Southern African Submitted Names

Southern African names include those from Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. See also about African names.
gender
usage
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Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Abhurahama m Shona
Shona form of Abraham.
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.
Achaje m Chewa
Means "stranger" in Chichewa.
Achmat m Indonesian, South African
Indonesian form of Ahmad as well as the usual form used by South African Muslims.
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.
Akanyang f Tswana
Means "think about it", "think" in Setswana.
Akaziwe f Nguni
Means "she must be introduced" in Nguni.
Akeelah f South African (Rare), English (Modern, Rare), Arabic
Variant of Akilah, notably used in the 2006 movie 'Akeelah and the Bee'
Akwenye m Ovambo
Means "spring (season)" in Ovambo.
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.
Aliza f Hungarian, Basque, Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Basque form of Alice, Hungarian variant of Alíz and Dutch and Afrikaans variant of Alisa.
Aluwani m & f Venda
Means "be prosperous" or "grow up" in Tshivenda.
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]
Amile m Zulu
something keeping a structural holding making sure things are balanced in life.
Amilna f Southern African
Amilna Estêvão is an Angolan model.
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.
Amukelani m & f African, Tsonga
Means "acceptance" in Tsonga.
Amukelo m & f Tsonga
Means "acceptance" in Xitsonga.
Amunime m Ovambo
Means "big lion" in Ovambo.
Amusa f Southern African
It is a Silozi or Lozi Name. Silozi or Lozi is a Zambian language.
Amutenya m Ovambo
Means "midday" in Ovambo. This name is traditionally given to children born during the afternoon.
Anaishe f & m Shona
Derived from Shona anashe, meaning "who is with God".
Andisiwe f Xhosa
Means "extension" in Xhosa.
Andricia f Afrikaans (Rare)
Possibly a variant of Andriesia.
Andrietta f Swedish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Romansh
Swedish and Afrikaans variant of Andriette and Romansh feminine form of Andriu.
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.
Anele m & f Zulu
Means "be enough; be sufficient; be adequate" in Zulu.
Anesu f Shona
A Shona name for girls. It means "God is with us".
Angula m Ovambo
Means "morning" in Ovambo. This name is traditionally given to children born in the morning.
Anje f Dutch, Afrikaans, Flemish
Diminutive of An.
Annaleen f Afrikaans
Contraction of Anna and names ending in -leen, such as Heleen and Magdaleen.
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.
Anoeschka f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Anuschka. This is borne by Namibian author Anoeschka von Meck (1967-).
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'.
Asamahle f Nguni
Means "she is still beautiful" in Nguni.
Asamkele f Nguni
Means "let us accept" in Nguni
Atang m & f Tswana
Means "multipy" in Setswana.
Atarelang m & f Tswana
Means "receive with cupped hands" in Setswana.
Atasaone m Tswana
Means "His (God's) hand" in Setswana.
Atepekoungo m Zulu, Esan, Kongo, Mossi, Tooro, Yao
First used by King Atepekoungo of the Kingdom of Äsikoluboru in modern day Zïare.
Atidaishe m & f Shona
Means "the Lord has loved us" in Shona.
Avhatendi m & f Venda
Means "they do not believe" in Tshivenda.
Awami f Nguni
Means "belongs to me" in Nguni.
Axhoba m Xhosa
The meaning of this name is, they are armed.
Ayakha m Xhosa
Means "they build" in Xhosa.
Ayanda f Shona
Means "we are many" in Shona.
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.
Baaitse m & f Tswana
Means "they know" in Tswana.
Baakantse f Tswana
Means "they thought" in Tswana.
Baakanyang m & f Tswana
Means "mend, repair" in Tswana.
Babsie f South African
Short and familiar form of Barbara.
Babusi m Tswana
Means "leaders" in Setswana.
Badumedi f Tswana
Means "believe" in Setswana.
Bafana m Zulu
Derived from Zulu abafana, the plural form of umfana, meaning "boy, young man."
Bafiske f Tumbuka
Means "let them do as they please" in Tumbuka.
Bahelwang m & f Tswana
Means "why give them?" in Setswana.
Baitshephi m & f Tswana
Means "the just" or "the saints" in Setswana.
Baitumetse m Tswana
Means "they are happy" in Setswana.
Bakang m & f Tswana
Means "praise" in Tswana.
Balijekwao f Tumbuka
Means "they have no home" in Tumbuka.
Banele m Ndebele
Means "boys are enough" in Ndebele.
Banga m Shona
Means "knife" or "sword" in Shona. Banga is the name of a Ngbandi god of water.
Bankatametse f Tswana
Means "they are close to me" in Setswana.
Banyatsang f Tswana
Means "why do they doubt?" in Setswana.
Bapaki m Tswana
Means "those who give testimony" in Setswana.
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).
Barulaganye f Tswana
Means "they are in order" in Setswana.
Baruti m Tswana
Means "teacher" in Tswana.
Basadibotlhe f Tswana
Means "all women" in Setswana.
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.
Basetsanabotlhe f Tswana
Means "all girls" in Setswana.
Basireletsi m Tswana
Means "our protector" in Setswana.
Batamoyo m Shona
It means to “hold or touch the heart”.
Batanai m Shona
Means "be united" in Shona.
Bathusi m & f Tswana
Means "helpers" in Setswana.
Batshegi f Tswana
Means "those who laugh" in Setswana.
Batsirai f Shona
Means "help" in Shona.
Bayenkhu f Tumbuka
Means "where will they go?" in Tumbuka.
Beauty f English, Popular Culture, South African
From the English word "beauty", ultimately derived from Latin bellus, "beautiful". See also Belle and Bella.
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.
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-.
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".
Biria f Shona
Means "gathering" in Shona.
Boammaruri m Tswana
Means "truth" in Setswana.
Boatametse m Tswana
Means "His kingdom drew near" in Setswana.
Bofelo f Tswana
Means "last" in Setswana.
Bogosi m Tswana
Means "kingdom" in Setswana.
Boikaego m Tswana
Means "someone to lean on" in Setswana.
Boikanyo m & f Tswana
Means "trustworthy" in Setswana.
Boiketlo f Tswana
Means "to relax" in Setswana.
Boipuso m Tswana
Means "independance" in Tswana.
Boitshepo f Tswana
Means "holy" in Setswana.
Bokamoso m & f South African, Sotho
Means "future".
Bokang f Sotho
Means "praise" or "rejoice" in Sotho.
Bongai f Shona
Means "be thankful" in a Shona dialect.
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.
Boragane f Tswana
Means "small red-billed quelea" in Setswana.
Botshelo m Tswana
Means "life" in Setswana.
Bron m English (Rare), South African (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Bron. Otherwise, it could be a short form of LeBron or Bronson.
Buang f Sotho
Means "speak" or "chat" in Sesotho.
Buchule m & f Xhosa
Means "skills; cleverness" in Xhosa.
Bukata m & f Bemba
Means "God's glory" in Bemba.
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.
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
Bwerani m Chewa
Means "come" or "come back" in Chewa.
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.
Calvinia f South African
Feminine form of Calvin.
Carike f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Carel.
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.
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.
Chamirai m Shona
Means "be focused and diligent" in Shona.
Chamu m Southern African
Short form of Chamunorwa. This is the nickname of Zimbabwean cricketer Chamu Chibhabha. His real name is Chamunorwa.
Chapanjira f Chewa
Means "of the road, of the journey" in Chewa.
Chapansi f & m Nsenga
Child born after many miscarriages
Chapasi f Tumbuka
Means "earth" in Tumbuka.
Charl m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Charles.
Charle m Afrikaans, Norman
Cotentinais Norman and Afrikaans form of Charles.
Chawanangwa m Tumbuka
Means "blessing" in Tumbuka.
Chawanzi m & f Nsenga
Meaning gift or freely given
Chengetai m & f African, Shona
To protect/to take care of
Chenjerai m Shona
Chenjerai means "Be on guard, wisen up". Chenjerai Hunzvi the Zimbabwean Freedom Fighter is one bearer of this name.
Chenzira m & f Southern African, Shona
Means "born on a journey" in Shona.
Cheslin m South African
Transferred use of the surname Cheslin.
Cheyeza m & f Tsonga
Means "bright" in Xitsonga.
Chibinkhe m Tumbuka
Means "the dark (coloured) one" in Tumbuka.
Chibvwimbo m Tumbuka
Means "bird's nest" in Tumbuka.
Chibwe m Southern African
"A big rock or stone." Opposite name: Kabwe
Chido f Shona
Means "wish, desire; love" in Shona.
Chidochashe f Shona
"God'will" / "God's desire"
Chikatizyo f Nsenga
Means "helper" in Nsenga.
Chikomera m & f Chewa
Means "goodwill, compassion" in Chewa.
Chilufya m & f Bemba
Means "the one who is lost" in Bemba.
Chimango m Chewa
Means "builder" in Chewa.
Chimika f & m Tumbuka
After 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 Shona
Chimurenga 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.
Chithuzi m Tumbuka
Means "shadow" in Tumbuka.
Chivimbiso f Shona
Means "the promise" in Shona.
Chokomera m & f Chewa
Means "compassion" in Chewa.
Chokwadi m Shona
Means "truth" in Shona.
Chosaning'oma m Tumbuka
Means "remove bad things" in Tumbuka.
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.
Chriszette f Afrikaans
Compound name of Christine and Suzette.
Chuma m & f Bemba
Means "wealth" in Bemba.
Clementiane f Central African, Southern African
It is a variant of the name Clementine, corresponding with Clementine's other variants.
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.
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.
Corlia f Afrikaans
Contracted form of Cornelia.
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