Southern African names include those from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. See also about African names.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
ChidochemoyofShona Meaning "the desire of the heart", shorter forms of the name include Chido meaning "desire", Chemoyo meaning "of the heart", or simply Moyo meaning "heart".
Chimikaf & mTumbuka 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]
ChimurengamShona 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.
ChipochashefShona Meaning “gift of God”, the most common shorter form of this name is Chipo.
ChipocherudofShona Meaning "gift of the love", this name corresponds with the name Nduma. Shorter forms of this given name include Chipo meaning "gift", Cherudo meaning "of love," or simply Rudo meaning "love".
Chipovisulem & fChewa (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.
CoeniemAfrikaans Diminutive of Coenraad. This name is borne by South African rugby player Coenie Oosthuizen (1989-) and South African musician Coenie de Villiers (1956-).
ConfidencefEnglish (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.
DanismomSouthern African The meaning of Danismo is "Jubilant and Content with one's life and experiences." Commonly used to describe someone who has had good fortune recently.
DonationmSouth African, English (Puritan) From the word donation, meaning "an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution."
DzikamaimShona 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.
EghardmGermanic, 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]
Funyem & fShona Deriving from a bird with the same name, known in English as "the go-away bird".
Futurem & fEnglish (Rare), Western African, Southern African This name is from the English word derived from Old French futur meaning "future, to come," which is then derived from Latin futurus meaning "going to be, yet to be, the future (as a noun)." The Latin word is an irregular suppletive future participle of esse meaning "to be," which comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *bheue- meaning "to be, exist, grow, come into being."... [more]
Goitseonem & fTswana Means "it is he (god) who knows" in Tswana.
GondaimShona Means "to trust or place hope in" in Shona.
GoodwillmZulu, 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]
GwinyaimShona Gwinyai means "be strong". The Zimbabwean tennis player Gwinyai Tongoona is a famous bearer of this name.
Hakuneim & fShona This is a name that implies and asks, meaning "What is not there?". This is a name given by or to someone who is assumed to be falling short or without, so they name the child "What could be missing?" in a sense of affirmation, so to say there is perfection even if you (all) do not see it or doubt it... [more]
HamandishemShona Meaning “one’s relative or family is God”, this name may be given by and/or to someone who is devoted to God, who is an orphan, has no relatives or was abandoned.
HamunyarifShona Hamunyari means "Have you no shame". This name is given in a feuding situation.