Basenji Puppy Naming Guide: Authentic Lingala Options

If the Basenji isn't the most ancient dog breed, it certainly ranks among the top five. According to DNA evidence, the breed descends from Asian wolves, and because there was some migration from that region, a few breeds that originated in Asia could be slightly older.

A Breed with Millennia of History

Nevertheless, the Basenji has existed for thousands of years and has performed its tasks efficiently throughout that time. It is a hunter, intelligent enough to herd game into nets.

When Europeans came across the Basenji in the late 1800s, they judged the dogs against European standards of intelligence. Because the Basenji didn't meet those standards, it was labeled one of the least intelligent breeds. Europeans at the time considered a dog intelligent if it responded promptly to commands; the Basenji, however, does what is best for the situation rather than simply obeying orders.

Today, the Basenji can still be found in villages across the Congo, particularly in regions where Lingala is spoken.

French is an official language throughout much of the Congo Free State, but if you want an authentic name for your dog, consider a Lingala word.

Since you likely can't name your dog after an ancestor or relative as people in a Lingala village might, here are some authentic names you can use.

Lingala Words Also Used as Personal Names

Name	Meaning	What to call your dog

Banga

a surname

| | |

Bisengo

joy

Sengo

| |

Bobóto

peace

Boto

| |

Bolingo

sweetie

Lingo

| |

Bosembo

fairness

Sembo

| |

Cephu

pygmy

| | |

Kengo

a male name

| | |

Kimba

| | | |

Kitengi

a male name

Tengi

| |

Moké

small

Moki

| |

Moseka

young girl

Seka

| |

Likoki

rich

Koki

| |

Longo

a surname

| | |

Nyangoma

a female name

Goma

| |

Pelo

| | | |

Seko

| | | |

Tabu

| | | |

Titi

a female name

| |

Basenji sleeping on a bean bag

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A well-known myth among the Central African people concerns the Basenji's relationship with God. As God's companion, the Basenji was frequently sent on errands and instructed on what to convey to the people on Earth. Being clever, the dog realized that if it couldn't speak, God would stop sending it on errands.

From that day on, the Basenji has not spoken.

More Lingala Words That Make Excellent Dog Names

Name	Meaning	What to call your dog

Bino

you all

| | |

Bésú

green

| | |

Bitumba

a fighter

Tumba

| |

Esengo

happy

Sengo

| |

Indo

black

| | |

Koswa

a biter

| | |

Kotosa

to be respectful

Tosa

| |

Kúfa

to die

| | |

Leki

little brother (or sister)

| | |

Loba

speak!

| | |

Mayel

clever

| | |

Mbongo

money or expensive

Bongo

| |

Mbwá

dog

Mowba

| |

Moko

loner

(also means number one)

| |

Sánzá

the moon

| | |

Sika

new

| | |

Tane

red

Tani

| |

Yaka

come!

| | |

Yamba

embrace

| |

The Basenji is a remarkable dog and certainly not among the ten least intelligent breeds.

Any dog that can figure out what is expected during a hunt is intelligent. Is the Basenji the best at following commands in obedience training? Probably not. If that is crucial to you, there are other breeds to consider.

Since you are reading this, you have likely already chosen a Basenji and now need a special name. I hope you have found an authentic Lingala name for your new puppy. If this list didn't have what you were looking for, keep these points in mind:

Choose names that are short and easy to pronounce. You might seek a native Lingala speaker for help, but most words here are not difficult. Just do your best.
If you find a long name you really want to use, pick a nickname to call your dog and start using it immediately during training.
For example, if you want to use a name like “Bolingo” (Love or Sweetie) that doesn't suit your dog, shorten it and call your dog “Boli” or “Lingo.” You can decide which is best, but try the new name and let your dog have a say too.
Avoid overused names from top 10 or top 25 lists.
Don't give your dog a silly name that it will outgrow.
Take plenty of pictures. Basenjis are cute and photogenic, but puppies grow up fast.