This is a list of submitted names in which the gender is masculine; and the usage is Southern African.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Abafile f & m ZuluMeans "they are not dead" or "undead" in Zulu.
Abarahama m ShonaMeans "one who has birthed or fathered relatives", derived from Shona
kubara "to bear offspring, to bud" and
hama "relatives". This is the Shona equivalent of
Abraham.
Achiko m & f ShonaA shorter form of the name
Achiriko, meaning "one who remained" or "one who is still there".
Achiriko m & f ShonaA unisex name meaning "one who still remains there".
Afara m & f ShonaMeaning "one who is happy or joyous".
Akahlulwa m & f Xhosa (Modern)Means "undefeated, unbeatable", possibly taken from the title of the gospel song ‘Akahlulwa lutho uuJesu’.
Akani m TsongaMeans "build, build together" in Xitsonga.
Akatendeka m & f ShonaMeaning "one who is faithful", deriving from the verb
kutendeka.
Aluwani m & f VendaMeans "be prosperous" or "grow up" in Tshivenda.
Amile m Zulusomething keeping a structural holding making sure things are balanced in life.
Amukudzaishe m ShonaIt is a name that means, "He has put the Lord in a high place" or "He has exalted the Lord", a shorter version of the name is
Amukudza.
Amutenya m OvamboMeans "midday" in Ovambo. This name is traditionally given to children born during the afternoon.
Anaishe f & m ShonaDerived from Shona
anashe, meaning "who is with God".
Andisiwe f & m XhosaMeans "expanded, increased" or "extension" in Xhosa.
Andzile m & f TsongaMeans "multiplied and increased" in Xitsonga.
Anele m & f ZuluMeans "be enough; be sufficient; be adequate" in Zulu.
Angula m OvamboMeans "morning" in Ovambo. This name is traditionally given to children born in the morning.
Aphelele m & f Xhosa, ZuluMeans "complete, whole, all present" in Xhosa and Zulu. Often given to the last child to be born in a family.
Aseka m ShonaMeaning “he laughs; he who has laughed”.
Asekei m ShonaIt is a name which asks a question, meaning “what does he laugh at?” or “what has made him laugh?”
Ashira m & f ShonaMeaning “receive; accept; welcome”, the fuller version of the name is
Gashira.
Awonke m & f XhosaMeans "united" or "we are all here" in Xhosa, often given to the last-born child in a family.
Azwianewi m & f VendaMeans "something that cannot be told" in Tshivenda.
Bafana m ZuluDerived from Zulu
abafana, the plural form of
umfana, meaning "boy, young man."
Banga m ShonaMeans "knife" or "sword" in Shona. Banga is the name of a Ngbandi god of water.
Bapaki m TswanaMeans "those who give testimony" in Setswana.
Bartho m Dutch, AfrikaansShort form of
Bartholomeus. Notable bearers of this name include the Dutch actor Bartho Braat (b. 1950) and the South African writer Bartho Smit (1924-1986).
Bheki m Zulu"The person that's broadminded, able to think further about future needs and wants".
Bhekumbuso m Zulu (Rare)Means "look after the kingdom", from Zulu
bheka "look after" and
umbuso "kingdom, dominion".
Bvumai m ShonaBvumai means "Admit".
This may be a name given to say to adversary admit that you were wrong, you were defeated or that you committed the offence Cetshwayo m ZuluMeans "advised" in Zulu. This was the name of a Zulu King,
Chapasi f & m TumbukaMeans "earth, dirt, belongs to earth" in Tumbuka, often given after other children in the family have died.
Chenjerai m ShonaChenjerai means "Be on guard, wisen up". Chenjerai Hunzvi the Zimbabwean Freedom Fighter is one bearer of this name.
Chibvwimbo m TumbukaMeans "bird's nest" in Tumbuka, with implications of working hard or providing shelter and comfort.
Chimika f & m TumbukaAfter miscarriage(s), family would use traditional medicine (herbs, roots, barks) to prevent a potential next miscarriage. Kumika means "to stop, halt, prevent". Chimika is what you use to stop, prevent, halt... [
more]
Chimurenga m ShonaChimurenga is a Shona word roughly translated to English as, "revolutionary struggle". The Shona language is spoken by the Shona people of Zimbabwe. This word is sometimes used as a given name.
Chipovisule m & f Chewa (Dutchified, Rare)"Chipovisule" is a name of African origin, specifically from Malawi. In Chewa, it means "God is with us" or "God is among us." It carries a sense of divine presence and protection.
Chithuzi m TumbukaMeans "shadow, picture" in Tumbuka, often given after repeated deaths in the family.
Coenie m AfrikaansDiminutive of
Coenraad. This name is borne by South African rugby player Coenie Oosthuizen (1989-) and South African musician Coenie de Villiers (1956-).
Danismo m Southern AfricanThe meaning of Danismo is "Jubilant and Content with one's life and experiences." Commonly used to describe someone who has had good fortune recently.
Ditiro m & f ShonaMeaning "acts" or "actions". Deriving from the verb
kuita.
Dumisa m & f TumbukaMeans "praise, worship" or "thank you" in Tumbuka.
Dzikamai m ShonaDzikamai means "settle down".
The name is given to express the idea of settling down and not jumping from one relationship to another or one project to another. The former Zimbabwean Minister and MP, Dzikamai Mavhaire is one well known bearer of this name.
Dzinashe m ShonaDzinashe means "It's with the Lord". One well known bearer of this name is Dzinashe Machingura.
Eghard m Germanic, AfrikaansThe first element of this name is derived from
ag, an uncertain element for which several etymologies have been proposed. The most widely accepted explanation is that it comes from Proto-Germanic
*agjo meaning "sharp, pointed"... [
more]
Endai m ShonaMeaning "go, depart" or "proceed, progress"; it is the plural of
enda.
Endlani m & f TsongaFrom the Xitsonga
endla meaning "make, create, do".
Fanyana m ZuluFrom Zulu
umfanyana,
abafanyana meaning "little boy".
Fulata f & m TumbukaMeans "second", given to the second-born of twins.
Funye m & f ShonaDeriving from a bird with the same name, known in English as "the go-away bird".
Future m & f English (Rare), Western African, Southern AfricanThis name is from the English word derived from Old French
futur meaning "future, to come," which is then derived from Latin
futurus meaning "going to be, yet to be, the future (as a noun)." The Latin word is an irregular suppletive future participle of
esse meaning "to be," which comes from the Proto-Indo-European root
*bheue- meaning "to be, exist, grow, come into being."... [
more]
Garikai m ShonaMeans "Live well, safe, healthy and prosperous".
Ghakarhi m ZuluThe meaning of this name is fierce warrior. A person not accepting defeat as an option.
Giniel m AfrikaansGiniel de Villiers is a South African rallye driver and winner of Rallye Dakar 2009.
Gondai m ShonaMeans "to trust or place hope in" in Shona.
Goodwill m Zulu, South African, LiteratureDerives from the Medieval English
gode meaning "good", plus
will, "wish or desire", and was originally given as a complimentary nickname to an amiable person, favourably disposed towards others... [
more]
Gwinyai m ShonaGwinyai means "be strong". The Zimbabwean tennis player Gwinyai Tongoona is a famous bearer of this name.
Hakunei m & f ShonaThis is a name that implies and asks, meaning "What is not there?". This is a name given by or to someone who is assumed to be falling short or without, so they name the child "What could be missing?" in a sense of affirmation, so to say there is perfection even if you (all) do not see it or doubt it... [
more]
Hamandishe m ShonaMeaning “one’s relative or family is God”, this name may be given by and/or to someone who is devoted to God, who is an orphan, has no relatives or was abandoned.
Hanu m & f ShonaMeaning “mountain pass”, or “path in the valley”, synonymous with
Haro.
Hazviperi m & f Shona"It does not end". Situational name given in circumstances where family faced unending troubles or trials.
Hlayisani m & f TsongaFrom the Xitsonga
hlayisa meaning "preserve, protect".
Hlengani m & f TsongaFrom the Xitsonga
hlenga meaning "collect, gather".
Hlomla m & f XhosaMeans "to comment on something" in Xhosa.
Igmar m AfrikaansAfrikaans. Combination of his mother and fathers name. Siegfried and Marieta. Ig and Mar. Combined Igmar
Izaso m & f TumbukaMeans "come again, return" in Tumbuka, a plea for deceased relatives to come back.
Izwirashe m & f ShonaIt means "the voice of the Lord", one can also use
Izwi as the shorter form.
Jairiro m & f ShonaIt means "to be used to; accustomation to".