Xhosa
names are used by the Xhosa people of South Africa.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Akahlulwa m & f Xhosa (Modern)Means "undefeated, unbeatable", possibly taken from the title of the gospel song ‘Akahlulwa lutho uuJesu’.
Andisiwe f & m XhosaMeans "expanded, increased" or "extension" in Xhosa.
Aphelele m & f Xhosa, ZuluMeans "complete, whole, all present" in Xhosa and Zulu. Often given to the last child to be born in a family.
Awonke m & f XhosaMeans "united" or "we are all here" in Xhosa, often given to the last-born child in a family.
Bongi f Xhosa, Southern AfricanShort 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]
Gugu f Zulu, XhosaFrom Zulu
igugu meaning "precious, valuable" or "treasure".
Hlomla m & f XhosaMeans "to comment on something" in Xhosa.
Liyabona f & m XhosaMeans "it sees" or "you see" in Xhosa, sometimes taken from the phrase
liyabona igama le Nkosi meaning "the name of the eye of God".
Liyema f & m XhosaMeans "to stop" or "to stand, to be standing" in Xhosa, often taken from the phrase
liyema ikhaya "the home is standing" to indicate stability in the family.
Luchulumancolwenkosi f XhosaThis name is a scared name. Taken from words the Ancient King of the AmaMpondomise clan King Vukuzumbethe. He used to say “ lulo uchulumanco lwenkosi” which meant “this is God’s happiness”... [
more]
Luchumo m & f XhosaPossibly means "expanding, flourishing" or "prosperity" in Xhosa.
Luphelo m XhosaMeans "the end, the last" in Xhosa, often given to the last child to be born in a family.
Mesuli m & f Xhosa, ZuluMeans "wiper (of tears)" in Xhosa, suggesting someone who brings an end to sorrow.
Mthakathi m Zulu, XhosaMeans "witch," from 'thakatha' meaning "to bewitch" in Xhosa or "to practice witchcraft" in Zulu.
Mzwandile m Xhosa, ZuluMeans "the house has expanded" in Xhosa, idiomatically referring to a growing family.
Nambitha f XhosaMeans "to savour, to enjoy" in Xhosa, encouraging the child to savour life.
Nangamso f & m XhosaMeans "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.
Nokhanyo f XhosaMeans "light, shine" or "enlightenment" in Xhosa.
Ongezwa f XhosaMeans "addition, one who was added" in Xhosa.
Qondiwe f XhosaPossibly related to
qonda, meaning "to understand".
Rolihlahla m Xhosa, Southern AfricanMeans "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.
Sandisiwe f XhosaMeans "increased" or "we have been added to" in Xhosa.
Simdingile m & f Xhosa, ZuluPossibly means "we need this", derived from Xhosa and Zulu
dinga meaning "to need, to require".
Solomzi m XhosaMeans "eye of the home" in Xhosa, figuratively "guardian of the family".
Unako m & f XhosaMeans "ability" or "you can" in Xhosa.
Vuyiseka f XhosaMeans "be happy, rejoice" or "makes happy" in Xhosa.
Vuyo m XhosaMeans "happiness, joy" in Xhosa. Sometimes used as a short form of names beginning with
Vuyo-.
Vuyokazi f XhosaMeans "great joy" in Xhosa, a variant of
Vuyo using the feminine or augmentative suffix
-kazi.
Xola m & f XhosaMeans "be at peace" or "to forgive" in Xhosa.
Xolo m & f XhosaPossibly related to Xhosa
uxolo "peace, pardon", itself from
-xola "to be calm, at peace, happy; to forgive".
Zethu f & m Xhosa, ZuluMeans "ours" or "belongs to us" in both Xhosa and Zulu within the Nguni language group. Notable South African name bearers include actor Zethu Dlomo and orchestral musician Zethu Mashika.