All Of The African God Names And Their Mythologies
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In a continent so large with so many different cultures, there are lots of different belief systems in Africa.
African Gods are woven into the fabric of much of the cultural heritage found on the continent. They are an important part of many people's belief systems and identities.
There is no single God of Africa, as each region has its own supreme God and other Gods and Goddesses based on their practices.
In different countries of Africa, there are different Gods and Goddesses from different African mythologies that are worshipped. The practice of worshipping these ancient Gods and Goddesses from mythology in Africa is still hugely important today, the names of some African Gods are even used as first or family names in some areas.
Here you can find out about the ancient African deities and some of the most popular names of African Gods.
If you like this list of African God names and meanings, you might learn more from these African last names with meanings and history or these African boy names.
Berber Gods
The Berber people are an ethnic group in Africa. Here are the names of some Bereber Gods from this African mythology. Some of these names are also used as male African names for new babies.
1. Ammon, the God of life.
2. Antaeus, a popular God among the Berber people.
3. Anzar, the God of rain.
4. Ashaman, the supreme God among the ancient Berber Canary Islanders.
5. Atlas, the Libyan mountain God.
6. Auliswa, a God worshipped at Pomaria, Tlemcen.
7. Belus, a Berber God who was the son of the Goddess Libya.
8. Froarangan, the Canarian God of men.
9. Guraya, the name of a Saint in Kabylie.
10. Gurzil, the Libyan God of the sun, also the God of war in Syrtes.
11. Idir, a name of divinity.
12. Poseidon, the Libyan God of the sea.
13. Sinifere, the God of war among the Luguata, this God is identified with Mars.
14. Suggan, this God name is pronounced Seggen.
15. Iguc, the God of the rain, found among the Berghwata of Morocco.
Dahomey Gods
The Dahomey is a prominent tribe in Africa. Find out some of the names of the Dahomey Gods below.
20. Agé, the patron God of hunters and the wilderness including the animals within it.
21. Avrikiti, the fisherman God.
22. Da, a God and the son of Mawu and Lisa.
23. Egberun, these are deities of protection and prosperity.
24. Fa/Ifa, the God of knowledge and wisdom.
25. Gu, the God of war and the patron deity of craftsmen and smiths, he is the son of Lisa and Mawu. According to mythological stories, he was sent to make the earth a nicer place for people to live, and he has not yet finished this task.
26. Lisa, one of the creator deities of Dahomey and the son of Dan.
27. Okanu,the dream God. This God name tops the list of African baby boy names.
28. Sakpata, the smallpox God.
29. Zinsu, a twin magician that is semi-divine.
30. Zinsi, the second twin magician that is semi-divine.
Egyptian Gods
Ancient Egypt is understood to have been the center of modern civilization in Ancient Africa. A lot of the mythology of Africa is rooted in that of Egypt, and these beliefs have influenced other tribes and nations.
Many prominent African Gods and Goddesses originated from Egyptian mythology, such as the African God of love, of thunder and lightning, of earth, and of so many other things. You cannot talk about African mythology without mentioning that of Egypt. Here are some African Gods' names found in Egypt.
31. A'ah, the early God of the moon who evolved into Iah. He is also known as Yah.
32. Aken, the keeper of the boat which ferries souls across Lily Lake into the Field of Reeds in the afterlife. He is only mentioned in the Book of the Dead.
33. Aker, guards the western and eastern horizons of the afterlife. At dusk and dawn, he protected the sun barge of Ra as it entered and left the underworld.
34. Am-Heh, meaning "devourer of millions" and "eater of eternity," is a God of the underworld who lived in the lake of fire.
35. Amun (Amun-Ra), the God of the air and sun. He was the patron of the city of Thebes and was worshipped as part of the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut and Khonsu. He is one of the most powerful and well known Gods of ancient Egypt.
36. Ba'al, the God of the storm originally from Phoenicia. The meaning of the name is "Lord" and he was only worshipped in Egypt in the later period of the New Kingdom (1570-1069 BCE) as a major deity in Canaan.
37. Babi (Baba), was the God of virility, he was depicted as a baboon.
38. Banebdjedet, the God of fertility who is shown as a man with a ram's head or as a ram and is associated with the city of Mendes, an alternative name for Osiris.
39. Celestial Ferryman (Hraf-haf), the name means "he who looks behind him", the unfriendly boatman who ferries the souls of the justified dead to the shores of paradise in the Field of Reeds across Lily Lake.
40. Dedun, the God who protects resources, especially goods that come from Nubia. He is originally a deity of Nubian.
41. Denwen, a serpent deity surrounded by flames depicted in the form of a dragon. He was strong enough to destroy the Gods and held power over fire. He is overpowered by the spirit of the dead King who saves creation when he attempts to kill all the Gods with his breath of fire.
42. Duamutef, the God who protects the canopic jar containing the stomach, one of the four sons of Horus. He had the form of a jackal and was in charge of the east, he watched over by the Goddess Neith.
43. Geb,the God of the earth and germinating things. He is the son of Tefnut and Shu, husband to the sky God, Nut.
44. Gengen Wer, meaning "great honker". He was there at the beginning of creation, responsible for guarding the celestial egg containing the life force. He is a protector God worshipped in the very early history of Egypt.
45. Horus, the God of the sky associated with hunting and war, he is the son of Osiris and Isis.
46. Osiris,one of the important deities in Egypt. He represents death, resurrection and the flood of the river Nile that the Egyptians relied on for agriculture.
47. Ptah, the leader of a triad of Gods.
48. Seth, the God of violence, chaos, storms and the deserts. He is either depicted as an animal or a human with an animal head.
Guanche Gods
The Guanche people also worship some notable Gods. Here are the names of some Gods found in the Guanche mythology.
49. Abora, a traditional God of the Guanche people, he is the God of the solar system.
50. Magec, thought of as one of the principal divinities and is also known as the God of the sun and light.
51. Maxios, are genies or minor Gods and are protectors of certain places.
Igbo Gods
This Gods' names list is not complete with some deities from the eastern part of Africa. Some of the names of Ancient African Gods on this list are also used as last names among some families, reflecting the immense significance of these Gods. These are some names of Igbo Gods.
52. Agwu, a major God, sometimes viewed as a Goddess depending on the manifestation it chooses.
53. Amadioha, is known as the most popular and strongest God in Igbo tradition. He is the God of thunder and lightning.
54. Ikenga, means “place of strength” and is the God of war and strength.
55. Agwu Nsi, the God of divination and health.
56. Igwekala, the popular God that visited every four years as a masquerade during the December festive period.
57. Anyanwu, the God of the sun as is found in all religions.
58. Ogbunabali, means “the one who kills at night” is said to be the Igbo God of death, his victims are criminals and those who committed atrocities.
59. Onwa, is the God of the moon, he also guides the dead to the afterlife.
Yoruba Gods
Yoruba mythology is a very interesting one. It is one of the most popular mythologies in Africa and a list of African Gods and Goddesses cannot be made without including African mythology Gods from the Yoruba tribe.
These prominent Nigerian Gods and Goddesses are well known and studied all over the world. These Yoruba Gods are some of the most common West African deities.
60. Aganjú, a Yoruba deity that was also a warrior King who walked with a sword as his staff and is associated with fire. He is not associated with volcanoes in the Yorùbá tribe, as opposed to what is believed in the Cuban worship of the deity.
61. Ọbalúayé, the Yoruba God of the earth who is associated with the cause of infectious disease and healing.
62. Èṣù, the Yoruba God of balance, and is usually placed at crossroads.
63. Ibeji, Yoruba twin Gods of youth and vitality.
64. Ọbàtálá, known as the one who created the human body, and is the Yoruba God of light, also associated with spiritual purity and moral uprightness.
65. Odùduwà, progenitor God of the Yoruba people.
66. Ògún, the Yoruba God of iron, fire and war.
67. Olodumare, is the divine Yoruba God of creation.
68. Olofi, the Yoruba God of the conduit between earth and heaven.
69. Olorun, the divine Yoruba God of heaven.
70. Osanyin, the Yoruba God of medicine, herbs and forests.
71. Oṣùmàrè, is associated with creation and procreation, known as the divine rainbow serpent.
72. Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì, the Yoruba God of hunting, strategy and knowledge, also associated with the forest.
73. Ṣàngó, the Yoruba God of the thunders and lightning.
Zulu Gods
Each region in Africa has its own deities that they believe in. The gods and goddesses are worshipped by people in different parts of Africa and are deeply engraved in African culture.
Therefore names of gods and goddesses play a huge role. Here you will find some of the prominent gods and goddesses in South Africa, some of these names are also used in South Africa as names of people.
74. Kitaka, the earth goddess.
75. Sagbata, the earth god for the people of Benin.
76. Mamlambo, the river goddess.
77. Uthalanga, the god of creation.
78. Majaji, the goddess of the rain.
79. Inkosazana, the goddess of agriculture.
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Bachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights
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With a wealth of international experience spanning Europe, Africa, North America, and the Middle East, Anusuya brings a unique perspective to her work as a Content Assistant and Content Updating Coordinator. She holds a law degree from India and has practiced law in India and Kuwait. Anusuya is a fan of rap music and enjoys a good cup of coffee in her free time. Currently, she is working on her novel, "Mr. Ivory Merchant".
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