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.
Janha m & f ShonaMeaning "one's turn; chance; opportunity".
Jilele m TumbukaMeans "rear yourself" or "be self reliant" in Tumbuka. Can be given to orphans, or to children expected to be independent early in life.
Kambeu m ShonaKambeu means "little seed".
This name may be given to a child who was very small at birth Kamoyo m Tumbuka, ChewaMeans "life" in Tumbuka and Chewa, often given to babies born prematurely.
Kamwendo m ChewaMeans "walking from place to place; traveller" in Chewa language.
Karikoga m ShonaMeans "one who is alone". The name may be given to say that one who lives alone or was born alone without siblings.
Kganya f & m SothoMeans "brightness" or "(God's) light" in Sesotho.
Khwezi m & f ZuluMeans "bright morning star" in Zulu.
Kotani m TsongaPossibly from the Xitsonga
kota meaning "able, talented".
Kuchinei m ShonaKuchinei means "What more is left to do, to see or to say"
This name may be given by a parent who is at their wit's end. The Zimbabwean singer of the 1970-80s Kuchinei Chikupo was one well known bearer of this name.
Kwayedza m & f ShonaMeaning “the sunlight or morning light has dawned” or “the sunrise has dawned”.
Langa m ZuluFrom Zulu
ilanga "sun, sunshine, day".
Leago m & f TswanaMeans "His (God's) alter" in Setswana.
Lefika m Sotho“My Rock” It’s used in Lesotho and South Africa
Lemogang m Tswana, SothoA known bearer is South African actor Lemogang Tsipa (1991-), who was born to a Pedi father and a Tswana mother.
Linda m ZuluMeans "wait!" in Zulu (note that this is the imperative singular form of
-linda).
Liyabona f & m XhosaMeans "it sees" or "you see" in Xhosa, sometimes taken from the phrase
liyabona igama le Nkosi meaning "the name of the eye of God".
Liyema f & m XhosaMeans "to stop" or "to stand, to be standing" in Xhosa, often taken from the phrase
liyema ikhaya "the home is standing" to indicate stability in the family.
Luchumo m & f XhosaPossibly means "expanding, flourishing" or "prosperity" in Xhosa.
Luphelo m XhosaMeans "the end, the last" in Xhosa, often given to the last child to be born in a family.
Luyando m & f TongaMeans “To Love” in Tonga. Related to the Tongan name Yandwa.
Mabasen m & f KhoekhoeName mainly used by damara speaking people in Namibia.The name means "stand for yourself" used to encourage and teach an individual independance.
Mabvuto m & f NsengaName given to a child born when there was trouble/problem in the family or community. For instance war, drought, pestilence
Maitaishe m & f ShonaIt means "You have done it Lord" or simply, "Thank you Lord."
Majaya m ShonaGiven to the last male born of the the family born in the same year. If families have male children in a given year the last to be born normally carries the name. The year of boys.
Maru m & f TswanaMeans cloud. In setswana culture anything which has to do with water, which is a precious commodity is loved. Clouds bring rain and so are welcomed wherever they appear.
Mashawila m NsengaMeaning manzi yabila "boiling water", Derived from Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Fall) "the smoke that thunders".
Masimba m ShonaMeans "powers, energy" in Shona. Other meanings are possible.
Masiye m & f ChewaMeans "orphan" in Chichewa, literally translating as "leavings", as in something left behind by a dead person.
Mateo m ShonaIt is the Shona version of the name Matthew.
Maveletiveni m SwaziA famous bearer is Maveletiveni Dlamini, son of Mswati III, King of Eswatini and his first wife Queen laMatsebula.
Mesuli m & f Xhosa, ZuluMeans "wiper (of tears)" in Xhosa, suggesting someone who brings an end to sorrow.
Miriro f & m African, ShonaStarted in the early 1900's. Name was given to the second born daughter of the family. Name means "to be expected." Basically the one who was waited for.
Mixo m & f TsongaMeans "dawn, morning" in Xitsonga.
Mnotho m & f ZuluMeans "economy" or "rich, wealthy" in Zulu.