.
20. Nanoma: He who was born at the farm.
21. Bako: He who was born after arrival of visitors in a household.
22. Bara: He who was born after his siblings are all females. Bara in Hausa means to beg i.e., they begged him out.
23. Hana: He who was born in a family while they are mourning death of a family member.
24. Bawa: He who was brought-up by another woman that was not his mother.
25. Tunau: He who was born after his mother took a long time before she concieved another pregnancy.
26. Maikasuwa: Trader or merchant.
27. Kasu: He who was born at a market or on market day.
28. Kasuwa: He who was born at market or on market day.
29. Tanko: A brother to female children in a family.
30. Abara: He who was born after his successors are dying.
31. Abarshi: He who was born after his successors are dying.
32. Barau: He who was born after his successors are dying.
33. Dangali: An only son in a family.
34. Jika: Means Grandson to a person. A person who bore someone’s grandchild name.
35. Babba: A big brother to one or elder brother.
36. Kane: Younger brother to one.
37. Maikudi: A rich one or wealthy.
38. Madugu: He who was born during travel or born in the process of travelling.
39. Kaka: A person who bore someone’s grandparents’ names.
40. Tawaye: Brother to a twin.
41. Gambo: Brother to twins.
42. Kokari: One who was hardworking in a community.
43. Adare: One who was born at night.
44. Fari: One who is fair in complexion.
45. Hwari: One who is fair in complexion.
46. Jatau: One who is fair in complexion.
47. Baki: One who is dark in complexion.
48. Duna: One who is dark in complexion.
49. Nahantsi: One who is born at dawn.
50. Hantsi: One who is born at dawn.
51. Gambo: Brother or sister to twins.
52. Agada: Brother or sister to twins.
53. Dada: One who was born of relative couples.
54. Kulau: A most loved male child in a family.
55. Nagoma: A tenth male child in a family.
56. Bakwai: A seventh male child in a family.
57. Auta: The last born in a family.
58. Jigo: One who is a “leader”. An only son born in the midst of sisters, is mostly perceived or seen as a leader.
59. Karami: One who is thin or younger.
60. Guntau: One who is short or a short man.
61. Jariri: One who was extremely thin at birth.
62. Ango: One who was born during marriage ceremony in a household or family.
63. Korau: One who was born when his mother was divorced.
64. Ɗari: One who was born during excessive cold.
65. ‘Dari: One who was born during excessive cold.
66. Kadaɗe: One who was born after his parents struggled to conceive for years before he was born.
67. Babangida: A name given to a child who bears same name with one his grandfathers in the family and because in-laws are shy to directly call the child by his normal name, they nickname him “Babangida”, master of the household.
68. Mailafiya/Mailahiya: One who is calm and easygoing with people in a community.
69. Adamu: Means “Adam” (the Biblical first man).
70. Ali: One who is excellent or noble.
71. Aminu: One who is reliable and trustworthy.
72. Amir: One who is a prince, a rule or commander.
73. Balarabe: One who was born on Wednesday.
74. Bashir: One who brings good news.
75. Danjuma: One who was born on Friday.
76. Danladi: One who was born of Friday.
77. Danlami: One who was born on Thursday.
78. Faiqah: One who surpasses excellence
79. Faruq: Distinguisher of truth from falsehood
80. Faisal: One who is decisive.
81. Hassan: One who is the first boy of a twin.
82. Hussain: One who is the second boy of a twin.
83. Hamzah: A lion.
84. Imam: A leader.
85. Isa: Jesus.
86. Ismaila: Ishmael.
87. Jalil: Exalted.
88. Jibril: Gabriel in English; an archangel.
89. Musa: Moses
90. Mansurah: Supporter.
91. Mahmud: Praised.
92. Mansur: Aided.
93. Mushin: Benevolent.
94. Mustafa: Chosen.
95. Nabilah: Nobility.
96. Umar: Lifetime.
97. Usman: Companion.
98. Yakubu: Jacob
99. Yohanna: John
100. Yusuf: Joseph
101. Balarabe: One born on Wednesday.
102 Danjuma: One born on Friday.
103. Danladi: One born on Sunday.
104. Danlami: One born Thursday.
105. Gaddo: Inheritor
106. Gambo: One who was born after a twin.
107. Gowon: Rainmaker
108. Rashidi: Rightly guide, mature or of genuine faith.
109. Tanimu: One who was born on Monday or Litinnin.
110. Yohance: Yahweh is gracious; Yahweh is merciful.
111. Daran: One born at night, great and small.
112. Dare: One born at night, great and small.
113. Daren: One born at night, great and small.
114. Hasan: Beautiful, good, a beautifier.
115. Rago: Ram.
116. Aadil: Upright, just.
117. Aalam: World
118. Aamir: Civilized
119. Aaqib: Follower.
120. Aaqil: Intelligent.
121. Aashif: Courageous, brave, bold.
122. Aashir: Living.
123. Aasif: A minister.
124. Aasim: One who abstains from sin.
125. Aazim: Determined.
126. Abd Al-Ala: Slave of the High.
127. Abdul Aalee: A servant of the Most High.
128. Abdul Adl: Slave of the just.
129. Abdul Afuw: Slave of the one who pardons.
130. Abdul Ahad: Slave of he who is one.
131. Abdul Aleem: Servant of the Omniscient.
133. Abdul Alim: Slave of the All knowing.
134. Abdul Awwal: Slave of the First One.
135. Abdul Azeez: A servant of the most powerful.
136. Abdul Azim: Slave of the great.
137. Abdul Aziz: Servant of the powerful one.
138. Abdul Baari: Servant of the Creator.
139. Abdul Baasit: Servant of the Extender and Creator.
140. Abdul Badee: Slave of the originator.
141. Abdul Baith: Slave of the one who raises death.
142. Abdul Baqi: Slave of the Eternal.
143. Abdul Bari: Slave of the Creator.
144. Abdul Baseer: Slave of the All-seeing.
145. Abdul Basit: Slave of the enlarger.
146. Abdul Batin: Slave of the unseen.
147. Abdul Fattah: Slave of the opener, slave of the giver of victory.
148. Abdul Ghafaar: Servant of the Forgiver.
149. Abdul Ghafoor: Servant of the Forgiver.
150. Abdul Hafeez: Slave of the Protector.
151. Abdul Hafiz: Slave of the Guardian.
152. Abdul Hakam: Servant of the Arbitrator
153. Abdul Hakeem: Servant of the Wise.
154. Abdul Haleem: Servant of the Mild and Patient.
155. Abdul Halim: Slave of the Wise.
156. Abdul Hameed: Servant of the Praiseworthy and the Ever-Praised.
157. Abdul Hamid: Slave of the Praiseworthy.
158. Abdul Hannan: Slave of the Merciful.
159. Abdul Haq: Servant of the Truth.
160. Abdul Haseeb: Servant of the Respected and Esteemed.
161. Abdul Hasib: Slave of the Reckoner.
162. Abdul Hayy: Slave of the Living.
163. Abdul Jabaar: Servant of the Mighty.
164. Abdul Jaleel: Servant of the Great and Revered.
165. Abdul Jawwad: Slave of the Bountiful.
166. Abdul Kabir: Slave of the Great.
167. Abdul Kareem: Servant of the Noble and Generous.
168. Abdul Karim: Slave of the Gracious.
169. Abdul Khabir: Slave of the one who is aware.
170. Abdul Lateef: Servant of the Kind.
171. Abdul Maajid: Slave of the Excellence.
172. Abdul Maalik: Slave of the Master, the Lord.
173. Abdul Majeed: Servant of the Glorious.
174. Abdul Mani: Slave of one who prevents.
175. Abdul Mannan: Slave of the Benefactor.
176. Abdul Mateen: Slave of the Firm.
177. Abdul Mubdee: Slave of the Originator.
178. Abdul Mueed: Slave of the Restorer, the Reproducer.
179. Abdul Muhaimin: Servant of the Supervising, the Guardian and the Protector.
180. Abdul Muhaymin: Slave of the Protector.
181. Abdul Muhsin: Slave of the Benefactor.
182. Abdul Muhyee: Slave of the one who gives life and sustains it.
183. Abdul Muiz: Servant of the Giver of Might and Glory.
184. Abdul Mujeeb: Servant of the Responder.
185. Abdul Munim: Slave of the Generous.
186. Abdul Muntaqim: Slave of him who punishes wrongdoings and seizes retribution.
187. Abdul Muqeet: Slave of the Sustainer.
188. Abdul Muqsit: Slave of the Just.
189. Abdul Musawwir: Slave of the Fashioner.
190. Abdul Mutaal: Servant of the Most High.
191. Abdul Muti: Slave of the Giver.
192. Abdul Muzanni: A narrator of Hadith.
193. Abdul Nafi: Slave of the Propitious.
194. Abdul Naseer: Slave of the Helper.
195. Abdul Noor: Slave of the one who is Light.
196. Abdul Qaadir: Servant of the Capable.
197. Abdul Qadeer: Slave of the Powerful.
198. Abdul Qadir: Slave of the Powerful.
199. Abdul Qahaar: Servant of the Subduer and the Almighty.
200. Abdul Qayyum: Slave of the Self-Subsistent.