Southern African Submitted Names

Hlekani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga hleka meaning "laugh".

Hlengani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga hlenga meaning "collect, gather".

Hlomla m & f Xhosa
Means "to comment on something" in Xhosa.

Hlompho m Sotho
Means "respect" in Sesotho.

Hlori f Tsonga
Means "wonder" in Xitsonga.

Hlulani m & f Tsonga
Means "win, conquer" in Xitsonga.

Hondo m Shona, African
means "war"

Hulisani m & f Venda
Means "respect" in Tshivenda.

Huoniso m & f Shona
It means "to show; allow to see", a shorter form of the can be Huoni or Oniso.

Hwami m Shona
Meaning "emperor".

Ibubesi m Zulu
Means "lion" in Zulu.

Ibwe m Shona
Means "stone builder" in Shona.

Idai f Shona
Means "love them" in Shona.

Igmar m Afrikaans
Afrikaans. Combination of his mother and fathers name. Siegfried and Marieta. Ig and Mar. Combined Igmar

Ijuba f Zulu
Commonly 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... [more]

Ikageng m Tswana

Ikuna m & f Tonga (?), Nigerian (?)

Ikusasa f & m Zulu
Means "destiny" in Zulu.

Ilane f South African, Brazilian
Problably a feminine form to Ilan.

Ilna f Afrikaans (Rare)

Imbasa f & m Zulu
Means "star" in Zulu.

Imka f Dutch, Afrikaans, German
Diminutive of Ime 2.

Inette f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Diminutive of Ine.

Ingqondo f Zulu
Means "intelligence" in Zulu.

Inyoni f Zulu
Derived from Zulu inyoni meaning "bird".

Ipaishe f Shona
Means "give to God" in Shona.

Ipeleng f Tswana
Means "be happy" in Setswana.

Iqaqa m Zulu
Means "polecat" in Zulu.

Irikidzai f Shona
Means "to add to" in Shona.

Irikidzayi m Shona
Means "add another one" in Shona.

Isaka m Shona
Shona form of Isaac.

Isaki m Ndebele
Ndebele form of Isaac.

Isazo m & f Tumbuka
Variant of Izaso.

Iselle f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Flemish (Rare), English (Rare), American (Hispanic, Rare)

Isheanesu m Shona
Means "the lord is with us" in Shona.

Ishemanzwa m Shona
It means "Lord you have heard".

Ishemunonzwa m Shona
It means "Lord you hear", another variation is Ishemanzwa.

Isisa f Zulu
Means "the tenderness" in Zulu.

Itha f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), East Frisian (Rare)
Variant of Ida.

Izaso m & f Tumbuka
Means "come again, return" in Tumbuka, a plea for deceased relatives to come back.

Izelle f Afrikaans, English (Rare)
Variant of Iselle.

Izette f Afrikaans
Variant of Isette.

Izula f Zulu
Means "nomad" in Zulu.

Izwirashe m & f Shona
It means "the voice of the Lord", one can also use Izwi as the shorter form.

Jabatu m Indonesian (Rare), Ethiopian (Rare), Southern African (Rare)

Jabu f Zulu
The name's origin meaning is "It is the shortened form of the name Jabulani which means joy or to rejoice"

Jabulani m Ndebele, Zulu
Means "enjoy" or "be happy all" in Ndebele and "rejoice" in Zulu.

Jabulile f Zulu
Means "she is happy" in Zulu.

Jacoline f Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans
Variant of Jacqueline.

Jacomie f Afrikaans
Variant of Jacomina.

Jacomine f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Jacomina.

Jacquelene f English (Rare), South African (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Jacqueline.

Jairiro m & f Shona
It means "to be used to; accustomation to".

Jak m Afrikaans
Variant of Jaak.

Jakkie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Jacob.

Jakobus m Afrikaans, Biblical German, Medieval German
Afrikaans and German form of Jacobus.

Jamina f Swedish (Rare), Finnish (Rare), Norwegian (Rare), Danish (Rare), German (Rare), Hungarian (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), English (American, Archaic)
Feminine form of Jamin. In some cases it may also be a truncated form of Benjamina or a contracted form of Jacomina.

Jamine f Norwegian (Archaic), Hungarian (Archaic), Afrikaans (Rare), German (Rare)
Variant of Jamina.

Jancke f Afrikaans
Variant of Janke.

Janeska f Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Janha m & f Shona
Meaning "one's turn; chance; opportunity".

Janita f Dutch, Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans
Feminine diminutive of Jan 1.

Jannie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Johannes.

Jaone m & f Tswana (Rare)

Japie m & f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Diminutive of Jaap.

Jaturikua m Southern African, Herero
Means "to be uplifted" or "placed above".

Jaune m Afrikaans (Rare)

Jeanique f French (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), French (Belgian, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Blend of Jeanne with any feminine name ending in -ique, such as Monique and Véronique... [more]

Jekesai f Shona
"Make it clear". Meant to speak to neighbor or family to make clear their position or purpose.

Jenilee f English (Modern), South African
Probably a combination of Jenny and the popular phonetic suffix lee. This name was popularized by the American television actress Jenilee Harrison (1958-).

Jennetta f American (South), Afrikaans (Rare)

Jeremia m Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish (Rare), Norwegian (Rare)
Dutch, Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian variant of Jeremias.

Jesaja m Biblical, Swedish (Rare), Dutch, Biblical German, Afrikaans
Dutch, German, and Swedish form of Isaiah.

Jesina f Dutch (Archaic), Afrikaans (Archaic)

Jesmaine f English (Archaic), Afrikaans (Rare), South African (Rare)
Obsolete variant of Jessamine.

Jezina f Dutch (Archaic), Afrikaans (Rare)

Jiho m & f Shona
Meaning “ultisol” in Shona.

Jilele m Tumbuka
Means "rear yourself" or "be self reliant" in Tumbuka. Can be given to orphans, or to children expected to be independent early in life.

Jinga m & f Shona
Meaning “piedmont; towards or near the foundation; base.” Longer forms of the name include Jingarechikomo, Jingachinga or Jingarashe.

Joalane f Sotho, Tswana, Southern African
Derived from Sotho joala, meaning "alcohol". This name refers to the fact that the mother drank alcohol during pregnancy.

Joannette f Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Feminine form of Joannet.

Joesoef m Indonesian, Afrikaans (Rare)
Indonesian variant transcription of Jusuf (based on Dutch orthography) and Afrikaans form of Joseph.

Johanika f Afrikaans (Rare)
Diminutive of Johanna (compare Johanneke).

Jolette f English, Afrikaans
Likely a combination of the name Jo and the suffix -lette.

Jolidee m South African

Jomarie f Afrikaans
Contraction of Johanna Maria.

Jona m Croatian, Serbian, Swedish, Norwegian (Rare), Sorbian, Afrikaans
Croatian, Serbian, Sorbian, Afrikaans and Scandinavian form of Jonah.

Jonase m Sotho
Sesotho form of Jonah.

Jonathena f South African, American
Feminine form of Jonathan, possibly influenced by Athena.

Jonnie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Johan.

Jopie m & f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Diminutive of Joop for men and of the related name Johanna for women.

Jorica f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Feminine form of Joric.

Jorika f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Feminine form of Jorik.

Jorrie m Afrikaans

Josephy f Chewa
Variant of Joseph.

Joshuwa m Shona
Shona version of the name Joshua.

Josua m German, Afrikaans, Swedish, Romansh
German, Afrikaans, Romansh and Swedish form of Joshua.

Jouline f Afrikaans, South African

Jozelle f Afrikaans
Cognate of Joselle.

Jozette f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans, Flemish, English
Variant of Josette.

Juane f & m Afrikaans, South American (Rare), African American

Juané f Afrikaans
Feminine variant of Juane.

Junelia f Afrikaans (Rare), Spanish (Philippines), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), American (South, Archaic)
Variant of Junellia.

Junine f Norwegian (Archaic), Afrikaans
Elaboration of Junia.

Juriana f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Feminine form of Jurian.

Jurianne f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Feminine form of Jurian.

Jurie m Afrikaans

Juriena f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Feminine form of Jurien.

Jutka f Hungarian, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Originally a Hungarian diminutive of Judit and a Dutch diminutive of Judith, occasionally used as a given name in its own right.

Jwana f Sotho
Sotho form of Johanna.

Kabilibili m Chewa
Means "plush green vegetation" in Chewa.

Kabwe m & f Southern African
"A small rock or stone." Opposite name: Chibwe

Kagisoyame m Tswana
Means "my peace" in Setswana.

Kakanyo m & f Tswana
Means "thought" in Setswana.

Kalindabwalo m Nsenga
Kalinda is guard or watchman,... [more]

Kambeu m Shona
Kambeu means "little seed". This name may be given to a child who was very small at birth

Kamkhwala m & f Tumbuka
Means "of medicine, of herbs" in Tumbuka. Similar usage to Chimika.

Kamogelo f Tswana
Means "acceptance" in Setswana.

Kamohelo m & f Sotho
Means "acceptance" or "welcome" in Sotho.

Kamoyo m Tumbuka, Chewa
Means "life" in Tumbuka and Chewa, often given to babies born prematurely.

Kamuvwi m & f Nsenga

Kamuzu m Southern African
Means "little root" in Chichewa.

Kamuzyu f Nsenga
Means "roots" in Nsenga.

Kamwendo m Chewa
Means "walking from place to place; traveller" in Chewa language.

Kananelo f & m Sotho
Means "approval" or "appreciation" in Sotho.

Kangwa m & f Southern African, Bemba
Means 'healing tree" in Bemba.

Kanyisa f Xhosa
Means "giving light to the future" in Xhosa.

Kanyisile f South African

Karikoga m Shona
Means "one who is alone". The name may be given to say that one who lives alone or was born alone without siblings.

Karlia f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Karlien f Flemish, Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Dutch and Afrikaans form of Carline.

Karolien f Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Variant of Carolien.

Kasomo m Bemba
Means "leader, flag-bearer" in Bemba.

Kasuba m Bemba
Means "sun" in Bemba.

Katekani f Tsonga
Means "be blessed" in Xitsonga.

Kathaulo m Tumbuka, Chewa
Means "small cloth, handkerchief" in Tumbuka and Chewa.

Katryn f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Katrijn.

Katsiru f Shona
Means "female cow" in Shona.

Kayokwa m Southern African, Bemba
Means "sugar, sweet" in Bemba.

Keabetswe m & f Tswana
Means "I have been given" in Setswana.

Kealeboa m Sotho
Means "thank you" in Sotho.

Kealeboga m & f Tswana
Means "thank you" in Setswana.

Keamogetse m & f Tswana
Means "I have received" in Setswana.

Keamogetswe m & f Tswana
Means "I am welcomed" in Setswana.

Keatlaretse f Tswana
Means "to receive with open hands" in Tswana. It is usually used as a sign of respect.

Keatlile m Tswana
Means "I have increased" in Setswana.

Kebabonye f Tswana
Means "I saw them" in Setswana.

Kebarutile f Tswana
Means "I have taught them" in Setswana.

Kebasadi f Tswana
Means "these are women" in Setswana.

Kebitsemang m Tswana
Means "whom shall I call?" in Setswana.

Kedibone f South African

Kedisaletse m Southern African
Botswanian name.

Kedumetse f Tswana
Means "I have agreed" in Setswana.

Keelyn f American (Modern, Rare), South African (Modern, Rare)

Keemenao m & f Tswana
Means "I am with you" in Setswana.

Kefentse f Tswana
Means "I have won" in Tswana.

Kegomoditswe m & f Tswana
Means "I have been comforted" in Setswana.

Kehumile f Tswana
Means "I am rich" in Setswana.

Keitumetse f Tswana, South African
Means "I am happy", or "I am thankful" in Twsana.

Kekeletso m Sotho
Means "addition" in Sesotho.

Kelebileone f Tswana
Means "I am watching Him (God)" in Setswana.

Kelebohile m Sotho
Means "I am grateful" in Sesotho.

Kelefetswe f Tswana
Means "they have done it for me" in Setswana.

Keletso m & f Tswana
Means "wish" in Setswana.

Kemmonye f Tswana
Means "I have seen her" in Setswana.

Kenalemang m Tswana
Means "who is with me?" in Setswana.

Kenam f Southern African
Transferred use of the surname Kenam.

Kenanao m Tswana
Means "I am with Him (God)" in Tswana.

Keneilwe f Tswana
Means "I have been given" in Setswana.

Keneoue f Sotho (Rare)
Means "I have been given" in Sotho.

Keneuwe f Sotho
Means "I have been given" in Sesotho.

Kennake f Tswana
Means "she is my sister" in Setswana.

Keolebogile f & m Tswana, African
I thanked (God).

Kerapetse m & f Tswana
Means "I have prayed" in Setswana.

Kereeditse m & f Tswana
Means "I am listening" in Setswana.

Kereemang f Tswana
Means "who should I say this to?" in Setswana.

Kerina f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Modern, Rare)
Elaborated form of Keri.

Keromang f Sotho
Means "one who has been sent" in Sesotho.

Kershnie f Indian (Rare), South African

Kesegofetse f Tswana
Means "I am blessed" in Setswana.

Kesiah f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Keziah.

Ketase f Tumbuka
Means "cooperation" in Tumbuka.

Ketshephaone m & f Tswana
Means "I trust Him (God)" in Setswana.

Kgabareya m Sotho
Sotho form of Gabriel.

Kgabu m & f African, Zulu
Means "to decorate richly" in Zulu.

Kgakgamatso f Tswana
Means "wonders" in Setswana.

Kgalalelo f Tswana
Means "glory" in Setswana.

Kganya f & m Sotho
Means "brightness" or "(God's) light" in Sesotho.

Kgethang m Sotho
Sesotho form of Khethang.

Kgodi m & f Sotho
Means "mist" in Sotho.

Kgolo m Tswana
Means "growth" in Setswana.

Kgomotso m & f Tswana
Means "comfort" in Tswana.

Kgosiemang m Tswana
Means "who is the king?" in Setswana.

Kgotso f Southern African
Botswanian name.

Khabane m Sotho
Means "precious" in Sesotho.

Khangezile f Zulu
Means "our hands are open" in Zulu.

Khanya m Zulu
Means "shine" in Zulu.

Khanyisa f Tsonga
Means "brighten" in Xitsonga.

Khanyisile f Zulu (Modern)
Means "bringer of light" in Zulu.

Khanyiso m Xhosa
Means "to light, to illuminate" in Xhosa.

Khanyizile f Xhosa
Variant of Khanyisile.

Khanyokulhe f Zulu
Means "guide on the way" in Zulu from the word khanyo meaning "guide" and kuhle meaning "way".

Khathutshelo m & f Venda
Means "forgiveness" in Tshivenda.

Khauhelo f & m Sotho
Means "pity" or "compassion" in Sotho.

Khaya m South African

Khayalethu m Zulu
Means "our home" in Zulu.

Khayelihle f Ndebele
Means "good home" in Ndebele.

Khayizeni m Tsonga
Means "rebuke" in Xitsonga.

Khensani m & f Tsonga
Means "grateful, give thanks" in Xitsonga.

Khethang m Sotho
Means "choose" in Lesotho.

Khethiwe f African, Zulu
Means "chosen, the one who is chosen" in Zulu.

Khethukuthula f Zulu
Means "choose to be quiet" in Zulu.

Khoeli m Sotho
“Moon”

Khomelani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga khomela meaning "forgive".

Khongelani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga khongela meaning "pray".

Khosi m Sotho
Means "king" in Sotho.

Khothatso f Sotho
Means "encouragement" in Sotho.

Khotsofalang m Sotho
Means "be satisfied" in Lesotho.

Khule f Zulu
Means "it is beautiful" in Zulu.

Khulekani f Zulu
Means "salute" in Zulu.

Khululiwe f Zulu
Means "exonerated" in Zulu.

Khumbireko m Chewa
Means "to admire" in Chewa.

Khumbuza m Tsonga
Means "remember" in Xitsonga.

Khumiso m & f Tswana
Means "they are making us rich" in Setswana.

Khumo m & f Tswana
Means "wealth" in Tswana.

Khumoetsile m & f Tswana
Means "wealth has come" in Setswana.

Khutsafalo m & f Tswana
Means "melancholy" in Tswana.

Khwezi m & f Zulu
Means "bright morning star" in Zulu.

Kiesse f & m Southern African
Bantu name meaning "happiness" or "joy".

Kitso m & f Tswana
Means "knowledge, wisdom" in Tswana.

Klarissa f English (Rare), German, Afrikaans (Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), Filipino (Rare), Dutch (Rare)
Variant of Clarissa.

Kobie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Jacobus.

Koketso m & f Tswana
Means "increase" in Setswana.

Konanani m & f Venda
Means "be good to one another" in Tshivenda.

Kondanani m & f Tumbuka
Means "love one another" in Tumbuka and Chewa.

Kongola f Chewa
Means "beautiful" in Chewa.

Kores m Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare)
Dutch form of Cyrus.

Kornelis m Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Dutch and Afrikaans variant of Cornelis.

Kotani m Tsonga
Possibly from the Xitsonga kota meaning "able, talented".

Kubanthree f South African, Indian
South Africans of Indian origin... [more]

Kuchinei m Shona
Kuchinei 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.

Kudakwashe m & f Shona
Means "the Lord's will" in Shona.

Kudzai m & f Shona
Means "respect" in Shona.

Kudzaishe f Shona
Means "respect God" in Shona.

Kudzanayi m & f Shona
Means "respect each other" in Shona.

Kudzoka f Shona
Means "to come back" in Shona.

Kufara f Shona
Means "happiness" in Shona.

Kuhlula m & f Tsonga
Means "win" in Xitsonga.

Kulani m & f South African

Kundai f Shona
Means "overcome" in Shona.

Kurhula m Tsonga
Means "peace" in Xitsonga.

Kurisani f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga kurisa meaning "increase".

Kuseka f Shona
Means "to laugh" in Shona.

Kutenda f & m Shona
Means "faith" or "to thank" in Shona.

Kutha m Chewa
Means "destiny" in Chewa.

Kutloisiso f & m Sotho (Rare)
Means "understanding" in Sotho.

Kutlwano f Sotho
Means "mutual understanding" in Sesotho.

Kutlwisiso f Sotho
Means "understanding" in Lesotho.

Kuvhanganani m & f Venda
Means "come together" in Tshivenda.

Kuwala m & f Chewa
Means "shining light" in Chewa.

Kuzivakwashe f Shona
Means "God's will" in Shona.

Kwanaya f Shona
Meaning “it has rained”, rain is seen as a symbol of new life as its waters are a source of nourishment for natural life.

Kwatisa f Tsonga
Means "made furious" in Xitsonga.

Kwayedza m & f Shona
Meaning “the sunlight or morning light has dawned” or “the sunrise has dawned”.

Kxamshe f Southern African, San (Bushmen), !Kung
Possibly means "mouth" in !Kung (a Khoi-San language) coming from the word kxám.

Laeeqah f South African

Lakhela f Swazi

Lakiwe f Zulu

Landi f Afrikaans
Short from of Yolandi. This name is borne by South African model Landi Swanepoel (b. 1979).

Landzani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga landza meaning "follow".

Langa m Zulu
From Zulu ilanga "sun, sunshine, day".

Langalibalele m Zulu
Means "shining sun" in Zulu.

Langavi m & f Tsonga
Means "flame" in Xitsonga.

Langelihle f & m Zulu
Means "beautiful day" in Zulu.

Langutani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga languta meaning "look".

Laurian f English (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Laurianne.

Laurienne f French (Rare), French (Quebec, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), French (Belgian, Rare)
French form of Lauriana, which is occasionally used in non-francophone countries.

Laurika f Afrikaans, Slovak
Afrikaans elaboration and Slovak diminutive of Laura. Laurika Rauch is a South African singer who performs in both Afrikaans and English.

Leabua m Sotho
Means "one who speaks" in Sotho.

Leago m & f Tswana
Means "His (God's) alter" in Setswana.

Leana f Sotho
It’s raining

Leandri f Afrikaans
Possibly a variant of Leandra.

Lebo f South African

Lebone f & m Sotho
means “light”

Lefa m Sotho
Means "inheritance" in Sotho.

Lefika m Sotho
“My Rock” It’s used in Lesotho and South Africa

Legakwa f Tswana
Means "crystal" in Setswana.

Lehlogonolo m & f Sotho
Means "felicity" in Sotho.

Lehlohonolo m Sotho, South African
Means "luck" or "blessing" in Sotho.

Lehumo m Sotho
Means "treasure" in Sotho.

Leihlo-larona m & f Sotho
Our eye

Lekone m Tswana

Leleti f South African, Zulu
Meaning unknown. A famous bearer is Leleti Khumalo, a South African actress.

Lemogang m Tswana, Sotho
A known bearer is South African actor Lemogang Tsipa (1991-), who was born to a Pedi father and a Tswana mother.

Lemohang m Sotho
Means "take cognisance" in Sesotho.

Len m Afrikaans
Variant of Leen.

Lené f Afrikaans
I've heard a suggestion that the meaning of the name might be "pool" or another body of water of some kind, but this is difficult to confirm as there is no reference to a language from which it originates, or it could be the short form of Magdalene or Helene with an acute on the last e, a popular stylisation among Afrikaans people.

Lente f Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Derived from Dutch and Afrikaans lente "spring (the season)".

Lenthe f Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Variant of Lente, which was probably influenced by names such as Benthe and Jenthe.... [more]

Lepita f South African (Rare)