Bantu Submitted Names

This is a list of submitted names in which the language is Bantu.
gender
usage
language
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Nyaruai f Kikuyu (Rare)
More curious to know what ruai means with that you can get to know the name for it means one who comes from 'the ruai'
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.
Nyasi f Swahili
Means "grass" in Swahili.
Nyawĩra f Kikuyu
Means "the hardworking one" in Kikuyu.
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.
Nyinakwezi f Kiga
Means "mother of the moon" in Rukiga.
Nyokabi f Kikuyu (Archaic)
Kikuyus call the maasai "ukabi" this was for girls born from this intermarriage meaning she who came from maasai land
Nyoni f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "bird".
Nyota f Swahili, Lingala
Derived from Swahili and Lingala nyota meaning "star".
Nyuki f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "bee".
Nzaya f Kongo
knowledge
Nzembo m & f Lingala
Means "song" in Lingala.
Nzero m Shona
Meaning “wisdom; insight; sagacity”, it corresponds with the name Njere.
Nzeru m & f Chewa
Means "wisdom" in Chewa.
Nzota m Pare
Etymology uncertain, this name is traditionally given to babies born during drought.
Nzuzi m & f Kongo
Means "second born twin" in Kikongo.
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".
Odirile m Tswana
Means "he has done, created, made" in Tswana.
Ogotseng m Tswana
Means "make it" in Setswana.
Olerato f Tswana (Rare)
Means "you are love" in Tswana.
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
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.
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.
Ontlametse m Tswana
Means "He has protected me" in Tswana.
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.
Osego f Tswana
Means "she is lucky" in Setswana.
Osenotse f Tswana
Means "He (God) has made things clear" in Setswana.
Osogo m Swahili
Means “movement” in Swahili.
Oteng m Tswana
Means "He (God) is here" in Setswana.
Othusitse m & f Tswana
Means "he (god) has helped" in Tswana.
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.
Paidamoyo f & m Shona, Southern African
What the heart desired was granted
Pambe m Eastern African, Swahili
Means "decorated" in Swahili.
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]
Panya f Swahili
The crowned one.
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.
Pelaji m Swahili
Variation of Pelagius.
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
Petelu m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Peter.
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.
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.
Philisiwe f South African, Zulu
Means "healed" in Zulu.
Phumlani m Zulu
Means "rest" in Zulu.
Phusu m & f Venda
Means "havoc" in Tshivenda.
Phutheho f Sotho
Means "congregation" in Sesotho.
Pianga f Chewa
Means “I’m sorry” in Chichewa.
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.
Popobawa m Swahili
Name of a shape-shifting shetani (evil spirit) in Zanzibar mythology. It is derived from Swahili elements popo (bat) and bawa (wing), therefore literally meaning "bat-wing" or "winged bat"... [more]
Potlako m Tswana
God answer me immediately
Powamana f Lunda
Means "beautiful woman" in Lunda.
Pula f Sotho
Means "rain" in Sotho.
Pulane f Sotho
Means "rainy" in Sesotho.
Pumbaa m Popular Culture, Swahili
Means "to be foolish, silly, weak-minded, careless, negligent" in Swahili. This is the name of the warthog in Disney's 'The Lion King' (1994).
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.
Rabelani m & f Venda
Means "to pray" in Tshivenda.
Ramadhan m Arabic, Indonesian, Swahili
Alternate transcription of Arabic رمضان (see Ramadan), as well as the Indonesian and Swahili form.
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.
Rashidi m Eastern African, Swahili, Malay
Form of Rashid used in parts of Eastern Africa as well as Malaysia.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rua m & f Swahili
used mainly among swahili community for both boys and girls. ... [more]
Rubani m Swahili
A pilot
Rudzani m & f Venda
Means "guide" in Venda.
Rugarabamu m Haya
Means "he who succeeds" in Haya.
Rugare m Shona
Means "peace, well being" in Shona.
Ruhiu m Swahili
Means “spirit” in Swahili.
Rukariro f & m Shona
Means "hope" in Shona.
Rukidi m Nyoro, Tooro
From kidi, meaning ‘stone’.
Rumanyika m Haya
Means "he is famous" in Haya.
Rumánzi m Kiga
Means "brave one" in Rukiga.
Runako m & f Shona
Means "beauty" in Shona.
Rungano f Shona
Means "story" in Shona.
Rungo m Swahili
The name Rungo has different meaning but they all mean the same thing. It mewns a “”weapon of war”” mostly a “”war club””... [more]
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”.
Rutáiruka m Kiga
Means "one who does not run away" in Rukiga.
Rutasingwa m Haya
Means "he who is never defeated" in Haya.
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"
Rwechungura m Haya
Means "he who never despairs" in Haya.
Rwesang m & f Tswana
Means "place on (someone's) head" in Setswana.
Sabola m Yao
Means "pepper" in Yao.
Sadaka m Swahili
Means "a religious offering" in Swahili.
Sadao f Swahili
Means "leader" in Swahili.
Sadiki m Egyptian, Arabic, Swahili
Translating to “faithful” or “loyal,” it can always remind baby to stay dedicated to the people they love. Whether it’s through a ride-or-die friendship or sticking by their own beliefs, the name Sadiki is a constant reminder to keep a steadfast heart.
Sadiki m Swahili
Means "believe" in Swahili.
Sadzamari f Shona
Means "income" in Shona.
Safari f & m Swahili, Bantu, American (Modern, Rare)
Means "journey" in Swahili, from Arabic سَفَر‎ (safar). It is commonly used by Eastern Bantus in Kenya, given to babies born when traveling or given in reference to a lot of traveling by a relative... [more]
Safiri f Swahili
Means “traveler” in Swahili.
Saiti m Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Said.
Sakabeju f Nyakyusa
Means "potato leaf" in Nyakyusa.
Sakabwesye f Nyakyusa
Means "to win" in Nyakyusa.
Sakalenge f Nyakyusa
Means "made of flowers" in Nyakyusa.
Sakhile m Zulu
Means "we have built" in Zulu.
Sakuwaha m Lunda
Means "handsome man" in Lunda.
Salujoja f Nyakyusa
Means "of the feathers" in Nyakyusa.
Salume f Nyakyusa
Nyakyusa form of Salome.
Samalasele f Nyakyusa
From the Nyakyusa name for a type of bird.
Samanya f Kaguru
Means "she who is unknown" in Chikaguru.
Samba f Luba
Means "to console" in Luba-Kasai.
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.
Samweli m Swahili
Swahili form of Samuel.
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.
Santu m & f Lingala
Means "saint" in Lingala.
Sanura f Muslim, Swahili
Meaning, "kitten."
Sarabi f Swahili, Popular Culture
Means "mirage" in Swahili. This is the name of the mother of Simba and mate of Mufasa and in the Disney movie The Lion King (1994).
Sarafina f Swahili
Apparently means "bright star" in Swahili. The name might be best known from the South African musical "Sarafina!" Also, the name is often easily confused with the Hebrew name Seraphina, but despite looking similar in appearance, both names clearly have completely different etymologies.
Sarudzai f Shona
Means "Be selective or discriminate". #Depending on circumstances the name may be a call to be selective in what you do or maybe blaming someone for being discriminating"
Sarura f Shona
It means "choose; make a selection".
Sasavona m & f Tsonga
Means "helper" in Xitsonga.
Saseka f Tsonga
Means "pretty" in Xitsonga.
Sasekani f Tsonga
Means "beautiful" in Xitsonga.
Sasekisa f Tsonga
Means "beautiful, decorate" in Xitsonga.
Sauti f Swahili
Swahili feminine name meaning "voice, noise".
Sayina f Tsonga
Means "sign" in Xitsonga.
Sebaga m & f Tswana
Means "a bead" in Setswana.
Sebolai m Sotho
Means "assassin" in Sotho.
Sebutlana f Tswana
Means "small rabbit" in Setswana.
Sechaba m Sotho
The meaning is 'nation' as in 'our nation', 'the country we live in'.
Sedireng m Tswana
Means "do it" in Setswana.
Seetsele f Tswana
Means "medal" in Setswana.
Sefeniya f Kongo
God has hidden
Segametsi f Tswana
Means "that which draws water" in Setswana.
Segolame f Tswana
Means "my luck" in Setswana.
Segomotso f Tswana
Means "comfort" in Setswana.
Sehlolo m Sotho
Means "disaster" in Sotho.
Seilatsatsi f Sotho
Meaning unknown. Seilatsatsi is a character in some Sotho tales.
Seithati f Tswana
Means "loves herself" in Tswana.
Sekelelani m Chewa, Tumbuka
Means "be happy, boisterous" or "laugh" in Chewa and Tumbuka.
Selebaleng f Tswana
Means "don't forget" in Setswana.
Selemo f Tswana
Means "summer" in Setswana.
Semakaleng m & f Sotho
Means "surprise" in Sotho.
Senatla f Tswana
Means "hard worker" in Setswana.
Senyagwa m Kaguru
Means "eloquent" in Chikaguru.
Senzeni m & f Ndebele
Means "what did we do?" in Ndebele.
Seretse m Tswana
Means “the clay that binds" in Tswana.... [more]
Sethekele f Ndebele
"We visited"
Setifene m Sotho
Sotho form of Stephen.
Setjhaba m Sotho
Means "nation" in Sesotho.
Setshaba m Tswana
Means "nation" in Setswana.
Setshego f Tswana
Means "laughter" in Setswana.
Setshwano f Tswana
Means "resemblance" in Setswana.
Sevuri m Pare
Etymology uncertain, this name is traditionally given to babies born during the rainy season.
Sewelo f Tswana
Means "rare" in Setswana.
Shadein f Shona, Chewa
Means "child of God" in Shona and Chewa.
Shamiso f Shona
Means "amazing" in Shona.
Shandukani m & f Venda
Means "to change" in Tshivenda.
Shani f African American, Swahili (?)
Allegedly means "wonder" in Swahili.
Shida m & f Swahili, Persian
The name is originated from Arabic language meaning horrible, suffering, hardness or struggles
Shiluva m & f Tsonga
Means "flower" in Xitsonga.
Shingirayi f & m Shona
Means "be strong" in Shona.
Shingirirai f Shona
Means "perseverance" in Shona.
Shoko m & f Shona
It means "word", a longer form of the name is Shokorashe.
Shumba m Shona
It means "lion".
Shumbusho f & m Rwandan, African
God's consolation. Used both as a family name or a first name.
Shumirai f Shona
Meaning “praise” or “express admiration, adoration or reverence.”
Shumise f Xhosa
10 shillings or 10 bob, created by the father of Alice Jean Shumise Madinga.... [more]
Shungudzemwoyo m Shona
Means "yearnings of the heart" in Shona.
Sibagege f Nyakyusa
Means "let matters face you" in Nyakyusa.
Sibakhulule m & f Ndebele
Means "we have liberated them" in Ndebele.
Sibhakabhaka f Zulu
Means "sky" in Zulu.
Sibongiseni m Zulu
Meaning "(you), be thankful with us" in Zulu.
Siboniso m South African, Zulu
Means "being a leader" in Zulu.
Sicalo m Swazi
A famous bearer is Sicalo Dlamini (1987-) son of Mswati III, King of Eswatini and his first wife Queen laMatsebula.