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.
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.
Onyedikachi m & f Igbo, African
Means "who is greater than God?" in Igbo.
Onyinah m African
Onyinah - is of African Origin with meaning in Ghana and Nigeria especially with the Ukwani speaking people. The name is given to a strong new born marked for greatness. the literary meaning of ONYINAH is - A MIGHTY TREE... [more]
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.
Orera f English (Modern, Rare), Spanish, Southern African, Eastern African
Possibly from Spanish or Italian orera meaning, "aurora." See also Aurora.
Oresanwo m African
The name is bear by the ijebu speaking people of western nigeria. ... [more]
Orpa f Biblical German, Biblical Dutch, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
German, Dutch and Afrikaans form of Orpah.
Osazuwa m Bini, African
Origin from Edo State of Nigeria, West Africa..it means God has chosen wealth for me
Osego f Tswana
Means "she is lucky" in Setswana.
Osei m & f African
Ghanaian, Akan meaning of royalty
Osenotse f Tswana
Means "He (God) has made things clear" in Setswana.
Oteng m Tswana
Means "He (God) is here" in Setswana.
Othusitse m & f Tswana
Means "he (god) has helped" in Tswana.
Otlile f South African
South African name meaning "She has come; she is here". Otlile "Oti" Mabuse is a professional dancer seen on Strictly Come Dancing.
Otsogile m Tswana
Means "he is awake" in Setswana.
Oury m & f French (African)
French form of Ulrich.
Outule m & f Tswana
Means "He (God) heard" in Setswana.
Ovuvuevuevue m African (Rare)
Extremely rare name, seemingly used exclusively in Africa. A popular bearer of the name is the memestar Ovuvuevuevue Enyetuenwuevue Ugbemugbem Osas. The meaning of the name is practically impossible to comprehend.
Oweditse f Tswana
Means "she completed her job" in Setswana.
Ozichi f & m Igbo, African
The name originates from Eastern part of Nigeria from the Igbo speaking states. Predominatly from Imo state.... [more]
Paballo f Sotho
Means "protection" in Sesotho.
Pacifica f Medieval Italian, English (African), Various (Rare)
Feminine form of Pacificus. Originally it was used in Renaissance Italy, but nowadays it's more popular in Kenya.
Pacificus m Late Roman, South African
Means "peacemaker" in Latin. From the Latin pāx 'peace' and faciō 'I do, make'.... [more]
Pacifique m French (Archaic), French (African), French (Belgian, Rare)
French form of Pacificus. The name coincides with French pacifique "pacific, calm, peaceful".
Paddington m Literature, African
Transferred use of the surname Paddington.
Paidamoyo f & m Shona, Southern African
What the heart desired was granted
Paolosi m Sotho
Sesotho form of Paul.
Parfaite f French (Rare), French (Quebec, Rare), French (African)
French form of Perfecta. Also compare Parfait, which is the masculine equivalent of this name.
Pascalia f Greek (Germanized, Rare), English (African)
Germanized form of Paschalia as well as a Kenyan borrowing of this name.
Páscoa f Portuguese (African, Rare)
Derived from Portuguese Páscoa "Easter", ultimately derived from Vulgar Latin pascua via Old Galician-Portuguese Pascoa (compare Italian Pasqua).
Paseka m Sotho
Means "Easter" in Sesotho.
Pathé m French (African), Western African
Transferred use of the surname Pathé.
Patient m French (African), History (Ecclesiastical, Gallicized), English (Puritan)
From the Late Latin name Patiens. It was also used by the Puritans as a vocabulary name, from the English word patient.
Peet m Estonian, Afrikaans, Dutch, Limburgish
Short form of Peeter (Estonian) as well as Peter and Petrus (Afrikaans, Dutch and Limburgish).... [more]
Pelonomi f Tswana
Means "noble heart" in Setswana.
Pelontle f Tswana
Means "beautiful heart" in Setswana.
Penda m African
Penda is a shortend name of the Name Pendapala meaning "to be brave" or "be brave" in the ovomba language, indigeonous to the ovamo peolple of Namibia. ... [more]
Peo f Sotho (Modern, Rare)
The meaning is “Seed” and it is a rare Sesotho name predominantly used in Lesotho
Perfection m & f English (Rare), English (African, Rare), African American (Rare), Filipino (Rare)
From the word perfection, referring to the quality or state of being perfect or complete.
Permal m French (African)
Not available.
Pfarelo m & f Venda
Means "forgiveness" in Tshivenda.
Pfukani m & f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga pfuka meaning "rise".
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.
Phatutshedzo m African
Means: Blessings... [more]
Pheello m Sotho
Means "perseverance" in Sesotho.
Pheko m South African
Medicine or herb. Ussually medicine used for protection
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.
Philene f English (American, Rare), Haitian Creole, South African
Possibly a variant of Philine, a contraction of Philomène, or a feminine form of Phil using the common name suffix lene.
Philisiwe f South African, Zulu
Means "healed" in Zulu.
Phillemon m English (African), Southern African
Variant of Philemon. This form of the name appears to be used in southern Africa.
Phillippe m English (Rare), French (African)
English variant of Philip and French variant of Philippe.
Phillippus m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Philip.
Phina f English (American, Rare), English (African, Rare)
Diminutive of names ending in -phina like Josephina or Seraphina.
Phindile f South African
A very common female South African name.... [more]
Phiona f English, English (African), French (African)
Variant of Fiona. It is used mainly in Uganda (regarding (African) English usage) and Burundi (regarding African French usage).... [more]
Phumlani m Zulu
Means "rest" in Zulu.
Phusu m & f Venda
Means "havoc" in Tshivenda.
Phutheho f Sotho
Means "congregation" in Sesotho.
Phylis f English (Rare, Archaic), English (African)
Variant of Phyllis mainly used in Kenya and the United States.
Pietertjie m Afrikaans
Afrikaans cognate of Pietertje.
Pietie m & f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Piet, as it contains the Afrikaans diminutive suffix -ie.... [more]
Pietjie f Afrikaans
Afrikaans cognate of Pietje.
Pilate m Biblical, English (Puritan), English (African, Rare)
English form of the Roman cognomen Pilatus, which meant "armed with a javelin" from Latin pila "javelin". This was most famously borne by Pontius Pilate, the prefect of the Roman province of Judaea ca... [more]
Pironkon m African
A word for pig from the Maroon people. Derived from the term 'a rasher of bacon'.
Placidia f Late Roman, English (African, Rare), English (Puritan)
Feminine form of Placidius, which was a derivative of the Latin cognomen Placidus.
Plamedie f French (African)
Contraction of the French phrase plan merveilleux de Dieu meaning "God's wonderful plan", mainly used in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Pleasure f & m English (African, Rare)
From the English word pleasrue meaning "A state of being pleased or contented; gratification." This name is most common in African countries like Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Uganda.
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.
Potiphar m Biblical, English (African, Rare)
From Egyptian p-di-p-r' meaning "he whom Ra gave", composed of the definite article p- "the one" combined with di "whom he gave" and r', the name of the supreme god Ra... [more]
Potlako m Tswana, Sotho
Means "Urgency" in Tswana and Sotho.
Praisthel f South African (Rare)
The name comes from the the phrase Praise the Lord. Some of the letters from the pharse are removed to turn it into a name.
Praxedes f & m History (Ecclesiastical), Spanish (Philippines), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), English (African, Rare)
Derived from Greek πρᾶξῐς (praxis), meaning "action, work, success". This was the name of a 2nd-century saint.
Priscah f English (African)
Variant spelling of Prisca.
Prophecy m & f English (American, Modern, Rare), English (African, Rare)
From the English word prophecy, meaning "A prediction, especially one made by a prophet or under divine inspiration."... [more]
Prophet m African American (Modern), English (African)
From the English word prophet, ultimately from Greek προφήτης (prophetes) meaning "one who speaks for a god" (itself from πρό (pro) "before" and φημί (phemi) "to speak, to declare").
Prose f English (African, Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Prose.
Protais m French (Archaic), French (African), French (Quebec, Archaic)
French form of Protasius. This given name is no longer in use in France today, but it still survives in francophone countries in Africa, such as Rwanda.... [more]
Proverb m & f English (Puritan), African
Referring to the book of Proverbs in the Bible.
Providence f English (Puritan), English (African), Romani (Archaic)
Derived from the English word denoting "a manifestation of divine care or direction; an instance of divine intervention".
Psalms f & m English (Rare), English (African, Rare), Popular Culture
From the title of the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament, the plural of Psalm. This was used for a character, a male former slave named Psalms Jackson, in the American Western drama television series Hell on Wheels (2011-2016).
Pula f Sotho
Means "rain" in Sotho.
Pulane f Sotho
Means "rainy" in Sesotho.
Qaqamba f African
Means "be bright" in Xhosa.
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.
Queenelizabeth f African, Filipino
Combination of Queen and Elizabeth. Possibly used in honor of Elizabeth II, the former Queen of the United Kingdom (1926-2022).
Queenesther f English (African), African American
Combination of the word queen and Esther, used to honor Queen Esther, the eponymous heroine of the Book of Esther in the Bible.
Queenstar f English (African, Rare)
Combination of the English words queen and star. This name is chiefly used in Ghana.
Quilene f Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), English (American, Rare), German (Rare)
Most likely a combination of a name starting with Qui- (such as Quinn and Quirijn) with a name that ends in -lene, such as Helene and Marlene.... [more]
Quintilla f Ancient Roman, Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), English (Rare), Italian (Archaic), Spanish (Latin American, Rare)
Latin diminutive of Quinta, which thus makes this name the feminine equivalent of Quintillus.
Rabelani m & f Venda
Means "to pray" in Tshivenda.
Rachela f Italian (Rare), Polish (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Italian variant of Rachele, Polish form of Rachel as well as a Latinate form of Rachel.
Racheltjie f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Rachel.
Ramatjato f Sotho
Derived from the Sesotho tjato meaning "agility".
Ramatla f Sotho
Means "strength" in Sotho.
Ramsamy m French (African)
Transferred use of the surname Ramsamy.
Rancina f Zulu
Zulu form of Francine.
Rapelang f & m Sotho
Means "pray" in Sotho.
Ratsebo f Sotho
Derived from the Sesotho tsebo meaning "knowledge".
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.
Recheal f English (African)
Likely a variant of Rachel or Richelle.
Reetsang m Tswana
Means "pay attention" or "listen" in Setswana.
Rehana f Tswana
Means "we are here" in Setswana.
Rejoice f English (Puritan), English (African)
From the English word rejoice meaning "feel or show great joy or delight".
Relebohile f Sotho
Means "we are grateful" in Sesotho.
Remaketse f Sotho
Means "we are surprised" in Sesotho.
Remember f & m English (African), English (Puritan)
From the English word remember, ultimately from the Latin rememorārī, "to remember again", containing the root memor, "mindful".
Rendani m & f African
MEANS: PRAISE... [more]
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.
Restitute f French (Archaic), French (African, Rare)
French form of Restituta. This name has not enjoyed as much use as its variant Restitude has, which is why this name is nearly extinct while that name is not.
Retief m Afrikaans
Transferred use of the surname Retief.
Reydan f African
The name Reydan means "Gift of God, Handsome King". The most time this name was used was in 2017 when only 5 boys were named Reydan
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.
Riaan m Dutch, Afrikaans
Short form of Adriaan.
Riana f Dutch, Afrikaans
Variant of Rianna.
Riana f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Rian.
Rianie f Afrikaans
Likely a variant of Riane.
Ricus m Afrikaans
Short form of names ending in -ricus, such as Ulricus or Henricus.
Riette f Afrikaans
Variant of Riëtte.
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.
Robinah f English (African), Eastern African
Variant of Robina primarily used in Uganda. The current prime minister of Uganda (as of 2021) is named Robinah Nabbanja.
Roeh m African (Modern, Rare)
Bassa African pronunciation of the hebrew word "Rapha," meaning "heals." Native to Ghana and Monrovia Liberia.
Roṋewa m & f Venda
Means "we are given" or "we are blessed" in Tshivenda.
Rofhiwa m & f Venda
Means "we are blessed" in Tshivenda.
Rokia f French (African)
French and French African form of Ruqayya.
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.
Romaline f French (African, Rare)
Possibly a variant of Romualdine. It is also possible that this name is a combination of Romaine or Romane with a French feminine given name that ends in -line, such as Aline, Coraline and Pauline.
Romualde f French (African)
French feminine form of Romuald.
Romualdine f French (Archaic), French (African, Rare)
Diminutive of Romualda and Romualde, as it contains the French feminine diminutive suffix -ine.
Ronelda f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Ronald. Ronelda Kamfer (born 1981) is an Afrikaans-speaking South African poet.
Ronella f Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), English (Rare)
Feminine form of Ronald, created by combining its short form Ron 1 with the popular feminine name suffix -ella.
Ronika f African (?)
Most likely a short form of Veronika. Ronika Tandi (born 1975) is a Zimbabwean sculptor.
Rorisang f Tswana
Means "praise Him (God)" in Setswana.
Rosarie f Irish (Rare), French (African, Rare), Filipino (Rare), English (Rare)
French feminine form of Rosaire and an English variant of Rosary. This name is most prelavent in Ireland and in parts of French-influenced Africa.
Roselin f English (African, Rare)
Variant of Rosaline/Rosalin and Rosalyn. According to the USA Social Security Administration, 73 baby girls were recorded with the name Roselin in 2004.... [more]
Rosiliria f Portuguese (African, Rare)
Possibly from Portuguese rosa "rose" and lírio "lily" (cf. Alíria).
Rotshidzwa m & f Venda
Means "we have been saved" in Tshivenda.
Roupert m French (Archaic), French (African, Rare)
French variant of Rupert. It has fallen out of use in France, but the name is still used in francophone Africa (albeit rarely).
Roussel m French (African)
Transferred use of the surname Roussel.
Rual m English (American, Rare), Spanish (Mexican, Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), South African (Rare)
Possibly a variant of Reuel (anglophone world) and Raul (Latin America).... [more]
Ruan m Afrikaans
Combination of Rudolf and Johan.
Ruandi f Afrikaans (Modern, Rare)
Most probably a combination of Ruan and Yolandi.
Rudzani m & f Venda
Means "guide" in Venda.
Ruhan m Afrikaans
Variant of Ruan.
Rwesang m & f Tswana
Means "place on (someone's) head" in Setswana.
Rynhard m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Rijnhard.
Saartjie f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Sara. This name was borne by Sarah "Saartjie" Baartman, an African slave (member of the Eastern Cape Khoisan, the indigenous herding tribe that once populated part of South Africa) who was displayed in Europe in the early 19th century.
Sabre m African, Muslim, Northern African, Iranian, Arabic (Egyptian)
African, Islamic name for boys meaning patient, sharp and enduring.
Sagaria m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Zachariah.
Saheed m African American, African
In the Middle East, Saheed holds a special place within the region’s diverse cultural mosaic. It is embraced by countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt, where it represents a deep connection to religious and spiritual beliefs... [more]
Sakhile m Zulu
Means "we have built" in Zulu.
Salomie f Afrikaans
Variant of Salome.
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.
Sandisiwe f Xhosa
Means "increased" or "we have been added to" in Xhosa.
Saone f African
Seems to be predominantly used in Botswana.
Sarel m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Charles.