Browse Submitted Names

This is a list of submitted names in which the usage is African; and the pattern is *v* or *z*.
gender
usage
pattern
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Abdiaziiz m Somali
Somali form of Abdul Aziz
Abdirizak m Somali
Somali form of Abdur Razzaq. A notable bearer was the Abdirizak Haji Hussein (1924–2014), the former Prime Minister of Somalia.
Abdoul Aziz m Western African
Western African form of Abd al-Aziz.
Adaezennaya f Igbo
Means “princess” in Igbo.
Adeiza f Nigerian
Name of Nigerian origin, meaning "giver (father) of good things" or "giver (father) of wealth".
Aedzwa f & m Shona
Meaning "one who has been tried".
Agizul m Berber
Means "brave" in Tamazight.
Aidevo f Yoruba
Means "no one can change my destiny but God" in Yoruba.
Aizivaishe m & f Shona
Meaning "one who knew the Lord".
Akaziwe f Nguni
Means "she must be introduced" in Nguni.
Akouvi f Ewe, African
Name of Ewe origin, meaning "God answered".
Akuwueziuka f & m Igbo
Means "prosperity is a good talk" in Igbo.
Alazar m Ethiopian
Ethiopian form of Eliezer.
Alazidei m Ijaw
Meaning "I have given birth to royalty" in Ijaw.
Alazimo f & m Ijaw
Means "born into royalty" in Ijaw.
Alimazi f Amharic
Means "diamond" in Amharic.
Aliza f Hungarian, Basque, Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Basque form of Alice, Hungarian variant of Alíz and Dutch and Afrikaans variant of Alisa.
Almaz m & f Tatar, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Azerbaijani, Eastern African, Amharic
Means "diamond" in various languages, all derived from Persian الماس (almas). It is only used as a masculine name in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan while it is feminine in Azerbaijan and Ethiopia.
Alozie f Nigerian
From the Nigerian, meaning "branch".
Alzena f Indonesian (Rare), South African (Rare)
Possibly derived from Arabic النِسَاء‎ (an-nisāʾ) meaning "the woman".
Amazie f & m African (Modern)
Gifted with purpose
Amazie f & m Zulu
Happy and beloved
Amazigh m Northern African, Berber
From Tamazight ⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖ (Amaziɣ), which is the self-designation of the Berber (Amazigh) people of North Africa. The name itself is of unknown meaning, though folk etymologies claim the meaning of "free-man", derived from Taznatit (Gurara) aze meaning "to be strong" and Tamasheq jeɣeɣ meaning "to be brave".
Amazu m Igbo
Means “I don’t know” in Igbo.
Amenzu m Kabyle
Means "the first" in Kabyle.
Ameziane m Berber, Northern African
Variant of Meziane (chiefly Algerian and Moroccan).
Amezwaru m Berber
Meaning "The one who helps" or "The helper."
Amêzyan m Berber
Means "cadet" or "small" in Amazigh.
Amukudzaishe m Shona
It 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.
Anamzooya m Dagbani
Means "your power is great" in Dagbani.
Anarouz m Berber, Northern African
Variant transcription of Anaruz.
Anaruz m Berber, Northern African
Means "hope" in Tamazight.
Anazia f African American (Modern), Nigerian
Transferred use of the surname Anazia.
Andzani m & f Tsonga
Means "multiply, grow" in Xitsonga.
Andzile m & f Tsonga
Means "multiplied and increased" in Xitsonga.
Angavu m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "clear, lucid".
Anza f Venda
Meaning "to increase, to add more".
Anzansi m & f Dagbani
Means "courage" or "persistence" in Dagbani.
Anzél f Afrikaans
Variant of Anzelle.
Anzelle f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Ancelle.
Arezki m Kabyle
Probably derived from Arabic رِزْق (rizq) meaning "wealth, fortune" or "nourishment, sustenance".
Arezqi m Kabyle
Variant transcription of Arezki.
Arziki f Hausa
Means "wealth, riches; prosperity" in Hausa.
Asavela f & m Xhosa
Means "they still appear" in Xhosa. A famous bearer is South African actress Asavela Mngqithi.
Asheazi f Eggon
A beautiful woman, precious woman
Avhatendi m & f Venda
Means "they do not believe" in Tshivenda.
Azagba m Western African
Means "born out of town".
Azazi m Ge'ez
Means "one who commands" in Ge'ez.
Azêllay m Berber
Means "pendant" in Amazigh.
Azelle f French (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Possibly a feminization of Azel.
Azenkwed m Berber
Means "male gazelle" in Amazigh.
Azenzêr m Berber
Means "sunshine" in Tamazight.
Azibo m Nigerian
Azibo means “youth” in Nigerian. It also means “Earth” in Egyptian.
Azille f Afrikaans
Variant of Azelle.
Azindoo m Dagbani
"Friday male Born"
Azizi f & m African American (Rare), Swahili
Means "treasure, rarity, something valuable; lover" in Swahili, derived from Arabic عَزِيز‎ (ʕazīz); compare Aziz. A known (female) bearer is American model Azizi Johari (1948-), in whose case it is a pseudonym.
Azland f African, English (American, Rare)
As an African name it means "powerful". As an English name, it is an alternate spelling of Azlan which is a variant of Aslan, a Turkish name meaning "lion"... [more]
Azmar m Berber
Meaning unknown.
Azmera f Amharic
Means "harvest, crop" in Amharic.
Azrur m Berber
Means "handsome" in Tamazight.
Azu m Igbo
Means "fish" in Igbo.
Azubike m Igbo
Variant of Azubuike.
Azuka m Igbo
Means "the past is greater" or "my back is greater" in Igbo.
Azumi f Hausa
Means "month of fasting" in Hausa, traditionally given to girls born during Ramadan.
Azuz m Berber
Meaning unknown.
Azwianewi m & f Venda
Means "something that cannot be told" in Tshivenda.
Azwihangwisi m & f Venda
Means "unforgettable" in Tshivenda.
Bekezela f Ndebele
Means "be patient" in Ndebele.
Beleuzi f & m Ijaw
Means "first born" in Ijaw.
Beza f & m Eastern African, Amharic
Means "payment, redemption" in Amharic.
Bezawit f Amharic
Means "saviour" in Amharic.
Bhekizifundiswa m Zulu
Means "watch the educated ones" in Zulu.
Bhekizizwe m Zulu
Means "look after the nations" in Zulu.
Boukazi m & f Ijaw
Means "a child born in a bush" in Ijaw.
Bozoma f Western African
From Ghana.
Buwozi m & f Ijaw
Means "a child whose feet came out first before the head during birth" in Ijaw.
Bvumai m Shona
Bvumai means "Admit". This may be a name given to say to adversary admit that you were wrong, you were defeated or that you committed the offence
Calvinia f South African
Feminine form of Calvin.
Cézanne f & m English, Afrikaans
From the French artist, Paul Cézanne. This name is sometimes used as a feminine name by Afrikaners in South Africa due to its similarity to Suzanne.
Chanez f Northern African
In Algeria, Chanez is frequently used as a variant of Shahnaz.... [more]
Chawanzi m & f Nsenga
Meaning gift or freely given
Chenzira m & f Southern African, Shona
Means "born on a journey" in Shona.
Cheyeza m & f Tsonga
Means "bright" in Xitsonga.
Chezelle f Afrikaans, French
South African name, probably derived from the French, it might be from a place name in France, derived from the Occitan, meaning "hill". Or accordingly to another theory it may mean "house of her".
Chiazam f & m Igbo
Means "God answered me" in Igbo.
Chiazo m & f Igbo
Means "God saves" in Igbo.
Chibuzor f & m Igbo
Means "God is the way" in Igbo.
Chibvwimbo m Tumbuka
Means "bird's nest" in Tumbuka, with implications of working hard or providing shelter and comfort.
Chiedozie m Igbo
Means "God will repair" in Igbo.
Chiedza f African
Meaning Light/Dawn... [more]
Chikatizyo f Nsenga
Means "helper" in Nsenga.
Chinaza m Chewa
Means “what happened” in Chichewa.
Chinoza m African
Zezuru name for one who knows much but says less
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.
Chipukizi f Swahili
Means "bud, sprout, shoot" in Swahili.
Chiratidzo f Shona
Meaning "a sign" or "a symbol.
Chithuzi m Tumbuka
Means "shadow, picture" in Tumbuka, often given after repeated deaths in the family.
Chivimbiso f Shona
Means "the promise" in Shona.
Chizaram m & f Nigerian, Igbo
Means 'God answered me' in Igbo.
Chriszette f Afrikaans
Compound name of Christine and Suzette.
Chriztie f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Chrizanne, also can be the Afrikaans form of Christy. In 2022 in South Africa, Chriztie was given for 150 girls.
Chukwumaeze m Igbo
Means "God knows the king" in Igbo.
Dambuzgho f Tumbuka
Means "troublesome" in Tumbuka, often given to babies whose mothers were unwell during pregnancy.
Dativa f Late Roman, History (Ecclesiastical), Eastern African, Portuguese (Rare), Spanish (Rare), Filipino (Rare)
Feminine form of Dativus. This was the name of a 5th-century Christian martyr from North Africa. It is mostly used in Eastern Africa (mainly in Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda).
Dative f French (African), Eastern African
French form of Dativa, mostly used in Rwanda.
Daven m African, Tamil
Pronunciation: Dayven (pronounced as in "Dave" with an n)... [more]
Davincia f Southern African
Peace and love
Devoux m South African
Name created in the 2000s. A son who aspires for greatness. The one who reaches and catches his goals.
Dezy m Edo (Modern)
''You cant block God's path or you can not block ones destiny; diminutive of Aigbodezzy''
Didiza f Zulu
Means "flutter" in Zulu.
Dilivio m Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Surinamese, Rare)
Since this name is also found written as Di Livio, it is probably a combination of the Italian preposition di meaning "of" with the given name Livio... [more]
Dizgha m Tumbuka
Means "to be quiet" in Tumbuka.
Dova f Shona
Meaning "dew".
Dovéné m Ewe
Name of Togo origin, meaning "given by God", "God's gift".
Duduzile f Zulu
Means “take comfort” in Zulu.
Dyondzani m Tsonga
From the Xitsonga dyondza meaning "learn".
Dzidefo m & f Ewe
Origin African Ghana Togo Benin... [more]
Dzikamai m Shona
Dzikamai 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.
Dzikimai m Shona
Means “slow down” in Shona.
Dzinashe m Shona
Dzinashe means "It's with the Lord". One well known bearer of this name is Dzinashe Machingura.
Dziva f Shona
Means "water" in Shona.
Dzunani m Tsonga
From the Xitsonga dzuna meaning "praise".
Dzunisani m & f Tsonga
Means "praise, praise together" in Xitsonga.
Dzuwa m & f Chewa
Means "sunshine" in Chewa.
Ebeleuzoma f Western African (Modern)
Combination of Ebele meaning "mercy, kindness" with Uzoma meaning "good way".
Ebizimor m & f Ijaw
Means "born in a good season" in Ijaw.
Ehioze m African
means "above the envy of others" and is of Benin origin
Ehizefua m Esan
Means: my (Ehi) Destiny (ze) chooses (Efua) Light or what is white
Ejovwokoghene m & f African
African(Nigerian)
Elizette f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Elize.
Elizma f Afrikaans
Contraction of Elizabeth Maria.
Elzabé f Afrikaans
Variant of Elsabe.
Elze f Dutch, German (East Prussian), Afrikaans
Dutch variant spelling and East Prussian German and Afrikaans form of Else.
Elzette f Afrikaans
Contraction of Elizette and diminutive of Elze.
Enzi f & m Swahili
Means "powerful" in Swahili.
Evaleni f Jagham
This name originates from the Legbo, a language spoken by people from Ekoi tribe in Cross River. It means "God's gift".
Evangelique f Afrikaans (Rare), English (American, Rare)
Cognate of Évangélique, which is usually used in non-francophone regions and countries.
Evangelise f & m African American, African
Possibly an invented name, a combination Evangeline and Elise. Another possibility is that it's taken from the British spelling of 'evangelize', which is the English word meaning "to preach the gospel".
Evbu f Edo
This name means "misty". Misty refers to objects with misty colors. One other possibly meaning is "dew" referring to a baby born during a dewy morning.
Everhard m Dutch, Afrikaans, German
Dutch, Afrikaans and German form of Everard.
Evioghene f & m Isoko, Urhobo, Nigerian
It is a name beared by the isoko uhrobo language speaking people in Delta state, Nigeria.... [more]
Ezana m Ethiopian
Ezana or Ezanas (c.303– c.350 CE/AD) was king of Aksum, now Ethiopia. Ezana was the first monarch of the Kingdom of Aksum to embrace Christianity. Ezana is a Geʽez (an ancient Ethiopian Semitic language) name of unknown meaning... [more]
Ezenwa m Igbo (Rare)
The name Ezenwa is an Igbo name meaning King, Prince, or Son of King
Ezeuzo m Igbo
Means "king of the road" in Igbo.
Ezikiel m Southern African
Malawi variant of Ezekiel.
Ezinne f Igbo
Means "true mother", from the Igbo eziokwu meaning "truth", "honesty", "integrity", and nne meaning "mother".
Ezinwanne m Igbo
nwanne, nwanneka"good companion or relative" igbo, african
Ezrom m South African
Likely a variant of Hezron.
Fadziso f Shona
Means "one who brings happiness" in Shona.
Fa'izah f Hausa
Means "victorious" in Hausa.
Faven f Tigrinya
Means "light"
Fhulufhedzani m & f Venda
Means "be hopeful" in Tshivenda.
Frezer f Amharic
Means "fertile" in Amharic.
Ganza m Rwandan
Meaning "reign" in Kinyarwanda.
Gavaza f Tsonga
Means "one who dresses elegantly" in Xitsonga.
Gazini m Zulu
Means "blood" in Zulu.
Gebregziabher m Ge'ez, Tigrinya
Means "servant of God" in Ge'ez, from Ge'ez ገብረ (gäbrä) "servant" and እግዚአብሔር (ʾəgziʾäbḥer), a Ge'ez translation of God, from Ge'ez እግዚእ (ʾəgziʾ) "lord" and ብሔር (bəḥer) “world, region”
Genevé f Afrikaans
Variant of Geneve.
Genzeb f Ethiopian
Diminutive of Genzebe.
Given f & m English (Puritan), African
From the English word given, meaning "A condition that is assumed to be true without further evaluation.".... [more]
Godslove m & f Nigerian (Modern), English
The combination of God is love, God's love. Meaning "God's kind of love" or "God is love"
Grizelda f American (South, Rare), Hungarian (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Kashubian
Hungarian and Kashubian form and English and Afrikaans variant of Griselda. The English usage may have been influenced by Grizel.
Hafzah f Somali
It means lioness.
Hakizimana m Rwandan, Rundi, African Mythology (Modern)
A name which means "God saves everything," imana being the name of the original Rwandan/Burundian deity and now the modern word for God in all monotheistic usages within Rwanda and Burundi.
Hannelize f Afrikaans
Contraction of Hanne 1 and Elize.
Hazvinei f Shona
Hazvinei means "Never mind, no worries". This name may be given by a parent who was offended
Hazviperi m & f Shona
"It does not end". Situational name given in circumstances where family faced unending troubles or trials.
Houevi f Ewe, African
Name of Ewe origin, meaning "joy".
Imanzi m Rwandan
From the Kinyarwanda word "umumanzi", meaning "righteousness".
Irikidzai f Shona
Means "to add to" in Shona.
Irikidzayi m Shona
Means "add another one" in Shona.
Irorezi f Isoko (Rare)
Means "good thoughts" in Isoko.
Irorezi f Nigerian
A feminine Nigerian name. The meaning is loosely translated to "good thoughts". This name could also be a diminutive of the Nigerian name Orezi, meaning "precious".
Isazo m & f Tumbuka
Variant of Izaso.
Ishemanzwa m Shona
It means "Lord you have heard".
Ishemunonzwa m Shona
It means "Lord you hear", another variation is Ishemanzwa.
Izaso m & f Tumbuka
Means "come again, return" in Tumbuka, a plea for deceased relatives to come back.
Izdârasen m Berber
Means "the mighty, the strong" in Tamazight.
Izemrasen m Berber (Rare)
Means "powerful" in Berber.
Izette f Afrikaans
Variant of Isette.
Izîl m Berber (Rare)
Izîl stands for ‘sublime and magnificent’.
Izlan f Berber
Means "melody" in Tamazight.
Izmael m Hungarian (Rare), Eastern African (Rare), Judeo-Catalan, Biblical Hungarian, Biblical Polish, Biblical Czech, Spanish (Latin American, Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare)
Hungarian, Polish, Czech, Judeo-Catalan and Somali form of Ishmael, as well as a Spanish and Portuguese variant of Ismael.
Izon-ebi m & f Ijaw
Means "the Ijaw life is good" in Ijaw.
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.
Kamuzu m Southern African
Means "little root" in Chichewa.
Kamuzyu f Nsenga
Means "roots" in Nsenga.
Kaskazi f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "north wind" or "hot season, summer".
Katavi m African Mythology, Nyamwezi
A demonic being in the popular belief of the Nyamwezi people of Tanzania. He is reputed to be the chief of the water-spirits, but he also haunts the barren lands and deserts.
Kazah m & f Nigerian
Means "God" in Bajju.
Kazoka m Pare
Means "axe" in the Athu language of the Pare people.
Kényonyóozi f Kiga
Means "born of the stars" in Rukiga.
Khangezile f Zulu
Means "our hands are open" in Zulu.
Khayizeni m Tsonga
Means "rebuke" in Xitsonga.
Khumbuza m Tsonga
Means "remember" in Xitsonga.
Khwezi m & f Zulu
Means "bright morning star" in Zulu.
Kimpa-vita f Kongo
The name of a congolese prophetess and religious leader who lived at the end of the 17th century.
Kipenzi f & m Swahili, African
means "darling", "favorite", "loved one"
Kivuvu f & m Central African
Kikongo for "hope".
Kizito m African
Means "Gift from God" or "Child who God loves". St. Kizito is the youngest of the 22 Ugandan martyrs. He is the patron saint of children and primary schools.
Kizza m & f Ganda
"born after twins"... [more]
Kokugonza f Haya
Means "the one to be loved" in Haya.
Kokuhumuliza f Haya
Means "the one who soothes" in Haya.
Kovu m Swahili
It's Kiswahili for "Scar" and possibly, and is used in the Lion King 2. Kovu was chosen by Scar to become King before Simba returned to Pride Rock. Kovu's Mother Zira almost let Simab kill him when he was just a cub when they were caught in the Pridelands, but Simba told her to take him and leave before departing with his own daughter Kiara... [more]
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.
Kurunzi m Swahili
Swahili masculine name meaning "torch".
Kuvhanganani m & f Venda
Means "come together" in Tshivenda.
Kuziva m & f African
Zimbabwe/Shona
Kuzivakwashe f Shona
Means "God's will" in Shona.
Kwayedza m & f Shona
Meaning “the sunlight or morning light has dawned” or “the sunrise has dawned”.
Laazis m Tiv
Mr laazis is an english name of a gospel singer
Landzani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga landza meaning "follow".
Langavi m & f Tsonga
Means "flame" in Xitsonga.
Lieze f Flemish, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Dutch and Afrikaans variant of Liese.
Liezel f Afrikaans
Variant of Liesel.
Livhuwani m & f Venda
Means "be thankful" in Tshivenda.
Lovenie f African
From the word "love".
Loveth f Nigerian (Modern)
Newly invented name, currently popular in Nigeria.
Loza f Amharic
The Amharic form of Luz, the name of a place in the Bible where it is believed Jacob saw his ladder.
Lwazi m South African, Zulu
Means "knowledge" in Zulu.
Lwiza f Ancient Berber, Berber
Means "lemon verbena" in Amazigh (species Aloysia citrodora).
Mabvuto m & f Nsenga
Name given to a child born when there was trouble/problem in the family or community. For instance war, drought, pestilence
Machiveyi f Shona
"What do you seek or covert?" Situational name given in circumstance where family has covetous neighbours or kin.