South African Submitted Names

These name are used in the Republic of South Africa.

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Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.

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.

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.

Sarette f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Diminutive of Sarah.

Sarisha f South African

Sasavona m & f Tsonga
Means "helper" in Xitsonga.

Saseka f Tsonga
Means "pretty" in Xitsonga.

Sasekani f Tsonga
Means "beautiful" in Xitsonga.

Sasekisa f Tsonga
Means "beautiful, decorate" in Xitsonga.

Sayina f Tsonga
Means "sign" in Xitsonga.

Schalk m German (Archaic), Afrikaans
From Old German scalc meaning "servant".

Sebolai m Sotho
Means "assassin" in Sotho.

Sechaba m Sotho
The meaning is 'nation' as in 'our nation', 'the country we live in'.

Seef m & f Afrikaans (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Limburgish (Rare)
This name is more often seen on men than on women. For men, the name is a short form of Josephus and in some cases also of Severinus and its Dutch form Severijn... [more]

Sefanja m & f Swedish (Rare), Afrikaans, Dutch, Dutch (Surinamese)
Swedish, Afrikaans and Dutch form of Zephaniah.

Sehlolo m Sotho
Means "disaster" in Sotho.

Seilatsatsi f Sotho
Meaning unknown. Seilatsatsi is a character in some Sotho tales.

Selna f Afrikaans

Selona f South African (Rare)

Semakaleng m & f Sotho
Means "surprise" in Sotho.

Senzeni m & f Ndebele
Means "what did we do?" in Ndebele.

Serei m & f South African (?)

Sethekele f Ndebele
"We visited"

Setifene m Sotho
Sotho form of Stephen.

Setjhaba m Sotho
Means "nation" in Sesotho.

Sfiso m Zulu, Swazi, Ndebele, Xhosa, Southern African
Variant of Sifiso.

Shaakira f South African, African American (Modern, Rare)
Variant of Shakira.

Shalane f English, South African

Shameel m Indian (Muslim), Urdu, South African
Variant transcription of Shamil.

Shameelah f Muslim (Rare), South African (Rare)
Variant of Shamielah.

Shamiel m South African
Meaning unknown.

Shamielah f Muslim (Rare), South African (Rare)

Shandukani m & f Venda
Means "to change" in Tshivenda.

Shané f African American, Afrikaans
Probably a variant spelling of Shanae.

Sharlto m South African (Rare)
Alternative Anglicization of Sìoltach.

Shavina f Indian, South African (Rare), English (Modern, Rare)

Shelini f South African (Rare), Fijian (Rare), Indian (Rare)
Possibly related to the Indian name Shalini.

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

Sherezaan f South African (Rare)

Shiluva m & f Tsonga
Means "flower" in Xitsonga.

Shotah f & m South African
Meaning as of yet unknown.

Shumise f Xhosa
10 shillings or 10 bob, created by the father of Alice Jean Shumise Madinga.... [more]

Shyleen f South African

Sias m Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare), German (Archaic)
Short form of Josias. Known bearers of this name include the Dutch sculptor Sias Fanoembi (1949-2013) and the South African statesman Sias Hoffman (1807-1879).

Sibakhulule m & f Ndebele
Means "we have liberated them" in Ndebele.

Sibande m South African

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.

Sikhalele m Tsonga
Means "outcry" in Xitsonga.

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".

Simoné f South African

Simonia f Danish (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Elaboration of Simona.

Simonie f Swedish (Rare), Norwegian (Archaic), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), French (African, Rare)
Variant of Simonia.

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.

Sindiwe f 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.

Siphiwe m South African

Siphokazi f Zulu
Feminine form of Sipho.

Siphosomzi m Xhosa

Siphosomzi m Zulu
Means "freedom, joyful, hard worker" in Zulu.

Siraaj m Arabic (Rare, ?), South African (Rare)
Variant of Siraj.

Sisipho f Xhosa, Zulu, Southern African
Means "it is a gift" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Sithabisile f Ndebele
Means "we are very happy" in Ndebele.

Sithandazile f Ndebele
Means "we prayed" in Ndebele.

Sithandilizwe m & f Ndebele
Means "we love our country" in Ndebele.

Sithenjiwe f Ndebele
Means "we are trusted" in Ndebele.

Sitshengisiwe f Ndebele
Means "we were shown" in Ndebele.

Sivuyile m South African, Xhosa
Means "we are happy" in Xhosa.

Siya f & m English (American, Modern, Rare), South African
As an English feminine name, it is likely a modern respelling of Sia.... [more]

Siyamthanda f & m Xhosa
Means "we love him/her" in Xhosa.

Siyanda m Zulu
Means "we are increasing" in Zulu.

Siyavuya m Xhosa
Means "we are happy" in Xhosa.

Sizakele f & m Zulu
Means "be helped, be assisted" in Zulu.

Sizani f Zulu
Means "you all help" in Zulu.

Siziwe f South African

Skhumbuzo m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "reminder, remembrance" in Zulu and Xhosa.

S'kulekile m Zulu
Means “it’s good” in Zulu.

Smiso m South African
Means "rule".

Solomzi m Xhosa
Means "eye of the home" in Xhosa, figuratively "guardian of the family".

Solonzi m Xhosa (Modern)
Possibly a variant of Solomzi.

Sonnika f Afrikaans
Either an elaboration of Sonya or derived from the German word Sonne "sun".

Sonwabile m Xhosa
Means "we are content" or "we are happy" in Xhosa.

Sooraya f South African (Rare), Mauritian Creole (Rare), Popular Culture
Variant of Soraya.

Sorika f South African

Sorina f Afrikaans

Soyaphi m Tsonga
Means "where will we go?" in Xitsonga.

Stephanetta f Afrikaans (Rare)
Feminine form of Stephan. Stephanetta Johanna Paulina (Nettie) Bredell (1877-1920) was a granddaughter of Paul Kruger (Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger), President of the South African Republic (or Transvaal) from 1883 to 1900.

Sterra f Dutch (Modern, Rare), Afrikaans (Modern, Rare)
Variant of Sterre.

Steviena f Dutch (Rare, Archaic), Afrikaans (Rare, Archaic)

Steyn m Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans
Dutch variant and Afrikaans form of Steijn. In the case of the Afrikaans name, it can also be a transferred use of the Afrikaans surname.

Sthandekile f Ndebele
Means "we are loved" in Ndebele.

Sthenjwa m Zulu

Stiaan m Afrikaans
Short form of Christiaan.

Stoffelina f Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Feminine form of Stoffel.

Sulaila f South African (Rare)

Sunette f English (American, Rare), Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Meaning uncertain. In the English-speaking world, the name might perhaps be a combination of the English word sun with the French feminine diminutive suffix -ette, which would essentially give the name the meaning of "little sun"... [more]

Surette f Afrikaans

Susara f Afrikaans
Contraction of Susanna and Sara.

Susarah f Afrikaans
Variant of Susara.

Tafeta m Sotho
Sotho form of David.

Takalani m & f Venda
Means "be happy" in Tshivenda.

Talana f South African, English
Use of this name in South Africa probably owes something to the Battle of Talana Hill in 1899.

Taliep m South African

Talisa f Frisian (Rare), Low German (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
19th-century elaboration of Tale.

Tamarin f English (British, Rare), South African (Rare)

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

Tambu f South African

Tamrine f South African (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Tamzyn f South African
Variant of Tamsyn.

Tandeko m Zulu
Always lovable. From Bantu root tande

Tandy f South African

Tandzile f Swazi
Means "a female addition to the family" in Swazi.

Tanitha f Dutch (Rare), English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Tanith.

Tascha f English (American, Modern, Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)

Tasché f Afrikaans
It probably derives from the hebrew "tach", meaning "crown".

Taygan f South African (Rare)

Tebello f & m Sotho
Means "expectation" in Sotho.

Tekano m Sotho
Means "equality" in Sotho.

Temba m South African

Tengisa f Tsonga
Means "purify" in Xitsonga.

Tezna f South African

Thaba m Sotho
Means "mountain".

Thaba m Sotho
mountain

Thabelo m & f Venda
Means "prayer" in Tshivenda.

Thabisa f Zulu
Means "delight" in Zulu.

Thamsanqa m Xhosa, Zulu
Means "luck, fortune" in Zulu and Xhosa.

Thamsanqua m South African

Thandabantu m Zulu
Means "fond of others" in Zulu.

Thandazile f South African

Thandiswa f Zulu, Bantu
Means "to be loved" or "to be blessed" in Zulu

Thandoluhle m Zulu
Means "good love" in Zulu.

Thapeli m Sotho
Means "appeal" in Sesotho.

Thapelo m & f Sotho
Means "prayer" in Sotho.

Thebe m Sotho
Means "shield" in Sesotho.

Thembekile f South African

Thembelihle f Zulu
Means "good hope" in Zulu.

Thembi f Zulu
Possibly a short form of names containing thembi, such as Sithembile.

Thembisile f Zulu
Means "the trusted one" in Zulu.

Thenjiwe f Zulu
Means "trusted one" in Zulu.

Theola f American (South, Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), South African
Possibly a shortened form of Theolene or Theolinde (compare Theora, Theoda, Theda).

Theolene f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Possibly a variant of Theolinde.

Theonie f Afrikaans (Rare)
Afrikaans form of Théonie.

Therona f South African, English (Rare)
Feminine form of Theron.

Theuns m Afrikaans
Afrikaans short form of Antonius.

Thikhathali m Venda
Means "one who does not worry" in Tshivenda.

Thilivhali m Venda
Means "one who does not forget" in Tshivenda.

Thobeka f Southern African, Zulu
Means "humble" in Zulu.

Thobekile f Ndebele
Means "polite" in Ndebele.

Tholakele f Zulu
Means "found" in Zulu.

Tholane m Zulu (Modern)
Variant of Thulani.

Tholoana f Sotho
Means "fruit".

Tholoana f Sotho
Meaning, fruit or seed, in the context of ‘fruit of my womb’

Thoriso m Sotho
Means "praise" in Sesotho.

Thozamile m South African

Thuba f Ndebele
Means "chance" in Ndebele.

Thubelihle f Ndebele
Means "good chance" in Ndebele.

Thula f Zulu
Means "peace" in Zulu.

Thulane m Southern African, Zulu
Variant of Thulani.

Thulie f Zulu
Diminutive of Nokuthula.

Thulilwempi m Ndebele
Means "the dust of war" in Ndebele.

Thulisile f African, Zulu
Means "she who made things quiet" in Zulu.

Thumbumuzi m South African

Thuso m Sotho
Means "help" in Sotho.

Thuto m Sotho
Means "lesson" in Sesotho.

Thys m Medieval Dutch, Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Medieval Dutch and Afrikaans short form of Matthys. But in other words, you could also say that this name is the medieval Dutch and Afrikaans equivalent of Thijs.... [more]

Tiaan m Afrikaans
Short form of Christiaan.

Tianie f Afrikaans (Rare), English (Australian, Rare)

Tiisetso f Sotho
Means "perseverance" in Sesotho,

Tilana f Afrikaans

Tinalia f South African

Tintswalo f Tsonga
Means "grace" in Xitsonga.

Tinus m Afrikaans, Dutch
Usually a short form of Martinus, but there are also cases where it is a short form of Constantinus.

Tinyiko m & f Tsonga
Means "gifts" in Xitsonga.

Tirhani m & f Tsonga
Possibly from the Xitsonga word tirha meaning "work".

Tiyani m & f Tsonga
Means "be strong" in Xitsonga.

Tiyiselani m & f Tsonga
Means "persevere, endure" in Xitsonga.

Tlali m Sotho
Means "lightning" in Sotho.

Tlangelani m & f Tsonga
Possibly from the Xitsonga word tlangela meaning "celebrate".

Tlhokomelo m & f Sotho
Means "care" in Sotho.

Tlholo m Sotho
Means "victory" in Sesotho.

Tlotliso f & m Sotho
Means "honour" in Sotho.

Tokoloho f Sotho
Means "freedom" in Sesotho.

Topollo f Sotho
Means "emancipation, release" in Sesotho.

Tranley m South African (Rare)

Trofimus m Afrikaans (Archaic), Dutch (Archaic)
Afrikaans and Dutch form of Trophimus.

Trudene f English (Rare), Afrikaans
Elaborated form of Trudy.

Tryna f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Trijna and thus a short form of Catharina and Catherina (compare Tryntje).

Tryphine f South African, English (African)
Anglicized form of Triphina.

Tsakani f & m South 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]

Tsebo m Sotho
Means "knowledge" in Sesotho.

Tsela m Sotho
Means "path" in Sesotho.

Tšelang-lerato f Sotho
Pour in, love

Tshanduko m & f Venda
Means "change" in Tshivenda.

Tshediso m Sotho
Means "consolation" in Sesotho.

Tshegofatso f South African, Sotho
Means "blessing" in Sotho.

Tshiananeo m & f Venda
Means "tale, story" in Tshivenda.

Tshifhiwa m Venda
Means "gift" in Tshivenda.

Tshilidzi f & m Venda
Possibly means "Grace". A notable bearer is Tshilidzi Marwala, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Internationalisation at the University of Johannesburg.

Tshimangadzo m & f Venda
Means "miracle" in Tshivenda.

Tsoalo f & m Sotho
Means "birth".

Tsotang m Sotho
Means "amazement" in Sesotho.

Tsundzuka m & f Tsonga
Means "remember" in Xitsonga.

Tulie f South African, African

Tumisho m & f Sotho
Means "glory" in Sotho.

Tutu m & f Western African, South African
Means "cliff dweller".

Twanette f Afrikaans, African American (Rare)
Variant of Toinette.

Twelani f Tsonga
Possibly from the Xitsonga word twila meaning "pity, feel pity".

Tyreeq m African American (Modern, Rare), South African
Variant of Tyrik.

Uakile m Tsonga
“He has built”

Ulisha f English (Rare), Zulu (Rare)
Variant of Alicia.

Uluthando m Ndebele, Zulu
Means "he is love" in Ndebele and Zulu.

Ulwazi m Zulu
Derived from Zulu ulwazi meaning "knowledge".

Umakoti f Zulu
Means "bride" in Zulu.

Umklomelo f Zulu
Means "prize" in Zulu.

Unaithi f Zulu
Variant of Unathi. Meaning: "God is with us" or "God is our strength".

Unako m & f Xhosa
Means "ability" or "you can" in Xhosa.

Unkulunkulu m Zulu, 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]

Urzila f South African
Variant of Ursula.

Utah m & f English (American, Rare), English (African, Rare), South African
Taken from the name of the US State of Utah. While a masculine name in the USA, in Nigeria and South Africa, it is sometimes used as a feminine name.

Utlwang f South African

Uys m Afrikaans
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.

Valdene f Portuguese (Brazilian, Rare), English (Rare), South African (Rare)

Valentia f Late Roman, South African
Feminine form of Valentius.

Valmarie f English (American), Afrikaans
Variant of Valmai influenced by Marie as well as a combination of Valerie and Marie.

Varushka f South African (Rare)

Vasti f Biblical Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazilian), Biblical Dutch, Afrikaans, Biblical Spanish, Biblical Italian, Biblical Finnish
Finnish, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish form of Vashti and Dutch variant of Wasti.

Velaphi m South African

Velile m & f Xhosa, South African
Means "appeared, arrived" in Xhosa.

Vemvane f Zulu
Means "butterfly" in Zulu.

Venecia f English (Rare), Spanish (Caribbean), Spanish (Mexican), South African (Rare), Jamaican Patois (Rare)
Variant of Venetia. As a Spanish name it could be a variant of Benecia or taken from the Spanish place name (see Venecia).

Verah f South African

Vhonani m & f Venda (Modern)
Vhonani meaning is "watch or look"... [more]

Violetia f South African (Rare)

Violett f English (Modern), Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Hungarian (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
English variant and Swedish form of Violet as well as a Hungarian borrowing of French Violette. This name coincides with the Swedish word violett "purple (the color)".

Vivette f French (Rare), English (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Norwegian (Rare)
Possibly a diminutive form of Vivienne (see also Viviette), but it could also be an independent name that is ultimately derived from Latin vivus "alive" or Latin vividus "full of life, lively, spirited".

Vonani m & f Tsonga
Means "behold" in Xitsonga.

Vukona f Tsonga
Means "presence" in Xitsonga.

Vukosi m Tsonga
Means "royalty, chiefdom" in Xitsonga.

Vulombe f Tsonga
Means "honey" in Xitsonga.

Vusi m Sotho

Vusimuzi m South African

Vusumuzi m Zulu
Means "builder of the home" in Zulu.

Vutivi f Tsonga
Means "knowledge" in Xitsonga.

Vutlhari m & f Tsonga
Means "wisdom" in Xitsonga.

Vutomi m & f Tsonga
Means "life" in Xitsonga.

Vutshila m & f Tsonga
Means "art" in Xitsonga.

Vuyi f South African
Short form of Vuyiswa.