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.
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.
Rugare m Shona
Means "peace, well being" in Shona.
Ruhan m Afrikaans
Variant of Ruan.
Rukariro f & m Shona
Means "hope" in Shona.
Rumardo m & f Afrikaans
Derived from the latin "Romanus" and "Renaldo"from german Raginald.
Runako m & f Shona
Means "beauty" in Shona.
Rungano f Shona
Means "story" in Shona.
Runyararo f Shona
Means "peace" in Shona.
Ruramai m & f Shona
Means "be righteous" in Shona.
Ruregerero m Shona
Ruregerero means "Forgiveness". This name may be given by a parent seeking forgiveness.
Rushesha f Shona
Meaning “sand”.
Rute f Shona
The Shona version of the name Ruth 1.
Ruva f Shona
Means "flower" in Shona.
Ruvarashe f Shona
Means "the Lord's flower" in Shona.
Ruvaredenga f Shona
It means "the flower of heaven".
Ruvheneko m & f Shona
Means "Enlightenment". This name is a declaration that we have seen or received enlightenment or better circumstances
Ruvimbo f Shona
Means "trust" in Shona.
Ruwadzano f Shona
Means "togetherness" in Shona.
Ruzvidzo f Shona
Meaning "contemptuous, despise", it derives from the verb kuzvidza, meaning "to show contempt; to despise"
Rwesang m & f Tswana
Means "place on (someone's) head" in Setswana.
Rynhard m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Rijnhard.
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.
Sadzamari f Shona
Means "income" in Shona.
Sagaria m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Zachariah.
Sakhile m Zulu
Means "we have built" in Zulu.
Salomie f Afrikaans
Variant of Salome.
Sambazya m Tumbuka
Means "to enrich" or "to become rich" in Tumbuka.
Samere m Shona
Shona form of Samuel.
Samero m Shona
Shona form of Samuel.
Samhuri m Shona
Means "family head" in Shona.
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.
Samweri m Shona
The Shona version of the Biblical name Samuel.
Sandisiwe f Xhosa
Means "increased" or "we have been added to" in Xhosa.
Sangawaka f & m Tumbuka
Means "to easily find" in Tumbuka.
Sango m Shona
It means "jungle".
Sangwani m & f Tumbuka
Derived from Tumbuka sangwa, meaning "rejoice".
Sankhani m Chewa, Tumbuka
Means "choose" in Chewa and Tumbuka.
Sarel m Afrikaans
Afrikaans form of Charles.
Sarudzai f Shona
Means "Be selective or discriminate". #Depending on circumstances the name may be a call to be selective in what you do or maybe blaming someone for being discriminating"
Sarura f Shona
It means "choose; make a selection".
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".
Sebaga m & f Tswana
Means "a bead" in Setswana.
Sebolai m Sotho
Means "assassin" in Sotho.
Sebutlana f Tswana
Means "small rabbit" in Setswana.
Sechaba m Sotho
The meaning is 'nation' as in 'our nation', 'the country we live in'.
Sedireng m Tswana
Means "do it" in Setswana.
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]
Seetsele f Tswana
Means "medal" in Setswana.
Sefanja m & f Swedish (Rare), Afrikaans, Dutch, Dutch (Surinamese)
Swedish, Afrikaans and Dutch form of Zephaniah.
Segametsi f Tswana
Means "that which draws water" in Setswana.
Segolame f Tswana
Means "my luck" in Setswana.
Segomotso f Tswana
Means "comfort" in Setswana.
Sehlolo m Sotho
Means "disaster" in Sotho.
Seilatsatsi f Sotho
Meaning unknown. Seilatsatsi is a character in some Sotho tales.
Seithati f Tswana
Means "loves herself" in Tswana.
Sekelelani m Chewa, Tumbuka
Means "be happy, boisterous" or "laugh" in Chewa and Tumbuka.
Selebaleng f Tswana
Means "don't forget" in Setswana.
Selemo f Tswana
Means "summer" in Setswana.
Sella f African, Southern African, Eastern African, Indonesian
Meaning unknown. It may be a loan word from Arabic صَلَّى‎ (ṣallā), meaning "to pray, to bless," or Arabic سَلَّى‎ (sallā), meaning "to amuse, entertain, comfort." It may also be a variation of Selah.
Semakaleng m & f Sotho
Means "surprise" in Sotho.
Senatla f Tswana
Means "hard worker" in Setswana.
Senzeni m & f Ndebele
Means "what did we do?" in Ndebele.
Seretse m Tswana
Means “the clay that binds" in Tswana.... [more]
Sethekele f Ndebele
"We visited"
Setifene m Sotho
Sotho form of Stephen.
Setjhaba m Sotho
Means "nation" in Sesotho.
Setshaba m Tswana
Means "nation" in Setswana.
Setshego f Tswana
Means "laughter" in Setswana.
Setshwano f Tswana
Means "resemblance" in Setswana.
Sewelo f Tswana
Means "rare" in Setswana.
Shadein f Shona, Chewa
Means "child of God" in Shona and Chewa.
Shadreck m English (African), Southern African
Variant of Shadrach. It is particularly popular in Southern African countries.
Shameel m Indian (Muslim), Urdu, South African
Variant transcription of Shamil.
Shamiel m South African
Meaning unknown.
Shamiso f Shona
Means "amazing" in Shona.
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.
Shelini f South African (Rare), Fijian (Rare), Indian (Rare)
Possibly related to the Indian name Shalini.
Shiluva m & f Tsonga
Means "flower" in Xitsonga.
Shingirayi f & m Shona
Means "be strong" in Shona.
Shingirirai f Shona
Means "perseverance" in Shona.
Shoko m & f Shona
It means "word", a longer form of the name is Shokorashe.
Shotah f & m South African
Meaning as of yet unknown.
Shumba m Shona
It means "lion".
Shumirai f Shona
Meaning “praise” or “express admiration, adoration or reverence.”
Shumise f Xhosa
10 shillings or 10 bob, created by the father of Alice Jean Shumise Madinga.... [more]
Shungudzemwoyo m Shona
Means "yearnings of the heart" in Shona.
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.
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.
Simbarashe m Shona
Means "power of God" in Shona
Simbiso f Shona
Means "One who strengthens or source of encouragement".
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.
Simukai m Shona
Means "rise up" in Shona.
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.
Siphosami f Shona
Means "my gift, present" in Shona.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stiaan m Afrikaans
Short form of Christiaan.
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]
Sungani m Chewa, Tumbuka
Means "custodian, keeper" in Chewa and Tumbuka.
Sunnybooi m Southern African
Namibian name.
Suntwe m & f Tonga
Means "hyena" in Tonga.
Susara f Afrikaans
Contraction of Susanna and Sara.
Susarah f Afrikaans
Variant of Susara.
Svikire m & f Shona
Meaning "to arrive upon".
Tadairaishe m & f Shona (Anglicized, Rare)
Those who answered God's call/agreed or believed in God's word
Tadisa f & m Shona
It means "we have loved profusely/a great deal", from the verb 'kudisa' meaning "to love a lot/profusely". A longer form of the name may be Tadisisa.
Tadisisa f & m Shona
It means "we have loved profusely/a great deal and with much abundance", from the verb 'kudisisa' meaning "to love a lot/profusely and with great abundance". A shorter form of the name may be Tadisa.
Tadiswanashe f Shona
Means "We've been loved by God" in Shona.
Tadiwanashe m & f Shona
Zimbabwean name....it mean God is proud of us
Tadiwanashe m Shona
Means "God loves us" in Shona.
Tadiwanashe m Shona
It isa Zimbabwean based name meaning God loves us
Tafara m Shona
We are happy
Tafeta m Sotho
Sotho form of David.
Tafuma m Shona
We are now rich, we are enriched
Tagala f & m Southern African (Rare)
We are now settled
Tagutswa m Shona
Means "we are pleased" in Shona.
Takalani m & f Venda
Means "be happy" in Tshivenda.
Takashinga m Shona
Meaning "we are resilient"; it derives from the verb kushinga.
Takawira m Shona
Means "we have fallen" in Shona.
Takudzwa m Shona
Means "we have been honoured" in Shona.
Talana f South African, English
Use of this name in South Africa probably owes something to the Battle of Talana Hill in 1899.
Tamanda f Chewa
Means "to praise" in Chewa.
Tamani f & m Chewa
Means "praise" or "to God be the glory" in Chewa.
Tamanyachi f Tumbuka
Means "how can we know the future?" in Tumbuka.
Tamayi m & f Shona
Means "move from here" in Shona.
Tamuda m Shona
Means "we love him" in Shona.
Tanaka m & f Shona
Means "we are good, we are blessed" in Shona.
Tanakiswa m & f Shona
Means "we have been blessed" in Shona.
Tanatswa m & f Shona
Means "we have been perfected" in Shona.
Tandeko m Zulu
Always lovable. From Bantu root tande
Tandzile f Swazi
Means "a female addition to the family" in Swazi.
Tangeni m & f Southern African
loose translation "praise god"
Tangu f & m Tumbuka
Means "first", usually given to the firstborn of twins.
Tanyaradzwa f Shona
Means "we have been consoled", "we have found comfort" in Shona, often bestowed upon a girl born after a tragedy or difficulty, she being the source of consolation or comfort; the implied meaning is "blessing, godsend".
Tapfumaneyi m Shona
Means "what has made us rich?" in Shona.
Tarirai m & f Shona
Meaning “look; behold” or “look forth”, names with similar meanings include Onai and Ringai.
Tarisai f & m Shona
Means "(to) be looked" in Shona.
Tasché f Afrikaans
It probably derives from the hebrew "tach", meaning "crown".
Tashinga m Shona
Meaning “we have been brave or resilient”.
Tashinganei m Shona
Meaning "what has made us be resilient", a shorter form of the name is Takashinga.
Tatadzeiko f Shona
Means "what wrong have we done?" in Shona.
Taurayi m & f Shona
Means "speak out, speak up!" in Shona.
Tauya m & f Shona
Means "we have come" in Shona.
Tavaziva m Shona
Tavaziva means "We know them". This name is given in a feuding situation to say we know who the enemy is.
Tavona m & f Shona
Meaning “we have seen.”
Tawana m Southern African
Botswanian name.
Tawananyasha m & f Southern African, Shona
Means "we have found mercy" in Shona.
Tebatso m Tswana
Means "make one forget" in Setswana.
Tebello f & m Sotho
Means "expectation" in Sotho.
Tekano m Sotho
Means "equality" in Sotho.
Temwa f & m Tumbuka
Means "love" in Tumbuka.
Tendayi m Shona
Variant of Tendai.
Tendeka f Shona
Meaning “be faithful; be true”, a longer form of the name is Tendekamunashe.
Tendelechi f Tumbuka
Means "what should we walk for?" in Tumbuka.
Tendeso f & m Shona (Rare)
Can mean "faith" or some may use it as meaning something used to give thanks
Tengisa f Tsonga
Means "purify" in Xitsonga.
Teopolina f Southern African
Namibian name of uncertain meaning.
Tepwanji f Southern African, Eastern African
Means "patience" in Mwanga, a language spoken in Zambia and Tanzania.
Tererai m & f Shona
Means "listen, pay attention" in Shona.
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.
Thandabantu m Zulu
Means "fond of others" in Zulu.
Thandiswa f Zulu, Bantu
Means "to be loved" or "to be blessed" in Zulu
Thandizani m Chewa
Means "help" in Chewa.
Thandoluhle m Zulu
Means "good love" in Zulu.
Thandolwethu m & f South African, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
Means "our love" in Zulu and Xhosa.
Thapeli m Sotho
Means "appeal" in Sesotho.
Thapelo m & f Sotho
Means "prayer" in Sotho.
Thatayaone m & f Tswana
Means "his (god's) will" in Tswana.
Thatayotlhe m Tswana
Means "all the strength" in Setswana.
Thatoyaone m & f Tswana
Means "His (God's) will" in Setswana.
Thayi m & f Tswana
Decendants of the Nyambane speaking people in Mozambique and descendants of Tswana speaking people in Botswana met in South Africa in the early 1800. The great Nyanale from Mozambique "Nambane" came to South Africa to work in mines.
Thebe m Sotho
Means "shield" in Sesotho.
Thebeyame m Tswana
Means "my shield" in Setswana.
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.