South African Submitted Names

These name are used in the Republic of South Africa.
gender
usage
​
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
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.
Mthakathi m Zulu, Xhosa
Means "witch," from 'thakatha' meaning "to bewitch" in Xhosa or "to practice witchcraft" in Zulu.
Mthandazo m Ndebele
Means Prayer
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.
Mthuthuzeli m Southern African, Xhosa
Means "comforter, one who comforts" in Xhosa.
Muambiwa m & f Venda
Means "the one who is spoken of/about" in Tshivenda.
Mudene f South African, Afrikaans (Rare)
Meaning unknown. A known bearer was Mudene 'Dene' Smuts (1949-2016), a South African politician.
Muhluri m & f Tsonga
Means "conqueror, victor" in Xitsonga.
Mukhethwa m & f Venda
Means "the chosen one" in Tshivenda.
Mulalo m Venda
Means "peace" in Tshivenda.
Mulweri m Tsonga
Means "defender, advocate" in Xitsonga.
Murhangeli m Tsonga
Means "leader" in Xitsonga.
Murhi m & f Tsonga
Means "medicine, cure" in Xitsonga.
Murisi m Tsonga
Means "shepherd" in Xitsonga.
Musa f Ndebele
Means "grace" in Ndebele.
Mutshidzi m & f Venda
Means "saviour" in Tshivenda.
Muzhiyo m Ndebele (Rare)
zulu, ndebele and xhosa name meaning "homesteads of kings"
Mvuseselo m Zulu
Means "revival" in Zulu.
Mxolisi m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "peace maker" or "(one who) asks for forgiveness" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mynhardt m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mijnhard.
Mynie f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mijnie.
Mzi m Xhosa
Diminutive of Mzingayi.
Mzingaye m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "there is a home because of him" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mzingayi m Xhosa
Variant spelling of Mzingaye.
Mzwamadoda m Xhosa
Means "house (full) of men" in Xhosa. In traditional Xhosa culture, parents wanted both sons and daughters, and a household with only sons would bestow such names wishing for a daughter.
Mzwandile m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "the house has expanded" in Xhosa, idiomatically referring to a growing family.
Mzwenhlanhla m Zulu
Means "home for luck" in Zulu.
Naas m Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Short form of Athanaas, Donaas and Ignaas.... [more]
Naha m & f Sotho
Means "land" or "world".
Naha m Sotho
land or country
Nala f Sotho
“Prosperity” , a Sesotho name used in the motto of Lesotho
Nalane f & m Sotho
it means history in sesotho
Naleli f Sotho
Means "star" in Sotho.
Naleli-yameso f Sotho
Meaning, Morning Star in Sesotho
Namari m & f African American (Rare), South African
Combination of the sounds found in names such as Jamari, Amari and Kamari.
Nambitha f Xhosa
Means "to savour, to enjoy" in Xhosa, encouraging the child 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
Means "future" or "even tomorrow" in Xhosa, figuratively "thank you". Often intended as being part of a phrase such as ungadinwa nangomso meaning "don’t be tired tomorrow". Meant to convey gratitude, and the hope for more of the same in the future.
Nṱanganedzeni m & f Venda
Means "accept me" in Tshivenda.
Nato m South African
Diminutive of Ignatius.
Ndabezinhle f Zulu
Means "good news" in Zulu.
Ndabicacile m Ndebele
Means "the story's clear" in Ndebele.
Ndaheni f Tsonga
Means "instruct me" in Xitsonga.
Ndhe'neza m Tsonga
Means "the thing", implying "the secret", in Xitsonga.
Ndileka m & f Xhosa
Means "dignified" in Xhosa.
Ndivuyeleni m & f Xhosa
Means "be joyful over me" in Xhosa.
Ndiyafhi m & f Venda
Means "where do I go?" in Tshivenda.
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.
Nduvho m & f Venda
Means "praise" in Venda.
Ndzalama f Tsonga
Means "emerald" in Xitsonga.
Nehemia m Hawaiian, Biblical Hawaiian, Afrikaans, Biblical Finnish, German
German, Hawaiian, Finnish and Afrikaans form of Nehemiah.
Nelbe f & m Sotho
Means "the net" in Sotho.
Nelisiwe f Zulu
Means "satisfied" in Zulu.
Nelius m English (American), Afrikaans, Norwegian (Rare)
Afrikaans and Norwegian short form of Cornelius.
Nganakani m Tsonga
From the Xitsonga nganakana meaning "prince".
Nganakati f Tsonga
Means "princess" in Xitsonga.
Ngcondebuku m & f Xhosa (Modern)
A combination of Ngconde, the name of a Xhosa clan, and Buku, a surname.
Nghezimani m Tsonga
Means "be whiter, be clean" in Xitsonga.
Ngisaveni m Tsonga
"Be afraid".
Nhalahla f Zulu
Means "luck" in Zulu.
Nhlakanipho f Zulu
From Zulu inhlakanipho meaning "wisdom".
Nhlalala f Tsonga
Means "honey bird" in Xitsonga.
Nhlamulo m & f Tsonga
Means "answer, solution" in Xitsonga.
Nhlayiseko m & f Tsonga
Means "safety" in Xitsonga.
Nhlohlotelo m & f Tsonga
Means "influence" in Xitsonga.
Nhlonipho m Ndebele
Means "respect" in Ndebele.
Nhluvuko m & f Tsonga
Means "development, progress" in Xitsonga.
Nicolene f English, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans, South African
Variant of Nicoline. Known bearers of this name include the South African race walker Nicolene Cronje (b. 1983) and the South African field hockey player Nicolene Terblanche (b... [more]
Nicus m Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Short form of Dominicus. In rare cases, this name can also be a latinization of Nico or Niek.
Nielas m German (Modern, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
German and Afrikaans borrowing of Nilas.
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.
Nkateko m & f Tsonga
Means "blessing" in Xitsonga.
Nkhangweleni m Venda
Means "forgive me" in Tshivenda.
Nkhetheleng f Sotho
Means "choose for me" in Sotho.
Nkhumbudzeni m & f Venda
Means "remember me" in Tshivenda.
Nkonkoni f Zulu
Means "champion" in Zulu.
Nkosenye m Zulu
Means “another one” in Zulu.
Nkosi m Xhosa, Southern African
Means "chief, king, lord" 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 & m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Diminutive form of Nonkululeko and Nkululeko.
Nkululeko m Southern African, Zulu, Xhosa
Means "freedom" in Zulu and Xhosa.
Nnyawedzeni m & f Venda
Means "let me rest" in Tshivenda.
Noag m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Noah 1.
Nobahle f Xhosa
Means "beauty" in Xhosa.
Nobhalela f Zulu
Means "the one who writes" in Zulu.
Nobubele f Xhosa
Means "grace" or "mother of grace" in Xhosa.
Nobuhle f Zulu
Means “beauty” in Zulu.
Nṱoḓeni m & f Venda
Means "look for me" in Tshivenda.
Nokhanyo f Xhosa
Means "light, shine" or "enlightenment" in Xhosa.
Nokhaya f Xhosa
From the Xhosa ikhaya meaning "home".
Nokhwezi f Xhosa
Means "morning star" in Xhosa.
Nokresimesi f Xhosa
Traditionally given to a girl born at Christmas time, from the Xhosa ikresimesi meaning "Christmas".
Nokulunga f Zulu
Means "thankfulness" in Zulu.
Nokuthula f Zulu
Means "peace and tranquillity" in Zulu.
Nokuzola f Xhosa
Apparently means "quiet", "calm" or "peace" in Xhosa.
Nokwayiyo f Xhosa
Means "it is also one (a girl)" in Xhosa.
Nolungile f Xhosa
Means "mother of righteousness" in Xhosa.
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.
Nomakhwezi f Xhosa
From the Xhosa amakhwezi meaning "stars".
Nomalanga f Ndebele
Means "mother of sunshine" in Ndebele.
Nomalizo f Xhosa
Means "comforter, one who comforted us" in Xhosa.
Nomandla f Zulu
Means "mother of strength" in Zulu.
Nomaqabaka f Xhosa
From the Xhosa iqabaka meaning "cold".
Nomaqhawe f Ndebele
Means "heroine" in Ndebele.
Nomasonto f Zulu
Means "mother of Sundays" in Zulu.
Nomathamsanqa f Xhosa
Feminine form of Thamsanqa.
Nomathemba f Ndebele, Zulu
Means "hope" in Ndebele and Zulu.
Nombeko f Xhosa
Means "mother of respect" in Xhosa.
Nombulelo f Xhosa
Means "gratitude" in Xhosa.
Nombuyiselo f Xhosa
Means "she who gives back" or "mother of restoration" in Xhosa, a feminine form of Mbuyiseli.
Nomnikelo f South African, Xhosa
Means "offering" in Xhosa.
Nompumelelo f Xhosa
From the Xhosa impumelelo meaning "success".
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.
Nomvuyo f Xhosa
From the Xhosa ukuvuya meaning "be glad".
Nomzamo f African, Zulu
Means "struggle" in Zulu.
Noncedile f Xhosa
Means "you helped us" in Xhosa.
Nonhlanhla f African, Zulu
Means "luck" in Zulu.
Nonjabulo f Zulu
Means "happiness" in Zulu.
Nonkanyamba f Xhosa
From the Xhosa inkanyambe meaning "storm".
Nontsasa f Xhosa
From the Xhosa intsasa meaning "early morning".
Nontsikizi f Xhosa
From the Xhosa intsikizi meaning "black bird".
Nontuthuzelo f Xhosa
From the Xhosa intuthuzelo meaning "comfort, consolation".
Nopasika f Xhosa
Traditionally given to a girl born at Easter, from the Xhosa ipasika meaning "Easter".
Nophilile f Xhosa
Means "she is kind" in Xhosa.
Nosakhele f Zulu
Means "build for us" in Zulu.
Nothando f Zulu
Means "mother of love" in Zulu.
Nothembele f Xhosa
Means "we rely on her" in Xhosa.
Novuyisile f Xhosa
Means "make them happy" in Xhosa.
Novuyo f Xhosa
Feminine form of Vuyo.
Nowam f Xhosa
Means "she is mine" in Xhosa.
Nowethu f Xhosa
Means "she is ours" in Xhosa.
Nozibusiso f Zulu
Means "mother of blessings" in Zulu.
Nozipho f Xhosa
From the Xhosa isipho meaning "gift".
Nqobani m Zulu
Means "you must conquer" in Zulu.
Nsoma f Tsonga
Means "anchor" in Xitsonga.
Nsovo m & f Tsonga
Means "grace" in Xitsonga.
Nsuku m & f Tsonga
Means "gold, golden" in Xitsonga.
Nsulo f Tsonga
Wipe away the tears and bring joy
Ntakuseni m & f Venda
Means "help me up" in Tshivenda.
Ntando m & f Ndebele
Means "will" in Ndebele.
Ntfombi f Swazi
Swazi form of Ntombi.
Nthabi f Sotho
Means "make me happy" in Sotho.
Nthabiseng f Sotho
Means "make me happy" in Sotho.
Nthati f Sotho
Means "one to love me" in Sotho.
Nthuseni m & f Venda
Means "help me" in Tshivenda.
Ntlakuso f Tsonga
Means "elevation, high position" in Xitsonga.
Ntokozo f African, Zulu
Means "happiness" or "joy" in Zulu.
Ntombenhle f Ndebele
Means "beautiful girl" in Ndebele.
Ntombentsha f Xhosa
Means "new girl" in Xhosa.
Ntombhekya f South African, Xhosa
Means "girl of the house" in Xhosa, from ntombi "girl" and khaya "home, household".
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".
Ntombntombi f Xhosa
Means “little girl” in Xhosa.
Ntombokhanyo f Xhosa
Means "girl of light" in Xhosa.
Ntombomzi f Xhosa
Means "girl of the house" in Xhosa.
Ntomboxolo f Xhosa
Means "girl of peace" in Xhosa.
Ntsakisi f Tsonga
Means "source of happiness" in Xitsonga.
Ntsako m & f Tsonga
Means "joy, happiness" in Xitsonga.
Ntsebo f Sotho
Means "whispers" in Sotho.
Ntsetselelo m & f Tsonga
Means "mercy" in Xitsonga.
Ntshuxeko m & f Tsonga
Means "freedom" in Xitsonga.
Ntsikelelo m & f Xhosa
Means "blessing" in Xhosa.
Ntsoaki f Sotho
Means "girl amongst boys" in Sotho, often given to a daughter with many brothers.
Ntsu m Sotho
Means "eagle" in Sesotho.
Ntsumi f Tsonga
Means "angel" in Xitsonga.
Ntswaki f Sotho
Means "girl amongst boys" or "girl with many brothers" in Sotho.
Ntuthuko f Zulu
Means "prosperity" in Zulu.
Ntwanano m & f Tsonga
Means "understanding" in Xitsonga.
Ntwenhle f Zulu
Means "beautiful thing" in Zulu.
Ntyatyambo f Xhosa
Means "flower" in Xhosa.
Nṱungufhadzeni m & f Venda
Means "make me sad" in Tshivenda.
N'wayitelo f Tsonga
Means "smile" in Xitsonga.
Nxalati f Tsonga
Means "happiness" in Xitsonga.
Nyakallo f & m Sotho
Means "joy" in Sotho.
Nyambeni f & m Venda
Means "speak about me" in Tshivenda.
Nyeleti f Tsonga, Southern African
Means "star" in Xitsonga.
Nyikiwa m & f Tsonga
Means "given" in Xitsonga.
Nyiko f & m Tsonga
Means "gift" in Tsonga.
Oasetso m Sotho
Means "child of tradition".
Ockie m Afrikaans
Short form of Ockert.
Oloff m Afrikaans
Variant of Olof.
Olwethu f & m South African, Zulu
Means 'ours' in Zulu.
Omatla m Sotho
You are strong
Ongezwa f Xhosa
Means "addition, one who was added" in Xhosa.
Orpa f Biblical German, Biblical Dutch, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
German, Dutch and Afrikaans form of Orpah.
Otlile f South African
South African name meaning "She has come; she is here". Otlile "Oti" Mabuse is a professional dancer seen on Strictly Come Dancing.
Owethu m & f Zulu
Means "he/she is ours" in Zulu.
Paballo f Sotho
Means "protection" in Sesotho.
Paolosi m Sotho
Sesotho form of Paul.
Paseka m Sotho
Means "Easter" in Sesotho.
Peet m Estonian, Afrikaans, Dutch, Limburgish
Short form of Peeter (Estonian) as well as Peter and Petrus (Afrikaans, Dutch and Limburgish).... [more]
Peo f Sotho (Modern, Rare)
The meaning is “Seed” and it is a rare Sesotho name predominantly used in Lesotho
Pfarelo m & f Venda
Means "forgiveness" in Tshivenda.
Pfukani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga pfuka meaning "rise".
Pfunani f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga pfuna meaning "help".
Phahamo m Sotho
Means "eminance" in Sesotho.
Phaṱhutshedzo m & f Venda
Means "blessings" in Tshivenda.
Pheello m Sotho
Means "perseverance" in Sesotho.
Pheko m South African
Medicine or herb. Ussually medicine used for protection
Phethisi m Sotho
Means "completion" in Sesotho.
Phila m & f Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "to live" or "get well, be healthy" in Nguni languages.
Philene f English (American, Rare), Haitian Creole, South African
Possibly a variant of Philine, a contraction of Philomène, or a feminine form of Phil using the common name suffix lene.
Philisiwe f South African, Zulu
Means "healed" in Zulu.
Phillippus m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Philip.
Phindile f South African
A very common female South African name.... [more]
Phumlani m Zulu
Means "rest" in Zulu.
Phusu m & f Venda
Means "havoc" in Tshivenda.
Phutheho f Sotho
Means "congregation" in Sesotho.
Pietertjie m Afrikaans
Afrikaans cognate of Pietertje.
Pietie m & f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Piet, as it contains the Afrikaans diminutive suffix -ie.... [more]
Pietjie f Afrikaans
Afrikaans cognate of Pietje.
Poloko m Sotho
Means "safety" in Sesotho.
Ponisa f Tsonga
Means "save" in Xitsonga.
Pontsho m & f Sotho
Means "vision" in Sotho.
Potlako m Tswana, Sotho
Means "Urgency" in Tswana and Sotho.
Praisthel f South African (Rare)
The name comes from the the phrase Praise the Lord. Some of the letters from the pharse are removed to turn it into a name.
Pula f Sotho
Means "rain" in Sotho.
Pulane f Sotho
Means "rainy" in Sesotho.
Qenehelo f Sotho
Means "pity" in Sesotho.
Qondiwe f Xhosa
Possibly related to qonda, meaning "to understand".
Qoqanani m & f Ndebele
Means "organise yourself" in Ndebele.
Quilene f Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), English (American, Rare), German (Rare)
Most likely a combination of a name starting with Qui- (such as Quinn and Quirijn) with a name that ends in -lene, such as Helene and Marlene.... [more]
Quintilla f Ancient Roman, Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), English (Rare), Italian (Archaic), Spanish (Latin American, Rare)
Latin diminutive of Quinta, which thus makes this name the feminine equivalent of Quintillus.
Rabelani m & f Venda
Means "to pray" in Tshivenda.
Rachela f Italian (Rare), Polish (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Italian variant of Rachele, Polish form of Rachel as well as a Latinate form of Rachel.
Racheltjie f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Rachel.
Ramatjato f Sotho
Derived from the Sesotho tjato meaning "agility".
Ramatla f Sotho
Means "strength" in Sotho.
Rancina f Zulu
Zulu form of Francine.
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