Nguni Submitted Names

Abongile m Xhosa
Means "thankfulness" in Xhosa.

Akahlulwa m Xhosa (Modern)
This name is derived from the song Akahlulwa lutho uuJesu. Mostly popularity in the Xhosa nation. But this name is also understood Zulu which means Jesus is undefeated.

Akaziwe f Nguni
Means "she must be introduced" in Nguni.

Amandla f & m Xhosa, Zulu, African American
Means "power; strength" in Xhosa and Zulu.... [more]

Amile m Zulu
something keeping a structural holding making sure things are balanced in life.

Andisiwe f Xhosa
Means "extension" in Xhosa.

Anele m & f Zulu
Means "be enough; be sufficient; be adequate" in Zulu.

Aphelele m Xhosa
Meaning “they are perfect” or “they are complete” in Xhosa. Often given to the last child in Xhosa families.

Artwell m Shona, English (African), Ndebele
Zimbabwe origin meaning 'Creative' or 'Excellent Creation'.

Asamahle f Nguni
Means "she is still beautiful" in Nguni.

Asamkele f Nguni
Means "let us accept" in Nguni

Atepekoungo m Zulu, Esan, Kongo, Mossi, Tooro, Yao
First used by King Atepekoungo of the Kingdom of Äsikoluboru in modern day Zïare.

Awami f Nguni
Means "belongs to me" in Nguni.

Awonke f Xhosa

Axhoba m Xhosa
The meaning of this name is, they are armed.

Ayakha m Xhosa
Means "they build" in Xhosa.

Bafana m Zulu
Derived from Zulu abafana, the plural form of umfana, meaning "boy, young man."

Banele m Ndebele
Means "boys are enough" in Ndebele.

Bekebeke f Zulu
Means "glittering" in Zulu.

Bekezela f Ndebele
Means "be patient" in Ndebele.

Bhekani m Zulu, Ndebele
Means "look" in Zulu and Ndebele.

Bheki m Zulu
"The person that's broadminded, able to think further about future needs and wants".

Bhekisisa f Zulu
Means "to be careful, cautious" in Zulu.

Bhekithemba f Zulu
Means "look for hope" in Zulu.

Bhekizifundiswa m Zulu
Means "watch the educated ones" in Zulu.

Bhekizizwe m Zulu
Means "look after the nations" in Zulu.

Bhekumbuso m Zulu (Rare)
Means "look after the kingdom", from Zulu bheka "look after" and umbuso "kingdom, dominion".

Bonginkosi m Zulu
Means "thanksgiving" in Zulu.

Buchule m & f Xhosa
Means "skills; cleverness" in Xhosa.

Busisiwe f Zulu
Means "blessed" in Zulu.

Butho m Ndebele
Means "soldier" in Ndebele.

Cacile f Ndebele
Means "clear" in Ndebele.

Cashile f Zulu (Rare)
Possibly derived from cashisa meaning "conceal, hide."

Cebisa f Xhosa, Southern African
Means "advice" in Xhosa.

Dela f Zulu (Rare)
Dela. in Zulu it means to become whole, to feel complete and satisfied.

Didiza f Zulu
Means "flutter" in Zulu.

Ekuseni f Zulu
Means "in the morning" in Zulu.

Elifasi m South African, Zulu

Enanela f Zulu
Means "rejoice" in Zulu.

Enzokuhle m & f South African, Zulu, Xhosa
Means "expected to do great things" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Esasa f Zulu
Means "be happy" in Zulu.

Esihle m & f Zulu, Xhosa, Southern African
Means "beautiful, good" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Esulu m & f Ndebele
Means "clouds" in Ndebele.

Ethuka f Zulu
Means "surprise" in Zulu.

Ethulo f Zulu
Means "gift" in Zulu.

Ethwasa f Zulu
Means "start anew" in Zulu.

Fanyana m Zulu
From Zulu umfanyana, abafanyana meaning "little boy".

Funani f & m Zulu (Rare)
Means "want!" or "search!" in Zulu.

Gagasi f Zulu
Means "wave" in Zulu.

Gatsha m Zulu (Rare)
From Zulu igatsha meaning "branch".

Gazini m Zulu
Means "blood" in Zulu.

Ghakarhi m Zulu
The meaning of this name is fierce warrior. A person not accepting defeat as an option.

Goodwill m Zulu, South African, Literature
Derives from the Medieval English gode meaning "good", plus will, "wish or desire", and was originally given as a complimentary nickname to an amiable person, favourably disposed towards others... [more]

Gugu f Xhosa
Means "our pride" in Xhosa. A famous bearer is actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

Gugu f Zulu
From Zulu igugu meaning "precious".

Hlomla f Xhosa
To comment on something

Ibubesi m Zulu
Means "lion" in Zulu.

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]

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

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

Ingqondo f Zulu
Means "intelligence" in Zulu.

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

Iqaqa m Zulu
Means "polecat" in Zulu.

Isaki m Ndebele
Ndebele form of Isaac.

Isisa f Zulu
Means "the tenderness" in Zulu.

Izula f Zulu
Means "nomad" in Zulu.

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.

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

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

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

Khanya m Zulu
Means "shine" in Zulu.

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

Khanyiso m Xhosa
Means "light" in Xhosa.

Khanyizile f Xhosa
The name means "light has come".

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

Khaya f Zulu
Means "home" in Zulu.

Khayalethu m Zulu
Means "our home" in Zulu.

Khayelihle f Ndebele
Means "good home" in Ndebele.

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

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

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

Khulekani f Zulu
Means "salute" in Zulu.

Khululiwe f Zulu
Means "exonerated" in Zulu.

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

Lakhela f Swazi

Lakiwe f Zulu

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

Langalibalele m Zulu
Means "shining sun" in Zulu.

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

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

Lifalakhe f Ndebele
Means "her inheritance" in Ndebele.

Lihle f Xhosa
African

Lilitha f Xhosa

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.

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

Liyabona f Xhosa
Means "it sees" in Xhosa.

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 Xhosa
Means "stability in the family" in Xhosa.

Lubabalo m Xhosa
The meaning of this name is Grace, praising God, giving thanks for what you have.

Lubanzi m South African, Xhosa
Means "upper layer, flat and clear surface" (usually directed or linked to the love parents have for the child).

Luchumo m & f Xhosa

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" in Xhosa.

Luphumlo m Xhosa
Means "rest" in Xhosa.

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

Luya f Xhosa
Diminutive form of Luyanda.

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

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

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

Makhozana f South African, Xhosa

Malusi m Zulu
Means "shepherd" in Zulu.

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 Xhosa, African
means "sweet"

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

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".

Mbuso m Ndebele
Means "kingdom" in Ndebele.

Mbuyiseli m Xhosa

Mehluli m Ndebele
Means "conquerer" in Ndebele.

Melokuhle m & f South African, Xhosa
Meaning ''beautiful one''.

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

Meshindi m Zulu
Means "victor" in Zulu.

Mesuli m Xhosa, Zulu

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

Mhambi f Zulu
Means "traveler" in Zulu.

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".

Mnotho m & f Zulu (Anglicized, Modern, Rare, ?)
Treasure or economy also see Gugu

Mogamat m South African, Xhosa

Mongameli m Ndebele
Means "leader" in Ndebele.

Mpendulo f Zulu
Means "reply" in Zulu.

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

Mpilo m Xhosa, Zulu, Southern African
Means "life" in Xhosa and Zulu.

Mpumelelo m Zulu
Means "success" in Zulu.

Mqeku m South African, Ndebele

Mqibalo m South African, Xhosa

Msamaniso m South African, Xhosa

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.

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

Musa f Ndebele
Means "grace" in Ndebele.

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

Mvuseselo m Zulu
Means "revival" in Zulu.

Mxolisi m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "Peacemaker" in Xhosa and Zulu.

Mzi m Xhosa
Diminutive of Mzingayi.

Mzingayi m Xhosa
Name of the father of Steve Biko.

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

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

Nambitha f Xhosa
To Nambitha is to savour, to take a small bite out of one's food and chew it slowly to enjoy every bit of it. A girl who is named Nambitha is encouraged 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

Ndabazaniye m Zulu

Ndabezinhle f Zulu
Means "good news" in Zulu.

Ndabicacile m Ndebele
Means "the story's clear" in Ndebele.

Ndleleni m Zulu
Means "on the road" in Zulu.

Ndodana m Ndebele
Means "son" in Ndebele.

Ndondoloza f Zulu
Possibly means "I will guard" in Zulu.

Ndonsa f Zulu
Means "morning star" in Zulu.

Ndumiso f Zulu
Means "praise" in Zulu.

Nelisiwe f Zulu
Means "satisfied" in Zulu.

Ngcondebuku m & f Xhosa (Modern)
Ngconde comes from the Xhosa clan names of Amakwayi. Amakwayi ,Ongconde, o Togu o Tshiwo.Buku is the surname of Michael who belong to Amakwayi o Ngcondentshaba From Kingwilliamstown, Eastern Cape,South Africa.His home village is Ndevana near Zwelitsha,Phakamisa and Ilitha Township.

Nhalahla f Zulu
Means "luck" in Zulu.

Nhlakanipho f Zulu
From Zulu inhlakanipho meaning "wisdom".

Nhlonipho m Ndebele
Means "respect" in Ndebele.

Njabulo f Zulu
Means "happy" in Zulu.

Njabulu f Zulu
Means "happiness" in Zulu.

Nkanyezi m Zulu, Southern African
Means "star" in Zulu.

Nkanyiso m Zulu
Means "light" in Zulu.

Nkazimulo f Zulu
Means "glory" in Zulu.

Nkonkoni f Zulu
Means "champion" in Zulu.

Nkosi m Xhosa
Means "king; lord; ruler; god" in Xhosa.

Nkosingimele f & m Zulu
Means "God is on my side" or "stand for me" in Zulu.

Nkosingiphile f African, Zulu
Means "the Lord gave me" in Zulu.

Nkosiphendule m Zulu
Means "God has answered" in Zulu.

Nkosiyabo m African, Ndebele, Zulu
Means "their king" in Zulu.

Nkuli f Xhosa
Diminutive form of Nonkululeko.

Nkululeko m Zulu
Means "freedom" in Zulu.

Nobhalela f Zulu
Means "the one who writes" in Zulu.

Nokhanyo f Xhosa
Means "mother of enlightenment" in Xhosa.

Nokulunga f Zulu
Means "thankfulness" in Zulu.

Nokuthula f Zulu
Means "peace and tranquillity" in Zulu.

Nolwandle f Zulu
Means "mother of oceans" in Zulu.

Nolwazi f Zulu (Rare)
Means "knowledgeable" in Zulu.

Nomagugu f Zulu
Means "the precious one" in Zulu.

Nomalanga f Ndebele
Means "mother of sunshine" in Ndebele.

Nomandla f Zulu
Means "mother of strength" in Zulu.

Nomaqhawe f Ndebele
Means "heroine" in Ndebele.

Nomasonto f Zulu
Means "mother of Sundays" in Zulu.

Nomathamsanqa f Xhosa
Lucky

Nomathemba f Ndebele, Zulu
Means "hope" in Ndebele and Zulu.

Nombuyiselo f Xhosa
"She who gives back." This is the name of comedian and talk show host Trevor Noah's mother.

Nomnikelo f South African, Xhosa

Nomthandazo f Xhosa
Means "a prayer" in Xhosa.

Nomthimba f Zulu
Means "wedding" in Zulu.

Nomvula f South African, Zulu
Means "after the rain" in Zulu. This is given to babies born after a storm.

Nomzamo f African, Zulu
Means "struggle" in Zulu.

Nonhlanhla f African, Zulu
Means "luck" in Zulu.

Nonjabulo f Zulu
Means "happiness" in Zulu.

Nonkululeko f South African, Zulu
Means "freedom" in Zulu.

Nosakhele f Zulu
Means "build for us" in Zulu.

Nothando f Zulu
Means "mother of love" in Zulu.

Novuyo f Xhosa
Means "ultimate joy" or "mother of joy" in Xhosa.

Nozibusiso f Zulu
Means "mother of blessings" in Zulu.

Nqobani m Zulu
Means "you must conquer" in Zulu.

Nqobile f Zulu
Means "she has conquered" in Zulu.

Ntando m Ndebele
Means "will" in Ndebele.

Ntfombi f South African, Swazi
Variant of Ntombi.

Ntokozo f African, Zulu
Means "happiness" or "joy" in Zulu.

Ntombenhle f Ndebele
Means "beautiful girl" in Ndebele.

Ntombhekya m South African, Xhosa

Ntombifikile f Xhosa
Means "a girl has arrived" in Xhosa.

Ntombikayise f Zulu
Means "father's girl" in Zulu.

Ntombiyesizwe f Zulu
Means "girl of the earth" in Zulu.

Ntombiyezulu f Zulu
"girl of heaven" in Zulu

Ntombizanele f African, Zulu
Means "enough girls" in Zulu, from ntombi meaning "lady".

Ntomboxolo f Xhosa
Means "girl of peace" in Xhosa.

Ntuthuko f Zulu
Means "prosperity" in Zulu.

Ntwenhle f Zulu
Means "beautiful thing" in Zulu.

Ongezwa f Xhosa
Means "one who was added" in Xhosa.

Phila f & m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu, English
Means "live" or "get well" in Nguni languages. In English, it is derived from Greek φιλος (philos) "lover, friend".

Philisiwe f South African, Zulu
Means "healed" in Zulu.

Phumlani m Zulu
Means "rest" in Zulu.

Qondiwe f Xhosa

Qoqanani m & f Ndebele
Means "organise yourself" in Ndebele.

Rancina f Zulu
Zulu form of Francine.

Rolihlahla m Xhosa, African
isiXhosa for 'pulling the branch of a tree', colloquially 'troublemaker'. This was the given name of Nelson Mandela (Rolihlahla Mandela) and is now typically attributed to him as a middle name.

Sakhile m Zulu
Means "we have built" in Zulu.

Salmoora f Xhosa

Samkeliso m Swazi
In Swazi culture this means, a gift has been given. In Swaziland, the meaning of names is determined by the circumstances around the birth.

Samukelisiwe f African, Zulu
Means "we have received" in Zulu.

Sandisiwe f Xhosa
Means "we have been added to" in Xhosa.

Senzeni m & f Ndebele
Means "what did we do?" in Ndebele.

Sethekele f Ndebele
"We visited"

Sfiso m Zulu, Swazi, Ndebele, Xhosa
Means "wish" in Zulu.

Sibakhulule m & f Ndebele
Means "we have liberated them" in Ndebele.

Sibhakabhaka f Zulu
Means "sky" in Zulu.

Sibongiseni m Zulu
Meaning "(you), be thankful with us" in Zulu.

Siboniso m South African, Zulu
Means "being a leader" in Zulu.

Sicalo m Swazi
A famous bearer is Sicalo Dlamini (1987-) son of Mswati III, King of Eswatini and his first wife Queen laMatsebula.

Sihawukele m Ndebele
Means "have mercy on us" in Ndebele.

Sikhangezile f Ndebele
Means "we're receiving" in Ndebele.

Sikhethiwe f Ndebele
Means "we are chosen" in Ndebele.

Sikhulekile f Ndebele
Means "we prayed" in Ndebele.

Sikhululekile m & f Ndebele
Means "we are free" in Ndebele.

Silibele m Ndebele
Means "we're unaware" in Ndebele.

Silindile f & m Xhosa, Zulu
it means we are waiting for the baby's arrival and for success in the baby's life.

Simangaliso f Ndebele
Means "miracle" in Ndebele.

Simangele f South African, Zulu
Means "surprise" in Zulu.

Simdingile m & f Xhosa, Zulu
The child was longed for

Simosihle f South African, Zulu
Means "beautiful feeling" in Zulu.

Simphiwe m & f Zulu
Meaning "we have been given him/her" in Zulu.

Sinazo f Xhosa
Means "we have it" in Xhosa.

Sindisa m & f Southern African (Rare), Zulu (Rare)
From Zulu sindisa meaning "save, redeem, rescue".

Sindisiwe f Zulu
Means "saved" in Zulu.

Sindiswa f Southern African, Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi
Means "saved" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Sinegugu f Zulu
Means "we have treasures" in Zulu.

Sinenhlanhla f Zulu
Means "we have luck" in Zulu, from sine "we have" and inhlanhla "luck".

Sinethemba f South African, Zulu
Means "we have hope" in Zulu.

Siphamandla m South African, Zulu
Means "give us strength" in Zulu.

Siphelele m Zulu
Means "we are complete" in Zulu.

Siphephelo f Zulu
Means "refuge" in Zulu.

Siphesihle m Zulu
Means "beautiful gift" in Zulu.

Siphilanzima m & f Ndebele
Means "we are surviving hardships" in Ndebele.

Siphokazi f Zulu
Feminine form of Sipho.

Siphosethu m Zulu
Means "our gift" in Zulu.

Siphosomzi m Xhosa

Sisipho f Xhosa, Zulu, Southern African
Means "gift" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Sithabisile f Ndebele
Means "we are very happy" in Ndebele.

Sithandazile f Ndebele
Means "we prayed" in Ndebele.

Sithandilizwe m & f Ndebele
Means "we love our country" in Ndebele.

Sithenjiwe f Ndebele
Means "we are trusted" in Ndebele.

Sitshengisiwe f Ndebele
Means "we were shown" in Ndebele.

Sivuyile m South African, Xhosa
Means "we are happy" in Xhosa.

Siyamthanda m Xhosa
Means "we love him" in Xhosa.

Siyanda m Zulu
Means "we are increasing" in Zulu.

Siyavuya m & f Xhosa
Means "we are happy" in Xhosa.

Sizakele f & m Zulu
Means "be helped, be assisted" in Zulu.

Sizani f Zulu
Means "you all help" in Zulu.

Skhumbuzo m Xhosa

Solomzi m Xhosa
Means "eye of the home" or "guardian of the home" in Xhosa.

Solonzi m Xhosa (Modern)
Means "the eye of the home" in Xhosa.

Sonwabile m Xhosa
Means "we are content" in Xhosa.

Sthandekile f Ndebele
Means "we are loved" in Ndebele.

Sthenjwa m Zulu

Tandeko m Zulu
Always lovable. From Bantu root tande