South African Submitted Names

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.

Naas m Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Short form of Athanaas, Donaas and Ignaas.... [more]

Naasif m South African

Naha m & f Sotho
Means "land" or "world".

Naha m Sotho
land or country

Nala f Sotho
“Prosperity” , a Sesotho name used in the motto of Lesotho

Nalane f & m Sotho
it means history in sesotho

Naleli f Sotho
Means "star" in Sotho.

Naleli-yameso f Sotho
Meaning, Morning Star in Sesotho

Namari m & f African American (Rare), South African
Combination of the sounds found in names such as Jamari, Amari and Kamari.

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.

Nṱanganedzeni m & f Venda
Means "accept me" in Tshivenda.

Nantie m & f Afrikaans

Naome f South African
Variant of Naomi 1.

Naretha f South African

Natashia f English (Rare), South African (Rare)
Elaboration of Natasha.

Nathleen f South African (Rare)

Nato m South African
Diminutive of Ignatius.

Naven m Indian, South African

Ndaba f South African

Ndabazaniye m Zulu

Ndabezinhle f Zulu
Means "good news" in Zulu.

Ndabicacile m Ndebele
Means "the story's clear" in Ndebele.

Ndaheni f Tsonga
Means "instruct me" in Xitsonga.

Ndhe'neza m Tsonga
Means "the thing", implying "the secret", in Xitsonga.

Ndiyafhi m & f Venda
Means "where do I go?" in Tshivenda.

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.

Nduvho m & f Venda
Means "praise" in Venda.

Ndzalama f Tsonga
Means "emerald" in Xitsonga.

Nehemia m Hawaiian, Biblical Hawaiian, Afrikaans, Biblical Finnish
Hawaiian, Finnish and Afrikaans form of Nehemiah.

Nelbe f & m Sotho
Means "the net" in Sotho.

Nelda f Afrikaans

Nelene f Afrikaans (Rare)

Nelia f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), East Frisian (Rare), German (Modern, Rare), Flemish (Modern), Dutch
Short form of Cornelia.

Nelisa f South African (Rare), English (Modern, Rare)

Nelisiwe f Zulu
Means "satisfied" in Zulu.

Nelius m English (American), Afrikaans, Norwegian (Rare)
Afrikaans and Norwegian short form of Cornelius.

Nerika f South African, African

Nerine f Afrikaans (Rare), English (Rare)

Nerona f English (Rare), South African (Rare)

Nganakani m Tsonga
From the Xitsonga nganakana meaning "prince".

Nganakati f Tsonga
Means "princess" in Xitsonga.

Ngcali m South African

Ngcondebuku m & f Xhosa (Modern)
A combination of Ngconde, the name of a Xhosa clan, and Buku, a surname.

Nghezimani m Tsonga
Means "be whiter, be clean" in Xitsonga.

Ngisaveni m Tsonga
"Be afraid".

Nhalahla f Zulu
Means "luck" in Zulu.

Nhlakanipho f Zulu
From Zulu inhlakanipho meaning "wisdom".

Nhlalala f Tsonga
Means "honey bird" in Xitsonga.

Nhlamulo m & f Tsonga
Means "answer, solution" in Xitsonga.

Nhlayiseko m & f Tsonga
Means "safety" in Xitsonga.

Nhlohlotelo m & f Tsonga
Means "influence" in Xitsonga.

Nhlonipho m Ndebele
Means "respect" in Ndebele.

Nhluvuko m & f Tsonga
Means "development, progress" in Xitsonga.

Nicolene f English, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans, South African
Variant of Nicoline. Known bearers of this name include the South African race walker Nicolene Cronje (b. 1983) and the South African field hockey player Nicolene Terblanche (b... [more]

Nicus m Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Short form of Dominicus. In rare cases, this name can also be a latinization of Nico or Niek.

Niel m Dutch, Afrikaans, Flemish

Nielas m German (Modern, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
German and Afrikaans borrowing of Nilas.

Ninett f Danish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Hungarian
Variant of Ninette and Ninetta.

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.

Nkateko m & f Tsonga
Means "blessing" in Xitsonga.

Nkhangweleni m Venda
Means "forgive me" in Tshivenda.

Nkhetheleng f Sotho
Means "choose for me" in Sotho.

Nkhumbudzeni m & f Venda
Means "remember me" in Tshivenda.

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.

Nkosikazi f South African

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.

Nnyawedzeni m & f Venda
Means "let me rest" in Tshivenda.

Noag m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Noah 1.

Nobhalela f Zulu
Means "the one who writes" in Zulu.

Nobuhle f Zulu
Means “beauty” in Zulu.

Nodiyala f South African

Noeline f English (New Zealand), English (African), Afrikaans
Feminine form of Noel.

Nṱoḓeni m & f Venda
Means "look for me" in Tshivenda.

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.

Noma f American (Rare, Archaic), Hebrew (Rare), South African (Rare)
Contracted form of Naoma.

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.

Nombali f South African

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.

Norne f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Filipino (Rare)
Variant of Norna.

Nosakhele f Zulu
Means "build for us" in Zulu.

Nosisa f South African

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.

Nsoma f Tsonga
Means "anchor" in Xitsonga.

Nsovo m & f Tsonga
Means "grace" in Xitsonga.

Nsuku m & f Tsonga
Means "gold, golden" in Xitsonga.

Nsulo f Tsonga
Wipe away the tears and bring joy

Ntakuseni m & f Venda
Means "help me up" in Tshivenda.

Ntambudzeni m South African

Ntana m South African

Ntando m & f Ndebele
Means "will" in Ndebele.

Nteboheng f Sotho

Ntfombi f Swazi
Swazi form of Ntombi.

Nthabi f Sotho
Means "make me happy" in Sotho.

Nthabiseng f Sotho
Means "make me happy" in Sotho.

Nthati f Sotho
Means "one to love me" in Sotho.

Nthuseni m & f Venda
Means "help me" in Tshivenda.

Ntlakuso f Tsonga
Means "elevation, high position" in Xitsonga.

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.

Ntsakisi f Tsonga
Means "source of happiness" in Xitsonga.

Ntsako m & f Tsonga
Means "joy, happiness" in Xitsonga.

Ntsebo f Sotho
Means "whispers" in Sotho.

Ntsetselelo m & f Tsonga
Means "mercy" in Xitsonga.

Ntshuxeko m & f Tsonga
Means "freedom" in Xitsonga.

Ntsoaki f Sotho
Means "girl amongst boys" in Sotho, often given to a daughter with many brothers.

Ntsu m Sotho
Means "eagle" in Sesotho.

Ntsumi f Tsonga
Means "angel" in Xitsonga.

Ntswaki f Sotho
Means "girl amongst boys" or "girl with many brothers" in Sotho.

Ntuthuko f Zulu
Means "prosperity" in Zulu.

Ntwanano m & f Tsonga
Means "understanding" in Xitsonga.

Ntwenhle f Zulu
Means "beautiful thing" in Zulu.

Nṱungufhadzeni m & f Venda
Means "make me sad" in Tshivenda.

N'wayitelo f Tsonga
Means "smile" in Xitsonga.

Nxalati f Tsonga
Means "happiness" in Xitsonga.

Nyakallo f & m Sotho
Means "joy" in Sotho.

Nyambeni f & m Venda
Means "speak about me" in Tshivenda.

Nyeleti f Tsonga, Southern African
Means "star" in Xitsonga.

Nyikiwa m & f Tsonga
Means "given" in Xitsonga.

Nyiko f & m Tsonga
Means "gift" in Tsonga.

Oasetso m Sotho
Means "child of tradition".

Ockert m Afrikaans

Ockie m Afrikaans
Short form of Ockert.

Odele f English (New Zealand, Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Oloff m Afrikaans
Variant of Olof.

Olwethu f & m South African, Zulu
Means 'ours' in Zulu.

Omatla m Sotho
You are strong

Ongezwa f Xhosa
Means "addition, one who was added" in Xhosa.

Onica f English (Rare), South African (Rare)

Orlenda f English (Rare), South African (Rare), Spanish (Latin American, Rare)

Orpa f Biblical German, Biblical Dutch, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
German, Dutch and Afrikaans form of Orpah.

Othelia f Afrikaans (Rare), American (Rare, Archaic), Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), German (Rare, Archaic)
Variant of Otelia.

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.

Paballo f Sotho
Means "protection" in Sesotho.

Pacificus m Late Roman, South African
Means "peacemaker" in Latin. From the Latin pāx 'peace' and faciō 'I do, make'.... [more]

Paolosi m Sotho
Sesotho form of Paul.

Paseka m Sotho
Means "Easter" in Sesotho.

Paulinah f South African
Variant of Paulina.

Peet m Estonian, Afrikaans, Dutch, Limburgish
Short form of Peeter (Estonian) as well as Peter and Petrus (Afrikaans, Dutch and Limburgish).... [more]

Peo f Sotho (Modern, Rare)
The meaning is “Seed” and it is a rare Sesotho name predominantly used in Lesotho

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.

Pheello m Sotho
Means "perseverance" in Sesotho.

Pheko m South African
Medicine or herb. Ussually medicine used for protection

Phethisi m Sotho
Means "completion" in Sesotho.

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.

Philinda f English (American, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Philisiwe f South African, Zulu
Means "healed" in Zulu.

Phillippus m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Philip.

Phindile f South African
A very common female South African name.... [more]

Phologo f South African

Phonia f Jamaican Patois (Rare), South African (Rare), American (Rare, Archaic)
Likely a diminutive of some kind.

Phrosné f South African (Rare)

Phumlani m Zulu
Means "rest" in Zulu.

Phusu m & f Venda
Means "havoc" in Tshivenda.

Phutheho f Sotho
Means "congregation" in Sesotho.

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.

Poloko m Sotho
Means "safety" in Sesotho.

Ponisa f Tsonga
Means "save" in Xitsonga.

Pontsho m & f Sotho
Means "vision" in Sotho.

Pozisa f South African

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.

Prasella f South African
Variant of Priscilla.

Presheena f South African (Rare), Indian (Rare)

Pula f Sotho
Means "rain" in Sotho.

Pulane f Sotho
Means "rainy" in Sesotho.

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.

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.

Rafeeqa f Urdu, Kashmiri, Muslim, South African
Variant of Rafiqa.

Ramatjato f Sotho
Derived from the Sesotho tjato meaning "agility".

Ramatla f Sotho
Means "strength" in Sotho.

Rancina f Zulu
Zulu form of Francine.

Rankoane f South African

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.

Relebohile f Sotho
Means "we are grateful" in Sesotho.

Remaketse f Sotho
Means "we are surprised" in Sesotho.

Renchia f Afrikaans

Reneilwe m Sotho
This is borne by the retired South African soccer player Reneilwe 'Yeye' Letsholonyane (1982-).

Retief m Afrikaans
Transferred use of the surname Retief.

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 Afrikaans
Feminine form of Rian.

Riana f Dutch, Afrikaans
Variant of Rianna.

Riane f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Rianne.

Rianie f Afrikaans
Likely a variant of Riane.

Ricardia f American (Rare), South African (Rare)

Richardt m Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Richard.

Ricus m Afrikaans
Short form of names ending in -ricus, such as Ulricus or Henricus.

Rienie f Afrikaans

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.

Rishka f South African (Rare)

Rishmi f South African

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.

Rolene f South African (Rare)

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.

Romie f German (Rare), Afrikaans, French (Modern), Flemish (Modern), Dutch (Modern, Rare)
Variant of Romy.

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.

Ronelle f Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare), English (Rare)
Variant of Ronella.

Rotshidzwa m & f Venda
Means "we have been saved" in Tshivenda.

Roween f Dutch (Rare), English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Filipino (Rare)
Variant of Rowena.

Roxley m South African

Rozane f Afrikaans, Portuguese (Brazilian)

Rozelle f South African, Afrikaans
Cognate of Roselle.

Rozetta f South African, Afrikaans, African American, Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Polish (Archaic)
Cognate of Rosetta.

Ruaan m Afrikaans, South African
Variant of Ruan 1.

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.

Ruhan m Afrikaans
Variant of Ruan.

Rumardo m & f Afrikaans
Derived from the latin "Romanus" and "Renaldo"from german Raginald.

Rynhard m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Rijnhard.

Rynhardt m Afrikaans
Variant of Rynhard.

Rynold m Afrikaans (Rare)

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.

Sagaria m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Zachariah.

Sakhile m Zulu
Means "we have built" in Zulu.

Salmoora f Xhosa

Salomie f Afrikaans
Variant of Salome.

Salomien f Afrikaans
Variant of Salomine.

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.

Sanet f Afrikaans

Sarel m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Charles.