Amharic and Ethiopian baby names
Handpicked for families who want names with roots: the beloved classics, what parents in the culture choose today, and the cool discoveries most US name sites never surface.
Abebe he grew, he flourished (Olympic legend Abebe Bikila)
Alemu his world
Almaz diamond
Amanuel Ethiopian form of Emmanuel
Bekele a beloved classic given name
Bemnet my right hand
Bereket blessing
Bethlehem city of Christ's birth (Betelhem)
Biniam Ethiopian form of Benjamin
Dawit Ethiopian form of David
Eden paradise (shared with the English Eden)
Elias Ethiopian form of Elijah
Etenesh you are the one, matchless
Eyob Ethiopian form of Job
Fasil refers to Emperor Fasilides, builder of the Gondar castles
Feven my joy
Fikru his thought, his idea
Frehiwot fruit of life
Genet paradise, garden of Eden
Girma dignity, esteem
Haile power, might (Haile Selassie, Haile Gebrselassie)
Hana grace, mercy (shared with Hannah)
Helen classic name tied to Ethiopian Orthodox legend of the True Cross
Kalkidan promise
Kebede a beloved classic given name
Kidus holy
Liya mine, belongs to me (also linked to Leah)
Mahlet psalm, song
Mekdes sanctuary, temple
Mekonnen historic royal name (Ras Mekonnen, Haile Selassie's father)
Menelik legendary founding emperor, son of Solomon and Sheba
Meron our light, our gift
Meskerem September; the Ethiopian New Year month
Mikael Ethiopian form of Michael
Nahom comforted
Naomi biblical name, common across Ethiopia
Nardos spikenard, the fragrant plant of the anointing oil
Nathnael Ethiopian form of Nathanael
Rahel Ethiopian form of Rachel
Ruth biblical name, common in Ethiopian Orthodox tradition
Saba refers to the Queen of Sheba; also means 'morning'
Samuel biblical name, widely used
Sara princess (biblical, widely used)
Selam peace
Semhal listen, pay attention
Solomon Ethiopia's royal lineage claims descent from King Solomon
Sosina flower
Tesfaye my hope
Tigist patience
Tsion Ethiopian form of Zion
Wolde son of (common classic prefix, also used standalone)
Yared Saint Yared, founder of Ethiopian Orthodox liturgical music
Yohannes Ethiopian form of John
Yordanos Ethiopian form of Jordan, the river
Yosef Ethiopian form of Joseph
Zerihun his help, his aid
Which of these fits YOUR family? →