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.

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

Medupe m Tswana
Means "continuous rain" in Setswana.

Mehluli m Ndebele
Means "conquerer" in Ndebele.

Melindi f Afrikaans

Melisent f English (Rare), South African (Rare)
Variant of Millicent.

Melisse f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
Variant of Melissa.

Melusi m South African

Memory f English (American, Rare), English (African), Southern African
From the English word memory, ultimately from the Latin memor "mindful, remembering".

Menzi m Southern African, Zulu
Means "creator" in Zulu.... [more]

Meraai f Afrikaans
Variant of Maraai.

Merapelo f Tswana
Means "prayers" in Setswana.

Merinda f English (Rare), Afrikaans (Rare)
English variant of Marinda and Afrikaans variant of Marinda.

Meriska f Afrikaans

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.

Methuli f Sinhalese (Rare), Southern African (Rare)

Mfan'bomvu m Zulu
Means "red boy" in Zulu.

Mhambi f Zulu
Means "traveler" in Zulu.

Mhara f Shona
Means "impala" in Shona.

Mheho m & f Tsonga
Means "breeze" in Xitsonga.

Mhizha m Shona
Means "Ironsmith" in Shona.

Mhlava m Tsonga
Means "earth" in Xitsonga.

Mhoze m Shona
The Shona equivalent of the name Moses, also a nickname for Mhozisi.

Mhuru m Shona
Means "calf" in Shona.

Mianda f Afrikaans, Romanian

Miehleketo m & f Tsonga
Means "thoughts" in Xitsonga.

Miempie f Afrikaans
Possibly related to Miem, Miems or Miep.

Miems f Afrikaans
Diminutive of Willemina.

Miga m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Micha 1.

Migael m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Michael.

Migiyo f Tsonga
Means "the dancer" in Xitsonga.

Mijaji f Tsonga
Means "the judge" in Xitsonga.

Mikateko f Tsonga
Means "blessings" in Xitsonga.

Mikhenso m & f Tsonga
Means "thanksgiving" in Xitsonga.

Mikia m Sotho, Shona (?)

Minette f French (Belgian, Rare), French (African), English (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Danish (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans, Filipino
Diminutive of Mina 1 and names containing mine, such as Hermine or Guillaumine... [more]

Minki f Afrikaans
Short form of Willemien.

Mirai f Shona
Means "wait" in Shona.

Miriraishe f Shona
What upon the Lord

Miriro f & m African, Shona
Started in the early 1900's. Name was given to the second born daughter of the family. Name means "to be expected." Basically the one who was waited for.

Mixo m & f Tsonga
Means "dawn, morning" in Xitsonga.

Miyelani m & f Tsonga
Means "keep quiet" in Xitsonga.

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".

Mmaabo f Tswana
Means "their mother" in Tswana.

Mmaphefo f Sotho
Means "mother of cold" in Sotho.

Mmathapelo f Sotho
Means "mother of prayer" in Sotho.

Mmini f Sotho
Means "dancer" in Sotho.

Mmoloki m Tswana
Means "saviour" in Setswana.

Mmusi m Tswana, South African
Means "the ruler" in Tswana.... [more]

Mnotho m & f Zulu
Means "economy" or "rich, wealthy" in Zulu.

Moagi m Tswana
Means "builder" in Tswana.

Modiri f Tswana
Means "the doer" in Setswana.

Modise m Southern African
Botswana name meaning, "shepherd."

Moegammad m Afrikaans (Rare)
Form of Muhammad used in Afrikaans translations of the Qur'an.

Moeketsi m Sotho
It means "Multiplier/increase" in Sotho

Moeletsi m Sotho
Means "advisor" in Sesotho.

Moeng m Tswana
Means "guest, visitor" in Setswana.

Moesha f Popular Culture, African American (Modern), Jamaican Patois, Antillean Creole, South African
Invented name. It was used for the title character of the American television show Moesha (1996-2001), played by singer Brandy.

Mofenyi m Tswana
Means "the conquerer" in Setswana.

Mogakolodi m Tswana
Means "one who advises" in Setswana.

Mogamat m South African, Xhosa
Variant of Mohammed.

Mogapi m Tswana
Means "conqueror" in Tswana.

Mogotsi m Tswana
Means "fire builder" in Setswana.

Mohapi m Sotho
Means "victor" in Sotho.

Mohato m Sotho
Means "step" in Sesotho.

Mohau m Sotho
Means "pity" or "mercy" in Sesotho.

Moipone f Sotho
Means "self-admirer" in Sotho.

Mojalefa m Sotho
Means "heir" in Sesotho.

Mokgadi f Sotho, South African
Means "a girl among boys" in Sotho, often given to a daughter born after several sons.... [more]

Mokgethi m Sotho
Variant form of Mokhethi.

Mokhethi m Sotho
Means "chooser" in Lesotho.

Molapo m Sotho
Means "stream" or "river" in Sotho.

Molatadi m Sotho
Means "one who denies all" in Sotho.

Molefi m Sotho
means "payer" in Sesotho.

Molokoane m Southern African, Tswana

Moluleloa m Sotho
Means "we have awaited your arrival" in Lesotho.

Mongameli m Ndebele
Means "leader" in Ndebele.

Monja f German, Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Croatian (Rare), Afrikaans, Dutch
Variant transcription of Russian Моня (see Monya).

Monkgomotsi m Tswana
Means "my comforter" in Setswana.

Montlenyane f Tswana
Means "beautiful one" in Setswana.

Moomba f Bemba (?)
Variant of Mumba.

Mordicai m Jewish (Rare), English (Rare), English (African, Rare), Southern African (Rare)
Variant of Mordecai.

Morena m Sotho
Means "chief" in Sotho.

Morné m Afrikaans

Mosa m & f Sotho
Means "grace" in Sotho.

Mosela f Sotho
Means "tail" in Sotho, idiomatically meaning "the last one" or "last child".

Mosetsanagape f Tswana
Means "a girl again" in Setswana.

Mosidi f Tswana, Sotho
Means "soot" in Sotho and Tswana.

Mosimanegape m Tswana
Means "a boy again" in Setswana.

Motheo m South African
Allegedly means "foundation" in Tswana. It is said to normally be given to a child who is viewed as the foundation of the family. Normally a first born. It signifies a new life or re-birth.

Mothusi m Tswana
Means "helper" in Setswana.

Motlagomang f & m Southern African, Tswana, Sotho
Means "who are you going to?" in Tswana.

Motlalepula f Tswana
Means "she came with rain" in Setswana.

Motlalepule m Sotho
Means "rain bringer" in Sesotho.

Motsamai m Sotho
Means "traveller" in Sesotho.

Motshegetsi m Tswana
Means "supporter" in Setswana.

Motsi m & f Shona
Means "first one" or "one who has matted hair" in Shona.

Motsumi m Sotho
Means "seeker" in Sesotho.

Moyo m & f Shona
Meaning “heart”.

Mozisi m Shona
Shona form of Moses.

Mpahlela f Tsonga
Means "pray for" in Xitsonga.

Mpazi m Mwanga, Southern African, African
A lion

Mpelegang f Tswana
Means "put me on your back" in Setswana.

Mpendulo f Zulu
Means "reply" in Zulu.

Mpfareleli m & f Venda
Means "forgive me" in Tshivenda.

Mphikeleli m Zulu
Means "he who perseveres" in Zulu.

Mphoetsile f Tswana
Means "the gift was brought" in Setswana.

Mphonyana m & f Tswana
Means "small gift" in Setswana.

Mphoyame m & f Tswana
Means "my gift" in Setswana.

Mpilo m & f Xhosa, Zulu, Southern African
Means "health" or "life" in Xhosa and Zulu.

Mpule f Southern African
This is the name of Mpule Kwelagobe, she is a Botswana politician, businesswoman, model, and beauty pageant title holder, who was crowned Miss Universe 1999 in Trinidad & Tobago.

Mpumelelo m Zulu
Means "success" in Zulu.

Mqeku m South African, Ndebele

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.

Msimuko m & f Tumbuka
Means "crossing over" in Tumbuka.

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.

Mtambo m & f Chewa
Means "clouds" in Chewa.

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.

Mthuthezeli m South African, Xhosa
Variant spelling of Mthuthuzeli.

Mthuthuzeli m Southern African, Xhosa
Means "comforter, one who comforts" in Xhosa.

Mtimane m South African

Muambiwa m & f Venda
Means "the one who is spoken of/about" in Tshivenda.

Muchazvireva m Shona
Means "you will say it" in Shona.

Muchena m Shona
One who is white or light skin tone. Or Blessing in Ndau dialect of Shona

Mudene f South African, Afrikaans (Rare)
Meaning unknown. A known bearer was Mudene 'Dene' Smuts (1949-2016), a South African politician.

Mufaro f Shona
Means "happiness" in Shona.

Muhluri m & f Tsonga
Means "conqueror, victor" in Xitsonga.

Mukai f Shona
Means "be alert; wise-up" in Shona.

Mukhethwa m & f Venda
Means "the chosen one" in Tshivenda.

Mukondi f Chewa
Means “love you” in Chichewa.

Mukosi m South African

Mulalo f South African

Mulalo m Venda
Means "peace" in Tshivenda.

Mulweri m Tsonga
Means "defender, advocate" in Xitsonga.

Mumba m & f Bemba
Means "inside the house" in Bemba.

Munatsi m Shona
Means "one who makes perfect" in Shona.

Munesu f & m Shona
Means "God is with us" or "God is within us" in Shona.

Muneyinazvo f & m Shona
Means "what have you to do with it" in Shona.

Mungoni m & f Shona (Rare)
May mean abiding in grace

Munonzwa m & f Shona
Meaning "You hear" or "You are one who hears", Munonzwaishe and Ishemunonzwa are longer and more specific forms of the name.

Munonzwaishe m & f Shona
It means "You Lord are one who hears" or simply, "You hear the Lord".

Murapi m Shona
Means "healer" in Shona.

Murhangeli m Tsonga
Means "leader" in Xitsonga.

Murhi m & f Tsonga
Means "medicine, cure" in Xitsonga.

Murisi m Tsonga
Means "shepherd" in Xitsonga.

Musa f Ndebele
Means "grace" in Ndebele.

Musanete m African, Shona
Means "do not get tired" in Shona.

Mushana m & f Shona
It means "sunshine".

Musonda m & f Bemba
Means "the taster" in Bemba.

Mutinta f Southern African
Means “to change” or "different" in Tonga, a language spoken in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The name is traditionally given to a baby girl born after the birth of two or more consecutive sons.

Mutsa f Shona
Means "mercy" in Shona.

Mutsawashe m & f Shona
Meaning "the kindness of the Lord".

Mutshidzi m & f Venda
Means "saviour" in Tshivenda.

Muzhiyo m Ndebele (Rare)
zulu, ndebele and xhosa name meaning "homesteads of kings"

Mvumo m Shona
Meaning "agreement; harmony, accordance".

Mvuseselo m Zulu
Means "revival" in Zulu.

Mwaitaishe f & m Shona
Means "Thank you God" in Shona.

Mwari m Shona, African Mythology
Means 'force behind creation' in Shona. Shona traditional religion, Mwari is the supreme creator deity who is believed that he is the author of all things and all life and all is in him.

Mwaziona m & f Nsenga
This is a Nsenga name given to both boy and girls. It means "Have you seen" or "Have you seen yourselves".

Mweya f Shona
Means "soul" in Shona.

Mxolisi m Southern African, Xhosa, Zulu
Means "peace maker" or "(one who) asks for forgiveness" in Xhosa and Zulu.

Mynhardt m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mijnhard.

Mynie f Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Mijnie.

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

Naishewedu f Shona
Means "with our god" in Shona.

Nakai f Shona
From Shona naka meaning "beautiful, good".

Nakedi m & f Tswana
Means "striped polecat" in Setswana.

Nakiso f Shona
Meaning “the beautifier; one who makes things beautiful”.

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

Nalane f & m Sotho
it means history in sesotho

Naledi f Tswana (Modern)

Naleli f Sotho
Means "star" in Sotho.

Naleli-yameso f Sotho
Meaning, Morning Star in Sesotho

Naletsana f Tswana

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

Namatai m Shona
Namatai means "Pray or praise and worship God".

Namatembu f Ovambo
Means "moving, departure" in Ovambo.

Nambitha f Xhosa
Means "to savour, to enjoy" in Xhosa, encouraging the child to savour life.

Nametsegang f Tswana
Means "be of good cheer" in Setswana.

Namutenya f Ovambo
Feminine form of Amutenya.

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.

Nangula f Ovambo
Feminine form of Angula.

Nantie m & f Afrikaans

Naome f South African
Variant of Naomi 1.

Naretha f South African

Nataizya f & m Bemba

Natasha f Bemba
Means “I am thankful” or "thank you" in Bemba, a Zambian language.

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

Nathinge f Ovambo
Means "summer" in Ovambo.

Nathleen f South African (Rare)

Nation m Southern African

Nato m South African
Diminutive of Ignatius.

Natota m & f Southern African
Means "thank you" in Lamba, a Zambian language.

Natsai f Shona
Means "make good" in Shona.

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.

Ndafadzwa f Shona
Means "I am happy" in Shona.

Ndaheni f Tsonga
Means "instruct me" in Xitsonga.

Ndakaitei f Shona
Means "What did I do?" This name is an expression of regret by a parent. Usually given by a single mother whose partner does not take responsibility of the child born.

Ndakakuda m Shona
Means "I have loved you" in Shona.

Ndakasharwa f Shona
Means "I have been chosen" in Shona.

Ndanatsei f Shona
Means "Am I good?" in Shona.

Ndarama m & f Shona
It means "gold", this name serves as a given name and a surname.

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.

Ndochii f Shona
Means "What is this?" in Shona.

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.

Nduma f Shona
Means "token of love" in Shona.

Ndumiso f Zulu
Means "praise" in Zulu.

Nduna m & f Southern African, Central African
Means "head (wo)man" in Luvale, languege spoken in Zambia and Angola.

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.

Neoyame m & f Tswana
Means "my gift" in Setswana.

Neoyaone f & m Tswana
Means "His (God's) gift" in Setswana.

Nerika f South African, African

Nerine f Afrikaans (Rare), English (Rare)

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

Nerutendo f Shona
Meaning "with belief" or "with thanks; with gratitude", another form of the name is Norutendo. It derives from the verb kutenda.

Ngale f Chewa
Means "jewel" in Chewa.

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

Nganakati f Tsonga
Means "princess" in Xitsonga.

Ngao f Mwanga
A lioness

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".

Ngoni m Shona
Ngoni means "Mercy or kindness".

Ngonidzashe f Shona
Means "God's mercy" in Shona.

Nguluwe m Nsenga
Meaning warthog. This is the clan name. Daughters of Nguluwe are called Daka or Mbewe

Nguvayake f Shona
Means "in God's time" in Shona.

Ngwarai m Shona
Ngwarai means "Be diligent, wisen up, be on guard".

Nhalahla f Zulu
Means "luck" in Zulu.

Nhamo m & f Shona
It means "suffering; woes; disaster".

Nhiriri f Shona
Means "wild cat" in Shona.

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.

Nhoro m Shona
Means "antelope" in Shona.

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.

Njelama f Nsenga
Crystal clear waters

Njere m & f Shona
It means “wisdom”.

Njeredzanhasi m Shona
Meaning “the wisdom of today” and/or “the modern wisdom”.

Njive f Shona
Means "dove" in Shona.

Nkanyezi m Zulu, Southern African
Means "star" in Zulu.

Nkanyiso m Zulu
Means "light" in Zulu.