This is a list of submitted names in which the gender is masculine; and the usage is Southern African; and the description contains the keywords god or is or my or father.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Abarahama m ShonaMeans "one who has birthed or fathered relatives", derived from Shona
kubara "to bear offspring, to bud" and
hama "relatives". This is the Shona equivalent of
Abraham.
Achiko m & f ShonaA shorter form of the name
Achiriko, meaning "one who remained" or "one who is still there".
Afara m & f ShonaMeaning "one who is happy or joyous".
Akatendeka m & f ShonaMeaning "one who is faithful", deriving from the verb
kutendeka.
Amukudzaishe m ShonaIt is a name that means, "He has put the Lord in a high place" or "He has exalted the Lord", a shorter version of the name is
Amukudza.
Amutenya m OvamboMeans "midday" in Ovambo. This name is traditionally given to children born during the afternoon.
Anaishe f & m ShonaDerived from Shona
anashe, meaning "who is with God".
Angula m OvamboMeans "morning" in Ovambo. This name is traditionally given to children born in the morning.
Asavela f & m XhosaMeans "they still appear" in Xhosa. A famous bearer is South African actress Asavela Mngqithi.
Asekei m ShonaIt is a name which asks a question, meaning “what does he laugh at?” or “what has made him laugh?”
Ashira m & f ShonaMeaning “receive; accept; welcome”, the fuller version of the name is
Gashira.
Banga m ShonaMeans "knife" or "sword" in Shona. Banga is the name of a Ngbandi god of water.
Chenjerai m ShonaChenjerai means "Be on guard, wisen up". Chenjerai Hunzvi the Zimbabwean Freedom Fighter is one bearer of this name.
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]
Chimurenga m ShonaChimurenga is a Shona word roughly translated to English as, "revolutionary struggle". The Shona language is spoken by the Shona people of Zimbabwe. This word is sometimes used as a given name.
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.
Chishimba m & f BembaThe name Chishimba originates from the Bemba people of Zambia, a Bantu-speaking ethnic group. It holds cultural and linguistic significance in Zambia. The name derives from the Bemba language and carries meanings rooted in positivity and charm.... [
more]
Coenie m AfrikaansDiminutive of
Coenraad. This name is borne by South African rugby player Coenie Oosthuizen (1989-) and South African musician Coenie de Villiers (1956-).
Danismo m Southern AfricanThe meaning of Danismo is "Jubilant and Content with one's life and experiences." Commonly used to describe someone who has had good fortune recently.
Dzikamai m ShonaDzikamai means "settle down".
The name is given to express the idea of settling down and not jumping from one relationship to another or one project to another. The former Zimbabwean Minister and MP, Dzikamai Mavhaire is one well known bearer of this name.
Dzinashe m ShonaDzinashe means "It's with the Lord". One well known bearer of this name is Dzinashe Machingura.
Eghard m Germanic, AfrikaansThe first element of this name is derived from
ag, an uncertain element for which several etymologies have been proposed. The most widely accepted explanation is that it comes from Proto-Germanic
*agjo meaning "sharp, pointed"... [
more]
Endai m ShonaMeaning "go, depart" or "proceed, progress"; it is the plural of
enda.
Faf m Afrikaans (Rare)Afrikaans diminutive of
François. A notable bearer is South African rugby player Faf de Klerk (1991-), whose given name is François.
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]
Gedleyihlekisa m Southern African, ZuluIn the case of former South African president Jacob Zuma (1942-), the name means "the one who smiles while causing you harm" in Zulu. His middle name was invented by his father, who based it on the phrase
ngeke ngithule umuntu engigedla engihlekisa meaning "I won't keep quiet when someone deceives me with a beautiful smile while he is doing damage to me".
Ghakarhi m ZuluThe meaning of this name is fierce warrior. A person not accepting defeat as an option.
Giniel m AfrikaansGiniel de Villiers is a South African rallye driver and winner of Rallye Dakar 2009.
Goodwill m Literature, English (African), Southern AfricanFrom the English word
goodwill, derived from Middle English
gode meaning "good" and
will "wish, will, volition", which was originally a nickname applied to an amiable person with a favourable disposition towards others... [
more]
Gwinyai m ShonaGwinyai means "be strong". The Zimbabwean tennis player Gwinyai Tongoona is a famous bearer of this name.
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]
Hamandishe m ShonaMeaning “one’s relative or family is God”, this name may be given by and/or to someone who is devoted to God, who is an orphan, has no relatives or was abandoned.
Igmar m AfrikaansAfrikaans. Combination of his mother and fathers name. Siegfried and Marieta. Ig and Mar. Combined Igmar
Karikoga m ShonaMeans "one who is alone". The name may be given to say that one who lives alone or was born alone without siblings.
Kuchinei m ShonaKuchinei 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.
Kwena m & f SothoMeans "crocodile" in the Sotho and Tswana languages. This name is chiefly used by Northern Sotho people.
Lefika m Sotho“My Rock” It’s used in Lesotho and South Africa
Lemogang m Tswana, SothoA known bearer is South African actor Lemogang Tsipa (1991-), who was born to a Pedi father and a Tswana mother.
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.
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.
Matamela m & f Southern African, VendaPossibly means "the one who does not hold grudges" in Venda. It is the first name of the South African president Cyril Ramaphosa (1952-).
Mateo m ShonaIt is the Shona version of the name Matthew.
Maveletiveni m SwaziA famous bearer is Maveletiveni Dlamini, son of Mswati III, King of Eswatini and his first wife Queen laMatsebula.
Motheo m South AfricanAllegedly 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.
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.
Muambiwa m & f VendaMeans "the one who is spoken of/about" in Tshivenda.
Muchena m ShonaOne who is white or light skin tone. Or Blessing in Ndau dialect of Shona
Munesu f & m ShonaMeans "God is with us" or "God is within us" in Shona.
Mwari m Shona, African MythologyMeans 'force behind creation' in Shona. Shona traditional religion, Mwari is the supreme creator deity who is believed that he is the author of all things and all life and all is in him.
Mwaziona m & f NsengaThis is a Nsenga name given to both boy and girls. It means "Have you seen" or "Have you seen yourselves".
Namatai m ShonaNamatai means "Pray or praise and worship God".
Nguluwe m NsengaMeaning warthog. This is the clan name. Daughters of Nguluwe are called Daka or Mbewe
Nokutenda m & f ShonaMeans "with gratitude (associated with faith in God)" in Shona.
Nsofwa f & m BembaNsofwa is a Bemba name originating from a landlocked /landlinked country Zambia, located in the southern end of the African Continent. The name comes from a Bemba name for 'Elephant,' 'Nsofu' one of the largest land mammals known to man... [
more]
Nǃxau m KhoekhoeMeaning unknown. Notable bearer of this name is Nǃxau ǂToma, a Namibian bush farmer and actor (1944-2003).... [
more]
Nyashadzashe m & f Shonaits from zimbabwe and is in the shona language it means Gods grace
Paradzai m ShonaParadzai means "destroy". This is possibly addressing an adversary challenging them to destroy what you have if they can".
Reneilwe m SothoThis is borne by the retired South African soccer player Reneilwe 'Yeye' Letsholonyane (1982-).
Revai m & f ShonaMeans "Talk or gossip about".
This is a name given to address neighbours that continue to gossip about your family 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.
Ruvheneko m & f ShonaMeans "Enlightenment".
This name is a declaration that we have seen or received enlightenment or better circumstances 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.
Sechaba m SothoThe meaning is 'nation' as in 'our nation', 'the country we live in'.
Sicalo m SwaziA famous bearer is Sicalo Dlamini (1987-) son of Mswati III, King of Eswatini and his first wife Queen laMatsebula.
Tamani f & m ChewaMeans "praise" or "to God be the glory" in Chewa.
Tavaziva m ShonaTavaziva means "We know them".
This name is given in a feuding situation to say we know who the enemy is.
Tinaye m ShonaTinaye means "We have got him or her". Former Manicaland Provincial Governor Tinaye Chigudu is one well known bearer of this name.
Tirivashe m & f ShonaMeans "We belong to the Lord". #This is a Christian name for believers declaring their loyalty to God".
Todini m & f ShonaMeans "What shall we do?".
This is a name of exclamation or questioning given by a parent who is lost regarding what to do in their circumstances Toendepi m ShonaMeans "where shall we go". This name is given where a family has grievances against their neighbours and desire to move away.
Torevei m & f ShonaMeans "What shall we say?".
This is a name of exclamation or questioning given by a parent who is a lost for words regards the situation they are in Tsakani f & m South African, TsongaThe meaning is "to be happy". It was popularized by Tsakani Mhinga. She was a South African singer who died in 2006.... [
more]
Tshilidzi f & m VendaPossibly means "Grace". A notable bearer is Tshilidzi Marwala, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Internationalisation at the University of Johannesburg.
Unkulunkulu m Zulu, African MythologyMeans "the old, old one" or "ancestor" in Zulu. This was the name of a mythic first ancestor in early Zulu mythology, who appeared, or was created from, breaking reeds. It may have also been used to denote any significant ancestor... [
more]
Uusiku m OvamboMeans "night" in Ovambo. This name is traditionally given to children born during the night.
Varaidzo m ShonaVaraidzo means "One who keeps company".
This is given to acknowledge your child as one with whom you keep company. It is common to give this name to a child born in your later years.
Vushemadzoro m ShonaThe name comes from Shona tribes in which KingShip was prevalent. This name was usually given to the chosen next bearer of the throne. The name means the Kingship turnover, i.e. the practice of succeeding a leader... [
more]
Yande f & m MwangaPossibly means "an expression of joy" or "an unexpected gift from God" in Mwanga.
Zondai f & m Shona"You may hate me." A situational name where a family is telling it's enemies you may hate me all you want.
Zviyo m & f ShonaIt is the plural of
Chiyo. It means "grains". This is a name that symbolizes the smallness of grains which when planted and in their own season and time, grow and are harvested for multitudes and nations... [
more]