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HelpRe: Chichewa names
in reply to a message by yasmine
Not sure on Evance, which bugs me.
English names are probably more common. Even in areas where English fluency of any description is really limited. In Muslim areas, along the lake, you'll find Arabic names (plenty of kids named Muhammad, etc). Sometimes kids have a Chichewa / Chitonga / Chiyao etc name and an English names. This is more common with noun/word names that translate easier. For instance, Chisomo ("grace") might go by Grace at school or something. Or Chikumbutso ("memory") might be nicknamed Memory if there's already a Chikumbutso in the family. But generally people with Chichewa FNs go by that name. I think English names are more popular because there are a greater variety of them! Chisomo is a super common name, on boys and girls. I know loads.
I made a list of names for Mike so hopefully they'll be in the African names database at some point. I gave him a list of 52. Here are some common ones:
Alinafe - God with us. From the prefix a- meaning “he”, -li- meaning "be", nafe meaning “with us”
Chikondi - Love (sometimes translated as Loveness)
Chimwemwe- Joy or pleasure (oooh my favourite neighbour baby is Chimwemwe, she is so cute!!)
Chinsinsi - Secret
Fatsani - Be meek. From the word –fatsa meaning “be meek” and the suffix –ni
Kondwani - Be glad. from the word –kondwa meaning “be glad” with the suffix –ni
Kumbukani - Remember. From the word –kumbuka, meaning “remember” and the suffix –ni
Madalisto - Blessings
Mavuto - Troubles or Problems. Sometimes written as Mabvuto. (sometimes twins will be name Madalitso and Mavuto)
Mayamiko - Praise
Mphatso - Gift
Phunziro - Lesson
Pilirani - Perservere or Endure. From the word –pirira, meaning “persevere” or “endure” and the suffix -ni
Takondwa - We are happy or We have been happy. From the word –kondwa meaning “be glad” and the present perfect prefix ta- meaning we
Talandira - We have received. From the word –landira meaning “receive” and the present perfect prefix ta- meaning we
Thokozani - Thank God. From the word –thokoza meaning "thank" and the suffix –ni.
Tiyamike - Let us praise God! From the word –yamika meaning “praise” or “be grateful” and the prefix ti- meaning we
Yamikani - (Be grateful to / Praise) God. From the word –yamika meaning “be grateful” or “praise” and the suffix –ni
English names are probably more common. Even in areas where English fluency of any description is really limited. In Muslim areas, along the lake, you'll find Arabic names (plenty of kids named Muhammad, etc). Sometimes kids have a Chichewa / Chitonga / Chiyao etc name and an English names. This is more common with noun/word names that translate easier. For instance, Chisomo ("grace") might go by Grace at school or something. Or Chikumbutso ("memory") might be nicknamed Memory if there's already a Chikumbutso in the family. But generally people with Chichewa FNs go by that name. I think English names are more popular because there are a greater variety of them! Chisomo is a super common name, on boys and girls. I know loads.
I made a list of names for Mike so hopefully they'll be in the African names database at some point. I gave him a list of 52. Here are some common ones:
Alinafe - God with us. From the prefix a- meaning “he”, -li- meaning "be", nafe meaning “with us”
Chikondi - Love (sometimes translated as Loveness)
Chimwemwe- Joy or pleasure (oooh my favourite neighbour baby is Chimwemwe, she is so cute!!)
Chinsinsi - Secret
Fatsani - Be meek. From the word –fatsa meaning “be meek” and the suffix –ni
Kondwani - Be glad. from the word –kondwa meaning “be glad” with the suffix –ni
Kumbukani - Remember. From the word –kumbuka, meaning “remember” and the suffix –ni
Madalisto - Blessings
Mavuto - Troubles or Problems. Sometimes written as Mabvuto. (sometimes twins will be name Madalitso and Mavuto)
Mayamiko - Praise
Mphatso - Gift
Phunziro - Lesson
Pilirani - Perservere or Endure. From the word –pirira, meaning “persevere” or “endure” and the suffix -ni
Takondwa - We are happy or We have been happy. From the word –kondwa meaning “be glad” and the present perfect prefix ta- meaning we
Talandira - We have received. From the word –landira meaning “receive” and the present perfect prefix ta- meaning we
Thokozani - Thank God. From the word –thokoza meaning "thank" and the suffix –ni.
Tiyamike - Let us praise God! From the word –yamika meaning “praise” or “be grateful” and the prefix ti- meaning we
Yamikani - (Be grateful to / Praise) God. From the word –yamika meaning “be grateful” or “praise” and the suffix –ni
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