Bantu Names

Aisha f Arabic, Urdu, Hausa, Swahili, Kazakh, African American
Means "living, alive" in Arabic. This was the name of Muhammad's third wife, the daughter of Abu Bakr. Some time after Muhammad's death she went to war against Ali, the fourth caliph, but was defeated. Her name is used more by Sunni Muslims and less by Shias.... [more]

Alinafe f & m Chewa
Means "he or she is with us" in Chewa.

Amahle m & f Zulu
Means "the beautiful ones" in Zulu.

Amina 1 f Arabic, Bosnian, Tatar, Bashkir, Chechen, Ingush, Kazakh, Urdu, Swahili, Hausa
Derived from Arabic أمن (ʾamina) meaning "safe, secure". This was the name of the Prophet Muhammad's mother, who died when he was young.

Amogelang m & f Tswana
Derived from Tswana amogela meaning "welcome, accept".

Andile m & f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "they have increased" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.

Asha 2 f Swahili
From Swahili ishi meaning "live, exist", derived from Arabic عاش (ʿāsha).

Ashura f Swahili
From the name of an Islamic holy day that commemorates the death of Husayn ibn Ali. It is so named because it falls on the tenth day of Muharram, deriving from Arabic عشرة (ʿashara) meaning "ten".

Ayanda m & f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "they are increasing" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.

Babirye f Ganda
Means "first of twins" in Luganda.

Bahati f & m Swahili
Means "luck, good fortune" in Swahili, ultimately from Persian بخت (bakht).

Bakari m Swahili
From the Swahili name for the constellation Boötes.

Bandile m & f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "they have increased" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.

Banele m & f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Swazi
Means "it is enough" in Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi.

Baraka m Swahili
Means "blessing" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic بركة (baraka).

Boipelo m & f Tswana
Means "joy, rejoicing" in Tswana, from ipela meaning "to rejoice".

Boitumelo f & m Tswana
Means "joy" in Tswana, from itumela meaning "to be happy".

Bongani m Zulu
Means "grateful, thankful" in Zulu.

Bonolo f Sotho
Means "ease" in Sotho.

Buhle f & m Xhosa, Ndebele
From Xhosa and Ndebele buhle "beautiful, handsome", from the root hle.

Businge m & f Kiga
Means "peace" in Rukiga.

Chausiku f Swahili
Means "born at night" in Swahili.

Chifundo m & f Chewa
Means "mercy" in Chewa.

Chifuniro m & f Chewa
Means "will, wish" in Chewa.

Chikondi m & f Chewa
Means "love" in Chewa.

Chikumbutso m & f Chewa
Means "memory" in Chewa.

Chimwala m & f Yao
Means "stone" in Yao.

Chimwemwe m & f Chewa
Means "joy, pleasure" in Chewa.

Chipiliro m & f Chewa
Means "perseverance, endurance" in Chewa.

Chipo f Shona
Means "gift" in Shona.

Chisomo m & f Chewa
Means "grace" in Chewa.

Chiumbo m Mwera
Means "small" in Mwera.

Chiyembekezo m & f Chewa
Means "hope" in Chewa.

Dakarai m Shona
Means "rejoice" in Shona.

Dalitso m & f Chewa
Means "blessing" in Chewa.

Danai 2 f Shona
From Shona dana meaning "call, summon".

Dikeledi f Tswana
Means "tears" in Tswana.

Dumi m Zulu, Ndebele
Short form of Dumisani.

Dumisani m Zulu, Ndebele
Means "praise" in Zulu and Ndebele.

Enzokuhle m & f Zulu, Xhosa
Means "to do good" in Zulu and Xhosa, from the roots enza "to do" and hle "beautiful, good".

Eshe f Swahili
Variant of Asha 2.

Fadhili m Swahili
Means "kindness, favour" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic.

Fadzai f Shona
From Shona fadza meaning "please, make happy".

Farai m & f Shona
From Shona fara meaning "rejoice, be happy".

Faraji m Swahili
Means "consolation" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic فرج (faraj).

Fatsani m & f Chewa
Means "be meek" in Chewa.

Fungai m & f Shona
From Shona funga meaning "think, judge".

Furaha f Swahili
Means "joy, happiness" in Swahili, borrowed from Arabic فرح (fariḥa).

Ganizani m Chewa
Means "think" in Chewa.

Gugulethu f Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
From Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele igugu "treasure, pride" and lethu "our".

Gwandoya m Ganda
Means "met with misery" in Luganda.

Hadija f Swahili
Swahili form of Khadija.

Halima f Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Hausa, Swahili
Feminine form of Halim. Halima was the name of the foster mother of the Prophet Muhammad.

Hamisi m Swahili
From Swahili Alhamisi meaning "Thursday", from Arabic الخميس (al-khamīs), itself derived from خمسة (khamsa) meaning "five".

Hawa f Arabic, Swahili
Arabic form of Eve.

Hlengiwe f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Swazi
Means "helped, rescued, redeemed" in Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi.

Ibrahim m Arabic, Malay, Indonesian, Pashto, Urdu, Kazakh, Tatar, Bashkir, Avar, Bosnian, Dhivehi, Albanian, Hausa, Swahili
Arabic form of Abraham, also used in several other languages. This form appears in the Quran.

Imamu m Swahili
Means "spiritual leader" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic إمام (ʾimām).

Imani f & m Swahili, African American
Means "faith" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic إيمان (ʾīmān).

Iminathi f Zulu
Means "he stands with us" in Zulu.

Isingoma m Ganda
Means "first of twins" in Luganda.

Itai 2 m & f Shona
From Shona ita meaning "do, act, perform".

Itumeleng m & f Tswana
Means "be happy" in Tswana, from itumela meaning "to be happy".

Jengo m Swahili (Rare)
Means "building" in Swahili.

Juma m Arabic, Pashto, Swahili
Means "Friday" or "week" in Arabic.

Jumanne m Swahili
Means "Tuesday" in Swahili.

Kabelo m Sotho, Tswana
Means "allotment, share, gift" in Sotho and Tswana.

Kagiso m & f Tswana
Means "peace" in Tswana.

Kamaria f Comorian
From Arabic qamar meaning "moon", also the root of the name of the island country of the Comoros.

Kamau m Kikuyu
Meaning unknown. This was the birth name of the Kenyan president Jomo Kenyatta (1897-1978).

Karabo m & f Sotho, Tswana
Means "answer" in Sotho and Tswana.

Kariuki m Kikuyu
Means "reincarnated one" in Kikuyu.

Katlego m & f Tswana
Means "success, prosperity" in Tswana.

Katleho m & f Sotho
Means "success, prosperity" in Sotho.

Kato m Ganda
Means "second of twins" in Luganda.

Kefilwe m & f Tswana
Means "I was given" in Tswana, derived from filwe "given".

Keitumetse f & m Tswana
Means "I am happy" in Tswana, from itumetse meaning "happy".

Kelebogile f & m Tswana
Means "I am thankful" in Tswana, derived from leboga "to be thankful, to thank".

Kgosi m Tswana
Means "king, chief" in Tswana.

Khumbo m & f Chewa
Means "wish" in Chewa.

Kibwe m Kongo
Meaning unknown.

Kirabo m & f Ganda
Means "gift" in Luganda.

Kisembo m & f Tooro
Means "gift" in Rutooro.

Kondwani m Chewa, Tumbuka
Means "be happy, rejoice" in Chewa and Tumbuka.

Kumbukani m & f Chewa
Means "remember" in Chewa.

Lebogang m & f Tswana
Means "be thankful" in Tswana.

Lebohang m & f Sotho
Means "be thankful" in Sotho.

Lerato f & m Sotho
Means "love" in Sotho.

Lesedi f & m Tswana
Means "light" in Tswana.

Lesego m & f Tswana
Means "luck, blessing" in Tswana, from sego "blessed".

Lethabo m & f Sotho, Tswana
Means "joy, happiness" in Sotho and Tswana.

Lethokuhle f & m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "bring goodness" in Zulu and Xhosa, from the roots letha "to bring" and hle "beautiful, good".

Limbani m Chewa
Means "be strong" in Chewa.

Limbikani m Chewa
Means "work hard" in Chewa.

Lindiwe f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Swazi
Means "waited for, awaited" in Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi, from linda "to wait".

Lisakhanya f & m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "still shining" in Xhosa and Zulu, from the roots sa "still, continuing" and khanya "to shine".

Lubanzi m & f Xhosa, Zulu
Means "it is wide" in Xhosa and Zulu, from the phrase uthando lubanzi "love is wide".

Lungile f & m Zulu, Ndebele
Means "correct, right, good" in Zulu and Ndebele.

Lwandle m & f Zulu, Xhosa
Means "ocean" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Madalitso m & f Chewa
Means "blessings" in Chewa.

Maina m Kikuyu
Means "sing, dance" in Kikuyu. Kikuyu males were traditionally organized into age sets or generations, each lasting about 30 years. The Maina generation occupied the last part of the 19th century.

Makena f & m Kikuyu
Means "happy one" in Kikuyu.

Malaika f Swahili
Means "angel" in Swahili, derived from Arabic ملك (malak).

Mandla m Zulu, Ndebele
Means "strength, power" in Zulu and Ndebele.

Mandlenkosi m Zulu, Ndebele
From Zulu and Ndebele amandla "strength, power" and inkosi "king, chief".

Manyara f Shona
Means "you have been humbled" in Shona.

Mariamu f Swahili
Swahili form of Miriam.

Marijani m Swahili
Means "coral" in Swahili, originally a borrowing from Arabic مرْجان (marjān).

Masamba m Yao
Means "leaves, vegetables" in Yao.

Masego f Tswana
Means "blessings" in Tswana, from sego "blessed".

Masozi m & f Tumbuka
Means "tears" in Tumbuka.

Mavuto m Chewa
Means "troubles, problems" in Chewa.

Mayamiko m & f Chewa
Means "praise, gratitude" in Chewa.

Mayeso m & f Chewa
Means "test (from God)" in Chewa.

Mbalenhle f Zulu
From Zulu imbali "flower" and hle "beautiful".

Mbali f Zulu
Means "flower" in Zulu.

Melisizwe m Xhosa
Means "leader of the nation" in Xhosa.

Melokuhle f & m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "stand for goodness" in Zulu and Xhosa, from the roots mela "to stand for, to represent" and hle "beautiful, good".

Minenhle f & m Zulu
From Zulu imini "day" and hle "beautiful".

Mirembe f Ganda
Means "peace" in Luganda.

Mohamed m Arabic, Dhivehi, Swahili
Alternate transcription of Arabic محمّد (see Muhammad) chiefly used in Egypt and Algeria. This is also the usual Dhivehi and Swahili form.

Mosi f & m Swahili
Means "first (child)" in Swahili.

Mphatso m & f Chewa
Means "gift" in Chewa.

Mpho m & f Tswana, Sotho
Means "gift" in Tswana and Sotho, a derivative of fa "to offer".

Mtendere m & f Chewa
Means "peace" in Chewa.

Mubiru m Ganda
Meaning unknown. This is the name of a figure in Ganda mythology associated with forests and hunting.

Mudiwa f & m Shona
Means "beloved, darling" in Shona.

Mukami f Kikuyu
Possibly means "the one who milks the cows" in Kikuyu.

Mumbi f Kikuyu
Means "she who shapes" in Kikuyu. In Kikuyu mythology Mumbi was the wife of Gikuyu and the mother of his nine daughters.

Munashe m & f Shona
Means "with God" in Shona, derived from ishe meaning "lord, God".

Munyaradzi m Shona
Means "comforter, consoler" in Shona, from nyaradza "to make quiet, to console".

Muthoni f Kikuyu
Means "mother-in-law" in Kikuyu.

Mwajuma f Swahili
Contracted form of Mwanajuma.

Mwanahamisi f Swahili
Means "child born on Thursday" in Swahili.

Mwanahawa f Swahili
Combination of Swahili mwana meaning "child" and the name Hawa.

Mwanaidi f Swahili
Means "child born during the festival" in Swahili.

Mwanaisha f Swahili
Combination of Swahili mwana meaning "child" and the name Aisha.

Mwanajuma f Swahili
Means "child born on Friday" in Swahili.

Mwangi m Kikuyu
Means "rapid expansion" in Kikuyu. Kikuyu males were traditionally organized into age sets or generations. The Mwangi generation started around the beginning of the 20th century and lasted for about 30 years.

Mwayi f & m Chewa
Means "opportunity" in Chewa.

Mwenya f & m Chewa
From the Chewa word for a type of flowering tree (species Breonadia salicina).

Nafula f Luhya
Feminine form of Wafula.

Nakato f Ganda
Means "second of twins" in Luganda.

Naliaka f Luhya
Means "born during the weeding season", from Luhya liliaka meaning "weeding".

Nanjala f Luhya
Feminine form of Wanjala.

Nasimiyu f Luhya
Feminine form of Simiyu.

Neema f Swahili
Means "divine grace" in Swahili, from Arabic نعمة (niʿma) meaning "blessing".

Nekesa f Luhya
Feminine form of Wekesa.

Neo 1 f & m Tswana
Means "gift" in Tswana, a derivative of naya "to give".

Netsai f Shona
From Shona netsa meaning "trouble, annoy, bother".

Nia 2 f Swahili, African American
Means "purpose, aim" in Swahili, borrowed from Arabic نيّة (nīya).

Njeri f Kikuyu
Means "travelling one" in Kikuyu. Njeri (or Wanjeri) is the name of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Njinga m & f Mbundu
Possibly from a Bantu root meaning "to twist, to wrap" (kujinga in Kimbundu), alluding to the wrapping of the umbilical cord around the neck of the newborn. This name was borne by kings and queens of the African kingdoms of Ndongo and Kongo, notably a 17th-century queen of Ndongo who resisted the Portuguese.

Nkazimulo m & f Zulu
Means "glory, brightness" in Zulu.

Nkosana m Xhosa
Means "prince" in Xhosa.

Nkosazana f Xhosa
Means "princess" in Xhosa.

Nomusa f Ndebele
Means "merciful" in Ndebele.

Nonhle f Xhosa
From the Xhosa feminine prefix no- combined with hle "beautiful".

Nontle f Xhosa
Variant of Nonhle.

Nosipho f Zulu, Xhosa
From the Zulu and Xhosa feminine prefix no- combined with isipho "gift".

Nosizwe f Xhosa
From the Xhosa feminine prefix no- combined with isizwe "nation".

Noxolo f Xhosa, Ndebele
From the Xhosa and Ndebele feminine prefix no- combined with uxolo "peace".

Nqobile f & m Zulu
Means "they conquered" in Zulu, from nqoba "to conquer".

Nthanda m & f Tumbuka
Means "star" in Tumbuka.

Ntombi f Zulu
Means "girl" in Zulu.

Ntombifuthi f Zulu
Means "a girl again" in Zulu.

Ntombizodwa f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "only girls", from Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele intombi "girl" and zodwa "only".

Nuru f Swahili
Means "light" in Swahili, ultimately from Arabic نور (nūr).

Nyambura f Kikuyu
From Kikuyu mbura meaning "rain". This is the name of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Nyarai f Shona
From Shona nyara meaning "be shy, be quiet, be humble".

Nyongesa m Luhya
Means "born on Saturday" in Luhya.

Nzinga m & f Mbundu
Variant of Njinga.

Okuhle f & m Zulu, Xhosa
Means "that which is beautiful, that which is good" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Omari m Swahili
Meaning uncertain, possibly a Swahili variant of Umar.

Omphile f & m Tswana, Sotho
Means "he has given" in Tswana and Sotho.

Onalerona f & m Tswana, Sotho
Means "he is with us" in Tswana and Sotho.

Palesa f Sotho
Means "flower" in Sotho.

Pemphero m & f Chewa
Means "prayer" in Chewa.

Pendo f Swahili
Variant of Upendo.

Penjani m & f Tumbuka
Means "seek for, look for" in Tumbuka.

Pili 2 f Swahili
Means "second (child)" in Swahili.

Pilirani m & f Chewa
Means "persevere, endure" in Chewa.

Puleng f Sotho
Means "in the rain" in Sotho.

Rajabu m Swahili
Swahili form of Rajab.

Ramadhani m Swahili
Swahili form of Ramadan.

Refilwe m & f Tswana
Means "we were given" in Tswana, derived from filwe "given".

Rehema f Swahili
Means "mercy, compassion" in Swahili, from Arabic رحْمة (raḥma).

Rethabile f & m Sotho
Means "we are happy" in Sotho.

Rudo m & f Shona
Means "love" in Shona.

Rufaro f Shona
Means "happiness" in Shona.

Rumbidzai f Shona
From Shona rumbidza meaning "praise".

Rutendo f & m Shona
Means "thankfulness" in Shona.

Sandile m Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "we increased" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele, from anda "to increase".

Sauda f Swahili
Meaning uncertain, possibly a variant of Sawda.

Sefu m Swahili
Possibly a Swahili form of Saif.

Sekai f Shona
From Shona seka meaning "laugh".

Sekani m Tumbuka
Means "laugh" in Tumbuka.

Sethunya f Tswana
Means "bloom, flower" in Tswana, derived from thunya "to bloom".

Shabani m Swahili
Swahili form of Shaban.

Sibonakaliso m & f Zulu
From Zulu isibonakaliso meaning "sign, token, proof".

Sibongile f Zulu, Ndebele
Means "we are thankful" in Zulu and Ndebele, from bonga "to thank".

Sibusisiwe f Ndebele
Means "we are blessed" in Ndebele.

Sibusiso m Zulu, Swazi, Ndebele
Means "blessed" in Zulu, Swazi and Ndebele, from busisa "to bless".

Sifiso m Zulu
Means "wish" in Zulu.

Simba 1 m Shona
Means "power, strength" in Shona.

Simba 2 m Swahili
Means "lion" in Swahili. This is the name of the main character in the Disney movie The Lion King (1994), about a lion cub who exiles himself after his father is murdered.

Simiyu m Luhya
Means "born during the dry season" in Luhya.

Sipho m Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "gift" from Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele isipho.

Siphosethu m & f Zulu, Xhosa
Means "our gift" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Sithembile f & m Zulu
Means "we trust" in Zulu.

Siyabonga m Zulu, Ndebele
Means "we thank you" in Zulu and Ndebele.

Sizwe m Xhosa
Means "nation" in Xhosa.

Ssanyu f Ganda
Means "joy" in Luganda.

Subira f Swahili
Means "patience" in Swahili, from Arabic صبر (ṣabara).

Tadala f Chewa
Means "we have been blessed" in Chewa.

Tafadzwa m & f Shona
Means "we are pleased" in Shona, from fadza meaning "please, make happy".

Takondwa m & f Chewa
Means "we are glad" in Chewa.

Tamandani m & f Chewa
Means "exalt, praise" in Chewa.

Tambudzai f Shona
From Shona tambudza meaning "make trouble, frustrate".

Taonga f & m Tumbuka
Means "we are thankful" in Tumbuka.

Tapiwa f Shona
Means "given" in Shona.

Tariro f Shona
Means "hope" in Shona.

Tatenda m & f Shona
Means "thank you" in Shona, from tenda meaning "thank".

Tatu 2 f Swahili
Means "third (child)" in Swahili.

Tau m Tswana, Sotho
Means "lion" in Tswana and Sotho. Tau was the name of the last ruler of the Rolong in South Africa (18th century).

Taurai m & f Shona
From Shona taura meaning "speak".

Tebogo f & m Tswana
Means "gratitude, thanks" in Tswana.

Teboho m Sotho
Means "gratitude" in Sotho.

Tendai m & f Shona
From Shona tenda meaning "be thankful, thank".

Thabang m & f Tswana
Means "be happy" in Tswana.

Thabani m Zulu, Ndebele
Means "be happy" in Zulu and Ndebele.

Thabo m Sotho, Tswana
Means "joy, happiness" in Sotho and Tswana.

Thandeka f Zulu, Ndebele
Means "loved" in Zulu and Ndebele.

Thandi f Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
Short form of Thandiwe.

Thandiwe f Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
Means "loving one" in Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele, from thanda "to love".

Thando m & f Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele
From Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele thanda meaning "to love".

Thandolwethu f & m Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele, Swazi
Means "our love" in Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele and Swazi, from thanda "to love".

Thato m & f Sotho, Tswana
Means "will, desire" in Sotho and Tswana.

Themba m Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "trust, hope" in Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele.

Thoko m & f Chewa
Short form of Thokozani.

Thokozani m & f Chewa
Means "thank" in Chewa.

Thulani m Zulu
Means "be quiet, be peaceful" in Zulu.

Thulile f Zulu
Means "quiet, peaceful" in Zulu.

Tichaona m Shona
Means "we will see" from Shona ticha "we will" and ona "see".

Tinashe m & f Shona
Means "we are with God", from Shona ti "we", na "with" and ishe "lord, God".

Tionge f & m Chewa, Tumbuka
Means "we thank" in Chewa and Tumbuka.

Tiwonge f & m Chewa
Variant of Tionge.

Tiyamike f & m Chewa
Means "we praise" in Chewa.

Tshepo m & f Sotho, Tswana
Means "hope" in Sotho and Tswana.

Tsholofelo f Tswana
Means "hope, expectation" in Tswana.

Tumaini f & m Swahili
Means "wish, hope" in Swahili, from Arabic طمع (ṭamiʿa) meaning "to desire".

Tumelo m & f Sotho, Tswana
Means "faith" in Sotho and Tswana.

Tumisang m & f Tswana
Means "give praise, glorify" in Tswana.

Uhuru m Swahili
Means "freedom" in Swahili.

Unathi m & f Xhosa
Means "he or she is with us" in Xhosa, from the prefix u- meaning "he, she" and nathi meaning "with us".

Upendo f Swahili
Means "love" in Swahili.

Wafula m Luhya
Means "born during the rainy season", from Luhya ifula meaning "rainy season".

Wairimu f Kikuyu
From Kikuyu irimũ meaning "ogre, giant". In the Kikuyu origin legend Wairimu is of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi.

Wamalwa m Luhya
Means "born during the brewing season" in Luhya.

Wambui f Kikuyu
Means "zebra" in Kikuyu. This is one of Mumbi's nine daughters in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Wanangwa m & f Tumbuka
Means "freedom" in Tumbuka.

Wangari f Kikuyu
From Kikuyu ngarĩ meaning "leopard". In the Kikuyu origin legend this is the name of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi.

Wangui f Kikuyu
From Kikuyu ngũi meaning "song leader". This is one of Mumbi's nine daughters in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Wanjala m Luhya
Means "born during famine", from Luhya injala meaning "hunger, famine".

Wanjiku f Kikuyu
Meaning unknown. This is one of Mumbi's nine daughters in the Kikuyu origin legend.

Wanjiru f Kikuyu
Possibly from Kikuyu njĩra meaning "way, path". In the Kikuyu origin legend this is the name of one of the nine daughters of Mumbi.

Wanyonyi m Luhya
Means "born during the weeding season", from Luhya enyonyi meaning "weeds".

Wasswa m Ganda
Means "first of twins" in Luganda.

Wekesa m Luhya
Means "born during harvest" in Luhya.

Wongani m & f Chewa
Means "be thankful" in Chewa.

Xolani m Zulu
Means "peace" in Zulu.

Yamikani m & f Chewa
Means "be grateful, praise" in Chewa.

Zainabu f Swahili, Hausa
Swahili and Hausa form of Zaynab.

Zandile f Zulu
Means "they have increased" in Zulu.

Zanokuhle f & m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "come with goodness" in Zulu and Xhosa, from the roots za "to come, to approach" and hle "beautiful, good".

Zawadi f & m Swahili
Means "gift" in Swahili, derived from Arabic زواد (zawād) meaning "provisions".

Zikomo m & f Chewa
Means "thank you, greeting" in Chewa.

Zodwa f Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Short form of Ntombizodwa.

Zola 2 f & m Xhosa
From the Xhosa root -zola meaning "calm".

Zuberi m Swahili
Swahili form of Zubair.

Zuhura f Swahili, Dhivehi
Means "Venus (planet)" in Swahili and Dhivehi. Both are borrowed from Arabic الزهرة (al-Zuhara), derived from the root زهر (zahara) meaning "to shine".

Zuri f Swahili
Means "beautiful" in Swahili.