This is a list of submitted names in which the gender is unisex; and the usage is South African.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Abafile f & m ZuluMeans "they are not dead" or "undead" in Zulu.
Akahlulwa m & f Xhosa (Modern)Means "undefeated, unbeatable", possibly taken from the title of the gospel song ‘Akahlulwa lutho uuJesu’.
Aluwani m & f VendaMeans "be prosperous" or "grow up" in Tshivenda.
Andisiwe f & m XhosaMeans "expanded, increased" or "extension" in Xhosa.
Andzile m & f TsongaMeans "multiplied and increased" in Xitsonga.
Anele m & f ZuluMeans "be enough; be sufficient; be adequate" in Zulu.
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.
Azwianewi m & f VendaMeans "something that cannot be told" in Tshivenda.
Endlani m & f TsongaFrom the Xitsonga
endla meaning "make, create, do".
Hlayisani m & f TsongaFrom the Xitsonga
hlayisa meaning "preserve, protect".
Hlengani m & f TsongaFrom the Xitsonga
hlenga meaning "collect, gather".
Hlomla m & f XhosaMeans "to comment on something" in Xhosa.
Kganya f & m SothoMeans "brightness" or "(God's) light" in Sesotho.
Khwezi m & f ZuluMeans "bright morning star" in Zulu.
Kwena m & f SothoMeans "crocodile" in the Sotho and Tswana languages. This name is chiefly used by Northern Sotho people.
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.
Luchumo m & f XhosaPossibly means "expanding, flourishing" or "prosperity" in Xhosa.
Matamela m & f Southern African, VendaPossibly means "the one who does not hold grudges" in Venda. It is the first name of the South African president Cyril Ramaphosa (1952-).
Mesuli m & f Xhosa, ZuluMeans "wiper (of tears)" in Xhosa, suggesting someone who brings an end to sorrow.
Mixo m & f TsongaMeans "dawn, morning" in Xitsonga.
Mnotho m & f ZuluMeans "economy" or "rich, wealthy" in Zulu.
Muambiwa m & f VendaMeans "the one who is spoken of/about" in Tshivenda.
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.
Roṋewa m & f VendaMeans "we are given" or "we are blessed" in Tshivenda.
Simdingile m & f Xhosa, ZuluPossibly means "we need this", derived from Xhosa and Zulu
dinga meaning "to need, to require".
Simphiwe m & f ZuluMeaning "we have been given him/her" in Zulu.
Tirhani m & f TsongaPossibly from the Xitsonga word
tirha meaning "work".
Tlangelani m & f TsongaPossibly from the Xitsonga word
tlangela meaning "celebrate".
Tsakani f & m South African, TsongaThe meaning is "to be happy". It was popularized by Tsakani Mhinga. She was a South African singer who died in 2006.... [
more]
Tshilidzi f & m VendaPossibly means "Grace". A notable bearer is Tshilidzi Marwala, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Internationalisation at the University of Johannesburg.
Unako m & f XhosaMeans "ability" or "you can" in Xhosa.
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".
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... [
more]
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.