Liberian Names Whose Origin or Meanings are known

Bassa Names

The Bassa people - can be found in Liberia,  Sierra Leone,  Nigeria and Cameroon.  In Liberia they occupy central Liberia and can be found in Grand Bassa, Rivercess, and Montserrado counties.

Religion: Christian, traditional religion.  Language: Bassa

Bassa Names - Girls 

Dechontee, Fortee, Janjay, Mardea -  means First Girl, Mayupleh, Monji, Sundaymah, Tomah, Wlejii, Wlojii

Bassa Names - Boys

Garnahweh, Gartee, Garyupleh, Garmuyu, Sundaygar, Togar

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Kissi Names

The Kissi people inhabit the thick tropical forests of Guinea, as well as small areas in Liberia and Sierra Leone. They speak a Niger-Congo language called Kisi (or Gizi). For many generations, the Kissi have been known as a hard working people. They are very age-oriented, dominated and led by the elderly. To learn more about the Kissi people of the West African region, click here...

Boys Name

Girls Name

Kpelle Names

The Kpelle people can be found in Liberia, Guinea and Ivory Coast.  They spread over from central Guinea to the Capital city of Liberia, MonroVai.  A small group live near the Ivorian-Gunean frontier.  The largest tribal group, Kpelle is spoken with different accents depending on the region.  Kpelle words and phrases are found in Lorma, Kissi, Gbendi,  Mendi of Sierra Leone, Mendigo, Soso, Vai, Gola, Mano, Timene of Sierra Leone; and many Languages in Guinea.

Religion:  Christian-Luthern-Methodist  traditional belief system.
Language:  Kpelle

Girl Names

Bindu (also popular amongst the Vai people), Fahnlohnee, Gblormehn, Korto, Miata (also Vai or Gola), Mehnmah, Korlu or Kor-korl, Nowa, N?yamen, Lurpu, Garmenh, Kortolo, Nyanpue, pahn, Gorpue, Konah, Suah, Gormenh, Zoe, Gborlormenh, Kehper

Kpassi Kpangbah - A famous Paramount chief from Bong County who was considered one of the best Chiefs from the county.

Boy Names

Kpangbah (or Kparngbah, Kparnkpai), Kparsi, Manhtee, Toimu, Togba or Tokpa, Flomo, Yarkpawolo, Cammue, Kollie, Paye or Paye-see-lerh, Garteh, Zaowolo, Kpakelah, Yakpazuah, Siakoh, Dolo, Wamah

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More Names from Liberia

• Dwede (pronounced "dwe-day". This is a female's name meaning Dwe's Mother; as you would say Junior's Ma or Pa.)

• Mamawa (MAWAY) (This is another female's name meaning small-mother. This name is for someone who is the name-sake of your mother or grandmother or just another older person you call Ma or Mama in the family)

• Sianeh ( is actually " Sie-Anyene" which means Sie's Wife. If your
  husband's name is Sie, and a girl is named after you, you may decide to call her this name to reflect your love and honour for your husband

• Wahde (pronounced "Wah-Day" means Wah's Mother. Again if you have a son called WAH, and a girl is named after you, you can choose to call that child Wahde reflecting your love and respect for your son Wah.

• Wonlay (this name can be given to either a boy or girl child. Actually
  it is pronounced "War-nie" and means "Tired". This name is given a girl
  whose parents have lost a lot of children in either childbirth/childhood.
  They are simply saying that "We are tired of all troubles/problems.)

• Yenplu ( is actually pronounced "NYENE-PLU" and the name means
  "White Woman". It is given to a considered-beautiful girl child).

• Dwe (the name DWE is a boy's name, and for a girl it is "NYENE-DWE". NYENE is Woman or Wife. Dwe is the Grebo name for an elephant and so this name is given to a person who is great, strong and power, and sometimes even big.

Kru Names

Kru Girls

• Soe-Tehpoe (or Tehpoe for short)- boy name In Liberian kru. Means I'm not to be blamed / I'm not responsible for what happened.

 

Mano Names

The Mano people are found in Northeastern Liberia and Guinea.  Religion: Traditional religion, Christian.  

Mano Boys Names Gonlekpei - Man under the hut Luogon - Boy born after the death of a sibling Nyahn - 2nd born Nyeayea - The eyes can see if it last long Nenwon - For the sake of a child Paye - 3rd born Saye  - 1st born Wonbin - Vanity Yeanue - life has come.   Zokaya - Heart should be patient

Mano Girls Names Kou -1st born Yah - 2nd born Yei - 3rd born Norn -4th born Luolay - Girl born after the death of a sibling Wonkehmi - Only the one who takes action knows the outcome. Bendu - Wise woman or an elderly woman in the Mano tribe.

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Gio Names

Suah is a boy's name. The name comes from Liberia, West Africa and it belongs to the dialect of Gio. The name "Suah" means "A new era, a new beginning"

It is pronounced Sue-ah. Sue as in a girls name and Ah- as in "Ah, that hurts." or like the sound you make after you had a refreshing drink. Su-ah not Su-uh.

Click here to listen to correct pronuncation of the name Suah

Vai Names

The Vai people can be found in both Liberia and Sierra Leone. In Liberia, they are concentrated in  the western part of the country in Cape Mount, near the Sierra Leone border.  

Religion: Muslim, traditional religion, Christian.   Language: Vai

Vai Names - Girls

Vai - Names Boys

Ansa,  Baimba, Konah, Sando, Varney, Foday,  or Folley, Armah, Jahn, Karmo, Pese, Sao, Boima Konah, Konowa, Gboto, Lami, Bonokai, Kaijaah

Siaka - meaning "the child who OPENED his mother", a graphic version of "first-born