Thursdaym & fEnglish (African), Afro-American (Slavery-era) From the name of the day of the week, which ultimately derives from Old English þunresdæg meaning literally "Thor's day". A known bearer of this name was Thursday October Christian (1790-1831), the first son of the HMS Bounty mutineer Fletcher Christian and his Tahitian wife Mauatua, who was born on a Thursday in October.
TowerafSouthern African, Tumbuka Means "beauty" or "beautiful". Traditionally the name was given to a child born after death(s) of a preceding sibling. The belief was that this new born is beautiful for death or beautiful for the soil.
Tsakanif & mSouth African, Tsonga The meaning is "to be happy". It was popularized by Tsakani Mhinga. She was a South African singer who died in 2006.... [more]
Tshilidzif & mVenda Possibly means "Grace". A notable bearer is Tshilidzi Marwala, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Internationalisation at the University of Johannesburg.
Tyjahm & fAfrican, African American (Modern) Apparently means "smart" in one of the languages on the African continent. However, the name can also be derived from the name abbreviation (or initials) T.J., which is typically pronounced as "tee-jay" and its pronunciation henceforth developed into a first name of its own right (Teejay).
Uchechukwum & fIgbo, African Based on the IGBO belief in a Supreme deity, Chukwu whose decision or will is final in the determination of human fate or destiny. It is a combination of two words of the Igbo (IBO), language, UCHE (WISH,WILL,THOUGHT) and CHUKWU (GOD)... [more]
UchimAfrican, Literature Uchi is of African-Igbo origin. Uchi is a derivative of the African and Igbo Uchechi. This is the name of Uchi Akimbo, a character in the "Harry Potter" series written by J.K. Rowling.
UnaithifZulu Variant of Unathi. Meaning: "God is with us" or "God is our strength".
Unakom & fXhosa Means "ability" or "you can" in Xhosa.
UnkulunkulumZulu, African Mythology Means "the old, old one" or "ancestor" in Zulu. This was the name of a mythic first ancestor in early Zulu mythology, who appeared, or was created from, breaking reeds. It may have also been used to denote any significant ancestor... [more]
UysmAfrikaans Transferred use of the surname Uys. The Uys family played a significant role in South African history during the nineteenth century and made distinguished contributions to South African culture, politics and sports during the course of the twentieth.
VédastemFrench (Archaic), French (African) French form of Vedastus. This given name is no longer in use in France today, but it still survives in francophone countries in Africa, such as Rwanda.
Wealthm & fEnglish (Puritan), English (African, Rare) From Middle English welth, welthe, weolthe (“happiness, prosperity”), from Old English *welþ, *weleþu, from Proto-Germanic *waliþō (“wealth”).... [more]
WillaniefAfrikaans Willanie is a female compound name. The "Will" is derived from "Willem" (German variant of William) which means determination and will. The "anie" is derived from the name Stephanie which means crown, victorious... [more]
YemetlefSotho Means "beautiful (referred to an object)" in Sotho.
YendifAfrican, Jamaican Patois This is the name of a town in northeastern Ghana. A famous bearer is Yendi Phillips, she is a Jamaican TV Host, model and beauty queen who the winner of the Miss Jamaica World 2007 beauty pageant, as well as the Miss Jamaica Universe 2010 pageant.
Yolanif & mSouth African, Xhosa (?) Likely from Xhosa yolani meaning "you all, be pleasant", itself the imperative plural form of yoli ("to be pleasant").
ZealousmEnglish (African, Rare) From the English word zealous meaning "full of zeal, ardent", perhaps intended to be an English form of Zelotes. This was the name of a Union general in the American Civil War: Zealous Bates Tower (1819-1900).
ZenzelefXhosa Means "she will do for herself" in Xhosa.
Zenzilef & mXhosa, Swazi From 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]
ZéphirinmFrench (Archaic), French (African) Variant of Zéphyrin (see Zephyrinus). Though it was a popular French name in the 19th and early 20th centuries, its usage is mainly confined to various French-speaking African nations today.
Zethuf & mXhosa, Zulu Means "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.