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.
Asavela f & m XhosaMeans "they still appear" in Xhosa. A famous bearer is South African actress Asavela Mngqithi.
Awonke m & f XhosaMeans "united" or "we are all here" in Xhosa, often given to the last-born child in a family.
Bemanyiwe m & f XhosaFrom the Xhosa
ba- meaning "they" or
be- meaning "they (being)" and
manyiwe meaning "united", ultimately "they are united, they have come united".
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... [
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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”... [
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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.
Madodonke m XhosaMeans "all 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.
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.
Mzwamadoda m XhosaMeans "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, 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.
Nokresimesi f XhosaTraditionally given to a girl born at Christmas time, from the Xhosa
ikresimesi meaning "Christmas".
Nokuzola f XhosaApparently means "quiet", "calm" or "peace" in Xhosa.
Nomalizo f XhosaMeans "comforter, one who comforted us" in Xhosa.
Nopasika f XhosaTraditionally given to a girl born at Easter, from the Xhosa
ipasika meaning "Easter".
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.
Shumise f Xhosa10 shillings or 10 bob, created by the father of Alice Jean Shumise Madinga.... [
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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.
Xoliswa f XhosaFrom the Xhosa
ukuxola meaning "to calm down".
Xolo m & f XhosaPossibly related to Xhosa
uxolo "peace, pardon", itself from
-xola "to be calm, at peace, happy; to forgive".
Yolani f & m South African, Xhosa (?)Likely from Xhosa
yolani meaning "you all, be pleasant", itself the imperative plural form of
yoli ("to be pleasant").
Zenzile f & m Xhosa, SwaziFrom Xhosa
uzenzile meaning "you brought this on yourself". This was the first name of the South African singer and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba (1932-2008), full name Zenzile Miriam Makeba... [
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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.
Zozibini f XhosaXhosa name, said to mean "received with both hands". (In this culture it is considered impolite or unappreciative to accept a worthy gift with one hand; to show appreciation and respect to the giver, you use both hands to accept a gift.)