Pure Somali names; For Boys and Girls.

Somali names are unique and have historic ties to our ancient language

The other day, I was discussing with a friend about names and then it got me thinking about how original and pure Somali names are dying out as more and more new parents give their kids Arab names. What makes it worse is many don't name their kids Arabic names that have some relation to Islam like Maxamed and Cabdullaahi or Caasha and Faadumo, which would be understandable and ok, but rather Arabic names like Fahad, Muhannad, Zayn, Rayaan, Kanza, Caaliya, Sabriina, etc.

Can you imagine a Saudi or Yemeni naming his sons Caydiid, Raage or Liibaan or his daughters Hodan, Filsan or Ilwaad? The thought itself is ludicrous. So what then is wrong with us? Below I'm going to list pure names of Somali Cushitic origin. I hope this article longs a long way so it can serve as a resource for young Somali couples looking to name their babies. Of course the following lists are not exhaustive, but I'm going to try and cover as much names as I can. If by any chance there are names you feel aren't original Somali names please point them out. Also feel free to add Somali names that I have missed.

Boy names

The 'diid' names - Xildiid, Caydiid, Saxardiid, Gamadiid, Qaybdiid, Keenadiid The 'leh' names, even though the h in 'leh' is dropped - Samaale, Geelle, Sugulle, Buraale, Ducaale, Rooble, Cosoble, Guutaale, Carraale, Cawaale, Ayaanle, Cigalle, Bullaale The 'doon' names - Abtidoon, Bahdoon, Shirdoon, Coldoon, Samadoon, Gobdoon, Geeldoon The 'ow' names - Culusow, Fiidow, Tooxow, Yalaxow

Aar

Barkhad

Barre

Biixi

Bile

Bootaan

Bulxan

Buux

Cabsiiye

Cartan

Cawad

Cawil

Caynaanshe

Cige

Ciiltire

Ciye

Deeq

Dhiblaawe

Diiriye

Dirir

Faahiye

Gaafoow

Gabeyre

Gacayte

Gadiid

Galaal

Galayax

Galbeyte

Geeddi

Good

Guhaad

Guuleed

Guure

Habbane

Haraale

Hanad

Haybe

Hiiliye

Hirad

Hiroole

Hudle

Hufane

Hurre

Kaahiye

Kadiye

Kayd

Keynaan

Kooshin

Kulmiye

Kunciil

Liibaan

Looyaan

Magan

Mahad

Mataan

Maygaag

Miigane

Mire

Mooge

Naaleeye

Nageeye

Nimcaale

Obsiiye

Odawaa

Olol

Qamaan

Qorane

Samaale

Samakaab

Samatar

Sharmaarke

Shidane

Shire

Shirwac

Sooyaan

Sugaal

Suudi

Waaheen

Waasuge

Wardheere

Warfaa

Warsame

Wayrax

Weheliye

Xalane

Xandulle

Xoosh

Yabaal

Girls Names

Aragsan 

Ayaan 

Barni 

Batuulo 

Baxsan 

Beydan 

Bilan 

Canbaro 

Cawo 

Cudbi 

Cutiya 

Deeqa 

Degmo 

Falis 

Filsan 

Habboon 

Halgan 

Hibaaq 

Hodman 

Hoodo 

Idil 

Idman 

Iftin 

Ilwaad 

Jamaad 

Kaaha 

Kiin 

Koos 

Ladan 

Maandeeq 

Magool 

Milgo 

Quman 

Ruun Saado 

Sagal Saluugla'

Cawrala'

Ceebla' 

Shankaroon 

Siman 

Suubban 

Tusmo 

Ubax 

Ugaaso 

Ugbaad 

Waris 

Warsan 

Wiilo 

Xaadsan 

Xaali