THE 2026 FIELD GUIDE IS HERERead the trend report

Names that mean Joy.

For the child who arrived like laughter.314 names across 15 peoples.

AbayomiBorn to bring me joyYorubaanyAbebaBlossom—a cheerful name suggesting a child who brings beauty and new happiness into the family.AmharicfemaleAbigaileA beloved daughter who brings her father joyLingalafemaleAdebayoThe crown meets joyYorubamaleAdedayoThe crown has created joyYorubaanyAdetayoThe crown is worthy of joyYorubaanyAdoA son who beautifies and brings joy to the familyHausamaleAdunayoSweetness and joyYorubafemaleAfrahJoyful happiness and glad celebrationsFulanifemaleAfrahArabic: joys, happiness, or celebrations.SomalifemaleAhofadiFreedom, self-determination, and the joy of living without constraintAkananyAhomkaJoy, pleasure, sweetness, or delight.AkanfemaleAkintayoA brave person worthy of joyYorubamaleAkinwumiA child whose courage and strength bring pride and joyYorubamaleAneleThe family feels complete; there is enough joy and blessing.XhosaanyAnigyeJoy and happinessAkananyAnuliJoy and happinessIgbofemaleAnulikaJoy is greater; a child who brings abundant happinessIgbofemaleAnuliorahJoy is greater; a child who makes the family’s happiness overflowIgbofemaleAnuriJoy and gladnessIgbofemaleAnwuliJoy; a joyful blessingIgbofemaleAnwulikaJoy is greater; an ever-increasing joyIgbofemaleAppiahA common Akan male personal and family name; the specific “brings joy to the family” gloss is not reliably established.AkanmaleAsanyusaA child who makes the family happy and fills the home with joy.LugandaanyAweleJoy, happiness, or delight.IgbofemaleAyoJoyYorubaanyAyoadeJoy crowned with honor; a celebratory name for a treasured child.YorubamaleAyobamiJoy accompanies me; this child brings lasting happiness.YorubaanyAyobunmiJoy has given me this; joy has bestowed on me.YorubaanyAyodejiJoy has doubledYorubaanyAyodeleJoy has come homeYorubaanyAyokaJoy surrounds us/is all around.YorubafemaleAyomideMy joy has arrivedYorubaanyAyomikunMy joy is complete and overflowing because of this child.YorubaanyAyomipoMy joy has become abundantYorubafemaleAyoolaJoy and prosperityYorubaanyAyorindeJoy has come home; a lovely name for a child who completes the family.YorubamaleAyotobilobaA child whose joy is abundant, noble, and deeply treasuredYorubaanyAyotolaJoy is sufficient wealth and honorYorubafemaleAyotomiwaMy joy is sufficient/complete for me.YorubafemaleAyotundeJoy has returnedYorubaanyAyotundunJoy is sweet again; joy has become sweet anew.YorubafemaleAyowunmiJoy delights me; a warm expression of the happiness this child brings.YorubafemaleBabatundeThe father has returned, bringing joy to the familyYorubamaleBadriyaArabic-derived; bright, beautiful, and full of joySwahilifemaleBarakaA blessing, expressing gratitude for the happiness and good fortune a child brings.WolofanyBashiirA child who brings wonderful news and happinessSomalimaleBashiraA bringer of good news and happinessFulanifemaleBashiraA girl who brings joy, hope, and good newsHausafemaleBashiriA bringer of joyful news and happiness.SwahilimaleBasimSmiling and cheerful—a child who brings happinessWolofmaleBasmaArabic-derived — a smile or expression of happinessSomalifemaleBasmaA radiant smile and a source of happinessWoloffemaleBayoMeet joy; joy has arrivedYorubaanyBolingoLove—the deep affection and happiness a child brings into the homeLingalaanyBouchraThe glad news and happiness brought by a long-awaited child.WoloffemaleBukelwaWelcomed and received with joyXhosafemaleBusayoAdd to joy and happinessYorubaanyBuyileThe one who has returned, bringing joy back homeXhosaanyChinazaekpereGod answers prayer; a long-awaited child welcomed with happinessIgbofemaleChisekoLaughter, amusement, or a joke; in some contexts, mockery.ShonaanyChumaniMay he live with cheerfulness and joy.XhosamaleDadiA delightful child who brings pleasure and happinessHausaanyDakaraiRejoice; a child who brings happiness and celebrationShonamaleDalisileShe has brought happiness and delightXhosafemaleDariyaA warm indigenous Hausa name associated with laughter, happiness, and joyHausafemaleDayoJoy has arrivedYorubaanyDelneshA cherished traditional name associated with happiness and well-beingAmharicfemaleDesalechYou have brought joy, a tender celebration of a much-loved daughter.AmharicfemaleDesalegnI am happy; a child who brings joyAmharicmaleDesetHappiness and delight—a warm name for a much-loved daughter.AmharicfemaleDestaJoy; happinessAmharicanyEdenEden; a place of delight and paradiseAmharicanyEjiwunmiTwins bring me great joyYorubaanyEkundayoSorrow has turned into joyYorubaanyEniayomiThe one who brings me joyYorubaanyEsengoJoy and thanksgivingLingalaanyEssanyuJoy and happiness, a lovely expression of gladness.LugandaanyEyitayoThis child is worthy of celebration and joyYorubaanyFadzaiBe happy and bring happiness to othersShonafemaleFadzisai“Make happy” or “bring happiness.”ShonaanyFadzisoA source of happiness and joyShonaanyFarahJoy and happinessFulanianyFarahJoy and happinessHausafemaleFarahArabic faraḥ: “joy,” “delight,” or “happiness.”SomalimaleFarahJoy, gladness, and happinessSwahilifemaleFarahJoy and happiness—the delight this child brings into the home.WoloffemaleFarhanA joyful child who fills the family with happiness.WolofmaleFarihaJoyful and full of happinessFulanifemaleFarihaA joyful woman who brings happiness to othersSwahilifemaleFartuunA fortunate, joyful life filled with happinessSomalifemaleFarxadHappiness and gladnessSomalianyFarxiyaA joyful girl who brings happinessSomalifemaleFarxiyoJoy and delightSomalifemaleFeliciteHappiness and good fortuneLingalafemaleFelicityHappiness and joyIgbofemaleFeyisayoIfa has become joyYorubaanyFeyitayoIfa has become worthy of joyYorubaanyFikayoAdd to joy; increase joy.YorubaanyFissehaJoy and gladnessAmharicmaleFiyinayoGive praise to joy; praise joy.YorubaanyFiyinlayoPraise has become joy; praise is turned to joy.YorubaanyFolasayoIfa has brought joyYorubaanyFoluwasayoGod has brought joyYorubaanyFunlayoGive me joyYorubaanyFunmilayoGive me joyYorubafemaleFurahaJoy and happiness in the familySwahilianyGabisileShe has brought happiness and joyZulufemaleGcobisaOne who brings happiness and joyXhosafemaleGikenoJoy and happiness—a lovely name for a child who brings delight to the family.KikuyuanyGugulethuOur pride and joyXhosafemaleGuledSomali/Cushitic: one who brings joy and good fortuneSomalimaleHagosJoy or happinessAmharicmaleHamdiyaA daughter who inspires praise and thankful happinessSomalifemaleHamisaiBring happiness; make joyfulShonamaleHanaArabic: happiness, bliss, or enjoyment.SomalifemaleHaniyaArabic-derived: joyful and full of happinessSomalifemaleHappinessA joyful child who brings happinessShonafemaleHappinessJoy, delight, and a life filled with gladnessYorubaanyHappymoreMore happiness.ShonamaleHayatuA son who brings vitality and joy to the familyHausamaleHuriomaJoy is good — a warm celebration of happiness and goodness.IgbofemaleIbidunBirth is sweet and brings happinessYorubaanyIbikunleA birth that fills the home with joyYorubaanyIbitayoA birth that brings joyYorubaanyIbtihajArabic-derived: happiness and delightHausafemaleIbtihajJoyful delight and happinessSwahilifemaleIbtisamSmile, celebrating the happiness and warmth a child bringsAmharicfemaleIbtisamArabic-derived; a smile and the happiness it bringsSwahilifemaleIfedayoLove has blossomed into joyYorubaanyIfelayoLove has joy; love is joyful.YorubafemaleIfemayoLove brings joyYorubaanyIfetayoLove is joyYorubaanyIfraaxJoy, gladness, and a life full of celebrationSomalifemaleIfrahA child who fills the family with joySomalifemaleImoleayoThe light of joyYorubaanyImpumeleloSuccess and the joy of achieving one’s goalsZulumaleIntisarVictory and triumph, celebrating a child who brings strength and joyAmharicfemaleIreayoGoodness and joyYorubaanyIsakaHe will laugh; a child who brings joyLugandamaleIsakaA form of Isaac, meaning “he laughs” or “laughter.”LingalamaleIshaqArabic-derived: Isaac, a name connected with joy and a long-awaited blessingHausamaleIshaqA joyful name traditionally connected with laughterWolofmaleIyadunniA mother who is a delight and blessingYorubafemaleJabulileShe has brought joy and happinessZulufemaleJannatA child who brings the peace and joy of paradiseAmharicfemaleJannatArabic-derived: paradise and heavenly joyHausafemaleJannatArabic-derived: paradise, a name filled with hope for eternal happinessSomalifemaleJesulayomiJesus is my joyYorubaanyJoieJoy and happinessLingalafemaleJolaWealth brings joy and honorYorubafemaleJoviaA modern female given name used in Uganda, probably related to Latin Jovian/Jove rather than a Luganda word meaning “joy.”LugandafemaleJoyJoy and gladnessLugandafemaleJoyJoy and gladnessKikuyufemaleJoyceAn English given name ultimately associated with the Breton name Iodoc/Josse, often interpreted as “lord”; its modern association with joy comes partly from its spelling.LugandafemaleJoyceEnglish female name, commonly associated in modern use with “joy”; its deeper historical etymology is not simply the English noun in every usage.KikuyufemaleJumaA child associated with the blessings and joy of gathering togetherAmharicmaleKasanaSunshine — a bright and cheerful name associated with warmth and happinessLugandamaleKayoJoy has comeYorubaanyKayodeJoy has arrivedYorubamaleKayosolaJoy has added to wealthYorubafemaleKhayriyaA good and blessed child who brings joySomalifemaleKitoA precious treasure and source of joySwahilianyLadunSweetness, joy, and honorYorubafemaleLayoWealth brings joyYorubaanyLayodeJoy has arrivedYorubaanyLayomiMy joyYorubaanyLeticiaLatin-derived: joy and gladnessSwahilifemaleLonwaboA child whose arrival fills the family with happiness.XhosaanyLuvuyoJoy and happinessXhosamaleLuyoloJoy and happinessXhosaanyMafaroJoy, happiness, or gladness.ShonaanyMapamboliBlessings—a child welcomed as a source of happiness and good fortuneLingalaanyMasanyuJoys and blessings: a warm name celebrating the happiness surrounding a child’s arrival.LugandaanyMasekaLaughter and smiles—a child who fills the family with joyLingalaanyMasrurJoyful and filled with happinessFulanimaleMauaFlowers—beauty, color, and blossoming joySwahilifemaleMayowaBring joy; a lovely wish for happiness to enter the family.YorubaanyMbayangA woman whose presence brings joy and honorWoloffemaleMeronJoy—a bright name celebrating the happiness of a new child.AmharicanyMihlaliJoys; one who brings happinessXhosafemaleMireilleA French feminine name, used in Francophone Congo; usually connected with Provençal Mireio and interpreted as “to admire” or “admirable,” not “one who brings joy.”LingalafemaleMojirayoI wake to find joy.YorubafemaleMojolayoI wake into honor and joy.YorubafemaleMorayoI see joy; a bright name celebrating happiness.YorubaanyMotunrayoI have found joy again.YorubafemaleMthokozisiOne who brings happiness or joy.XhosamaleMthokozisiOne who brings joy and thanksgivingZuluanyMubaarakBlessed and welcomed with joySomalimaleMubarakBlessed—a child whose arrival brings blessing and happinessFulanimaleMubarakA blessed child whose arrival brings happiness to the family.WolofmaleMubarakaA blessed girl and a source of joyHausafemaleMufakose“All happiness” or “complete happiness,” associated with mufaro wose.ShonaanyMufaroHappiness and joyShonaanyMukenoHappiness and gladness, celebrating the joy this child brings.KikuyuanyMukenyoA smile—the happiness and warmth brought by a beloved child.KikuyufemaleMurnaJoy and celebrationHausaanyMusanyusaOne who brings happiness to the family and makes other people rejoice.LugandaanyMvuyisiOne who brings happiness and joyZulumaleNaciimaArabic-derived: blessed ease, happiness, and spiritual comfortSomalifemaleNaimBlessed with peace and happinessSwahilimaleNajaxA successful child who brings pride and happinessSomalifemaleNakasanaSunshine — a warm, radiant name for a child who brings joyLugandafemaleNandiphaA child who gives the family great happinessXhosafemaleNanyonjoThe happy one; a daughter who brings joy to her family.LugandafemaleNashwaExhilaration, delight, or ecstatic joy.HausafemaleNcamisileShe has made things sweet or pleasant; a name of warmth and delightZulufemaleNifemidayoMy love has brought joyYorubaanyNifemilayoMy love is joyYorubaanyNjabuloJoy and happinessZulumaleNokuthokozaWith joy and happinessZulufemaleNoluvuyoA daughter who fills the family with joyXhosafemaleNomavuyoMother of joy; one who brings happinessXhosafemaleNomvuyoMother of joy; a daughter who brings happiness to her familyXhosafemaleNontokozoWith joy and happinessZulufemaleNoyoloJoyful; one who brings happinessXhosafemaleNwabisaShe brings happiness and brightens people's livesXhosafemaleNwadiutoSweet and precious child; a loving name celebrating the joy a child brings homeIgbofemaleNyamekyeGift from God—a beloved child received with joyAkananyNyamutswaA hopeful name for new life and the return of joy to the family.ShonaanyOjotayoRain is worthy of joy—a welcome blessing.YorubamaleOjowaleRain has come home, bringing renewal and joy.YorubamaleOladayoWealth has become a source of joyYorubamaleOlatayoWealth or honor is joy.YorubamaleOludayoGod has created joy; this child is a blessing to celebrate.YorubamaleOlumilayoThe Lord/God gives me joy; my God is joy.YorubafemaleOluwabusayoGod has added to my joyYorubaanyOluwadayoGod has brought joy through this child.YorubamaleOluwafisayoThe Lord has added joyYorubaanyOluwafunmilayoGod has given me joyYorubaanyOluwajomilojuGod has brought joy to my faceYorubafemaleOluwakayodeGod has brought joyYorubaanyOluwamayowaGod has brought joyYorubaanyOmiwunmiWater brings me happiness and refreshment.YorubafemaleOmobolanleThis child brings prosperity and happiness into the home.YorubafemaleOmolayoA child who is joy itself and brings happiness to the family.YorubafemaleOmotayoThe child has become a source of joy and celebration.YorubaanyOmotundeThe child has returned joy to the family and gives everyone a reason to celebrate.YorubafemaleOmowunmiThis child delights me and fills my heart with happiness.YorubafemaleOnwabileHappy, contented and full of joyXhosaanyPaskalConnected with Easter and the joy of renewalAmharicanyPaskaliChristian name associated with Easter and the joy of renewalSwahilimaleRaghadA life of comfort, happiness, and abundance (Arabic-derived)SomalifemaleRahaJoy, comfort, and a peaceful presenceSwahilifemaleRamaA Senegalese short form, often of Ramatoulaye/Rahmatullah-related names; it does not have a securely established independent meaning of “happiness” or “delight.”WoloffemaleRufaroJoy and gladnessShonaanySaadArabic-derived name expressing happiness, good fortune, and a prosperous life.HausamaleSaadA fortunate child destined for happinessSwahilimaleSaadGood fortune, happiness, and a life filled with blessingWolofmaleSaadaHappiness, good fortune, and contentmentFulanifemaleSaadaHappiness and good fortuneHausafemaleSaadaHappiness and good fortuneSwahilifemaleSaadatuA bringer of happiness and prosperityFulanifemaleSaadatuArabic-derived; happiness and good fortuneHausafemaleSaadiaFortunate and blessed, with hopes of happiness and prosperityFulanifemaleSacdA fortunate and joyful child who brings happinessSomalimaleSadiyaA fortunate and joy-bringing girlHausafemaleSaidA fortunate child whose life brings happinessFulanimaleSaidaA happy and fortunate girl whose presence brings delight.WoloffemaleSamiirA pleasant companion whose conversation brings warmth and happinessSomalimaleSanyuJoy and happiness—the delight a much-loved child brings. In Buganda, Sanyu is a personal given name and does not replace the child’s inherited clan affiliation.LugandaanySaudatuArabic-derived; blessed with happiness and good fortuneHausafemaleSayoJoy; often used as a short form of names such as OlasayoYorubaanySekaiMay you laugh often and bring laughter to othersShonaanySeydouFortunate and blessed, with a life of happiness and good prospectsFulanimaleShukriyaA daughter received with grateful joySomalifemaleSinovuyoWe have joy because of this childXhosaanySiyamukelaA warmly welcomed child received with joyZuluanySodaA Senegalese female name, often treated as a local form related to Arabic Saada/Sa‘ada, “happiness” or “good fortune.”WoloffemaleSotayoMay wealth bring joy; a warm wish for a prosperous and happy lifeYorubaanySouadHappiness, joy, and good fortuneWoloffemaleSsanyuJoy and happinessLugandaanySuadHappiness, good fortune, and joyAmharicfemaleSucaadAn Arabic-derived name meaning happiness and good fortuneSomalifemaleTafaraWe have rejoiced; this child has brought us joyShonamaleTambudzaiBring us happiness and rejoicingShonafemaleTayoJoy has comeYorubaanyTegegneA precious child who has been found and welcomed with joy.AmharicmaleTekesteA long-awaited child whose arrival brings joy.AmharicmaleTemidayoMy own has become joyYorubaanyTemitayoWhat is mine is worthy of joy.YorubaanyThabisaOne who brings happiness and joyZulufemaleThabisileShe has made us happy; has brought happiness.ZulufemaleThabisoJoy and happinessZulumaleThokozaniRejoice; may this child bring happinessZulumaleThokozileShe has brought happiness and celebrationZulufemaleTichafaraWe will rejoice; a joyful name expressing hope for happiness aheadShonamaleTitilayoEverlasting joyYorubafemaleTubaBlessedness, goodness, and happinessHausafemaleTunrayoRenewed joyYorubafemaleUbaxA beautiful flower who brings brightness and joySomalifemaleUgonnaA proud name expressing the joy and honor a child brings to a father.IgboanyUkamakaA warm name expressing delight in faith, worship, and spiritual community.IgbofemaleUvuyoThe joy this child bringsXhosamaleValentinaA strong, healthy child who brings love and happinessSwahilifemaleVaraidzoJoy, delight, or happiness.ShonafemaleVitusA child blessed with life, vitality, and joySwahilimaleVuyisaOne who brings happiness to othersXhosamaleVuyisaniMake happy; bring joy.XhosamaleVuyisileThis child has brought us joyXhosaanyVuyiswaShe has been made happy; a name celebrating joy and gladnessZulufemaleVuyoJoy; a child who brings happinessXhosaanyVuyoJoy; happiness.ZuluanyVuyokaziA greatly joyful child; precious happinessXhosafemaleVuyolwethuOur joy; the happiness belonging to all of usXhosaanyWaleCome home; a warm wish for a child who brings joy back into the familyYorubamaleWaleedArabic-derived: a newborn child, welcomed with joySomalimaleWoleCome into the home and bring happiness with youYorubamaleYalwaAn indigenous Hausa name expressing abundance, prosperity, and the joy of having plentyHausafemaleYolisaShe brings happiness to those around herXhosafemaleYoliswaA child who brings happiness and delightXhosafemaleYonwabaBe happy; a blessing of happiness for the familyXhosaanyZandiswaA daughter whose arrival has enlarged the family’s happiness and blessings.XhosafemaleZororaA child who brings peace, calm, and restful happinessShonaany