Our Tanzanian name database contains 1.187 Tanzanian surnames and 4.872 Tanzanian first names categorized by gender and frequency. After payment you can download the Tanzanian 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 Tanzania are very limited to the names we know from other countries. The Tanzanian names are validated using official governmental databases we received in other countries which contained Tanzanian names as well. To create the Tanzanian name database we used 17.800 validated Tanzanian social media profiles. We have a detailed explanation of our methodology and illustrate our approach with several examples.

Popular Tanzanian surnames

This table show popular Tanzanian surnames. In Tanzania, surnames are often passed down from the father to the children. Children typically take on the surname of their father, although some families may choose to use the mother's surname as well. In some cases, particularly among ethnic groups, surnames may also indicate a specific clan or tribe. Additionally, many people in Tanzania may also have traditional names, which are given at birth and may be used alongside their surname.

Surname Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
John 176 1.0% American British Nigerian
Joseph 158 0.9% American Nigerian Indian
Juma 141 0.8% Kenyan American Congolese
Peter 125 0.7% Nigerian Hungarian American
Ally 113 0.6% American Mahoran British
Charles 90 0.5% American British Nigerian
Boy 89 0.5% American British Nigerian
Paul 87 0.5% American Indian British
Mushi 87 0.5% American Mahoran Mexican
Mohamed 84 0.5% Egyptian Dutch Algerian
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 17.800 Tanzanian social media profiles.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this surname also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Tanzanian first names

In Tanzania, parents typically pick a first name for their child based on cultural and family traditions. Many names have specific meanings and are chosen to reflect the child's personality or the parents' hopes for their child's future. Some names may be chosen to honor ancestors or family members, while others may be chosen based on religious or spiritual beliefs. Parents often consult with family members and community leaders before making a final decision on a name.

Popular Tanzanian male names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Emmanuel 183 1.3% Nigerian French Mexican
Joseph 166 1.2% American British Nigerian
John 164 1.2% American British Canadian
Frank 161 1.2% American German Dutch
Peter 126 0.9% British American Dutch
Juma 121 0.9% Kenyan Pakistani Ugandan
Kelvin 108 0.8% American British Kenyan
David 108 0.8% American British Spanish
Michael 101 0.7% American British German
James 99 0.7% British American Australian
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 17.800 Tanzanian social media profiles from which 13.731 (77%) is male.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Popular Tanzanian female names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Ally 139 3.4% American British Canadian
Young 49 1.2% American Nigerian British
Amani 41 1.0% American Saudi Arabian Egyptian
Irene 38 0.9% Spanish American Italian
Yohana 36 0.9% Venezuelan Indonesian Colombian
Neema 36 0.9% American Kenyan British
Elly 29 0.7% Dutch British American
Grace 25 0.6% American British Irish
Elisha 24 0.6% American British Nigerian
Elia 23 0.6% Italian Spanish American
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 17.800 Tanzanian social media profiles from which 4.069 (23%) is female.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.