A
Aaron - Hebrew - mountain
Adam - Hebrew - earth
Adama - West African - majestic
Ade - West African - crown
Afzal
Aidan - Gaelic - little fiery one
Akani - Zulu - to build
Alexander - Greek - defender of man
Amandla - power/energie (Zulu)
Anele - Xhosa/Nguni - we are satisfied
Arend - Afrikaans - eagle
Austin - Latin - venerable
Ayize (Zulu)
Ayibu - perseverance
B
Babu - East African - a doctor
Bamuthi - the one from the tree (Ndebele)
Baruti - teacher (Tswana)
Banga - Malawian - sharp as a knife
Bangizwe (Zulu) - Fighting for land or born during a civil war
Bayo - West African - joy
Bernard - German - brave as a bear
Bheka (Zulu) - Look, watch, take care of
Bhekabantu (Zulu) - Look after the people
Bhekinkosi (Zulu) - Look to the King (God)
Bhekisisa (Zulu) - Watch carefully
Bhekimuzi (Zulu) - Look after the household or descendents
Bhekizifundiswa (Zulu) - Watch (and learn from) the educated ones
Biko
Bjorn - Scandinavian - bear
Blake - Old English - black, dark complexioned
Bongani - Nguni - sing with joy
Bongani (Zulu) - Give thanks
Bradley - Old English - wide meadow
Bulelani - Xhosa - let's be thankful
Brice - German - rich
C
Cameron - Gaelic - crooked nose
Cetewayo - ancient clanleader (Zulu)
Chaka - big king
Chihambuane
Chuguel
Christian - Greek - anointed one (Afrikaans - Christiaan)
Clyde - Welsh - heard from far away
Corne - Afrikaans - horn
Craig - Gaelic - rock
Curtis - French - courteous
D
Damian - Greek - tamer
Daniel - Hebrew - G-d has judged (Afrikaans - Danie)
Declan - name of Irish saint
Delani - Zulu - be content
Dia - West African - champion
Dhayalan
Dingane (Zulu)
Dingiswayo - the banned one (Zulu)
Donovan - Irish - dark brown
Dumisai - the hero (Ndebele)
Dumisani -Praise. (Zulu)
Dylan - Welsh - the sea
E
Edwin - Old English - happy friend
Emil - German - industrious
Erin - Gaelic - peace
Etienne - French - crown or garland
F
Faine - Anglo-Saxon - joyful
Fanyana (Zulu) - Little boy
Fenn - Old English - marsh
Fenyang (Tswana)
Fulca - Latin - accomplished
Fuad - Arabic - heart
Fulk - German - people
G
Gareth -Welsh - gentle
Gary - German - spear
Gideon - Hebrew- he who cuts down
Glyn - Welsh- glen/valley
Goatsemodime - god knows (Tswana)
Gogo
H
Hakim - North African - wise
Hani - Arabic - happy
Hansie
Hartley - Old English - deer
Hasan - Arabic - handsome
Herschelle
Hluphizwe (Zulu) - He who harasses the nation
Hugh - Old German - heart
Husani - Swahili - handsome
I
Ira - Hebrew - descendant
Isaac- Hebrew - laughter
Isas - Japanese - meritorious
Itumeleng - Sotho - Shout for joy
J
Jabulani - be happy (Ndebele)
Jabu -
Jak
Jared - Hebrew - descent
Jed - Hebrew - beloved of G-d
Jesse - Hebrew - gift
Jojo - East African - a storyteller
Jon - Swedish - godly
Justin - Latin - just
K
Kafil - Swahili - protector, responsible
Kamal - Indian - lotus flower
Kamuliva
Kamuzu
Kanelo - enough (Xhosa)
Kefentse (Tswana)
Keita - West African - worshipper
Keith - Gaelic - wood
Keenan- Celtic - sharp
Kelsey - Middle English - keel
Keto - Swahili - depth
Kgomotso - Zulu - tranquility, to be at peace
Kgosi - king/chief- (Tswana)
Khulekani (Zulu) - Pray
Kieran - Irish - dark-haired
Kofi - Swahili - handful
Kgothatso - Tswana - comfort
Kopano (Tswana)
Koto - Sotho - pillar
Kweli - Swahili- truth
L
Lali - Swahili - flexible
Langa (Zulu)- sun
Leabua - one who talks (Sotho)
Lehlogonolo - Pedi - gift or blessing
Lennan - Gaelic - darling
Leroy - French - king
Leander - Greek - lion-like
Lethuxolo (Xhosa) - peace bringer
Letsego - arm (Tswana)
Lindani - Zulu - wait/be patient
Lindela - Zulu - wait for something
Lizwelicha - new world (Ndebele)
Lloyd - Welsh - grey
Lumumba - Central Africa - gifted, brilliant
Lungile - the good one (Zulu)
Luvuyo -
M
Mabhoko (Ndebele)
Mac - Gaelic - son
Mahluli - West African - victor
Malachi - Angel
Malik - Swahili - king
Malusi (Zulu) - Shepherd
Mamello- Patience- Sotho
Mandla - Nguni - powerful
Mandla - Zulu - Power or energy
Mashudu - happy (Venda)
Maphikelela (Zulu) - He who perseveres
Matshana (Zulu) - Little stones
Melisizwe- leader of the nation (Xhosa)
Mfanafuthi (Zulu) - It's a boy again
Mjayelwa (Ndebele)
Meade - Teut.- a strong draught
Mgwazeni (Zulu) - Stab him
Mhambi (Zulu) - Traveller
Miles - Old German - gentle
Mirza - Swahili - prince
Mncedisi (Zulu) - Helper
Mndeni (Zulu) - Family or descendents
Mokgohlwe
Monthso (Tswana)
Mondli (Zulu) - Feeder
Mosegi -tailor (Tswana)
Moswen - light in color (Tswana)
Mothusi - helper (Tswana)
Mothudi (Tswana)
Mpho - Sotho - gift
Mpumelele (Zulu)
Mphikeleli - Zulu - He who perseveres see also Maphikelela
Mpinkulu (Zulu) - Big or great war
Mpumelelo (Zulu) - Success
Mthandeni (Zulu) - Love him
Mthunzi (Zulu) - Shadow
Mulalo - peace (Venda)
Musawenkosi (Zulu) - God's grace
Muzi - home (Zulu)
Mthuthuzeli (Xhosa)
Myron - Greek - fragrant
Mzikayise (Zulu) - Father's household
Mzizi - (Zulu) the helper
Mzwandile (Zulu) - The family has increased
N
Naeem
Nayan - Sanskrit - eye
Ncelebana (Zulu) - Spy
Ndleleni (Zulu) - On the road
Ndumiso (Zulu) - Praise
Newell- Latin - young
Neo- gift (Tswana)
Nhlanhla (Zulu) - Luck
Nicholas - Greek - people's victory
Nieem
Nkosane (Xhosa ) - prince
Nkhangweleni - forgive me (Venda)
Nkosi - Nguni - he will rule (Zulu)
Nkosenye (Zulu) - One king or another king
Nkosinhle (Zulu) - The King (i.e. God) is good
Nolizwe (Xhosa)
Nonceba (Xhosa)
Nsizwa (Zulu) - Young man
Ntando - Nguni - will
Nthato - Nguni - beloved
O
Oliver - from the Norse name - ancestor
Omar - Arabic - long life
Orson - French diminutive of Latin - bear
Otis - Greek - ear
P
Paine - Latin - man of the county
Paki - the witness ( Xhosa)
Paolo - Latin - a little stone
Peter - Greek - rock
Philani - Zulu - be well
Phiwokwakhe (Zulu) - He who was given what was rightfully his
Philip - Greek - lover of horses
Phomello - the sucessful (
Phumlani - Zulu - rest
Piet (Ndebele)
Q
Quentin - French form of Latin - fifth
Queron - Celtic - dark
Quincy - French - named after French family
Quinn - Gaelic - counsel
R
Ralph - Old English - advice
Read - Old English - reeds
Rohan - Sanskrit - ascending
Ross - Gaelic - peninsular
Rolihlahla (Xhosa) - troublemaker (dies ist Nelson Mandela's
Xhosa Name)
Rupert - Old German - bright
S
Sabelo (Zulu) inheritance
Sacha - Russian - short form of Alexander
Saville - French - his town
Sekani - West African - laughter
Semelo - a person of respect / dignity (Sotho)
Shin - Korean - faith, trust
Shane - Anglicized form of Sean
Shumba - Southern African - lion
Sibusiso (Zulu) - Blessing.
Sicelo (Zulu) -
Sifiso (Zulu) - A wish
Sifiye (Ndebele)
Sigidi (Zulu)
Sindile
Sinenhlanhla (Zulu) - We have luck (we are fortunate).
Sinethemba (Zulu) - We have hope.
Sinoxolo (Zulu) - We have peace (we are peaceful).
Siphesihle (Zulu) - Good gift
Sipho- gift (Zulu)
Siphiwe (Zulu) - We have been given
Sipliwo - gift (Xhosa)
Sithembiso (Zulu) - Promise
Sizwe- nation - (Xhosa)
Solomuzi - Nguni - eye of the family
Spiro - Greek - breath of life
Syazini (Ndebele)
T
Tate - Middle English - cheerful
Tale (Tswana)
Tan (Tswana)
Thamsanqa (Zulu) - Luck
Tau - lion (Tswana)
Taylor - Middle English - maker of clothes
Tebogo - gift (Tswana)
Thabo - Sotho - happiness
Thandu - Nguni - love
Thandiwe - loved (Zulu)
Themba - full of hope (Zulu)
Thilivhali - one that never forgets (Venda)
Thikhathali - one that is never sad/one who does not worry (Venda)
Thulani (Zulu) - Be quiet
Todd - Middle English - fox
Travis - French - to cross
Themba- to have faith /hope (Zulu)
Tshepo - trustful and full of hope (Tswana)
Tshifhiwa - gift (Venda)
Tristan - Celtic name
Tutu - south african surname
U
Ulric - Old English - strong ruler
Uri - Hebrew - light
Ultann - Welsh - saintly
Umoja - Swahili - unity
Unathi- god is with us (Xhosa)
Usutu - brown (Sotho)
Uuka (Xhosa)
V
Vance - Anglo-Saxon - barn
Velaphi (Zulu) - Where from?
Vincent - Latin - conquering
Vivian - Latin - alive
Vusumuzi (Zulu)-Raise (develop) the household or descendents
Vusimzi (Ndebele)
Vuyo - Nguni - joy
W
Wade - Old English - ford
Warren - Old German - guard
Wesley - Old English - Western meadow
Wyatt - French - a guide
X
Xavier - Arabian - bright
Xerxes - Persian king
Xolani - Zulu - forgive
Xolo - Xhosa - peace
Xola - live in peace (Xhosa)
Y
Ywain - Celtic - young warrior
Yale - Old English - old
Yehudi - Hebrew - praise
Yera - warrior
Z
Zander - Afrikaans - protector
Zahid - Arabic - abstinent
Zarab - Sudan- protection against enemies
Zeno - Greek - stranger
Zenzele (Zulu) - Do for self
Zibonele (Zulu) - See for yourself
Zithulele (Zulu) - He is quiet
Zivan - Slav - lively
Zwanga - the one that belong to me (Zulu)
A
Abongile
Acacia (short names = Cacia, Casey, Casia) - Greek - name of flower
Adrienne - Greek/Latin - black, mysterious
Alaina - Celtic- harmony
Amy - French- love
Amukelani - Welcome
Anele - enough- never used for a first or second child but usually for the last born child/girl
Anneria
Anisha - Indian - continuous, eternal; Swahili - a star
Antjie - Afrikaans - graceful
Ashleigh, Ashley, Ashli - ash field
Aisha - Arabic - prospering; variations of Aisha include Ayesha, Ayshia
Ayanda - alot - much
Ayo - West African - joy
Azana - perfect
Aziza - East African - the child is gorgeous
B
Basha - Swahili - act of God
Becca - African - prophet
Benechia
Bhekisisa - be careful (Zulu)
Bianca - Italian - white
Bikwaphi (Zulu) - Where should the report be sent?
Blair - Celtic - place
Blaise - French - lisping
Blyde
Brittany - region of France
Boniswa - Nguni - this has been revealed
Buhle - Xhosa - beauty
Busisiwe (Zulu) - She has been blessed
Brooke - Old English - small stream
C
Caitlin - Irish Gaelic- form of Katherine
Camilla - name of warrior queen
Celeste - Italian - heavenly
Cornea
Ciara - Irish - dark-haired
Cressida - Greek - the golden one
D
Dada - African - child with curly hair
Dalila - African - gentleness is her soul
Dana - Old English - a Dane
Danisile (Ndebele)
Della - Teut - noble
Dene - West African - water lily
Deva - Sanskrit - goddess
Devon - name of English county
Dikeledi - Tears- (Tswana)
Donna - Italian - lady
Duduzile (Zulu) - Consoled
Dulcie -Latin - sweet
Dziko
E
Ebun - West African - gift
Eden - Garden of Eden, Bible
Effa (Ndebele)
Ehobib - i found it wonderful (khoi)
Eka - West African - mother of the earth
Elana - Hebrew - oak tree
Ella - Old English - fairy maiden
Emma - Old German - universal
Enyo - West African - it is enough for me
Esmee- French - esteemed
F
Fallon - English form of Irish surname - leader
Farah - Arabic - joy, cheerfulness
Fay - French - fairy
Fezile - Nguni - has accomplished
Fikile (Zulu) - She has arrived (i.e. born)
Fiona - fair (Tswana)
Fola - African - honour
Freya - Swahili - goddess of love; Old Norse - lady
Funani - Zulu - what are we searching for?
Fundiswa - Xhosa - educated
G
Gabrielle - Hebrew - heroine of G-d
Gemma - Latin- precious stone
Gerda - African - charmer of serpents; Norse - protection
Ghaaliya (Galia) - Arabic - fragrant
Giselle - German - pledge
Gita - Sanskrit - song
Goitsemedime (Tswana)
Gwyneth - Celt. - blessed
H
Habiba - East African - the beloved
Haidee (Haydee) - modest
Hana - Arabic - bliss
Hanaa - Swahili - happiness
Hananke
Hanli
Hasina - African - good
Hilary - Latin - lively
I
Ibvisai (Ndebele) - cook until real tender
Idalia - Greek - happiness
Ife - African - love of art and culture
Imani - West African - faith
Ina - African - gentle; mother of the rains
Irene - Greek - peace
Isoke - African - a satisfying gift from God
Ivory - Welsh - highborn lady
Izora - Arabian - dawn
J
Jade - gemstone of light
Janna - Swahili - heaven
Jabulile (Zulu) - She is happy
Jemina - Hebrew - a dove
Jennifer - Welsh - white ghost
Jina - Swahili - name, identity
Juanita - Spanish form of Jane - grace of G-d
Juhi - Indian - a flower
June - Latin - ever faithful
K
Kafi - Swahili - serene
Kagiso - Sotho - peace
Kalifa - East African - holy child
Kamali - African - perfection
Kamohelo - Welcome (Sotho)
Kanisha
Karma - Sanskrit - action/effect
Katherine - Greek - pure
Kelfilwe (Tswana)
Kenyetta - the innocent
Keren - Hebrew - horn
Keorapetse
Khanyisa (Zulu)- enlighten
Khanyo (Zulu)- light
Khanyisile (Zulu) - She has brought light (i.e. happyness)
Khanya (Zulu)- shine
khanyisile (Zulu) - to have enlightened/brightened
Khulelaphi (Zulu) - Where should she grow up?
Kianga - African - sunshine
Kibibi - little lady
Kylie - Aboriginal - boomerang
L
Lali - Indian - darling girl
Layla - evening star
Laura - Latin - laurel/bay tree
Lerato - Sotho - love; mother of love
Lesedi- Light- (Tswana)
Lina - African - tender
Lindiwe - she waited (Xhosa)
Lindiwe (Zulu) - We have been waiting for her
Lisha - African - mysterious
Loleta - Spanish - maid of the sorrows
Lucia - Latin - light
Lukanyo (Zulu) - the light
Luneda - Celtic - shapely
Lungile - the good one (Zulu)
M
Mabuufo
Madonna - Italian - Virgin Mary
Mafuane - Homeland
Makhosazana (Zulu) - Princesses (plural of
"nkosazana").
Malaika - African - angel
Manon - French - variation of Mary
Mandisa - sweet (Xhosa)
Marcia - Latin - brave
Marjani - African - coral
Masego- blessings (Tswana)
Mbalenhle (Zulu) - Beautiful flower
Mbali - Nguni - flower
Mbhali - the rose (Zulu)
Melina - Latin - honey sweet
Mgetshana (Ndebele)
Mila - Swahili - traditions
Moliehi- one who was awaited (Sotho)
Montle - sethswana - handsome - beautiful
Montsho (Tswana)
Moswen (Tswana)
Mpho (Tswana)
Mtazi (Ndebele)
N
Nabila - Swahili - noble
Naledi - star (Tswana)
Nanette - Hebrew - little graceful one
Nande - mother of Chaka Zulu (Zulu)
Natalie - Latin - birthday
Nelisiwe (Zulu) - Satisfied
Nerissa - Greek - of the sea
Neo - gift - (Tswana)
Nini - West African - strong as stone
Nikeziwe (Zulu) -
Nkosazana (Zulu) - Pricess. See also "Makhosazana".
Njemile - resurection (Xhosa)
Nkosazana (Xhosa)
Nneka - mother is surpised (Xhosa)
Nobanzi (Xhosa)
Nobuhle (Zulu) she who possesses beauty
Nobuntu (Zulu) - Mother of humanness (human kindness).
Nokothula (Zulu)
Nokukhanya (Zulu) - Mother of light or enlightenment (i.e.
wisdom)
Nokuthula (Zulu) - Mother of quietness (peace).
Nomakholwa (Zulu) - Mother of believers
Nomalanga (Zulu)
Nomali (Ndebele)
Nomapitoli (Ndebele)
Nomusa- merciful (Ndebele)
Nola - famous, noble
Nola - Irish - from the North
Nombeko (Xhosa)
Nomble (Xhosa)
Nombuso (Zulu) - Mother of the kingdom.
Nombuyiselo (Zulu) - Mother of restoration.
Nomcebo (Zulu) - Mother of wealth.
Nompilo (Zulu) - Mother of health.
Nomthandazo (Zulu) - Mother of prayer
Nomsa (Ndebele)
Nomusa (Zulu) - Mother of grace
Nomuula (Xhosa)
Nourbese - beautiful child (Zulu)
Nonyameko (Xhosa)
Nonhlanhla (Zulu) - Mother of luck. Compare with
"Nhlanhla".
Nonkululeko (Zulu) - Mother of freedom.
Nontle - mother of beauty (Xhosa)
Nosine- born on thursday (Xhosa)
Nosizwe - mother of the nation (Xhosa)
Nosipho (Zulu) - Mother of a gift. Compare with "Nozipho".
Nozipho (Zulu) - Mother of gifts. Compare with "Nosipho".
Nqobile (Zulu) - She has conquered.
Ntatu- born on wednesday (Xhosa)
Ntombifuthi (Zulu) - It's a girl again.
Ntombikayise (Zulu) - Father's girl.
Ntombiyakhe (Zulu) -
Ntombizodwa (Zulu) - Girls only
O
Odelia - Greek - song
Olympia - Greek - Mount Olympus
Oni - African - born in a sacred space
Owethu -Zulu- it's ours
P
Paka - Swahili - cat
Pamela - Greek - honey
Petra - Latin - rock
Philippa - Greek - lover of horses
Phindile (Zulu) - Repetition
Phoebe - Greek Phoebus - God of the sun
Phumla - Nguni - now we can rest
Pia - Latin - faithful
Q
Querida - Spanish - loved one
Quinta - Latin - fifth
R
Rachel - Hebrew - ewe
Ramakeele - she came as a surprise to us (Sotho)
Regan - Gaelic - queen
Renee - Latin - reborn
Ria - Spanish - small river
Roxane - Persian - dawn
Rozi - Swahili - rose
S
Sabra - Swahili - patience
Sabina - Latin - a woman of the Sabines
Sarah - Hebrew - princess
Sakile - Southern Africa - peace and beauty
Samukelisiwe (Zulu) - We have been allowed to receive
Serafina(Xhosa) - burning passion
Serena - Latin - calm
Sethunya- flower-(Tswana)
Shani - African - wonderful
Sheridan - Gaelic - to seek
Sibongile - Zulu - thanks
Siboniso (Zulu)
Sigidi (Zulu) - one thousand
Silezia
Sibongile (Ndebele) - Thank you
Sibonakaliso - sign- (Zulu)
Sindisiwe (Zulu) - Saved
Siphiwe (Zulu) - we were given
Sitembile (Ndebele) - Trust
Sithokozile (Zulu) - We are happy
Siti - Swahili - lady
Siyanda - we grow (Zulu)
Sunica
Siyanda (Zulu) - we are growing
Siyazini (Ndebele) - what do we know
Sonto (Zulu) - Sunday
Sydney - Latin name - woman from Sidon
T
Tabitha - gazelle
Tacey - Latin - silent
Tale (Tswana)
Talia - blooming
Talitha - little girl
Tamsin - Aramic - twin
Tamaryn
Tanday
Thandi (Zulu)
Thandiwe (Xhosa)
Thandekile (Zulu) - The loved one.
Thandiwe (Zulu) - She is loved.
Thathani (Zulu) - Take
Themba (Zulu)
Tatum - Old English - place name
Tegan - Old Cornish - ornament
Tera - star
Thabela - one who brings joy
Thembeka (Zulu) - Trustworthy.
Thembekile (Zulu) - Trusted.
Thembelihle (Zulu) - Good hope.
Thembisile (Zulu) - She has promised.
Thoko (Zulu) - Happiness.
Thokozile (Zulu) - Happy.
Tholakele (Zulu) - She has been found (i.e. born).
Thula (Zulu)
Tumelo also Tumi (Setswana)- faith
Tori - Japanese - bird
Tshepiso - promise / hope (Tswana)
Tsholofelo- Hope.(Tswana)
U
Ulani - heavenly rain
Uma - Sanskrit - a herb with blue flowersv Una - Gaelic - lamb
Unathi- gos is with us (Xhosa)
Undine - Latin - wave
Urbi - African - princess
Ursa - Latin - of distinguished quality
Ursula - Latin - female bear
V
Vana - butterfly
Vale - Latin - valley
Valerie - Latin - valiant
Vasha
Venda
Verena - Latin - truth
Victoria - Latin - victory
Vumile (Zulu) - She has agreed
Vuyelwa - Xhosa - joy
Vuyiswa - Zulu - made happy
W
Wanda - Norse - slender stick
Whitney - Middle English - white island
Winona - Sioux word - first-born daughter
X
Xanthe - Greek- yellow
Xaverie - Arabian - bird
Xena - Greek- hospitality
Xolelwa - Xhosa - child of peace
Xylina - Greek - wood dweller
Y
Yalena - light
Yasmin- Persian - sweetly scented flower
Ynes - pure, chaste one
Yulan - Chinese - jade orchid
Z
Zadie - Arabian - affluent
Zahra - Swahili - beautiful flower
Zakiya - Arabic - pure
Zanele (Zulu) - They are enough (i.e. the children).
Zera - Swahili - beauty; blooms at dawn
Zindzhi- warrior
Zola- Quietness ( Xhosa)
Zondlile (Zulu) - She has nourished herself
Zukisa - Xhosa - be patient
Zylonna
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