South African Submitted Names

Abdool m Mauritian Creole, South African
Variant of Abdul.

Abigajil f Norwegian (Rare, Archaic), Swedish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Danish (Rare)
Variant of Abigail used in the Norwegian translation of the Bible.

Abongile m Xhosa
Means "thankfulness" in Xhosa.

Achmat m Indonesian, South African
Indonesian form of Ahmad as well as the usual form used by South African Muslims.

Adiela f Hebrew, English (Rare), Spanish (Latin American), South African
Feminine form of Adiel.

Agetha f English (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Agatha.

Agrinette f South African (Rare)

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.

Akani m Tsonga
Means "build, build together" in Xitsonga.

Akeelah f South African (Rare), English (Modern, Rare), Arabic
Variant of Akilah, notably used in the 2006 movie 'Akeelah and the Bee'

Akhona f & m South African

Alanda f Afrikaans

Alarice f Afrikaans (Rare), English (New Zealand, Rare)

Aletta f Dutch, Swedish (Archaic), Afrikaans, Icelandic (Modern, Rare), Hungarian
Archaic Swedish diminutive of Alhet and Dutch variant of Aleida as well as a Hungarian adoption of the Dutch name... [more]

Alinda f Dutch, Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish (Rare), Hungarian, Gascon
Dutch, Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish and Hungarian contracted form of Adelinda and Gascon contracted form of Aidelina.

Alita f English, Dutch, Afrikaans

Alitta f Afrikaans, Hungarian, English
Variant of Aletta.

Aliza f Hungarian, Basque, Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Basque form of Alice, Hungarian variant of Alíz and Dutch and Afrikaans variant of Alisa.

Alizea f Afrikaans (Modern, Rare)
Latinate variant of Alizée.

Alleta f English (African), Afrikaans, Danish (Rare)
Variant of Aletta.

Alletta f Dutch, Afrikaans, English
Variant of Aleta.

Allita f Afrikaans (Rare), Danish (Rare, Archaic)
Variant of Alita.

Almarie f English (American), Afrikaans, Filipino

Almine f Afrikaans (Rare), German (Rare), Danish (Rare), Norwegian (Rare)
Variant of Almina.

Alta f Afrikaans

Altus m Afrikaans (Rare)

Aluwani m & f Venda
Means "be prosperous" or "grow up" in Tshivenda.

Alydia f Dutch (Rare), South African (Rare)

Alzena f Indonesian (Rare), South African (Rare)
Possibly derived from Arabic النِسَاء‎ (an-nisāʾ) meaning "the woman".

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

Amelda f Afrikaans, Hungarian, English (African)
Variant of Imelda.

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

Amlonde f South African

Amogelang m & f South African, Sotho, Tswana
Means "welcome, receive or accept the child or situation".

Amohelang m Sotho
Means "receive" in Sotho.

Amoré f Afrikaans (Modern)
Afrikaans form of Amore.

Ampie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Abraham.

Ampke f Afrikaans (Rare, Archaic)

Amukelani m & f African, Tsonga
Means "acceptance" in Tsonga.

Amukelo m & f Tsonga
Means "acceptance" in Xitsonga.

Andisiwe f Xhosa
Means "extension" in Xhosa.

Andricia f Afrikaans (Rare)
Possibly a variant of Andriesia.

Andriesa f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Feminine form of Andries.

Andriesia f Afrikaans (Rare)
Feminine form of Andries.

Andrietta f Swedish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Romansh
Swedish and Afrikaans variant of Andriette and Romansh feminine form of Andriu.

Andriëtte f Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Variant of Andriette.

Andriette f French (Archaic), Swedish (Rare), Afrikaans
French diminutive of Andrée.

Andzani m & f Tsonga
Means "multiply, grow" in Xitsonga.

Andzile m & f Tsonga
Means "multiplied and increased" in Xitsonga.

Aneke f Afrikaans
Variant of Anneke.

Anelda f Afrikaans

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

Anelisa f Afrikaans, Portuguese (Brazilian), Danish (Rare)
Variant of Annelisa.

Anelma f Afrikaans

Anene f South African

Aneska f Afrikaans

Anet f Croatian (Rare), Sorbian, Estonian (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Variant of Aneta and Annette.

Anje f Dutch, Afrikaans, Flemish
Diminutive of An.

Ankia f Afrikaans

Annaleen f Afrikaans
Contraction of Anna and names ending in -leen, such as Heleen and Magdaleen.

Annalette f South African, English (African), Afrikaans

Annalie f English (Australian), Afrikaans, Danish (Rare), Swedish (Rare)
Variant of Annelie.

Annastachia f Afrikaans

Annelda f Afrikaans

Annelee f Afrikaans (Rare), Swedish (Rare)
Variant of Anneli.

Annelina f Swedish (Rare), Dutch (Rare), German (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Flemish (Rare)
Combination of Anne 1 and Lina 2.

Anneline f Afrikaans, Dutch, Dutch (Antillean), French (Archaic), Danish, Norwegian
Dutch and Afrikaans variant of Annelien as well as a Danish and Norwegian combination of Anne 1 and Line (and thus a cognate of Annelien) as well as a Danish, Norwegian and archaic French diminutive of Anne 1 found up to the 1700s in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.

Annine f Norwegian (Rare), Danish (Rare), Afrikaans
Diminutive of Anna.

Anoeschka f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Anuschka. This is borne by Namibian author Anoeschka von Meck (1967-).

Anoka f Indian, South African

Anolda f South African (Rare)

Anouchka f French, French (Belgian), Flemish, Dutch, Afrikaans
Cognate of Annushka.

Anri f Afrikaans

Anrich m Afrikaans

Anriette f Louisiana Creole, Afrikaans
Creole variant of Henriette.

Anrika f Afrikaans

Anthon m Dutch, South African, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian (Rare)
Variant of Anton.

Anthonie m Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Variant of Antonie 2.

Anthonius m Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Variant of Antonius.

Antoniette f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Feminine form of Antonie 2.

Anzél f Afrikaans
Variant of Anzelle.

Anzelle f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Ancelle.

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

Arabang f Sotho
Means "reply" in Sotho.

Arenaya f Sotho
Means “He (God) gave us” in Sesotho.

Areneha f Sotho (Rare)
Means "he gave us".

Areneha f Sotho (Modern)
He gave us, God being the ‘He’

Arina f Hungarian, Dutch, Afrikaans
Hungarian contracted form of Adriána and Dutch and Afrikaans contracted form of Adriana.

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

Asanda m South African

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

Auben f & m English (Modern, Rare), South African (Rare)
Variant of Aubin.

Avhatakali m South African

Avhatendi m & f Venda
Means "they do not believe" in Tshivenda.

Awonke f Xhosa

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

Ayakha m Xhosa
Means "they build" in Xhosa.

Azele f Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Azèle.

Azélle f Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Azelle.

Azelle f French (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Possibly a feminization of Azel.

Azille f Afrikaans
Variant of Azelle.

Azwianewi m & f Venda
Means "something that cannot be told" in Tshivenda.

Azwihangwisi m & f Venda
Means "unforgettable" in Tshivenda.

Azwitheli m South African

Baatseba f & m Sotho (Anglicized, Rare)
Sotho form of Bathsheba.

Babsie f South African
Short and familiar form of Barbara.

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

Bambatha f South African

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

Bartho m Dutch, Afrikaans
Short form of Bartholomeus. Notable bearers of this name include the Dutch actor Bartho Braat (b. 1950) and the South African writer Bartho Smit (1924-1986).

Basambilu f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga basa meaning "clean, white, pure" and mbilu meaning "heart".

Basani f Tsonga
Means "be clean, be white" in Xitsonga.

Basetsana f Sotho
Means "ladies" in Sotho.

Basjan m Afrikaans

Batseba f Scandinavian, South African
Cognate of Bathsheba.

Beaunard m Afrikaans (Rare)

Beauty f English, Popular Culture, South African
From the English word "beauty", ultimately derived from Latin bellus, "beautiful". See also Belle and Bella.

Beebee f Mauritian Creole, South African
Variant of Bibi.

Behati f Afrikaans
Possibly an Afrikaans variant of Beata. It is the name of Namibian fashion model Behati Prinsloo (b. 1989).

Bekebeke f Zulu
Means "glittering" in Zulu.

Bekezela f Ndebele
Means "be patient" in Ndebele.

Bellinda f South African
Variant of Belinda.

Berlina f Indonesian, South African, Filipino, Dutch (Rare)
Clearly feminine form of Berlin or a simplified form of Berlinda.

Berna f Hungarian, German (Bessarabian), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans
Short form of Bernadett and Bernadetta as well as a Dutch and Afrikaans short form of names beginning with the element Bern-.

Bernalee f South African

Berneen f South African (Modern, Rare)

Beuran m South African (Rare)

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".

Bokamoso m & f South African, Sotho
Means "future".

Bokang f Sotho
Means "praise" or "rejoice" in Sotho.

Bongi f Xhosa, Southern African
Short form of Sibongile. This was borne by South African singer and songwriter Angela Sibongile "Bongi" Makeba (1950-1985), the only child of singer Miriam Makeba... [more]

Bonginkosi m Zulu
Means "thanksgiving" in Zulu.

Boudine f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Feminine form of Boudewijn.

Bron m English (Rare), South African (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Bron. Otherwise, it could be a short form of LeBron or Bronson.

Brumilda f Afrikaans

Brunelda f Afrikaans, Italian
Variant of Brunilda.

Buang f Sotho
Means "speak" or "chat" in Sesotho.

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

Bulelani m South African

Burger m Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), West Frisian (Archaic)
Dutch, Afrikaans and West Frisian form of the ancient Germanic name Burghar.... [more]

Burry m Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Diminutive of masculine given names that contain the Germanic element burg meaning "fortress", such as Burghard... [more]

Busisiwe f Zulu
Means "blessed" in Zulu.

Butho m Ndebele
Means "soldier" in Ndebele.

Caaren f Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch

Cacile f Ndebele
Means "clear" in Ndebele.

Caley f American (Modern, Rare), South African (Modern, Rare)
Variant of Kaylee, or from an English surname, Caley meaning "jackdaw clearing" or from an Irish surname which is an altered form of Macauley.

Calien f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), English (New Zealand, Rare)

Calphurnia f South African (Rare)
Variant of Calpurnia.

Calvinia f South African
Feminine form of Calvin.

Carike f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Carel.

Carlé f Afrikaans

Carlien f Dutch (Rare), Dutch (Antillean), Dutch (Surinamese), Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans
Variant of Karlien.

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

Caster f South African
Possibly a variant of Castor.

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

Cecile f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Cécile.

Celest f Dutch (Surinamese), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Variant of Celeste.

Ceronia f South African (Rare)

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.

Chaka f & m African American (Rare), South African (Rare)

Chané f African American (Rare), Afrikaans
Variant of Shanae.

Chantene f Afrikaans, South African

Charl m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Charles.

Charlbi f Afrikaans

Charle m Afrikaans, Norman
Cotentinais Norman and Afrikaans form of Charles.

Charlinda f Afrikaans

Charlise f English, South African
Variant of Charlize.

Charmeine f English (Rare), South African (Rare)
Variant of Charmaine.

Chenelle f English (American), African American, Trinidadian Creole, Afrikaans
Variant of Chanel.

Cherity f South African
Variant of Charity.

Cheslin m South African
Transferred use of the surname Cheslin.

Cheyeza m & f Tsonga
Means "bright" in Xitsonga.

Chilene f Afrikaans (Rare), Haitian Creole

Chrisanne f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans, English (Rare)
Variant of Chrisanna.

Chriselda f Afrikaans, South African, Filipino
Presumably a variant of Griselda, influenced by names beginning with "Chris-", such as Christine.

Christien f Dutch, Afrikaans, Flemish
Dutch and Afrikaans form of Christine.

Christo m Afrikaans, Dutch, English, German, French
Short form of Christopher or Christian.

Chriszelda f Afrikaans
Variant of Chriselda.

Chriszette f Afrikaans
Compound name of Christine and Suzette.

Chrizanna f Afrikaans
Variant of Chrizanne.

Chrizelda f Afrikaans
Variant of Chriselda.

Clarencia f Medieval Spanish, South African (Rare), American (South, Rare)
Variant of Clarentia.

Clarine f Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), French (Belgian, Rare), French (Modern, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), English (Rare)
Elaboration of Clara.

Clarise f English (American), Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Variant of Clarice.

Claudelle f French (Rare), French (Quebec, Rare), South African
Feminine form of Claudel.

Clearence m English (American, Rare), South African (Rare), English (Puritan, ?)
Variant of Clarence. In some cases it may be a variant of Clearance.

Coenie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Coenraad. This name is borne by South African rugby player Coenie Oosthuizen (1989-) and South African musician Coenie de Villiers (1956-).

Collen m South African
Either a variant of Colin 2 or a transferred use of the surname Collen.

Collien f German (Modern, Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Possibly a variant of Colleen.

Confidence f English (Puritan), South African
Meaning, "the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust." From late Middle English, from Latin confidentia, from confidere ‘have full trust.' Referring to the confidence one may have in God.

Constand m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Constant.

Corla f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Corlea f Afrikaans

Corlia f Afrikaans
Contracted form of Cornelia.

Corlie f Afrikaans

Cornelle f Afrikaans

Cornellie f French (African, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Dutch (Surinamese, Rare)

Criselda f Filipino (Rare), South African (Rare)
Variant of Chriselda.

Criske f Afrikaans
Merging of the names Christen and Marike.

Crizelda f Filipino (Rare), South African (Rare), American (Hispanic, Rare, ?)
Variant of Chriselda.

Dakalo m & f Venda
Means "happiness" in Tshivenda.

Dalene f English, South African
Diminutive of Magdalene.

Dalien f Afrikaans

Dané f Afrikaans
Variant of Danaë.

Danie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Daniël.

Dantelle f South African (Modern, Rare)
Feminine form of Dante.

Davenia f African American, Jamaican Patois, South African

Dawie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Dawid.

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

Delize f Afrikaans

Delmain m South African

Denvon m South African

Desere f Afrikaans

Dewald m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Dietbald.

Didiza f Zulu
Means "flutter" in Zulu.

Diettmar m Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Dietmar.

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]

Dineo f Sotho
Means "gifts" or "talents" in Sotho.

Dirkie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Dirk.

Dolinde f French (Archaic), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Archaic French vernacular form of Adelinde found in the Poitou-Charentes region. Today, the name is occasionally found in the Netherlands and in Afrikaans-speaking South Africa... [more]

Donation m South African, English (Puritan)
From the word donation, meaning "an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution."

Dorah f English (Rare), South African (Rare), African, Haitian Creole (Rare)
Variant of Dora.

Dorathea f English, Afrikaans, Dutch, Romansh
Variant of Dorothea.

Dorette f French, French (Belgian, Rare), Dutch, Dutch (Surinamese), Flemish, Afrikaans, German (Swiss)
Diminutive of Dora.

Dorkas f Biblical German, Biblical Dutch, German, Afrikaans, Dutch, Flemish
German, Afrikaans and Dutch form of Dorcas.

Dricky f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Hendrika.

Dyondzani m Tsonga
From the Xitsonga dyondza meaning "learn".

Dyshiki f South African
South African meaning One who Likes Candy

Dzunani m Tsonga
From the Xitsonga dzuna meaning "praise".

Dzunisani m & f Tsonga
Means "praise, praise together" in Xitsonga.

Eduardina f Flemish (Rare), Dutch (Archaic), Dutch (Surinamese), Afrikaans (Archaic)
Feminine form of Eduard.

Eghard m Germanic, Afrikaans
The 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]

Egmond m Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Dutch (Surinamese, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Dutch and Afrikaans form of Egmund.

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

Elandré m Afrikaans

Elandri f Afrikaans (Rare), South African (Rare)

Elifasi m South African, Zulu

Elize f Dutch, Afrikaans, Flemish
Variant of Elise.

Elizette f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Elize.

Elizma f Afrikaans
Contraction of Elizabeth Maria.

Elizna f Afrikaans

Ellion m South African (Rare)
Variant of Elian.

Ellouisa f English (British, Rare), South African (Rare)
Variant of Elouisa.

Elmarie f Afrikaans (Modern)

Elna f Afrikaans
Contraction of Elisabeth and Helena.

Elreza f Afrikaans

Elrose f English (Modern, Rare), South African (Rare)

Elsabe f Afrikaans
Afrikaans variation of Elizabeth.

Elsette f Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Elzette.

Elsina f Dutch (Rare), English (American, Rare), Afrikaans
Dutch diminutive of Elisabeth as well as a feminine form of Ale 2.

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.

Elzebe f Dutch (Archaic), Afrikaans (Rare), Old Swedish
Variant of Elsebe.

Elzette f Afrikaans
Contraction of Elizette and diminutive of Elze.

Elzina f English (American, Archaic), Afrikaans
Variant of Elsina.

Ḓembe m & f Venda
Means "miracle" in Tshivenda.

Emelda f South African, Nigerian

Emmarentia f Afrikaans
Variant of Emerentia influenced by Emma.

Emmerentia f German (Bessarabian), Afrikaans
Variant of Emerentia.

Enanela f Zulu
Means "rejoice" in Zulu.

Endlani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga endla meaning "make, create, do".

Enelo f Tsonga
Possibly from the Xitsonga enela meaning "enough".

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

Eon m Afrikaans (Rare)

Erco m West Frisian (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant spelling of Erko, which is most likely a diminutive of Erk. Also compare Ercken and Herko, which is a variant of Herke.

Esabella f English (Rare), South African
Variant of Isabella.

Esasa f Zulu
Means "be happy" in Zulu.

Esca f Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Eska.

Esegiël m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Ezekiel.

Esias m Medieval Romansh, Afrikaans
Medieval Romansh and Afrikaans form of Isaiah via Esaias.

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

Esmeralde f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Esmeralda.

Esna f Afrikaans

Esra m Biblical German, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian (Rare), Icelandic, Faroese, Afrikaans
German, Afrikaans and Scandinavian form of Ezra.

Estha f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Estia f Greek Mythology (Italianized), Greek (Rare), Afrikaans
Modern Greek and Italian form of Hestia.

Estian m Afrikaans

Estie f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare)
Diminutive of Ester.

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.

Etienne m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Étienne.

Eunica f English (African), South African
Latinate variant of Eunice.

Evangelique f Afrikaans (Rare), English (American, Rare)
Cognate of Évangélique, which is usually used in non-francophone regions and countries.

Everhard m Dutch, Afrikaans, German
Dutch, Afrikaans and German form of Everard.

Excelia f South African

Ezelda f Afrikaans (Rare)

Ezlyn f South African, American (Modern)
Variant of Ezlynn.... [more]

Ezrom m South African
Likely a variant of Hezron.

Faaiezah f South African (Rare)

Famandha m Tsonga
Means "give power" in Xitsonga.

Fanie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Stephan and Stephanus.

Fanus m Afrikaans
Short form of Stefanus.