Southern African Submitted Names

Southern African names include those from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. See also about African names.
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.
Abarahama m Shona
Means "one who has birthed or fathered relatives", derived from Shona kubara "to bear offspring, to bud" and hama "relatives". This is the Shona equivalent of Abraham.
Abdool m Mauritian Creole, South African
Variant transcription of Abdul.
Abhurahama m Shona
Shona form of Abraham.
Abigajil f Swedish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Danish (Rare), Biblical Norwegian, Biblical German
Variant of Abigail used in the Norwegian translation of the Bible.
Abongile m & f Xhosa
Means "thankfulness" or "grateful" in Xhosa.
Achaje m Chewa
Means "stranger" in Chichewa.
Achiko m & f Shona
A shorter form of the name Achiriko, meaning "one who remained" or "one who is still there".
Achipo f Shona
Meaning "one who remains" or "one who is still here".
Achiriko m & f Shona
A unisex name meaning "one who still remains there".
Achmat m Indonesian, South African
Indonesian form of Ahmad as well as the usual form used by South African Muslims.
Adaishe m & f Shona
Meaning "one who has loved the Lord"
Adiwa f Shona
Meaning "one who is beloved or desired", a longer form of the name can be Adiwanashe, deriving from the verb kudiwa.
Aedzwa f & m Shona
Meaning "one who has been tried".
Afara m & f Shona
Meaning "one who is happy or joyous".
Aida f Shona
Meaning "One who desired" or "one who (portrayed) love", it derives from the verb ''kuda''.
Aidei f Shona
It is a name that asks a question, meaning "what did he/she desire?"
Aizivaishe m & f Shona
Meaning "one who knew the Lord".
Akahlulwa m & f Xhosa (Modern)
Means "undefeated, unbeatable", possibly taken from the title of the gospel song ‘Akahlulwa lutho uuJesu’.
Akani m Tsonga
Means "build, build together" in Xitsonga.
Akanyang f Tswana
Means "think about it", "think" in Setswana.
Akashinga m & f Shona
Meaning “one who is resilient or brave”.
Akatendeka m & f Shona
Meaning "one who is faithful", deriving from the verb kutendeka.
Akaziwe f Nguni
Means "she must be introduced" in Nguni.
Akeelah f African American (Modern, Rare), South African (Modern, Rare)
Variant of Akilah popularized by the 2006 movie 'Akeelah and the Bee'.
Akwenye m Ovambo
Means "spring (season)" in Ovambo.
Aletta f Dutch, Swedish (Archaic), Afrikaans, Icelandic (Modern, Rare), Hungarian
Archaic Swedish diminutive of Alhet and Dutch variant of Aleida as well as a Hungarian adoption of the Dutch name... [more]
Alinda f Dutch, Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish (Rare), Hungarian, Gascon
Dutch, Afrikaans, Finnish, Swedish and Hungarian contracted form of Adelinda and Gascon contracted form of Aidelina.
Aliza f Hungarian, Basque, Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans
Basque form of Alice, Hungarian variant of Alíz and Dutch and Afrikaans variant of Alisa.
Alouette f English (Modern, Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Spanish (Mexican, Rare)
Derived from French alouette "lark, skylark". Alouette is a popular Quebecois children's song, commonly thought to be about plucking the feathers from a lark. Although it is in French, it is well known among speakers of other languages as many US Marines and other Allied soldiers learned the song while serving in France during World War I and took it home with them, passing it on to their children and grandchildren.... [more]
Aluwani m & f Venda
Means "be prosperous" or "grow up" in Tshivenda.
Alzena f Indonesian (Rare), South African (Rare)
Possibly derived from Arabic النِسَاء‎ (an-nisāʾ) meaning "the woman".
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.
Amilna f Southern African
Amilna Estêvão is an Angolan model.
Amohelang m Sotho
Means "receive" in Sotho.
Amoré f Afrikaans (Modern)
Afrikaans form of Amore.
Ampie m Afrikaans
Diminutive of Abraham.
Amukelani m & f African, Tsonga
Means "acceptance" in Tsonga.
Amukelo m & f Tsonga
Means "acceptance" in Xitsonga.
Amukudzaishe m Shona
It is a name that means, "He has put the Lord in a high place" or "He has exalted the Lord", a shorter version of the name is Amukudza.
Amunime m Ovambo
Means "big lion" in Ovambo.
Amusa f Southern African
It is a Silozi or Lozi Name. Silozi or Lozi is a Zambian language.
Amutenya m Ovambo
Means "midday" in Ovambo. This name is traditionally given to children born during the afternoon.
Amyoli f South African
Name of South African origin, meaning "sweet and calm".
Anaishe f & m Shona
Derived from Shona anashe, meaning "who is with God".
Anastatia f English (Rare), South African
Variant of Anastasia. Apparently, this name is most prevalent in South Africa and Ireland.
Andisiwe f & m Xhosa
Means "expanded, increased" or "extension" in Xhosa.
Andricia f Afrikaans (Rare)
Possibly a variant of Andriesia.
Andrietta f Swedish (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), Romansh
Swedish and Afrikaans variant of Andriette and Romansh feminine form of Andriu.
Andronica f South African, Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Feminine form of Andronicus. This is also the Latinized form of Andronika.
Andronika f Ancient Greek, Greek (Rare), Greek (Cypriot, Rare), Bulgarian (Rare), Albanian (Rare), South African
Feminine form of Greek Andronikos and Bulgarian Andronik. This name was borne by Andronika 'Donika' Arianiti (1428-1506), also known as Donika Kastrioti, the wife of Albanian national hero Skanderbeg, leader of a revolt against the Ottoman Empire.
Andzani m & f Tsonga
Means "multiply, grow" in Xitsonga.
Andzile m & f Tsonga
Means "multiplied and increased" in Xitsonga.
Aneke f Afrikaans
Variant of Anneke.
Anele m & f Zulu
Means "be enough; be sufficient; be adequate" in Zulu.
Anemi f Shona
It means "He (the Lord) is with you", or "one who is with you".
Anenjere m & f Shona
Meaning "one who has wisdom", this name can be shortened to Njere.
Anesu f Shona
A Shona name for girls. It means "God is with us".
Anesuishe f & m Shona
Meaning "the Lord is with us", also a longer form of the name Anesu.
Angula m Ovambo
Means "morning" in Ovambo. This name is traditionally given to children born in the morning.
Anje f Dutch, Afrikaans, Flemish
Diminutive of An.
Ankia f Afrikaans
Variant of Ankie.
Annaleen f Afrikaans
Contraction of Anna and names ending in -leen, such as Heleen and Magdaleen.
Anneline f Afrikaans, Dutch, Dutch (Antillean), French (Archaic), Danish, Norwegian
Dutch and Afrikaans variant of Annelien as well as a Danish and Norwegian combination of Anne 1 and Line (and thus a cognate of Annelien) as well as a Danish, Norwegian and archaic French diminutive of Anne 1 found up to the 1700s in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.
Annerie f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Combination of Anne 1 and Rie.
Anoeschka f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Anuschka. This is borne by Namibian author Anoeschka von Meck (1967-).
Anofara m & f Shona
Meaning "one who is happy or joyous".
Anulika f Chewa
Means “light up” in Chichewa.
Anzél f Afrikaans
Variant of Anzelle.
Anzelle f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Ancelle.
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.
Arabang f Sotho
Means "reply" in Sotho.
Arenaya f Sotho
Means “He (God) gave us” in Sesotho.
Areneha f Sotho (Rare)
Means "he gave us".
Areneha f Sotho (Modern)
He gave us, God being the ‘He’
Arina f Hungarian, Dutch, Afrikaans
Hungarian contracted form of Adriána and Dutch and Afrikaans contracted form of Adriana.
Artwell m Shona, English (African), Ndebele
Zimbabwe origin meaning 'Creative' or 'Excellent Creation'.
Arumirirarudo f Shona
It means "she has waited for love", or "one who has waited on love", a shorter form of the name can be Arumi or Rudo.
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.
Aseka m Shona
Meaning “he laughs; he who has laughed”.
Asekei m Shona
It is a name which asks a question, meaning “what does he laugh at?” or “what has made him laugh?”
Ashira m & f Shona
Meaning “receive; accept; welcome”, the fuller version of the name is Gashira.
Atang m & f Tswana
Means "multipy" in Setswana.
Atarelang m & f Tswana
Means "receive with cupped hands" in Setswana.
Atasaone m Tswana
Means "His (God's) hand" in Setswana.
Atepekoungo m Zulu, Esan, Kongo, Mossi, Tooro, Yao
First used by King Atepekoungo of the Kingdom of Äsikoluboru in modern day Zïare.
Atidaishe m & f Shona
Means "the Lord has loved us" in Shona.
Atlantis f & m English (Modern, Rare), South African (Rare)
Taken from the name of the mythological place of the Atlantis, derived from the Greek Ἀτλαντὶς νῆσος meaning “island of Atlas.”
Avhatendi m & f Venda
Means "they do not believe" in Tshivenda.
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.
Ayanda f Shona
Means "we are many" in Shona.
Azelle f French (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Possibly a feminization of Azel.
Azille f Afrikaans
Variant of Azelle.
Azwianewi m & f Venda
Means "something that cannot be told" in Tshivenda.
Azwihangwisi m & f Venda
Means "unforgettable" in Tshivenda.
Baaitse m & f Tswana
Means "they know" in Tswana.
Baakantse f Tswana
Means "they thought" in Tswana.
Baakanyang m & f Tswana
Means "mend, repair" in Tswana.
Babsie f South African
Short and familiar form of Barbara.
Babusi m Tswana
Means "leaders" in Setswana.
Badumedi f Tswana
Means "believe" in Setswana.
Bafana m Zulu
Derived from Zulu abafana, the plural form of umfana, meaning "boy, young man."
Bafiske f Tumbuka
Means "let them do as they please" in Tumbuka.
Bahelwang m & f Tswana
Means "why give them?" in Setswana.
Baitshephi m & f Tswana
Means "the just" or "the saints" in Setswana.
Baitumetse m Tswana
Means "they are happy" in Setswana.
Bakang m & f Tswana
Means "praise" in Tswana.
Balijekwao f Tumbuka
Means "they have no home" in Tumbuka.
Banga m Shona
Means "knife" or "sword" in Shona. Banga is the name of a Ngbandi god of water.
Bankatametse f Tswana
Means "they are close to me" in Setswana.
Banyatsang f Tswana
Means "why do they doubt?" in Setswana.
Bapaki m Tswana
Means "those who give testimony" in Setswana.
Bartho m Dutch, Afrikaans
Short form of Bartholomeus. Notable bearers of this name include the Dutch actor Bartho Braat (b. 1950) and the South African writer Bartho Smit (1924-1986).
Barulaganye f Tswana
Means "they are in order" in Setswana.
Baruti m Tswana
Means "teacher" in Tswana.
Basadibotlhe f Tswana
Means "all women" in Setswana.
Basambilu f Tsonga
From the Xitsonga basa meaning "clean, white, pure" and mbilu meaning "heart".
Basani f Tsonga
Means "be clean, be white" in Xitsonga.
Basetsana f Sotho
Means "ladies" in Sotho.
Basetsanabotlhe f Tswana
Means "all girls" in Setswana.
Basireletsi m Tswana
Means "our protector" in Setswana.
Batamoyo m Shona
It means to “hold or touch the heart”.
Batanai m Shona
Means "be united" in Shona.
Bathusi m & f Tswana
Means "helpers" in Setswana.
Batirai m Shona
Means “you must persevere” in Shona.
Batshegi f Tswana
Means "those who laugh" in Setswana.
Batsirai f Shona
Means "help" in Shona.
Bayenkhu f Tumbuka
Means "where will they go?" in Tumbuka.
Beauty f English, Popular Culture, South African
From the English word "beauty", ultimately derived from Latin bellus, "beautiful". See also Belle and Bella.
Behati f Afrikaans
Possibly an Afrikaans variant of Beata. It is the name of Namibian fashion model Behati Prinsloo (b. 1989).
Bekebeke f Zulu
Means "glittering" in Zulu.
Bekezela f Ndebele
Means "be patient" in Ndebele.
Benesha f Zulu
Means “they are new” in Zulu.
Berlina f Indonesian, South African, Filipino, Dutch (Rare)
Clearly feminine form of Berlin or a simplified form of Berlinda.
Berna f Hungarian, German (Bessarabian), Dutch (Rare), Flemish (Rare), Afrikaans
Short form of Bernadett and Bernadetta as well as a Dutch and Afrikaans short form of names beginning with the element Bern-.
Berneen f South African (Modern, Rare), Irish
Irish short form of Bernadette using the diminuitive suffix ín.
Betserai f Shona
Meaning "help, aid, or give assistance", another form of the name is Etserai or Batsirai.
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".
Bhumi m & f Shona
It means "wolf".
Biria f Shona
Means "gathering" in Shona.
Boammaruri m Tswana
Means "truth" in Setswana.
Boatametse m Tswana
Means "His kingdom drew near" in Setswana.
Bofelo f Tswana
Means "last" in Setswana.
Bogosi m Tswana
Means "kingdom" in Setswana.
Boikaego m Tswana
Means "someone to lean on" in Setswana.
Boikanyo m & f Tswana
Means "trustworthy" in Setswana.
Boiketlo f Tswana
Means "to relax" in Setswana.
Boipuso m Tswana
Means "independance" in Tswana.
Boitshepo f Tswana
Means "holy" in Setswana.
Bokamoso m & f South African, Sotho
Means "future".
Bokang f Sotho
Means "praise" or "rejoice" in Sotho.
Bongai f Shona
Means "be thankful" in a Shona dialect.
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.
Boragane f Tswana
Means "small red-billed quelea" in Setswana.
Botshelo m Tswana
Means "life" in Setswana.
Boudine f Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans
Feminization of Boudewijn and other masculine Dutch names that contain the Germanic element bald meaning "bold, brave" (such as Radboud).
Bron m English (Rare), South African (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Bron. Otherwise, it could be a short form of LeBron or Bronson.
Buang f Sotho
Means "speak" or "chat" in Sesotho.
Buchule m & f Xhosa
Means "intelligence, skill" in Xhosa.
Bukata m & f Bemba
Means "God's glory" in Bemba.
Burger m Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare), West Frisian (Archaic)
Dutch, Afrikaans and West Frisian form of the ancient Germanic name Burghar.... [more]
Burry m Afrikaans, Dutch (Rare)
Diminutive of masculine given names that contain the Germanic element burg meaning "fortress", such as Burghard... [more]
Busisiwe f Zulu
Means "blessed" in Zulu.
Butho m Ndebele
Means "soldier" in Ndebele.
Buyisiwe m Zulu
Means “returned” in Zulu.
Bvumai m Shona
Bvumai means "Admit". This may be a name given to say to adversary admit that you were wrong, you were defeated or that you committed the offence
Bwami m Shona
Meaning "emperor", another form of the name is Hwami.
Bwerani m Chewa
Means "come" or "come back" in Chewa.
Cacile f Ndebele
Means "clear" in Ndebele.
Calvinia f South African
Feminine form of Calvin.
Carelia f Afrikaans, Spanish (Mexican), Spanish (Latin American), Danish (Archaic)
Afrikaans feminine form of Carel and Spanish and Danish variant of Karelia.
Caria f English (Rare), South African
Possibly a variant of Carrie or Cara, or from the ancient place name Caria... [more]
Carike f Afrikaans
Feminine form of Carel.
Cashile f Zulu (Rare)
Possibly derived from cashisa meaning "conceal, hide."
Caster f South African
Possibly a variant of Castor.
Cebisa f & m Xhosa, Southern African
Means "to suggest, to give advice" in Xhosa.
Cecile f English, Dutch, Afrikaans, Filipino, Medieval English
English, Dutch and Afrikaans form of Cécile.
Cetshwayo m Zulu
Means "advised" in Zulu. This was the name of a Zulu King,
Cézanne f & m English, Afrikaans
From the French artist, Paul Cézanne. This name is sometimes used as a feminine name by Afrikaners in South Africa due to its similarity to Suzanne.
Chamirai m Shona
Means "be focused and diligent" in Shona.
Chamu m Southern African
Short form of Chamunorwa. This is the nickname of Zimbabwean cricketer Chamu Chibhabha. His real name is Chamunorwa.
Chanique f African American (Rare), Afrikaans
Variant of Shanique, the spelling perhaps influenced by Chanel.
Chapanjira f Chewa
Means "of the road, of the journey" in Chewa.
Chapansi f & m Nsenga
Child born after many miscarriages
Chapasi f & m Tumbuka
Means "earth, dirt, belongs to earth" in Tumbuka, often given after other children in the family have died.
Charl m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Charles.
Charle m Afrikaans, Norman
Cotentinais Norman and Afrikaans form of Charles.