These
name are used by speakers of Nguni languages.
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.
Akahlulwa m & f Xhosa (Modern)Means "undefeated, unbeatable", possibly taken from the title of the gospel song ‘Akahlulwa lutho uuJesu’.
Amile m Zulusomething keeping a structural holding making sure things are balanced in life.
Andisiwe f & m XhosaMeans "expanded, increased" or "extension" in Xhosa.
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.
Awonke m & f XhosaMeans "united" or "we are all here" in Xhosa, often given to the last-born child in a family.
Bafana m ZuluDerived from Zulu
abafana, the plural form of
umfana, meaning "boy, young man."
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".
Bongi f Xhosa, Southern AfricanShort form of
Sibongile. This was borne by South African singer and songwriter Angela Sibongile "Bongi" Makeba (1950-1985), the only child of singer Miriam Makeba... [
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Cetshwayo m ZuluMeans "advised" in Zulu. This was the name of a Zulu King,
Dela f Zulu (Rare)Dela. in Zulu it means to become whole, to feel complete and satisfied.
Fanyana m ZuluFrom Zulu
umfanyana,
abafanyana meaning "little boy".
Ghakarhi m ZuluThe meaning of this name is fierce warrior. A person not accepting defeat as an option.
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... [
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Gugu f Zulu, XhosaFrom Zulu
igugu meaning "precious, valuable" or "treasure".
Hlomla m & f XhosaMeans "to comment on something" in Xhosa.
Ijuba f ZuluCommonly it is meaning Dove or Peace. Less common in means storm or fighting. It also means freedom in some local tribes. It is said many years ago a great war loomed. Fighting had started but one warrior championed the cause of peace and unity... [
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Inyoni f ZuluDerived from Zulu
inyoni meaning "bird".
Jabu f ZuluThe name's origin meaning is "It is the shortened form of the name Jabulani which means joy or to rejoice"
Khanyokulhe f ZuluMeans "guide on the way" in Zulu from the word
khanyo meaning "guide" and
kuhle meaning "way".
Khwezi m & f ZuluMeans "bright morning star" in Zulu.
Langa m ZuluFrom Zulu
ilanga "sun, sunshine, day".
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.
Luchulumancolwenkosi f XhosaThis name is a scared name. Taken from words the Ancient King of the AmaMpondomise clan King Vukuzumbethe. He used to say “ lulo uchulumanco lwenkosi” which meant “this is God’s happiness”... [
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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.
Maveletiveni m SwaziA famous bearer is Maveletiveni Dlamini, son of Mswati III, King of Eswatini and his first wife Queen laMatsebula.
Mbalienhle f Ndebele, ZuluMeans "beautiful flower" in Zulu and Ndebele, from
mbali "flower, flowers" and
enhle "something that is beautiful of nice".
Mesuli m & f Xhosa, ZuluMeans "wiper (of tears)" in Xhosa, suggesting someone who brings an end to sorrow.
Mnotho m & f ZuluMeans "economy" or "rich, wealthy" in Zulu.
Mswati m SwaziTwo famous bearers of this name are Mswati II (1825-1868) and Mswati III (1968 -), Kings of Swaziland. Mswati is not their birth name but their name as monarchs.
Mthakathi m Zulu, XhosaMeans "witch," from 'thakatha' meaning "to bewitch" in Xhosa or "to practice witchcraft" in Zulu.
Mzwandile m Xhosa, ZuluMeans "the house has expanded" in Xhosa, idiomatically referring to a growing family.
Nambitha f XhosaMeans "to savour, to enjoy" in Xhosa, encouraging the child to savour life.
Nandi f ZuluMeans "sweet" in Zulu. This was the name of the mother of
Shaka, famed warrior king of the Zulus in colonial South Africa (though her grave is marked
Nindi).
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.
Nokhanyo f XhosaMeans "light, shine" or "enlightenment" in Xhosa.
Nokuzola f XhosaApparently means "quiet", "calm" or "peace" in Xhosa.
Ongezwa f XhosaMeans "addition, one who was added" in Xhosa.
Qondiwe f XhosaPossibly related to
qonda, meaning "to understand".
Rolihlahla m Xhosa, Southern AfricanMeans "pulling the branch of a tree" in Xhosa, colloquially "stirring up trouble" or "troublemaker". This was the given name of Nelson Mandela (Rolihlahla Mandela) and is now typically attributed to him as a middle name.
Samkeliso m SwaziIn Swazi culture this means, a gift has been given. In Swaziland, the meaning of names is determined by the circumstances around the birth.
Sandisiwe f XhosaMeans "increased" or "we have been added to" in Xhosa.
Shumise f Xhosa10 shillings or 10 bob, created by the father of Alice Jean Shumise Madinga.... [
more]
Sicalo m SwaziA famous bearer is Sicalo Dlamini (1987-) son of Mswati III, King of Eswatini and his first wife Queen laMatsebula.
Simdingile m & f Xhosa, ZuluPossibly means "we need this", derived from Xhosa and Zulu
dinga meaning "to need, to require".
Simphiwe m & f ZuluMeaning "we have been given him/her" in Zulu.
Sinenhlanhla f ZuluMeans "we have luck" in Zulu, from
sine "we have" and
inhlanhla "luck".