This is a list of submitted names in which the gender is unisex; 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.
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’.
Akatendeka m & f ShonaMeaning "one who is faithful", deriving from the verb
kutendeka.
Aluwani m & f VendaMeans "be prosperous" or "grow up" in Tshivenda.
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.
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.
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.
Chapasi f & m TumbukaMeans "earth, dirt, belongs to earth" in Tumbuka, often given after other children in the family have died.
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]
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.
Ditiro m & f ShonaMeaning "acts" or "actions". Deriving from the verb
kuita.
Dumisa m & f TumbukaMeans "praise, worship" or "thank you" in Tumbuka.
Endlani m & f TsongaFrom the Xitsonga
endla meaning "make, create, do".
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]
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]
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.
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".
Janha m & f ShonaMeaning "one's turn; chance; opportunity".
Kganya f & m SothoMeans "brightness" or "(God's) light" in Sesotho.
Khwezi m & f ZuluMeans "bright morning star" in Zulu.
Kwayedza m & f ShonaMeaning “the sunlight or morning light has dawned” or “the sunrise has dawned”.
Leago m & f TswanaMeans "His (God's) alter" in Setswana.
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.
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."
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.
Masiye m & f ChewaMeans "orphan" in Chichewa, literally translating as "leavings", as in something left behind by a dead person.
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.
Motsi m & f ShonaMeans "first one" or "one who has matted hair" in Shona.
Muambiwa m & f VendaMeans "the one who is spoken of/about" in Tshivenda.
Mumba m & f BembaMeans "inside the house" in Bemba.
Munesu f & m ShonaMeans "God is with us" or "God is within us" in Shona.
Munonzwaishe m & f ShonaIt means "You Lord are one who hears" or simply, "You hear the Lord".
Mwaziona m & f NsengaThis is a Nsenga name given to both boy and girls. It means "Have you seen" or "Have you seen yourselves".
Nangamso f & m XhosaMeans "future" or "even tomorrow" in Xhosa, figuratively "thank you". Often intended as being part of a phrase such as
ungadinwa nangomso meaning "don’t be tired tomorrow". Meant to convey gratitude, and the hope for more of the same in the future.
Ndarama m & f ShonaIt means "gold", this name serves as a given name and a surname.
Nhamo m & f ShonaIt means "suffering; woes; disaster".
Nkhumbwizhya m & f NsengaMeaning admire for a while. Name given to a baby after his/her siblings die as babies.
Nokutenda m & f ShonaMeans "with gratitude (associated with faith in God)" in Shona.