100 Kanuri Names and Their Meanings (updated)

Kanuri names for Kanuri people, one of the prominent ethnic groups in North-East Nigeria, boast rich cultural heritage and history. With approximately 3 Million speakers residing mainly in Borno and Yobe states. They constitute one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria.

A distinct aspect of Kanuri culture is their unique naming tradition. Arewa House unveils a compilation of 100 Kanuri names and their corresponding meanings in English.

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The list encompasses both male and female Kanuri names, each carrying a significant cultural significance.

Kanuri Male Names and Their Meanings

1. Abdu, Buji, Dala or Dallai – Meaning Abdullahi, signifying “servant of Allah.”
2. Ramanu or Darman – Translating to Abdulrahman, denoting “servant of the Beneficent.”
3. Gudusu – Denoting Abdulquddus, symbolizing “servant of the Holy.”
4. Mumin – Meaning Abdulmumin, representing “servant of the guardian of Faith.”
5. Mele – Equating to Idris, referring to the esteemed prophet Idris.
6. Kadir or Kadǝr – Signifying Abdulqadir, suggesting “servant of the Able.”
7. Bukar/Aboor/Gawai/Garwa – Meaning Abubakar, which translates to “father of the little girl.”
8. Garga – Denoting Ali, representing “the one who will become high.”
9. Ngari – Referring to Usman, the esteemed Caliph.
10. Bunu/Sanda/Gasau or Yarema/Umara – Symbolizing Umar, the respected Caliph.
11. Maaji/Kur – Representing the first-born child in a family.
12. Butari – Denoting Abu Talib, uncle of the Prophet Muhammad.
13. Gaji – Signifying the last born child in a family.
14. Chellu – Used when the second of three consecutive births is of a different sex from the first and third.
15. Kawu – Representing a set of twins.
16. Wasainyi – Denoting Hussaini, representing the martyr Imam Hussain.
17. Gambo – Given to a child born immediately after a set of twins.
18. Dulo – Used for a child from multiple births, such as triplets.
19. Jabba – Given to a person born at the peak of the rainy season.
20. Sǝrwa – Used for a person born during late rains.
21. Asham/Armalan – Given to a person born during the month of Muslim fasting, Ramadan.
22. Aji or Baitu – Used for a person born during the month of pilgrimage, ‘Dhul Hajj.’
23. Maulud – Signifying a person born on the twelfth day of the third month of the Muslim calendar, Rabi’ul Awwal.
24. Ngubdo ‘the discarded’ – Referring to a child dropped at a refuse dumping site known as ‘Ngubdola.’
25. Kundili/Buzu – Given to a child who is very sickly.
26. Wagani – Used when a child’s father dies before the child is born.

More Kanuri Names

1. Abatcha/Abacha/Awuza/Bocu (Awa Chabe) – Meaning ‘the father is reborn,’ given to a child born when one of their grandparents died recently.
2. Surumbi ‘the repayment’ – Given to a person’s deceased immediate brother.
3. Tar – Short for Mukhtar, meaning ‘The Chosen One.’
4. Modu/Mommodu/ Allemin – Representing Muhammad, the revered prophet.
5. Dunoma – Signifying ‘The strong one.’
6. Du’u – Short for servant.
7. Laminu – A variation of ‘Al-ameen,’ meaning ‘the trustworthy.’
8. Kalla – Referring to Musa, the prophet Moses.
9. Mammadu – A variant of ‘Mahmud or Muhammad.’
10. Taibu – Denoting ‘The pure one.’
11. Tar – Short for Mukhtar, meaning ‘The Chosen One.’
12. Konto, Kontoma – Referring to Adam, the first man.
13. Sumain or Sumail – Signifying Ismai’l, the prophet Ishmael.
14. Yaya – A variant of ‘Yahaya,’ representing John the Baptist.
15. Jiwurla – A name named after an angel, Jibirl (Gabriel).
16. Kawui – Referring to a species of hardwood tree in the savanna as well as a kind of fish.
17. Wasayni – A variant of Husaini, representing the martyr Imam Hussain.
18. Kashim – A variant of Kasim, meaning ‘divider.’

Kanuri Female Names and Their Meanings

1. Ngumuri – Given to a girl born on Sallah day.
2. Aji or Baitu – Used for a person born during the month of pilgrimage, ‘Dhul Hajj.’
3. Madari – Representing Hauwa, meaning ‘Mother of a newborn.’
4. Maulud – Signifying a person born on the twelfth day of the third month of the Muslim calendar, Rabi’ul Awwal.
5. Shawwallam – Given to a girl born during the tenth month of the Islamic Calendar; Shawwal.
6. Londo/Alima/Kawudi/Kodo/Kula – Representing Halima, the wet nurse of Prophet Muhammad.
7. Ngubdo ‘the discarded’ – Referring to a child dropped at a refuse dumping site known as ‘Ngubdola.’
8. Kundili/Buzu – Given to a child who is very sickly.
9. Budu – Representing Maryam, the Virgin Mary.
10. Durtu – Used when a child’s father dies before the child is born.
11. Yecca/Yedza (Yachabe) – Meaning ‘the mother is reborn,’ given to a child born when one of their grandparents died recently.
12. Surumbi ‘the repayment’ – Given to a person’s deceased immediate sister.
13. Amsa/Yamara/Hamsatu/Mara/Kalu/Kawul/Kawule – Representing Hafsat, a popular female name.
14. Tukule/Karu/Fandi/Fandau/Falta/Falmata/Yaalta/Kolo/Batul/Bintu/Fanne/Fanna – Signifying Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad.
15. Botul/Botula/Busam/Fusam/Dungule/Fanta/Fotuma/Fusam/Koshi/Kului/Lefa/Lewa/Zari – Another form of the name Fatima.
16. Balu/Asma – Representing Bilkisu, meaning ‘lover of wealth.’
17. Foji/Kuura/Mangu – Representing Hadiza, meaning ‘descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.’
18. Madari/Mada – Another form of the name Hauwa.
19. Yaruwaiya – Referring to Rukayya, a revered figure in Islamic history.
20. Maida/Aisa/Aida/Aisa/Asha/Ashe/Bintu/Boli/Maida/Mali/Shetu

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FAQs on Kanuri Names, People

1. Who are the real Kanuri?
The Kanuri are an African ethnic group that live mainly in the lands of the former Kanem and Bornu Empires in Niger, Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon. They are descendants of the ruling Saifawa dynasty of the Kanem Empire, which was founded sometime before 1000 CE.

2. What is the meaning of Yagana in Kanuri?
Yagana is a female name in Kanuri that means “happiness” or “joy”. It is also the name of a poet and activist from Borno State, Nigeria, who writes in Kanuri and Hausa languages.

3. Is Kanuri a Hausa?
No, Kanuri is not a Hausa. Kanuri and Hausa are two different ethnic groups and languages in West Africa. Kanuri belongs to the Saharan branch of the Nilo-Saharan language family, while Hausa belongs to the Chadic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. However, most Kanuri speakers can also speak Hausa as a second language, since Hausa is the most widely spoken language in northern Nigeria.

See also: Romantic Hausa Names and Their Meaning

4. What are the Kanuri language called?
The Kanuri language is called Kanuri or Kànùrí in the language itself. It is also sometimes called Beriberi by outsiders, but this term is considered pejorative by the Kanuri people.

5. Is Yoruba related to Kanuri?
No, Yoruba is not related to Kanuri. Yoruba and Kanuri belong to different language families and have different origins. Yoruba is a Niger-Congo language that belongs to the Volta-Niger branch, while Kanuri is a Nilo-Saharan language that belongs to the Saharan branch. However, there are some historical and cultural connections between the Yoruba and the Kanuri, as both groups have interacted with other groups such as Benin, Igala, Jukun, Nupe, Borgu, and Hausa.

More Questions

6. How many types of Kanuri are there?
There are several types or dialects of Kanuri, some of which are considered as distinct languages by some linguists. Ethnologue divides Kanuri into the following languages:

• Central Kanuri, also known as Yerwa Kanuri, which is the main dialect spoken in Borno State, Yobe State, and Gombe State in Nigeria, and also in southeastern Niger.
• Manga Kanuri, which is spoken in eastern Niger and northeastern Nigeria, mostly in Yobe State, Jigawa State, and Bauchi State.
• Tumari Kanuri, which is spoken in western Chad and eastern Niger.
• Bilma Kanuri, which is spoken in the Bilma oasis in northeastern Niger.
• Kanembu, which is spoken in western Chad and northeastern Nigeria, mostly in Borno State. Kanembu is sometimes considered as a separate ethnic group from the Kanuri.

7. Who founded Kanuri?
Kanuri is not a single entity that was founded by one person, but rather a collective name for various groups that trace their origins to the Kanem Empire. The founder of the Kanem Empire is not known for certain, but according to oral tradition, it was Sayf ibn Dhi Yazan, who was said to be an Arab from the Arabian Peninsula. He established the Saifawa dynasty, which ruled Kanem and later Bornu for about 800 years.

8. Where did Kanuri originate from?
Kanuri originated from the Central South Sahara, where they were one of many Nilo-Saharan groups that lived as pastoralists. They began their expansion in the area of Lake Chad in the late 7th century, and absorbed indigenous Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo, and Chadic speakers. They established the Kanem Empire, which later became the Kanem-Bornu Empire, and dominated the region for a thousand years.

See also: 25 Christian Hausa Names and Meaning

9. Which tribe is Kanuri?
Kanuri is not a tribe, but an ethnic group that consists of several subgroups and dialect groups. The term “tribe” is often considered as inaccurate and inappropriate to describe African societies, as it implies a primitive and homogeneous culture. Kanuri is a diverse and complex group that has a rich history and culture, influenced by Islam, trade, and politics.