Our Rwandan name database contains 410 Rwandan surnames and 1.972 Rwandan first names categorized by gender and frequency. After payment you can download the Rwandan name database in CSV, SQL or JSON format. Africa is very poor organised and has no open data initiatives. The list of names from countries like Rwanda are very limited to the names we know from other countries. The Rwandan names are validated using official governmental databases we received in other countries which contained Rwandan names as well. To create the Rwandan name database we used 5.249 validated Rwandan social media profiles. We have a detailed explanation of our methodology and illustrate our approach with several examples.

Popular Rwandan surnames

This table show popular Rwandan surnames. In Rwanda, surnames are inherited through the paternal line, meaning that children take on the surname of their father. The surname is also used as a way to identify and connect individuals to their ethnic and regional origins. However, in recent years, there has been a push for women to retain their maiden names after marriage.

Surname Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Mugisha 47 0.9% Ugandan Burundian American
Ishimwe 47 0.9% American Ugandan Burundian
Iradukunda 32 0.6% Burundian American Belgian
Nshimiyimana 31 0.6% Belgian Burundian Danish
Mugabo 31 0.6% Ugandan American Mahoran
Kwizera 31 0.6% Ugandan Burundian British
Habimana 31 0.6% Burundian Belgian Cameroonian
Rukundo 30 0.6% Ugandan American Canadian
Patrick 29 0.6% American British French
Nsengiyumva 28 0.5% Burundian American Ugandan
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 5.249 Rwandan social media profiles.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this surname also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Rwandan first names

In Rwanda, parents typically pick a first name for their child based on traditional naming customs and cultural significance. They often choose a name that has a special meaning or significance to the family, such as the name of a deceased relative or a name that is associated with a particular trait or characteristic. Parents also consider the gender of the child and the meaning of the name in relation to the child's future. They also take into consideration the meaning of the name in their culture, as well as its pronunciation and how easy it is to pronounce.

Popular Rwandan male names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Emmanuel 64 1.7% Nigerian French Mexican
Patrick 55 1.5% American British German
Mugisha 55 1.5% Ugandan Burundian American
Eric 52 1.4% American French Canadian
David 46 1.2% American British Spanish
Rukundo 42 1.1% Ugandan Burundian Mozambican
Olivier 38 1.0% French Belgian Canadian
Manzi 32 0.9% Ugandan Canadian American
Innocent 32 0.9% Nigerian Mahoran Pakistani
Christian 32 0.9% American German British
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 5.249 Rwandan social media profiles from which 3.702 (71%) is male.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Popular Rwandan female names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Ishimwe 67 4.3% Burundian British American
Shema 40 2.6% American Mexican British
Muhire 23 1.5% Ugandan Emirati Belgian
Uwase 22 1.4% Belgian American Canadian
Aimé 22 1.4% French American Mexican
Tuyisenge 19 1.2% Burundian German Kenyan
Grace 13 0.8% American British Irish
Emmy 13 0.8% American Nigerian British
Umutoni 12 0.8% South Korean Zambian Danish
Cyuzuzo 12 0.8% Belgian
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 5.249 Rwandan social media profiles from which 1.547 (29%) is female.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.