Submitted Names in South Africa

This is a list of submitted names in which the place is South Africa.
gender
usage
place
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Makida f African
In Ethiopia, Makida was another name for the Queen of Sheba.
Makiese m & f African, Kongo
Means "happiness" in Kikongo.
Makungu m & f Tsonga
Means "plan" in Xitsonga.
Maleagi m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Malachias.
Maleba m African
African name, originally from Angola
Malebogo m & f Tswana
Means "thanks" in Tswana.
Maleka f South African, African American
Possibly a variant of Malika.
Maleshoane f Sotho
Means "ladybird" in Lesotho.
Maletsatsi f Sotho
Means "sun" or "day" in Sotho.
Mallen m English (African)
Transferred use of the surname Mallen.
Malusi m Zulu
Means "shepherd" in Zulu.
Malwandla m & f Tsonga
Means "hospitality" in Xitsonga.
Mamphaki f Sotho
The name Mamphaki originates from the Northern Region of South Africa within the Bapedi people. The name was originally given to the first wife of Ntsetse Mailula - Mamphaki 'aMasekela. It was passed down within the Mailula family down to this day.
Mandela m & f African American, Xhosa
Transferred use of the surname Mandela given in honour of Nelson Mandela, South African revolutionary hero and statesman... [more]
Mandisa f Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Derived from Xhosa and Zulu mnandi meaning "sweet" or "nice, pleasant".
Manette f Luxembourgish, Louisiana Creole, Haitian Creole, French (African, Rare), Dutch (Rare), English (British, Rare, Archaic)
Diminutive of Marie. In Louisiana, this name was also considered a rhyming variant of Nanette.
Mangeni f & m African
means "baby who was born when there is plenty of fish" and is of Bantu origin
Manie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Hermanus.
Manouchka f Haitian Creole, French (African, Rare), French (Rare)
French form of Manushka. (Cf. Manouschka, Manoushka.) A known bearer is Gabonese filmmaker Manouchka Kelly Labouba.
Mantso f Sotho
Means "the dark one" in Sotho.
Maṱoḓzi m & f Venda
Means "tears" in Tshivenda.
'Mapaseka m & f Sotho
Means "Easter" in Sotho.
Maphoi f Tswana
Means "doves" in Setswana.
Maraai f Afrikaans
Variant of Marai.
Marai f Upper German, German (Austrian), German (Swiss), Afrikaans
German variant of Marei and Afrikaans variant of Maria.
Maraliese f Afrikaans (Rare)
Combination of Mara 1 and Liese.
Mardene f English (American, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Possibly a corruption of Martine influenced by Mardi, or a variant of Mardena.
Marechelle f Afrikaans (Rare, ?)
Possibly a variant of Marcella.
Mareli f Afrikaans
Short form of Marelise.
Marelie f Afrikaans
Variant of Mareli.
Mareza f Afrikaans
Variant of Maresa.
Marianka f Bulgarian, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Diminutive of Mariana. As a Dutch name, it may be a diminutive of Maria.
Marinda f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Marinus.
Marizanne f Afrikaans (Rare)
Combination of Maria and Zanne.
Marjorine f English (African, Rare)
Elaboration of Marjorie chiefly used in Uganda.
Marle f & m Portuguese (Brazilian), Filipino (Rare), Spanish (Latin American), South African (Rare)
Meaning unknown. This name is considered feminine, particularly in the United States, though some masculine usage is present in other communities.
Marlie f Dutch, Flemish (Rare), French (Belgian, Rare), French (Modern, Rare), Haitian Creole, Afrikaans
Dutch diminutive of Marleen as well as a combination of Maria and names that end in lie.
Marlize f Afrikaans
Contraction of Maria and Elize (compare Marlies).
Marno m Dutch, South African
Masculine form of Marna or a variant of Marnix.
Marthelle f Afrikaans
Combination of Martha and Elle
Marthina f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Marthinus.
Marthinus m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Martinus.
Maru m & f Tswana
Means cloud. In setswana culture anything which has to do with water, which is a precious commodity is loved. Clouds bring rain and so are welcomed wherever they appear.
Maruapula m Tswana
Means "rain clouds" in Setswana.
Marvellous m & f English (African)
From Old French merveillos "marvelous, wonderful"
Marygold f English (African, Rare), Filipino (Rare)
Variant of Marigold, or perhaps a transferred use of the surname Marygold.
Maryke f Afrikaans, Dutch (Archaic)
Afrikaans and archaic Dutch form of Marijke.
Marzanne f Afrikaans
Contraction of Maria and Zanne.
Masamanisi f & m Southern African, Shona
Means "summons (to court)", ultimately from the English word summons.
Masana f Tsonga
Means "sunrays" in Xitsonga.
Masegonyana m & f Tswana
Means "small blessings" in Setswana.
Mashudu m & f African
Mashudu is a name used the Vha-Venda tribe in the far north of South Africa (Limpopo Province). The name means Luck
Masia f South African (?)
Probably means "leader".
Masiba f Sotho
Means "Feather" in Sotho
Masiko f African
'culture'
Masingita f Tsonga
Means "miracles" in Xitsonga.
Masiza m Tsonga
Means "the one who helps" in Xitsonga.
Massiré m French (African)
French form of Massire, a french footballer got this name: Massiré Kanté.
Matamela m & f Southern African, Venda
Possibly means "the one who does not hold grudges" in Venda. It is the first name of the South African president Cyril Ramaphosa (1952-).
‘Mathapelo f Sotho
Means "mother of prayer" in Sotho.
Mathe f Sotho
Means "saliva" in Sotho.
Matheeletša m Sotho
Means "listener" in Sotho.
Mathews m English (African)
Transferred use of the surname Mathews.
Mathuselam m South African
South African form of Methuselah via its latinized form Mathusalem.
Mathys m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mathijs.
Matimba m & f Tsonga
Means "strength" in Xitsonga.
Matome m Sotho (?)
A Northern Sotho translation of "Duke".
Matšeliso f Sotho
Means "consolation" in Sotho.
Matshadi f African
Setswana
Matshediso f Sotho
Means "consolation" in Sesotho.
Matshepo f Southern African
Feminine form of Tshepo.
Matsimela m Sotho
Means "roots" in Sotho.
Matthys m Medieval Dutch, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans, West Frisian
Medieval Dutch form of Matthijs as well as the modern Afrikaans and West Frisian form of Matthijs. In the Netherlands, the name has survived to modern times, but it is highly rare there currently, especially when compared to its modern counterpart.... [more]
Maurisha f African
It's a female version of Maurice, which means "from Mauritania", current Morocco.
Mauritz m Afrikaans, Swedish, Finnish
Variant of Maurits. The "M" in the clothing company H&M's name stands for Mauritz (the original name is Hennes & Mauritz, H&M is an abbreviation).
Maveletiveni m Swazi
A famous bearer is Maveletiveni Dlamini, son of Mswati III, King of Eswatini and his first wife Queen laMatsebula.
Mawanikwa f Southern African, Shona
Means "you have been found" and "married" in Shona.
Mawena f Ewe, African
Name of Ewe origin. meaning "God is good".
Mawuena f African
god is the giver... [more]
Mayibongwe f Ndebele
Means "give thanks" in Ndebele.
Mayibongwinkosi m Ndebele
Means "give thanks to the Lord" in Ndebele.
Mayibuye m & f Ndebele
Means "let it come" in Ndebele.
Mayihlome m & f Ndebele
Means "let's take up arms" in Ndebele.
Mayowa m & f African
Some sources say this name means "one who brings joy".... [more]
Mbalienhle f Ndebele, Zulu
Means "beautiful flower" in Zulu and Ndebele, from mbali "flower, flowers" and enhle "something that is beautiful of nice".
Mbazima f Tsonga
Means "they are tough" in Xitsonga.
Mbhoni f Tsonga
Means "witness" in Xitsonga.
Mbhurhi f Tsonga
Means "beautiful girl" in Xitsonga.
Mbulelo m Zulu, Xhosa
Means "thank you" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mbuso m Ndebele
Means "kingdom" in Ndebele.
Mbuyiseli m Xhosa
Means "one who returns or restores" in Xhosa.
Mduduzi m Zulu
Comforter
Mechine f African (Modern, Rare)
African name meaning "Tears/Sadness." From common dialect of Bassa. Appearance in Liberia and Ghana.... [more]
Médiatrice f French (African)
From the title of the Virgin Mary, referring to her intercessory role as a mediator in the salvific redemption by her son Jesus Christ (compare English and Spanish/Portuguese equivalents Mediatrix and Mediatriz, Portuguese Medianeira and Spanish/Portuguese Mediadora).
Mediatrix f English (African), Filipino
From the title of the Virgin Mary, referring to her intercessory role as a mediator in the salvific redemption by her son Jesus Christ (compare Spanish/Portuguese and French equivalents Mediatriz and Médiatrice, Portuguese Medianeira and Spanish/Portuguese Mediadora).
Medius f & m English (African), Eastern African
Borrowed from Latin medius meaning "middle; half; moderate; indifferent." It is mostly used in Uganda where, compared to other surrounding countries, it is usually feminine in usage.
Medupe m Tswana
Means "continuous rain" in Setswana.
Mehluli m Ndebele
Means "conquerer" in Ndebele.
Mekdes f African
African, Ethiopia
Mengesha m African
A name once found mainly amongst the higher-up figures of Imperial Ethiopia, often superseding important titles of royal hierarchy. Now a much rarer name in modern Ethiopia.
Menkam m Bamileke, African
noble child, ... [more]
Menzi m Southern African, Zulu
Means "creator" in Zulu.... [more]
Meraai f Afrikaans
Variant of Maraai.
Merapelo f Tswana
Means "prayers" in Setswana.
Merci f & m French (African, Rare)
Occasionally used in reference to the French word merci "gratitude; thanks", as evidenced by combination names like Dieu-Merci ("Thank you, God").
Merinda f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
English variant of Marinda and Afrikaans variant of Marinda.
Meshindi m Zulu
Means "victor" in Zulu.
Mesuli m & f Xhosa, Zulu
Means "wiper (of tears)" in Xhosa, suggesting someone who brings an end to sorrow.
Mfan'bomvu m Zulu
Means "red boy" in Zulu.
Mhambi f Zulu
Means "traveler" in Zulu.
Mheho m & f Tsonga
Means "breeze" in Xitsonga.
Mhlava m Tsonga
Means "earth" in Xitsonga.
Mhlengi m Zulu
Means "healer" in Zulu.
Miehleketo m & f Tsonga
Means "thoughts" in Xitsonga.
Miempie f Afrikaans
Possibly related to Miem, Miems or Miep.
Miems f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Willemina.
Miga m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Micha 1.
Migael m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Michael.
Migiyo f Tsonga
Means "the dancer" in Xitsonga.
Mijaji f Tsonga
Means "the judge" in Xitsonga.
Mikateko f Tsonga
Means "blessings" in Xitsonga.
Mikhenso m & f Tsonga
Means "thanksgiving" in Xitsonga.
Minata f African
'mother of joy'
Minèvre f French (African, Rare), Dutch (Rare)
Most likely a variant of Minerve, which is the French form of Minerva. Also compare the somewhat similar-looking names Ginevra and Guenièvre.
Minkah m African
Possibly means "Justice". This is the given name of an NFL player, Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Minki f Afrikaans
Short form of Willemien.
Miquelina f Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese (African), Gascon, Provençal
Portuguese diminutive of Micaela and Gascon and Provençal form of Micheline.
Mirabel f French (African), English (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Medieval Italian, Judeo-Anglo-Norman
Derived from Old French mirable "wonderful; admirable", ultimately from Latin mirabilis "wonderful, marvellous, astonishing, extraordinary, remarkable, amazing" (compare Mirabelle).
Miriro f & m African, Shona
Started in the early 1900's. Name was given to the second born daughter of the family. Name means "to be expected." Basically the one who was waited for.
Miru f African
Swahili
Missionary f & m English (African, Rare)
From English missionary, particularly in the context of Christianity.
Mixo m & f Tsonga
Means "dawn, morning" in Xitsonga.
Miyelani m & f Tsonga
Means "keep quiet" in Xitsonga.
Mizani f African
African,Ghana."Chemistry, Beauty, and Balance"
Mkhuleko m Ndebele
Means "prayer" in Ndebele.
Mkhumbuleni m Zulu
Means "let's remember him" in Zulu.
Mlamuleli m Ndebele
Means "one who intervenes" in Ndebele.
Mlilo f Zulu
Means "fire" in Zulu.
Mlindeli m Ndebele
Means "guardian" in Ndebele.
Mlungisi m Ndebele
Means "the one who brings order" in Ndebele.
Mmaabo f Tswana
Means "their mother" in Tswana.
Mmaphefo f Sotho
Means "mother of cold" in Sotho.
Mmathapelo f Sotho
Means "mother of prayer" in Sotho.
Mmini f Sotho
Means "dancer" in Sotho.
Mmoloki m Tswana
Means "saviour" in Setswana.
Mmusi m Tswana, South African
Means "the ruler" in Tswana.... [more]
Mnotho m & f Zulu
Means "economy" or "rich, wealthy" in Zulu.
Moagi m Tswana
Means "builder" in Tswana.
Mobe m & f African
Meaning uncertain.
Modiri f Tswana
Means "the doer" in Setswana.
Modise m Southern African
Botswana name meaning, "shepherd."
Modupe-oluwa m & f Yoruba, African
Combination of Yoruba Modupe "I thank" or "thank you" and Oluwa meaning "God, lord".
Moegammad m Afrikaans (Rare)
Form of Muhammad used in Afrikaans translations of the Qur'an.
Moeketsi m Sotho
It means "Multiplier/increase" in Sotho
Moeletsi m Sotho
Means "advisor" in Sesotho.
Moeng m Tswana
Means "guest, visitor" in Setswana.
Moesha f Popular Culture, African American (Modern), Jamaican Patois, Antillean Creole, South African
Invented name. It was used for the title character of the American television show Moesha (1996-2001), played by singer Brandy.
Mofenyi m Tswana
Means "the conquerer" in Setswana.
Mogakolodi m Tswana
Means "one who advises" in Setswana.
Mogapi m Tswana
Means "conqueror" in Tswana.
Mogotsi m Tswana
Means "fire builder" in Setswana.
Mohapi m Sotho
Means "victor" in Sotho.
Mohato m Sotho
Means "step" in Sesotho.
Mohau m Sotho
Means "pity" or "mercy" in Sesotho.
Moipone f Sotho
Means "self-admirer" in Sotho.
Mojalefa m Sotho
Means "heir" in Sesotho.
Mokgadi f Sotho, South African
Means "a girl among boys" in Sotho, often given to a daughter born after several sons.... [more]
Mokgethi m Sotho
Variant form of Mokhethi.
Mokgosi m Tswana
Means "a loud cry for help" in Tswana.
Mokhethi m Sotho
Means "chooser" in Lesotho.
Molapo m Sotho
Means "stream" or "river" in Sotho.
Molatadi m Sotho
Means "one who denies all" in Sotho.
Molefi m Sotho
means "payer" in Sesotho.
Moluleloa m Sotho
Means "we have awaited your arrival" in Lesotho.
Momodou m African
Momodou means Mohammad it is an african name coming from an arabic name.... [more]
Monalisa f Indian, Brazilian, English (African), English (American, Rare), Various
From Mona Lisa meaning "Madam Lisa", derived from the archaic Italian term of address monna (a contraction of Old Italian ma donna "my lady") and the name Lisa... [more]
Mongameli m Ndebele
Means "leader" in Ndebele.
Monja f German, Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Croatian (Rare), Afrikaans, Dutch
Variant transcription of Russian Моня (see Monya).
Monkgomotsi m Tswana
Means "my comforter" in Setswana.
Montlenyane f Tswana
Means "beautiful one" in Setswana.
Morena m Sotho
Means "chief" in Sotho.
Moriba m African
The name Moriba originates from the Mali empire(Mandingo). The name means "a big and powerful man" in the region.
Morrison m English (African, Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Morrison. A famous bearer of the surname was Jim Morrison (1943-1971), lead singer of American rock band The Doors.
Mosa m & f Sotho
Means "grace" in Sotho.
Mosela f Sotho
Means "tail" in Sotho, idiomatically meaning "the last one" or "last child".
Mosetsanagape f Tswana
Means "a girl again" in Setswana.
Mosidi f Tswana, Sotho
Means "soot" in Sotho and Tswana.
Mosimanegape m Tswana
Means "a boy again" in Setswana.
Motheo m South African
Allegedly means "foundation" in Tswana. It is said to normally be given to a child who is viewed as the foundation of the family. Normally a first born. It signifies a new life or re-birth.
Mothusi m Tswana
Means "helper" in Setswana.
Motlagomang f & m Southern African, Tswana, Sotho
Means "who are you going to?" in Tswana.
Motlalepula f Tswana
Means "she came with rain" in Setswana.
Motlalepule m Sotho
Means "rain bringer" in Sesotho.
Motsamai m Sotho
Means "traveller" in Sesotho.
Motshegetsi m Tswana
Means "supporter" in Setswana.
Motsumi m Sotho
Means "seeker" in Sesotho.
Mountaga m African
Meaning unknown.
Mpahlela f Tsonga
Means "pray for" in Xitsonga.
Mpelegang f Tswana
Means "put me on your back" in Setswana.
Mpendulo f Zulu
Means "reply" in Zulu.
Mpfareleli m & f Venda
Means "forgive me" in Tshivenda.
Mphikeleli m Zulu
Means "he who perseveres" in Zulu.
Mphoetsile f Tswana
Means "the gift was brought" in Setswana.
Mphonyana m & f Tswana
Means "small gift" in Setswana.
Mphoyame m & f Tswana
Means "my gift" in Setswana.
Mpilo m & f Xhosa, Zulu, Southern African
Means "health" or "life" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mpule f Southern African
This is the name of Mpule Kwelagobe, she is a Botswana politician, businesswoman, model, and beauty pageant title holder, who was crowned Miss Universe 1999 in Trinidad & Tobago.
Mpumelelo m Zulu
Means "success" in Zulu.
Mpumi f & m African
Means 'survivor' in Zulu
Mqibalo m South African, Xhosa, Zulu
Possibly derived from Mgqibelo, meaning "Saturday" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Msamaniso m South African, Xhosa
Possibly related to Masamanisi.
Msengi m African
Tsonga and Shangaan origins
Msizi m Zulu
From Zulu umsizi "helper, aide".
Mswati m Swazi
Two famous bearers of this name are Mswati II (1825-1868) and Mswati III (1968 -), Kings of Swaziland. Mswati is not their birth name but their name as monarchs.
Mthakathi m Zulu, Xhosa
Means "witch," from 'thakatha' meaning "to bewitch" in Xhosa or "to practice witchcraft" in Zulu.
Mthandazo m Ndebele
Means Prayer
Mthandeni f Zulu
Means "love her" in Zulu.
Mthobeli m Xhosa
Means "the obedient one" in Xhosa.
Mthulisi m Ndebele
Means "one who consoles" in Ndebele.
Mthunzi f Zulu
Means "shade" in Zulu.
Mthuthuzeli m Southern African, Xhosa
Means "comforter, one who comforts" in Xhosa.