Nguni Submitted Names

These name are used by speakers of Nguni languages.
gender
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Abafile f & m Zulu
Means "they are not dead" or "undead" in Zulu.
Abongile m & f Xhosa
Means "thankfulness" or "grateful" in Xhosa.
Akahlulwa m & f Xhosa (Modern)
Means "undefeated, unbeatable", possibly taken from the title of the gospel song ‘Akahlulwa lutho uuJesu’.
Akaziwe f Nguni
Means "she must be introduced" in Nguni.
Amandla f & m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "power, strength" in Xhosa and Zulu.... [more]
Amazie f & m Zulu
Happy and beloved
Amile m Zulu
something keeping a structural holding making sure things are balanced in life.
Andisiwe f & m Xhosa
Means "expanded, increased" or "extension" in Xhosa.
Anele m & f Zulu
Means "be enough; be sufficient; be adequate" in Zulu.
Aphelele m & f Xhosa, Zulu
Means "complete, whole, all present" in Xhosa and Zulu. Often given to the last child to be born in a family.
Artwell m Shona, English (African), Ndebele
Zimbabwe origin meaning 'Creative' or 'Excellent Creation'.
Asamahle f Nguni
Means "she is still beautiful" in Nguni.
Asamkele f Nguni
Means "let us accept" in Nguni
Asavela f & m Xhosa
Means "they still appear" in Xhosa. A famous bearer is South African actress Asavela Mngqithi.
Awami f Nguni
Means "belongs to me" in Nguni.
Awonke m & f Xhosa
Means "united" or "we are all here" in Xhosa, often given to the last-born child in a family.
Axhoba m Xhosa
Means "they are armed".
Ayabonga m & f Zulu
Means 'they are thankful' in Zulu.
Ayakha f & m Xhosa
Means "they build" in Xhosa.
Bafana m Zulu
Derived from Zulu abafana, the plural form of umfana, meaning "boy, young man."
Bekebeke f Zulu
Means "glittering" in Zulu.
Bekezela f Ndebele
Means "be patient" in Ndebele.
Benesha f Zulu
Means “they are new” in Zulu.
Beya m Zulu
Means “they go” in Zulu.
Bhekani m Zulu, Ndebele
Means "look" in Zulu and Ndebele.
Bheki m Zulu
"The person that's broadminded, able to think further about future needs and wants".
Bhekisisa f Zulu
Means "to be careful, cautious" in Zulu.
Bhekithemba f Zulu
Means "look for hope" in Zulu.
Bhekizifundiswa m Zulu
Means "watch the educated ones" in Zulu.
Bhekizizwe m Zulu
Means "look after the nations" in Zulu.
Bhekumbuso m Zulu (Rare)
Means "look after the kingdom", from Zulu bheka "look after" and umbuso "kingdom, dominion".
Bongi f Xhosa, Southern African
Short form of Sibongile. This was borne by South African singer and songwriter Angela Sibongile "Bongi" Makeba (1950-1985), the only child of singer Miriam Makeba... [more]
Bonginkosi m Zulu
Means "thanksgiving" in Zulu.
Bongiwe f Zulu (Modern)
Sibongile A Zulu name meaning "Appreciated" usually given to a first born girl child or after great difficulty of not being able to conceive a girl for a long time.
Buchule m & f Xhosa
Means "intelligence, skill" in Xhosa.
Busisiwe f Zulu
Means "blessed" in Zulu.
Butho m Ndebele
Means "soldier" in Ndebele.
Buyisiwe m Zulu
Means “returned” in Zulu.
Cacile f Ndebele
Means "clear" in Ndebele.
Cashile f Zulu (Rare)
Possibly derived from cashisa meaning "conceal, hide."
Cebisa f & m Xhosa, Southern African
Means "to suggest, to give advice" in Xhosa.
Cetshwayo m Zulu
Means "advised" in Zulu. This was the name of a Zulu King,
Dela f Zulu (Rare)
Dela. in Zulu it means to become whole, to feel complete and satisfied.
Didiza f Zulu
Means "flutter" in Zulu.
Duduzile f Zulu
Means “take comfort” in Zulu.
Eethaba m Zulu
Means “happy” in Zulu.
Ekuseni f Zulu
Means "in the morning" in Zulu.
Enanela f Zulu
Means "rejoice" in Zulu.
Esasa f Zulu
Means "be happy" in Zulu.
Esihle f & m Zulu, Xhosa, Southern African
Means "beautiful, good" in Zulu and Xhosa.
Esulu m & f Ndebele
Means "clouds" in Ndebele.
Ethuka f Zulu
Means "surprise" in Zulu.
Ethulo f Zulu
Means "gift" in Zulu.
Ethwasa f Zulu
Means "start anew" in Zulu.
Fanyana m Zulu
From Zulu umfanyana, abafanyana meaning "little boy".
Funani f & m Zulu (Rare)
Means "want!" or "search!" in Zulu.
Gagasi f Zulu
Means "wave" in Zulu.
Gatsha m Zulu (Rare)
From Zulu igatsha meaning "branch".
Gazini m Zulu
Means "blood" in Zulu.
Gedleyihlekisa m Southern African, Zulu
In the case of former South African president Jacob Zuma (1942-), the name means "the one who smiles while causing you harm" in Zulu. His middle name was invented by his father, who based it on the phrase ngeke ngithule umuntu engigedla engihlekisa meaning "I won't keep quiet when someone deceives me with a beautiful smile while he is doing damage to me".
Ghakarhi m Zulu
The meaning of this name is fierce warrior. A person not accepting defeat as an option.
Gugu f Zulu, Xhosa
From Zulu igugu meaning "precious, valuable" or "treasure".
Halimnye m Xhosa
Means “not one” in Xhosa.
Hlomla m & f Xhosa
Means "to comment on something" in Xhosa.
Ibubesi m Zulu
Means "lion" in Zulu.
Ijuba f Zulu
Commonly it is meaning Dove or Peace. Less common in means storm or fighting. It also means freedom in some local tribes. It is said many years ago a great war loomed. Fighting had started but one warrior championed the cause of peace and unity... [more]
Ikusasa f & m Zulu
Means "destiny" in Zulu.
Imbasa f & m Zulu
Means "star" in Zulu.
Ingqondo f Zulu
Means "intelligence" in Zulu.
Inyoni f Zulu
Derived from Zulu inyoni meaning "bird".
Iqaqa m Zulu
Means "polecat" in Zulu.
Isaki m Ndebele
Ndebele form of Isaac.
Isisa f Zulu
Means "the tenderness" in Zulu.
Izula f Zulu
Means "nomad" in Zulu.
Jabu f Zulu
The name's origin meaning is "It is the shortened form of the name Jabulani which means joy or to rejoice"
Jabulani m Ndebele, Zulu
Means "enjoy" or "be happy all" in Ndebele and "rejoice" in Zulu.
Jabulile f Zulu
Means "she is happy" in Zulu.
Kanyisa f Xhosa
Means "giving light to the future" in Xhosa.
Kgabu m & f African, Zulu
Means "to decorate richly" in Zulu.
Khangezile f Zulu
Means "our hands are open" in Zulu.
Khanya m Zulu
Means "shine" in Zulu.
Khanyisile f Zulu (Modern)
Means "bringer of light" in Zulu.
Khanyiso m Xhosa
Means "to light, to illuminate" in Xhosa.
Khanyokulhe f Zulu
Means "guide on the way" in Zulu from the word khanyo meaning "guide" and kuhle meaning "way".
Khayalethu m Zulu
Means "our home" in Zulu.
Khayelihle f Ndebele
Means "good home" in Ndebele.
Khethiwe f African, Zulu
Means "chosen, the one who is chosen" in Zulu.
Khethukuthula f Zulu
Means "choose to be quiet" in Zulu.
Khule f Zulu
Means "it is beautiful" in Zulu.
Khulekani f Zulu
Means "salute" in Zulu.
Khululiwe f Zulu
Means "exonerated" in Zulu.
Khwezi m & f Zulu
Means "bright morning star" in Zulu.
Kwanele m Zulu
Means “enough” in Zulu.
Langa m Zulu
From Zulu ilanga "sun, sunshine, day".
Langalibalele m Zulu
Means "shining sun" in Zulu.
Langelihle f & m Zulu
Means "beautiful day" in Zulu.
Leleti f South African, Zulu
Meaning unknown. A famous bearer is Leleti Khumalo, a South African actress.
Lifalakhe f Ndebele
Means "her inheritance" in Ndebele.
Lihle f & m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "beautiful" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Lilitha f Xhosa
Means "light" in Xhosa.
Linda m Zulu
Means "wait!" in Zulu (note that this is the imperative singular form of -linda).
Lindelani f Zulu
Means "wait, be patient" in Zulu.
Lingadani f Ndebele
Means "don't be sad" in Ndebele.
Liyabona f & m Xhosa
Means "it sees" or "you see" in Xhosa, sometimes taken from the phrase liyabona igama le Nkosi meaning "the name of the eye of God".
Liyana f Zulu, English (Modern, Rare)
Directly taken from Zulu liyana "it is raining". As an English name, it is a variant of Liana.
Liyema f & m Xhosa
Means "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.
Lubabalo m Xhosa
Means "it is grace" or "grace of God" in Xhosa.
Luchulumancolwenkosi f Xhosa
This name is a scared name. Taken from words the Ancient King of the AmaMpondomise clan King Vukuzumbethe. He used to say “ lulo uchulumanco lwenkosi” which meant “this is God’s happiness”... [more]
Luchumo m & f Xhosa
Possibly means "expanding, flourishing" or "prosperity" in Xhosa.
Lukhona m & f Zulu (Modern)
Means "it's available" in Zulu.
Lungelo m & f Zulu
Means "right" in Zulu.
Luphelo m Xhosa
Means "the end, the last" in Xhosa, often given to the last child to be born in a family.
Luphumlo m Xhosa
Means "to rest" or "our relief" in Xhosa.
Luthando m & f Southern African, Xhosa
Means "it's love" in Xhosa.
Luya f Xhosa
Diminutive form of Luyanda.
Luyanda m & f South African, Zulu, Xhosa
Means "it is growing, increasing" in Zulu and Xhosa, referring to love or the child’s family.
Lwazi m South African, Zulu
Means "knowledge" in Zulu.
Makaziwe f & m Xhosa
Means "let him/her be known" in Xhosa.... [more]
Malusi m Zulu
Means "shepherd" in Zulu.
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".
Maveletiveni m Swazi
A famous bearer is Maveletiveni Dlamini, son of Mswati III, King of Eswatini and his first wife Queen laMatsebula.
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.
Mbalienhle f Ndebele, Zulu
Means "beautiful flower" in Zulu and Ndebele, from mbali "flower, flowers" and enhle "something that is beautiful of nice".
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
Mehluli m Ndebele
Means "conquerer" in Ndebele.
Menzi m Southern African, Zulu
Means "creator" in Zulu.... [more]
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.
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".
Mnotho m & f Zulu
Means "economy" or "rich, wealthy" in Zulu.
Mongameli m Ndebele
Means "leader" in Ndebele.
Mpendulo f Zulu
Means "reply" in Zulu.
Mphikeleli m Zulu
Means "he who perseveres" in Zulu.
Mpilo m & f Xhosa, Zulu, Southern African
Means "health" or "life" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mpumelelo m Zulu
Means "success" 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.
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.
Musa f Ndebele
Means "grace" in Ndebele.
Muzhiyo m Ndebele (Rare)
zulu, ndebele and xhosa name meaning "homesteads of kings"
Mvuseselo m Zulu
Means "revival" in Zulu.
Mxolisi m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "peace maker" or "(one who) asks for forgiveness" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mzi m Xhosa
Diminutive of Mzingayi.
Mzingaye m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "there is a home because of him" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Mzingayi m Xhosa
Variant spelling of Mzingaye.
Mzwandile m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "the house has expanded" in Xhosa, idiomatically referring to a growing family.
Mzwenhlanhla m Zulu
Means "home for luck" in Zulu.
Nambitha f Xhosa
Means "to savour, to enjoy" in Xhosa, encouraging the child to savour life.
Nandi f Zulu
Means "sweet" in Zulu. This was the name of the mother of Shaka, famed warrior king of the Zulus in colonial South Africa (though her grave is marked Nindi).
Nangamso f & m Xhosa
Means "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.
Ndabezinhle f Zulu
Means "good news" in Zulu.
Ndabicacile m Ndebele
Means "the story's clear" in Ndebele.
Ndleleni m Zulu
Means "on the road" in Zulu.
Ndodana m Ndebele
Means "son" in Ndebele.
Ndondoloza f Zulu
Possibly means "I will guard" in Zulu.
Ndonsa f Zulu
Means "morning star" in Zulu.
Ndumiso f Zulu
Means "praise" in Zulu.
Nelisiwe f Zulu
Means "satisfied" in Zulu.
Ngcondebuku m & f Xhosa (Modern)
A combination of Ngconde, the name of a Xhosa clan, and Buku, a surname.
Nhalahla f Zulu
Means "luck" in Zulu.
Nhlakanipho f Zulu
From Zulu inhlakanipho meaning "wisdom".
Nhlonipho m Ndebele
Means "respect" in Ndebele.
Njabulo f Zulu
Means "happy" in Zulu.
Njabulu f Zulu
Means "happiness" in Zulu.
Nkanyezi m Zulu, Southern African
Means "star" in Zulu.
Nkanyiso m Zulu
Means "light" in Zulu.
Nkonkoni f Zulu
Means "champion" in Zulu.
Nkosenye m Zulu
Means “another one” in Zulu.
Nkosi m Xhosa, Southern African
Means "chief, king, lord" in Xhosa.
Nkosingimele f & m Zulu
Means "God is on my side" or "stand for me" in Zulu.
Nkosingiphile f African, Zulu
Means "the Lord gave me" in Zulu.
Nkosiphendule m Zulu
Means "God has answered" in Zulu.
Nkosiyabo m African, Ndebele, Zulu
Means "their king" in Zulu.
Nkuli f & m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Diminutive form of Nonkululeko and Nkululeko.
Nkululeko m Southern African, Zulu, Xhosa
Means "freedom" in Zulu and Xhosa.
Nobhalela f Zulu
Means "the one who writes" in Zulu.
Nobuhle f Zulu
Means “beauty” in Zulu.
Nokhanyo f Xhosa
Means "light, shine" or "enlightenment" in Xhosa.
Nokulunga f Zulu
Means "thankfulness" in Zulu.
Nokuthula f Zulu
Means "peace and tranquillity" in Zulu.
Nokuzola f Xhosa
Apparently means "quiet", "calm" or "peace" in Xhosa.
Nolwandle f Zulu
Means "mother of oceans" in Zulu.
Nolwazi f Zulu (Rare)
Means "knowledgeable" in Zulu.
Nomagugu f Zulu
Means "the precious one" in Zulu.
Nomalanga f Ndebele
Means "mother of sunshine" in Ndebele.
Nomandla f Zulu
Means "mother of strength" in Zulu.
Nomaqhawe f Ndebele
Means "heroine" in Ndebele.
Nomasonto f Zulu
Means "mother of Sundays" in Zulu.
Nomathamsanqa f Xhosa
Feminine form of Thamsanqa.
Nomathemba f Ndebele, Zulu
Means "hope" in Ndebele and Zulu.
Nombuyiselo f Xhosa
Means "she who gives back" or "mother of restoration" in Xhosa, a feminine form of Mbuyiseli.
Nomnikelo f South African, Xhosa
Means "offering" in Xhosa.
Nomthandazo f Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "a prayer" in Xhosa.
Nomthimba f Zulu
Means "wedding" in Zulu.
Nomvula f South African, Zulu
Means "after the rain" in Zulu. This is given to babies born after a storm.
Nomzamo f African, Zulu
Means "struggle" in Zulu.
Nonhlanhla f African, Zulu
Means "luck" in Zulu.
Nonjabulo f Zulu
Means "happiness" in Zulu.
Nonkululeko f Southern African, Zulu, Xhosa, South African
Means "freedom" in Zulu and Xhosa.
Nosakhele f Zulu
Means "build for us" in Zulu.
Nothando f Zulu
Means "mother of love" in Zulu.
Novuyo f Xhosa
Feminine form of Vuyo.
Nozibusiso f Zulu
Means "mother of blessings" in Zulu.
Nqobani m Zulu
Means "you must conquer" in Zulu.
Ntando m & f Ndebele
Means "will" in Ndebele.
Ntfombi f Swazi
Swazi form of Ntombi.
Ntokozo f African, Zulu
Means "happiness" or "joy" in Zulu.
Ntombenhle f Ndebele
Means "beautiful girl" in Ndebele.
Ntombhekya f South African, Xhosa
Means "girl of the house" in Xhosa, from ntombi "girl" and khaya "home, household".
Ntombifikile f Xhosa
Means "a girl has arrived" in Xhosa.
Ntombikayise f Zulu
Means "father's girl" in Zulu.
Ntombiyesizwe f Zulu
Means "girl of the earth" in Zulu.
Ntombiyezulu f Zulu
"girl of heaven" in Zulu
Ntombizanele f African, Zulu
Means "enough girls" in Zulu, from ntombi meaning "lady".
Ntombntombi f Xhosa
Means “little girl” in Xhosa.
Ntomboxolo f Xhosa
Means "girl of peace" in Xhosa.
Ntuthuko f Zulu
Means "prosperity" in Zulu.
Ntwenhle f Zulu
Means "beautiful thing" in Zulu.
Olwethu f & m South African, Zulu
Means 'ours' in Zulu.
Ongezwa f Xhosa
Means "addition, one who was added" in Xhosa.
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.
Qondiwe f Xhosa
Possibly related to qonda, meaning "to understand".
Qoqanani m & f Ndebele
Means "organise yourself" in Ndebele.
Rancina f Zulu
Zulu form of Francine.
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.
Sakhile m Zulu
Means "we have built" in Zulu.
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.
Senzeni m & f Ndebele
Means "what did we do?" in Ndebele.
Sethekele f Ndebele
"We visited"
Shumise f Xhosa
10 shillings or 10 bob, created by the father of Alice Jean Shumise Madinga.... [more]
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.
Sihawukele m Ndebele
Means "have mercy on us" in Ndebele.
Sikhangezile f Ndebele
Means "we're receiving" in Ndebele.
Sikhethiwe f Ndebele
Means "we are chosen" in Ndebele.
Sikhulekile f Ndebele
Means "we prayed" in Ndebele.
Sikhululekile m & f Ndebele
Means "we are free" in Ndebele.
Silibele m Ndebele
Means "we're unaware" in Ndebele.
Silindile f Xhosa, Zulu
Means "we are waiting" in Xhosa and Zulu.
Simangaliso f Ndebele
Means "miracle" in Ndebele.
Simangele f South African, Zulu
Means "surprise" in Zulu.
Simdingile m & f Xhosa, Zulu
Possibly means "we need this", derived from Xhosa and Zulu dinga meaning "to need, to require".
Simosihle f South African, Zulu
Means "beautiful feeling" in Zulu.
Simphiwe m & f Zulu
Meaning "we have been given him/her" in Zulu.
Sinazo f Xhosa
Means "we have it" in Xhosa.
Sindisa m & f Southern African (Rare), Zulu (Rare)
From Zulu sindisa meaning "save, redeem, rescue".
Sindisiwe f Zulu
Means "saved" in Zulu.
Sindiswa f Southern African, Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi
Means "saved" in Zulu and Xhosa.
Sinegugu f Zulu
Means "we have treasures" in Zulu.
Sinenhlanhla f Zulu
Means "we have luck" in Zulu, from sine "we have" and inhlanhla "luck".
Sinethemba f South African, Zulu
Means "we have hope" in Zulu.
Siphamandla m South African, Zulu
Means "give us strength" in Zulu.
Siphelele m Zulu
Means "we are complete" in Zulu.
Siphephelo f Zulu
Means "refuge" in Zulu.
Siphesihle m Zulu
Means "beautiful gift" in Zulu.
Siphilanzima m & f Ndebele
Means "we are surviving hardships" in Ndebele.
Siphokazi f Zulu
Feminine form of Sipho.
Siphosomzi m Zulu
Means "freedom, joyful, hard worker" in Zulu.
Sisipho f Xhosa, Zulu, Southern African
Means "it is a gift" in Zulu and Xhosa.