A praise name is a figurative or descriptive name that is given to either a person, animal, clan, deity, or inanimate object. They are usually laudatory and refer to a quality or action, though in the pursuit of essentialising something they can be derogatory. They often comprise the basis for praise poetry, serve as permanent titles, or as terms of formal address that reinforce status.
Praise names are most often given to people, and royal courts tended to have a professional poet or group of poets who composed and sung them for the ruler. They can be metaphorical and draw comparisons to animals and natural phenomena. Yoruba praise names () serve as titles which can be given by friends, though are usually given by drummers. In Sotho culture, it is common for someone to compose a praise name for themselves. In Dogon culture, children receive a praise name () which serves as a personal motto. In Southern Africa, praise names for someone's clan are used on formal occasions (eg. (based on which means "crocodile") can be used for anyone belonging to the Tswana Kwena clan).
In Acholi culture, praise names are often given to long-horned cattle. Hausa praise names () can be given to inanimate objects, such as the (a three-stringed lute). Praise names can also be given to deities, such as the Somali names ("the Curer") and ("He who is without need or want") for Allah, or the Igbo name ("God has done well") for Chukwu. Among Fulani, praise names are known as jammoore.