West African surnames reflect one of the most diverse and culturally layered regions in the world, encompassing countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and others. Surnames here are often tied to ethnic identity, lineage, spirituality, and ancestral achievements—with naming customs shaped by Indigenous traditions, Islamic influence, and European colonial rule and evangelization.
West African surnames naming conventions
Surnames like Keita, Camara, Diallo, and Toure are linked to past dynasties, clans, or castes among Mande-speaking peoples in nations like Mali, Guinea, and Senegal. One's place in society, ancestry, or spiritual significance may also be reflected in these names.
Islamic naming customs are prevalent among the Hausa and Fulani communities in Nigeria and Niger. The region's early and ongoing Islamic past is reflected in the prevalence of Arabic-based surnames, such as Abubakar, Usman, and Aliyu.
Akan, Yoruba, and Igbo surnames have profound significance in Ghana and Nigeria. For example, Nkrumah, Adebayo, or Okonkwo could represent ancestry, virtues, or birth circumstances. Despite pressure from colonizers and missionaries to take on European surnames, many of these names were kept alive through oral tradition.
Western surnames were partially adopted or imposed as a result of the English, French, and Portuguese naming systems brought about by European colonialism, especially in countries like Liberia and Cape Verde; however many families continued to use their traditional names. Some of these names became surnames among Afro-Caribbeans, like Lucumí, Yolofe and Mandinga.
West African surnames are still strong symbols of ancestry, pride in culture, and historical memory today, and they are essential for genealogical research as well as for defining one's own identity.
See also
Explore more about West African surnames
- Discover the origin of your last name at MyHeritage
- Africa- Collection Catalog at MyHeritage
- Ashanti Diaspora at Geni
- Ghanaian Last names
- 50 Nigerian Last Names With Meanings And (Igbo/Yoruba Origins)
- Ivorian name database
- Le Sénégal et ses noms de famille, entre histoire et mélodie
- Surnames. The Creola Genealogist. Cape Verdean genealogy and history