Southern African Submitted Names

Southern African names include those from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, 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.
Norutendo f Shona
Meaning "with belief" or "with thanks; with gratitude".
Nosakhele f Zulu
Means "build for us" in Zulu.
Nothando f Zulu
Means "mother of love" in Zulu.
Novuyo f Xhosa
Feminine form of Vuyo.
Nozibusiso f Zulu
Means "mother of blessings" in Zulu.
Nqobani m Zulu
Means "you must conquer" in Zulu.
Nsofwa f & m Bemba
Nsofwa is a Bemba name originating from a landlocked /landlinked country Zambia, located in the southern end of the African Continent. The name comes from a Bemba name for 'Elephant,' 'Nsofu' one of the largest land mammals known to man... [more]
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.
Ntanda m & f Southern African, Bemba
Means "star" in Bemba.
Ntando m 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.
Ntirelang f Tswana
Means "do it for me" in Setswana.
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.
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".
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.
Ntshephang m & f Tswana
Means "trust me" in Setswana.
Ntshuxeko m & f Tsonga
Means "freedom" in Xitsonga.
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.
Nṱungufhadzeni m & f Venda
Means "make me sad" in Tshivenda.
Nunurai m & f Shona
Means "rescue" or "save us" in Shona.
Nuusiku f Ovambo
Feminine form of Uusiku.
N'wayitelo f Tsonga
Means "smile" in Xitsonga.
Nxalati f Tsonga
Means "happiness" in Xitsonga.
Nǃxau m Khoekhoe
Meaning unknown. Notable bearer of this name is Nǃxau ǂToma, a Namibian bush farmer and actor (1944-2003).... [more]
Nyadzayo m & f Shona
Zimbabwean
Nyakallo f & m Sotho
Means "joy" in Sotho.
Nyambeni f & m Venda
Means "speak about me" in Tshivenda.
Nyanza m & f Chewa
Means "lake" in Chewa.
Nyaradzai f Shona
Means "console" in Shona.
Nyaradzo f Shona
Means "peacemaker" or "comforter" in Shona.
Nyasha f Shona
Means "merciful" in Shona.
Nyashadzashe m & f Shona
its from zimbabwe and is in the shona language it means Gods grace
Nyashanu m & f Shona
Meaning "the fifth one". It was also the name of a Shona historical figure and King, Nyashanu, who was the ruler of a Shona people known as the Hera.
Nyeleti f Tsonga, Southern African
Means "star" in Xitsonga.
Nyemwererai f Shona
Means "smile" in Shona.
Nyenganyenga f Shona
Means "swallow" in Shona.
Nyengeterai f Shona
Means "pray for" in Shona.
Nyeredzi m & f Shona
It means "star".
Nyika f Shona
Means "unity" in Shona.
Nyikiwa m & f Tsonga
Means "given" in Xitsonga.
Nyiko f & m Tsonga
Means "gift" in Tsonga.
Nyimbo m & f Chewa
Means "melody" in Chewa.
Nzero m Shona
Meaning “wisdom; insight; sagacity”, it corresponds with the name Njere.
Nzeru m & f Chewa
Means "wisdom" in Chewa.
Oabile m Tswana
Means "He (God) gave" in Tswana.
Oabona m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) sees" in Tswana.
Oagile m Tswana
Means "He (God) built" in Tswana.
Oaitse m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) knows" in Tswana.
Oarabile m & f Tswana
Means "he (god) has answered" in Tswana.
Oasetso m Sotho
Means "child of tradition".
Ockie m Afrikaans
Short form of Ockert.
Ogotseng m Tswana
Means "make it" in Setswana.
Olerato f Tswana (Rare)
Means "you are love" in Tswana.
Oloff m Afrikaans
Variant of Olof.
Olwethu f & m South African, Zulu
Means 'ours' in Zulu.
Omatla m Sotho
You are strong
Omontle f Tswana
My God's beauty in my life is divine
Omphile f & m South African, Sotho
Means "given".
Onai f Shona
Means "Look and see". This name may be given in various circumstances calling the hearer to look and see what transpired especially before and around the birth of that child
Onalenna m & f Tswana
Means "he (god) is with me" in Tswana.
Onalerona f Tswana
Means "he (God) is with us" in Tswana
Onalethata m & f Tswana
Means "he (god) has strength" in Tswana.
Onayi f Shona
"See it, see this". Situational name which says see what we have, behold.
Ongezwa f Xhosa
Means "addition, one who was added" in Xhosa.
Onkarabile m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) answered my prayers" in Setswana.
Onkgomoditse f Tswana
Means "He (God) consoled me" in Setswana.
Onkgopotse m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) thought of me" in Setswana.
Onthusitse m Tswana
Means "He (God) helped" in Setswana.
Ontiretse m Tswana
Means "He (God) has done it for me" in Setswana.
Ontuetse m Tswana
Means "He (God) has rewarded me" in Setswana.
Ookeditse m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) has increased" in Setswana.
Oomihlynne f Tswana
Oomihlynne is a female South African name meaning "rising star."
Oratile f & m Tswana, African
It is/was His (God's) will.
Oreeditse m Tswana
Means "He (God) is listening" in Setswana.
Orelebe m Tswana
Means "look at us" in Setswana.
Oreneile f Tswana
Means "He (God) has given us" in Setswana.
Orera f English (Modern, Rare), Spanish, Southern African, Eastern African
Possibly from Spanish or Italian orera meaning, "aurora." See also Aurora.
Orpa f Biblical German, Biblical Dutch, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
German, Dutch and Afrikaans form of Orpah.
Osego f Tswana
Means "she is lucky" in Setswana.
Osenotse f Tswana
Means "He (God) has made things clear" in Setswana.
Oteng m Tswana
Means "He (God) is here" in Setswana.
Othusitse m & f Tswana
Means "he (god) has helped" in Tswana.
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.
Otsogile m Tswana
Means "he is awake" in Setswana.
Outule m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) heard" in Setswana.
Oweditse f Tswana
Means "she completed her job" in Setswana.
Oyera f Chewa
Means "pure" in Chewa.
Paballo f Sotho
Means "protection" in Sesotho.
Pacificus m Late Roman, South African
Means "peacemaker" in Latin. From the Latin pāx 'peace' and faciō 'I do, make'.... [more]
Paidamoyo f & m Shona (Modern)
What the heart desired was granted
Panganai m Shona
Means "to consult or advise each other" in Shona.
Panganayi m Shona
Variant of Panganai.
Panji m & f Tumbuka
Means "maybe", given after the death of the first born to say maybe he will grow.
Panonetsa m Shona
Means "troublesome" in Dhona. ... [more]
Paolosi m Sotho
Sesotho form of Paul.
Paoneke m Chewa
Means "we will see good things" in Chewa.
Paradzai m Shona
Paradzai means "destroy". This is possibly addressing an adversary challenging them to destroy what you have if they can".
Paseka m Sotho
Means "Easter" in Sesotho.
Pasipao f & m Tumbuka
Means "their ground, earth" in Tumbuka, often given after repeated deaths in the family. Refers to the fact that the child will eventually also die and be buried in the earth.
Patukanani m Tumbuka
Means "part from one another" in Tumbuka.
Pauro m Shona
Shona form of Paul.
Payekha m & f Tumbuka
Means "he/she is alone" in Tumbuka.
Peet m Estonian, Afrikaans
Estonian short form of Peeter and Afrikaans short form of Petrus.
Pelonomi f Tswana
Means "noble heart" in Setswana.
Pelontle f Tswana
Means "beautiful heart" in Setswana.
Pemberai m Shona
Means "celebrate" in Shona.
Penyani m Chewa
Means "look" in Chewa.
Peo f Sotho (Modern, Rare)
The meaning is “Seed” and it is a rare Sesotho name predominantly used in Lesotho
Petina f Shona
The name of the Zimbabwian writer Petina Gappah.
Pfarelo m & f Venda
Means "forgiveness" in Tshivenda.
Pfukani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga pfuka meaning "rise".
Pfuma f Shona
Means "wealth" in Shona.
Pfunani f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga pfuna meaning "help".
Phahamo m Sotho
Means "eminance" in Sesotho.
Phaṱhutshedzo m & f Venda
Means "blessings" in Tshivenda.
Phakalane m Tswana
Means "eagle" in Setswana.
Phatsimo f Tswana
Means "light" in Setswana.
Phatsimoyaone f Tswana
Means "His (God's) Light" in Setswana.
Pheello m Sotho
Means "perseverance" in Sesotho.
Pheko m South African
Medicine or herb. Ussually medicine used for protection
Phenyo m & f Tswana
Means "victory" in Tswana.
Phethisi m Sotho
Means "completion" in Sesotho.
Phetolo m Tswana
Means "response" in Setswana.
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.
Pikirayi m Shona
Vow to it. Promise. Name of a Zimbabwean journalist Pikirayi Deketeke.
Polelo f Tswana
Means "story" in Setswana.
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
God answer me immediately
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.
Rangariro f & m Shona
It means "recollection; remembrance", from the verb kurangarira.
Ratsebo f Sotho
Derived from the Sesotho tsebo meaning "knowledge".
Raviro f Shona
Means "promise, oath or pledge" in Shona.
Realeboha m Sotho
Means "we are thankful" in Sesotho.
Reaotlotla m Sotho
Means "We praise His name" in Sesotho.
Reatshwana f Tswana
Means "we look alike" in Setswana.
Reetsang m Tswana
Means "pay attention" or "listen" in Setswana.
Regai m Shona
Regai means "Let it be, leave it alone"
Rehana f Tswana
Means "we are here" in Setswana.
Relebohile f Sotho
Means "we are grateful" in Sesotho.
Remaketse f Sotho
Means "we are surprised" in Sesotho.
Reneilwe m Sotho
This is borne by the retired South African soccer player Reneilwe 'Yeye' Letsholonyane (1982-).
Resego m & f Tswana
Means "we are blessed" in Setswana.
Rethabile f & m South African, Sotho
Means "we are glad/ happy".
Retief m Afrikaans
Transferred use of the surname Retief.
Revai m & f Shona
Means "Talk or gossip about". This is a name given to address neighbours that continue to gossip about your family
Rhabela f Tsonga
Means "pray" in Xitsonga.
Rhandzu m & f Tsonga
Means "love" in Xitsonga.
Rhangani m Tsonga
Possibly from the Xitsonga word rhanga meaning "to begin".
Rhengu m & f Tsonga
Means "plan" in Xitsonga.
Rhulani m & f Tsonga
Means "to have peace" in Xitsonga.
Riaan m Dutch, Afrikaans
Short form of Adriaan.
Riana f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Rian.
Riana f Dutch, Afrikaans
Variant of Rianna.
Rianie f Afrikaans
Likely a variant of Riane.
Ricus m Afrikaans
Short form of names ending in -ricus, such as Ulricus or Henricus.
Riette f Afrikaans
Variant of Riëtte.
Rifa m Shona
It means "legacy; inheritance".
Rifumu m Tsonga
Means "wealth" in Xitsonga.
Rindzela m & f Tsonga
Means "expect, wait for" in Xitsonga.
Ripfumelo f Tsonga
Means "belief" in Xitsonga.
Risima m & f Tsonga
Means "value" in Xitsonga.
Risuna f Tsonga
Means "agreeable scent" in Xitsonga.
Rivoningo f Tsonga
Means "light" in Xitsonga.
Roṋewa m & f Venda
Means "we are given" or "we are blessed" in Tshivenda.
Rofhiwa m & f Venda
Means "we are blessed" in Tshivenda.
Rolihlahla m Xhosa, Southern African
Means "pulling the branch of a tree" in Xhosa, colloquially "stirring up trouble" or "troublemaker". This was the given name of Nelson Mandela (Rolihlahla Mandela) and is now typically attributed to him as a middle name.
Ronelda f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Ronald. Ronelda Kamfer (born 1981) is an Afrikaans-speaking South African poet.
Ronella f Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), English (Rare)
Feminine form of Ronald, created by combining its short form Ron 1 with the popular feminine name suffix -ella.
Ropafadzo f Shona
Means "blessing from God" in Shona.
Rorisang f Tswana
Means "praise Him (God)" in Setswana.
Rotshidzwa m & f Venda
Means "we have been saved" in Tshivenda.
Rual m English (American, Rare), Spanish (Mexican, Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), South African (Rare)
Possibly a variant of Reuel (anglophone world) and Raul (Latin America).... [more]
Ruan m Afrikaans
Combination of Rudolf and Johan.
Ruandi f Afrikaans (Modern, Rare)
Most probably a combination of Ruan and Yolandi.
Rugare m Shona
Means "peace, well being" in Shona.
Ruhan m Afrikaans
Variant of Ruan.
Rukariro f & m Shona
Means "hope" in Shona.
Runako m & f Shona
Means "beauty" in Shona.
Rungano f Shona
Means "story" in Shona.
Runyararo f Shona
Means "peace" in Shona.
Ruramai m & f Shona
Means "be righteous" in Shona.
Ruregerero m Shona
Ruregerero means "Forgiveness". This name may be given by a parent seeking forgiveness.
Rushesha f Shona
Meaning “sand”.
Rute f Shona
The Shona version of the name Ruth 1.
Ruva f Shona
Means "flower" in Shona.
Ruvarashe f Shona
Means "the Lord's flower" in Shona.
Ruvaredenga f Shona
It means "the flower of heaven".
Ruvheneko m & f Shona
Means "Enlightenment". This name is a declaration that we have seen or received enlightenment or better circumstances
Ruvimbo f Shona
Means "trust" in Shona.
Ruwadzano f Shona
Means "togetherness" in Shona.
Ruzvidzo f Shona
Meaning "contemptuous, despise", it derives from the verb kuzvidza, meaning "to show contempt; to despise"
Rwesang m & f Tswana
Means "place on (someone's) head" in Setswana.
Rynhard m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Rijnhard.
Saartjie f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Sara. This name was borne by Sarah "Saartjie" Baartman, an African slave (member of the Eastern Cape Khoisan, the indigenous herding tribe that once populated part of South Africa) who was displayed in Europe in the early 19th century.
Sadzamari f Shona
Means "income" in Shona.
Sagaria m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Zachariah.
Sakhile m Zulu
Means "we have built" in Zulu.
Salomie f Afrikaans
Variant of Salome.
Sambazya m Tumbuka
Means "to enrich" or "to become rich" in Tumbuka.
Samere m Shona
Shona form of Samuel.
Samero m Shona
Shona form of Samuel.
Samhuri m Shona
Means "family head" in Shona.
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.
Samweri m Shona
The Shona version of the Biblical name Samuel.
Sandisiwe f Xhosa
Means "increased" or "we have been added to" in Xhosa.
Sangawaka f & m Tumbuka
Means "to easily find" in Tumbuka.
Sango m Shona
It means "jungle".
Sangwani m & f Tumbuka
Derived from Tumbuka sangwa, meaning "rejoice".
Sankhani m Chewa, Tumbuka
Means "choose" in Chewa and Tumbuka.
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