South African Submitted Names

Limpopo m & f South African
From the name of the river in South Africa.

Linda m Zulu
Means "wait!" in Zulu (note that this is the imperative singular form of -linda).

Lindelani f Zulu
Means "wait, be patient" in Zulu.

Lindia f English, South African (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Elaboration of Linda.

Lindileni f South African

Lindo m South African

Lineo f Sotho
Means "gifts, grants, talents" in Lesotho.

Lingadani f Ndebele
Means "don't be sad" in Ndebele.

Linja f German (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Linmaré f South African (Modern, Rare)
Combination of Lynn and Maré, a variant of Marie.

Lipalesa f Sotho
Means "flowers" in Lesotho.

Lisakhanya f South African

Lisebo f Sotho
Means "whispers" in Sotho.

Liselle f English (Rare), French (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
French diminutive of Lise.

Lithea f South African

Litšeho f Sotho
Means "laughter" in Sotho.

Litšehoana m & f Sotho
Means "little laughter" in Sotho.

Livhuwani m & f Venda
Means "be thankful" in Tshivenda.

Liyabona f & m Xhosa
Means "it sees" or "you see" in Xhosa, sometimes taken from the phrase liyabona igama le Nkosi meaning "the name of the eye of God".

Liyana f Zulu, English (Modern, Rare)
Directly taken from Zulu liyana "it is raining". As an English name, it is a variant of Liana.

Liyema f & m Xhosa
Means "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.

Lizelle f Afrikaans
Variant of Liselle.

Lodewicus m Afrikaans
Variant of Lodewikus.

Lodewikus m Afrikaans
Afrikaans (i.e. South African) form of Ludovicus, inspired in its spelling by the Dutch name Lodewijk.

Lodewyk m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Lodewijk.

Lonwabo m South African

Loraina f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), French (Rare), Italian (Rare), Spanish (Latin American, Rare)
Variant of Lorraine.

Lorica f Romanian, Afrikaans

Lorika f Afrikaans
Variant of Laurika.

Loryn f & m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Lorijn.

Louette f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Louw m Dutch, Afrikaans
Dutch variant spelling of Lau (which is more phonetical in nature), and Afrikaans nickname for Lodewikus.

Lovedelia f South African (Rare)

Lubabalo m Xhosa
Means "it is grace" or "grace of God" in Xhosa.

Lubanzi m South African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "wide, deep" in Xhosa, often from the phrase thando olubanzi meaning "vast love".

Lucea f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Luchulumancolwenkosi f Xhosa
This 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”... [more]

Luchumo m & f Xhosa
Possibly means "expanding, flourishing" or "prosperity" in Xhosa.

Lucricia f South African, English (American)
Variant of Lucretia.

Luelle f South African (Rare), Trinidadian Creole (Rare)

Lufuno m & f Venda
Means "love" in Tshivenda.

Lukhanyo m South African

Lukhona m & f Zulu (Modern)
Means "it's available" in Zulu.

Lungelo m & f Zulu
Means "right" in Zulu.

Luphelo m Xhosa
Means "the end, the last" in Xhosa, often given to the last child to be born in a family.

Luphumlo m Xhosa
Means "to rest" or "our relief" in Xhosa.

Luscious f & m African American (Rare), South African
Variant of Lucius (phonetically identical).

Lusea f Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Lucea.

Lusinda f English, South African
Variant of Lucinda.

Luthando m & f Southern African, Xhosa
Means "it's love" in Xhosa.

Luvuyo m South African

Luxon m South African
Transferred use of the surname Luxon.

Luya f Xhosa
Diminutive form of Luyanda.

Luyanda m & f South African, Zulu, Xhosa
Means "it is growing, increasing" in Zulu and Xhosa, referring to love or the child’s family.

Lwandle f & m Tsonga, Zulu
Means "ocean" in Zulu and Tsonga.

Lwazi m South African, Zulu
Means "knowledge" in Zulu.

Lyndall f & m English, South African
Transferred use of the surname Lyndall. This was (first?) used as a given name by the South African author, political activist and feminist Olive Schreiner (1855-1920) for the heroine in her most famous novel, The Story of an African Farm (1883)... [more]

Maanda m & f Venda
Means "power, stength" in Tshivenda.

Madel f Afrikaans

Madelein f Afrikaans
Variant of Madeleine.

Madumetsa m South African

Madzivandlela f Tsonga
Means "know" in Xitsonga.

Maelene f English (Rare), Filipino (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Maylene.

Magdaleen f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Dutch and Afrikaans variant of Magdalene. This name is borne by South African author Magdaleen Van Wyk.

Magdalien f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Magdel f Afrikaans

Magdelena f Afrikaans, English (American, Archaic), Louisiana Creole (Archaic)
Variant of Magdalena.

Maghiel m Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Machiel.

Mahlatse m & f Sotho
Means "lucky" in Sotho.

Mahomed m South African
Form of Muhammad used by South African Muslims.

Maikano f Sotho
Means "vows" in Sotho.

Makasela m Tsonga
Means "go, crawl to towards one's goal" in Xitsonga.

Makaziwe f & m Xhosa
Means "let him/her be known" in Xhosa.... [more]

Makgatho m South African

Makhahlela m Tsonga
Means "beater" in Xitsonga.

Makhanani f Tsonga
Means "joy" in Xitsonga.

Makhokolotso f Sotho
Means "refuse" in Sesotho.

Makhosi f South African

Makhozana f South African, Xhosa

Makungu m & f Tsonga
Means "plan" in Xitsonga.

Maleagi m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Malachias.

Maleka f South African, African American
Possibly a variant of Malika.

Maleshoane f Sotho
Means "ladybird" in Lesotho.

Maletsatsi f Sotho
Means "sun" or "day" in Sotho.

Maline f French (Modern, Rare), French (Swiss, Rare), Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Danish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), English (Modern, Rare), Filipino (Rare)
French form of Malin.

Malisiana f Sotho

Malusi m Zulu
Means "shepherd" in Zulu.

Malwandla m & f Tsonga
Means "hospitality" in Xitsonga.

Mamphaki f Sotho
The name Mamphaki originates from the Northern Region of South Africa within the Bapedi people. The name was originally given to the first wife of Ntsetse Mailula - Mamphaki 'aMasekela. It was passed down within the Mailula family down to this day.

Mandela m & f African American, Xhosa
Transferred use of the surname Mandela given in honour of Nelson Mandela, South African revolutionary hero and statesman... [more]

Mandisa f Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Derived from Xhosa and Zulu mnandi meaning "sweet" or "nice, pleasant".

Manie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Hermanus.

Mankgele f South African

Mannuel m Eastern African (Rare), South African (Rare), Filipino (Rare), African American (Modern, Rare)
Variant of Manuel.

Mantso f Sotho
Means "the dark one" in Sotho.

Maoupa m South African

Maṱoḓzi m & f Venda
Means "tears" in Tshivenda.

Mapule f South African

Maraai f Afrikaans
Variant of Marai.

Marai f Upper German, German (Austrian), German (Swiss), Afrikaans
German variant of Marei and Afrikaans variant of Maria.

Maraliese f Afrikaans (Rare)
Combination of Mara 1 and Liese.

Marchelle f American (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Mardene f English (American, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Possibly a corruption of Martine influenced by Mardi, or a variant of Mardena.

Mareli f Afrikaans
Short form of Marelise.

Marelie f Afrikaans
Variant of Mareli.

Marelise f Afrikaans
Contraction of Maria Elisabeth.

Marelize f Afrikaans
Variant of Marelise.

Marene f English (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Swedish (Rare)

Maresa f Italian, Afrikaans, German (Austrian)
Contraction of Maria and Teresa, Theresa or Theresia.

Mareth f Afrikaans, English (Rare)
Variant of Maretha.

Maretha f Danish (Modern, Rare), Swedish (Archaic), Afrikaans
Variant of Maret.

Mareza f Afrikaans
Variant of Maresa.

Margareet f Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Variant of Margreet and Margaretha.

Marick m Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Marieta f Spanish (Rare), Romanian (Rare), Bulgarian, Armenian, Afrikaans, Polish (Rare), Latvian (Rare), Slovene, Croatian, Lengadocian, Provençal, Gascon, Albanian
Cognate of Marietta.

Mariete f Afrikaans (Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian)
Variant of Mariette.

Marinda f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Marinus.

Marionette f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Diminutive of Marion 1.

Marle f & m Portuguese (Brazilian), Filipino (Rare), Spanish (Latin American), South African (Rare)
Meaning unknown. This name is considered feminine, particularly in the United States, though some masculine usage is present in other communities.

Marlese f Afrikaans

Marlice f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), English (American, Rare)
Variant of Marlies.

Marlie f Dutch, Flemish (Rare), French (Belgian, Rare), French (Modern, Rare), Haitian Creole, Afrikaans
Dutch diminutive of Marleen as well as a combination of Maria and names that end in lie.

Marlien f Dutch (Rare), Dutch (Antillean), Dutch (Surinamese), Flemish, Afrikaans
Contraction of Maria and Lien.

Marline f French, French (Belgian, Rare), Flemish, Dutch (Rare), Dutch (Antillean), Afrikaans
Contraction of Marie and Line.

Marlitza f South African (Modern, Rare)
Probably a variant of Marlies or Marlitt.

Marlize f Afrikaans
Contraction of Maria and Elize (compare Marlies).

Marnette f English, Afrikaans

Marno m Dutch, South African, Indonesian
Masculine form of Marna or Marni or a variant of Marnix.

Marnus m Afrikaans

Marthelle f Afrikaans
Combination of Martha and Elle

Marthie f South African, English (American, Rare, Archaic)
Diminutive of Martha.

Marthina f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Marthinus.

Marthinus m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Martinus.

Maryke f Afrikaans, Dutch (Archaic)
Afrikaans and archaic Dutch form of Marijke.

Maryn f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Marijn.

Marzanne f Afrikaans
Contraction of Maria and Zanne.

Masana f Tsonga
Means "sunrays" in Xitsonga.

Masiba f Sotho
Means "Feather" in Sotho

Masingita f Tsonga
Means "miracles" in Xitsonga.

Masiza m Tsonga
Means "the one who helps" in Xitsonga.

Masizane m South African

‘Mathapelo f Sotho
Means "mother of prayer" in Sotho.

Mathe f Sotho
Means "saliva" in Sotho.

Matheeletša m Sotho
Means "listener" in Sotho.

Mathuselam m South African
South African form of Methuselah via its latinized form Mathusalem.

Mathys m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mathijs.

Matimba m & f Tsonga
Means "strength" in Xitsonga.

Matome m Sotho (?)
A Northern Sotho translation of "Duke".

Matšeliso f Sotho
Means "consolation" in Sotho.

Matshediso f Sotho
Means "consolation" in Sesotho.

Matsimela m Sotho
Means "roots" in Sotho.

Matthys m Medieval Dutch, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans, West Frisian
Medieval Dutch form of Matthijs as well as the modern Afrikaans and West Frisian form of Matthijs. In the Netherlands, the name has survived to modern times, but it is highly rare there currently, especially when compared to its modern counterpart.... [more]

Mauritz m Afrikaans, Swedish, Finnish
Variant of Maurits. The "M" in the clothing company H&M's name stands for Mauritz (the original name is Hennes & Mauritz, H&M is an abbreviation).

Mava m South African (Rare)

Maveletiveni m Swazi
A famous bearer is Maveletiveni Dlamini, son of Mswati III, King of Eswatini and his first wife Queen laMatsebula.

Mavu f South African (Rare)

Mayibongwe f Ndebele
Means "give thanks" in Ndebele.

Mayibongwinkosi m Ndebele
Means "give thanks to the Lord" in Ndebele.

Mayibuye m & f Ndebele
Means "let it come" in Ndebele.

Mayihlome m & f Ndebele
Means "let's take up arms" in Ndebele.

Mbalienhle f Ndebele, Zulu
Means "beautiful flower" in Zulu and Ndebele, from mbali "flower, flowers" and enhle "something that is beautiful of nice".

Mbazima f Tsonga
Means "they are tough" in Xitsonga.

Mbhoni f Tsonga
Means "witness" in Xitsonga.

Mbhurhi f Tsonga
Means "beautiful girl" in Xitsonga.

Mbulaheni m South African

Mbuso m Ndebele
Means "kingdom" in Ndebele.

Mbuyiseli m Xhosa
Means "one who returns or restores" in Xhosa.

Mehluli m Ndebele
Means "conquerer" in Ndebele.

Melindi f Afrikaans

Melisent f English (Rare), South African (Rare)
Variant of Millicent.

Melisse f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Melissa.

Melokuhle m & f South African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "stand for goodness" or "defend beautiful things" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Melusi m South African

Menzi m Southern African, Zulu
Means "creator" in Zulu.... [more]

Meraai f Afrikaans
Variant of Maraai.

Merinda f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
English variant of Marinda and Afrikaans variant of Marinda.

Meriska f Afrikaans

Meshindi m Zulu
Means "victor" in Zulu.

Mesuli m & f Xhosa, Zulu
Means "wiper (of tears)" in Xhosa, suggesting someone who brings an end to sorrow.

Mfan'bomvu m Zulu
Means "red boy" in Zulu.

Mhambi f Zulu
Means "traveler" in Zulu.

Mheho m & f Tsonga
Means "breeze" in Xitsonga.

Mhlava m Tsonga
Means "earth" in Xitsonga.

Mianda f Afrikaans, Romanian

Miehleketo m & f Tsonga
Means "thoughts" in Xitsonga.

Miempie f Afrikaans
Possibly related to Miem, Miems or Miep.

Miems f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Willemina.

Miga m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Micha 1.

Migael m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Michael.

Migiyo f Tsonga
Means "the dancer" in Xitsonga.

Mijaji f Tsonga
Means "the judge" in Xitsonga.

Mikateko f Tsonga
Means "blessings" in Xitsonga.

Mikhenso m & f Tsonga
Means "thanksgiving" in Xitsonga.

Minette f English (Rare), French (Rare, Archaic), Danish (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Afrikaans, Filipino
Diminutive of Mina 1. This was also a nickname of Henriette, Duchess of Orléans (daughter of the 17th-century English king Charles I)... [more]

Minki f Afrikaans
Short form of Willemien.

Mixo m & f Tsonga
Means "dawn, morning" in Xitsonga.

Miyelani m & f Tsonga
Means "keep quiet" in Xitsonga.

Mkhuleko m Ndebele
Means "prayer" in Ndebele.

Mkhumbuleni m Zulu
Means "let's remember him" in Zulu.

Mlamuleli m Ndebele
Means "one who intervenes" in Ndebele.

Mlilo f Zulu
Means "fire" in Zulu.

Mlindeli m Ndebele
Means "guardian" in Ndebele.

Mlungisi m Ndebele
Means "the one who brings order".

Mmaphefo f Sotho
Means "mother of cold" in Sotho.

Mmathapelo f Sotho
Means "mother of prayer" in Sotho.

Mmini f Sotho
Means "dancer" in Sotho.

Mmusi m Tswana, South African
Means "the ruler" in Tswana.... [more]

Mnotho m & f Zulu
Means "economy" or "rich, wealthy" in Zulu.

Moegammad m Afrikaans (Rare)
Form of Muhammad used in Afrikaans translations of the Qur'an.

Moeketsi m Sotho
It means "Multiplier/increase" in Sotho

Moeletsi m Sotho
Means "advisor" in Sesotho.

Moesha f Popular Culture, African American (Modern), Jamaican Patois, Antillean Creole, South African
Invented name. It was used for the title character of the American television show Moesha (1996-2001), played by singer Brandy.

Mogamat m South African, Xhosa
Variant of Mohammed.

Mohapi m Sotho
Means "victor" in Sotho.

Mohato m Sotho
Means "step" in Sesotho.

Mohau m Sotho
Means "pity" or "mercy" in Sesotho.

Moipone f Sotho
Means "self-admirer" in Sotho.

Mojalefa m Sotho
Means "heir" in Sesotho.

Mokgadi f Sotho, South African
Means "a girl among boys" in Sotho, often given to a daughter born after several sons.... [more]

Mokgethi m Sotho
Variant form of Mokhethi.

Mokhethi m Sotho
Means "chooser" in Lesotho.

Molapo m Sotho
Means "stream" or "river" in Sotho.

Molatadi m Sotho
Means "one who denies all" in Sotho.

Molefi m Sotho
means "payer" in Sesotho.

Moluleloa m Sotho
Means "we have awaited your arrival" in Lesotho.

Mongameli m Ndebele
Means "leader" in Ndebele.

Monja f German, Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Croatian (Rare), Afrikaans, Dutch
Variant transcription of Russian Моня (see Monya).

Morena m Sotho
Means "chief" in Sotho.

Morné m Afrikaans

Mosa m & f Sotho
Means "grace" in Sotho.

Mosela f Sotho
Means "tail" in Sotho, idiomatically meaning "the last one" or "last child".

Mosidi f Tswana, Sotho
Means "soot" in Sotho and Tswana.

Motheo m South African
Allegedly means "foundation" in Tswana. It is said to normally be given to a child who is viewed as the foundation of the family. Normally a first born. It signifies a new life or re-birth.

Motlagomang f & m Southern African, Tswana, Sotho
Means "who are you going to?" in Tswana.

Motlalepule m Sotho
Means "rain bringer" in Sesotho.

Motsamai m Sotho
Means "traveller" in Sesotho.

Motsumi m Sotho
Means "seeker" in Sesotho.

Mpahlela f Tsonga
Means "pray for" in Xitsonga.

Mpendulo f Zulu
Means "reply" in Zulu.

Mpfareleli m & f Venda
Means "forgive me" in Tshivenda.

Mphikeleli m Zulu
Means "he who perseveres" in Zulu.

Mpilo m & f Xhosa, Zulu, Southern African
Means "health" or "life" in Xhosa and Zulu.

Mpumelelo m Zulu
Means "success" in Zulu.

Mqeku m South African, Ndebele

Mqibalo m South African, Xhosa, Zulu
Possibly derived from Mgqibelo, meaning "Saturday" in Xhosa and Zulu.

Msamaniso m South African, Xhosa
Possibly related to Masamanisi.

Msizi m Zulu
From Zulu umsizi "helper, aide".

Mswati m Swazi
Two 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, Xhosa
Means "witch," from 'thakatha' meaning "to bewitch" in Xhosa or "to practice witchcraft" in Zulu.

Mthandazo m Ndebele
Means Prayer

Mthandeni f Zulu
Means "love her" in Zulu.

Mthobeli m Xhosa
Means "the obedient one" in Xhosa.

Mthulisi m Ndebele
Means "one who consoles" in Ndebele.

Mthunzi f Zulu
Means "shade" in Zulu.

Mthuthezeli m South African, Xhosa
Variant spelling of Mthuthuzeli.

Mthuthuzeli m Southern African, Xhosa
Means "comforter, one who comforts" in Xhosa.

Mtimane m South African

Muambiwa m & f Venda
Means "the one who is spoken of/about" in Tshivenda.

Mudene f South African, Afrikaans (Rare)
Meaning unknown. A known bearer was Mudene 'Dene' Smuts (1949-2016), a South African politician.

Muhluri m & f Tsonga
Means "conqueror, victor" in Xitsonga.

Mukhethwa m & f Venda
Means "the chosen one" in Tshivenda.

Mukosi m South African

Mulalo f South African

Mulalo m Venda
Means "peace" in Tshivenda.

Mulweri m Tsonga
Means "defender, advocate" in Xitsonga.

Murhangeli m Tsonga
Means "leader" in Xitsonga.

Murhi m & f Tsonga
Means "medicine, cure" in Xitsonga.

Murisi m Tsonga
Means "shepherd" in Xitsonga.

Musa f Ndebele
Means "grace" in Ndebele.

Mutshidzi m & f Venda
Means "saviour" in Tshivenda.

Muzhiyo m Ndebele (Rare)
zulu, ndebele and xhosa name meaning "homesteads of kings"

Mvuseselo m Zulu
Means "revival" in Zulu.

Mxolisi m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "peace maker" or "(one who) asks for forgiveness" in Xhosa and Zulu.

Mynhardt m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mijnhard.

Mynie f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mijnie.

Mzi m Xhosa
Diminutive of Mzingayi.

Mzingaye m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "there is a home because of him" in Xhosa and Zulu.

Mzingayi m Xhosa
Variant spelling of Mzingaye.

Mzwandile m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "the house has expanded" in Xhosa, idiomatically referring to a growing family.

Mzwenhlanhla m Zulu
Means "home for luck" in Zulu.

Naas m Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Short form of Athanaas, Donaas and Ignaas.... [more]

Naasif m South African

Naha m & f Sotho
Means "land" or "world".

Naha m Sotho
land or country

Nala f Sotho
“Prosperity” , a Sesotho name used in the motto of Lesotho

Nalane f & m Sotho
it means history in sesotho

Naleli f Sotho
Means "star" in Sotho.

Naleli-yameso f Sotho
Meaning, Morning Star in Sesotho

Namari m & f African American (Rare), South African
Combination of the sounds found in names such as Jamari, Amari and Kamari.

Nambitha f Xhosa
Means "to savour, to enjoy" in Xhosa, encouraging the child to savour life.

Nandi f Zulu
Means "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 Xhosa
Means "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.

Nṱanganedzeni m & f Venda
Means "accept me" in Tshivenda.

Nantie m & f Afrikaans

Naome f South African
Variant of Naomi.

Naomy f English (African), Afrikaans, Spanish (Latin American)
Variant of Naomi 1.

Naretha f South African

Natashia f English (Rare), South African (Rare)
Elaboration of Natasha.

Nathleen f South African (Rare)

Nato m South African
Diminutive of Ignatius.