150+ South African Female Names and Meanings

Naming a female child in South Africa is pivotal in all cultures irrespective of background, beliefs, faiths, and everyday life. Although in recent times, South Africans prefer to use English names and other religious figures in their holy books.

The use of South African female names is mostly based on the events that occurred at the time of birth of the child.

For instance, a daughter who looks like one of her parents can be named Fanisawa in Xhosa. Also in Zulu, a girl child can be named Lindelani ( wait, be patient) when the parents or family are in a desperate situation and the name will be given to the girl as hope to the family.

The Most Pleasing South African Female Names and Meanings

In South Africa, there are different languages with different names. Zulu and Xhosa are the most spoken languages in the country and the names of the languages are also prevalent.

Interestingly, some of these South African female names and meanings are also used by some of the tribes. For instance, you could find a name that is used by the Tswana and Swahili, Zulu Xhosa hence they share some sort of bonds through their names.

When giving female children names, families take a look at the time, religion, and other events that will birth a name for the female child.

Here are Some South African Female Names and Meanings (Zulu)

1. Ahmale

Pronunciation: Ah-mah-shle
Meaning: The Beautiful one/ Beauty
Best for : Female

2. Ayanda

Pronunciation: ah-yaan-dah
Meaning: The family is growing, to increase abundance, to multiply
Best for : Unisex
Also used by: Xhosa, Zulu,Shona

3. Minenhle

Pronunciation: mi-nen-she
Meaning: beautiful day, beautiful or pleasant
Best for: Female

4. Langa

Pronunciation: lam-gah
Meaning: sun, sunshine
Best for: Female

5. Lindiwe

Pronunciation: Lin-dee-we
Meaning: waited for
Best for: Female

6. kaya

Pronunciation: kah- yah
Meaning: restful peace
Best for: Female

7. Jabulile

Pronunciation: Jah-bu-li-leh
Meaning: she is happy
Best for: Female

8. Nobantu

Pronunciation: no-ban-ntu or no-bahn-tu
Meaning: mother of people, my dearest friend, for the people
Best for: Female

9. Nandi

Pronunciation: Nan-di
Meaning: sweet
Best for: Female

10. Enanela

Pronunciation: Eh-nah-neh-lah
Meaning: rejoice
Best for: Female

11. Melamina

Pronunciation: me-la-mi-na
Meaning: carry my name, advocate for me
Best for: Unisex

12. Nqobile

Pronunciation: nqo-bi-le
Meaning: Has come up victorious in what was a hopeless situation
Best for: Female

13. Lindelani

Pronunciation: Lin-deh-lah-ni
Meaning: wait, be patient
Best for: Female

14. Thalente

Pronunciation: Th(a)-len-te
Meaning: talent
Best for: Female

15. Noxolo

Pronunciation: Noh-xoh-loh
Meaning: Mother of peace
Best for: Female

16. Owethu

Pronunciation: Oh-we-th-u
Meaning: she is ours
Best for: Female

17.Lungile

Pronunciation: Lun-gi-le
Meaning: Kind/good
Also used by Ndebele
Best for: Female

18. Nomcebo

Pronunciation: n(o)-mce-bo, nom-cebo
Meaning: mother of wealth
Best for: Female

19. Nonjabulo

Pronunciation: n(o)-njabu-lo, non-ja -bu-lo
Meaning: mother of joy
Best for: Female

20. Busiswe

Pronunciation: bu-sis-we
Meaning: (baby) is blessed
Best for: Female

21. Zibuyile

Pronunciation: zi-bu-yi-le
Meaning: The dowry cows have come back
Best for: Female

22. Silondile

Pronunciation: si-lon-dile
Meaning: has kept us
Best for: Female

23. Gugu

Pronunciation: gu-gu
Meaning: treasure
Best for: Female

24. Thembile

Pronunciation: th(e) -mbi-le
Meaning: Hopeful
Best for: Female

25. Sibusisiwe

Pronunciation: si-bu-sis-we
Meaning: We are blessed
Best for: Female
Also used by Ndebele

26. Thandeka

Pronunciation: Th(a)-nde-ka
Meaning: lovely/ beloved
Also used by Ndebele
Best for: Female

27. Nomandla

Pronunciation: N(o)-mand-la
Meaning: Mother of strength
Best for: Female

28. Nonhlanhla

Pronunciation: N(o)-nhlanh-la
Meaning: Mother of luck
Best for: Female

29. Kuhle

Pronunciation: ku-hle
Meaning: It is beautiful
Best for: Female

30. Ndonsa

Pronunciation: n-don-sa
Meaning: Morning star
Best for: Female

31. Zinhle

Pronunciation: zin-le
Meaning: You are responsible for what you become
Best for: Female

32. Esihle

Pronunciation: Esi-hle
Meaning: beautiful
Best for: Female

33. Ekusani

Pronunciation: Eku-se-ni
Meaning: in the morning
Best for: Female

34. Dela

Pronunciation: Del-a
Meaning: complete and satisfied
Best for: Female

35. Anele

Pronunciation: Ah-ne-le
Meaning: Be sufficient
Best for: Female

36. Didiza

Pronunciation: Di-di-za
Meaning: Flutter
Best for: Female

Swahili Names and Meanings

37. Nia

Pronunciation: Ni- yah
Meaning: With Purpose
Best for: Female

38. Simba

Pronunciation: Si-mba
Meaning: Lion
Best for: Female

39. Malaika

Pronunciation: Ma-lai-Kah
Meaning: Angel, Heaven’s gate/ opener, Beautiful
Best for: Female

40. Zuri

Pronunciation: Zoo- ree
Meaning: Beautiful
Best for: Female

41. Lulu

Pronunciation: Lu-lu
Meaning: Pearl
Best for: Female

42. Kenyada

Pronunciation: Ken-yah-da
Meaning: Gem
Best for: Female

43. Zahara

Pronunciation: Zaa- haa- rah
Meaning: To shine
Best for: Female

44. Adea

Pronunciation: ah-de-ah
Meaning: A Kind from God
Best for: Female

45. Kamaria

Pronunciation: Kah- mah -ree- yah
Meaning: like the moon
Best for: Female

46. Nadira

Pronunciation: na-dee-rah
Meaning: rare
Best for: Female

47. Aziza

Pronunciation: ah- zee-zah
Meaning: powerful, beloved
Best for: Female

48. Mwamini

Pronunciation: mwah-mih-nih
Meaning: honest
Best for: Female

49. Penda / Penha

Pronunciation: pen-dah /pe-ndah
Meaning: beloved
Best for: Female

50. Zawati

Pronunciation: zah-wah-tee
Meaning: gift
Best for: Female

51. Shani

Pronunciation: shaa-niy
Meaning: marvelous or wonderful
Best for: males/Females
Best for: Female

52. Nalah

Pronunciation: nah-lah
Meaning: A Lioness, furious as a lioness
Best for: Female

53. Zalika

Pronunciation: za-li-kah
Meaning: one who is well born
Best for: Female

54. Akina

Pronunciation: ah-kee-nah
Meaning: solidarity, bond, family bond
Best for: Female

55. Barika

Pronunciation: Bari -kah
Meaning: Bloom, be successful
Best for: Female

56. Johari

Pronunciation: Jo-hah-ree
Meaning: something valuable, Jewel, something precious which is adored
Best for: Female

Xhosa Names and Their Meanings

57. Abulele

Pronunciation: Ah- bu- le-le
Meaning: Thankful
Best for: Female

58. Lesedi

Pronunciation: Le- see-di
Meaning: Light, God’s light, a gift from God, shining
Best for: Female

59. Zintle

Pronunciation: Zint-leh
Meaning: The beautiful one
Best for: Female

60. Thembeka

Pronunciation: Tem-be-ka
Meaning: Trustworthy
Best for: Female

61. Mthobelo

Pronunciation: M-to-be-loh
Meaning: Obedient one
Best for: Female

62. Lulama

Pronunciation: Luu-lah-mah
Meaning: soft -spoken
Best for: Female

63. Kuhle

Pronunciation: Kuu-leh
Meaning: Wellness
Best for: Female

64. Zola

Pronunciation: Zo-lah
Meaning: Calm
Best For : Unisex

65. Faniswa

Pronunciation: Faa-nee-swa
Meaning: One who looks like me
Best for: Female

67. Bongani

Pronunciation: Bon-ga-ni
Meaning: Thankful
Best for: Female

68. Babalwa

Pronunciation: Ba-bal-wa
Meaning: Graceful child
Best for: Female

69. Fezeka

Pronunciation: Fey-ze-ka
Meaning: Fulfilled, Completed
Best for: Female

70. Funeka

Pronunciation: Fu-ne-kah
Meaning: Precious Little Girl, one who is much needed in your home
Best for: Female

71. Mafungwashe

Pronunciation: Ma-fun-gwa-shi
Meaning: First girl
Best for: Female

72. Mthobeli

Pronunciation: Mhm-to -be- li
Meaning: Obedient one
Best for: Female

73. Nandipha

Pronunciation: Nan-di- fa
Meaning: One who has good taste
Best for: Female

74. Nceba

Pronunciation: Nhn-ce-be
Meaning: Mercy
Best for: Female

75. Nobomi

Pronunciation: No-bo-mi
Meaning: life
Best for: Female

76. Nomuula

Pronunciation: No-muu-la
Meaning: Rain, freshness
Best for: Female

77. Vuyozaki

Pronunciation: Vu-yo-ka zi
Meaning: Happiness
Best for: Female

78. Zimkhitha

Pronunciation: Zim-ki-tha
Meaning: One who has dignity
Best for: Female

79. Siphosethu

Pronunciation: Si-fo-se-thu
Meaning: One who is your gift
Best for: Female

80. Nomlanga

Pronunciation: Nom-lan-ga
Meaning: Sun, growth
Best for: Female

81. Olwerthu

Pronunciation: Ol-wer-thu
Meaning: One who is your own
Best for: Female

82. Nomble

Pronunciation: Nom-ble
Meaning: Graced with beauty
Best for: Female

83. Nofoto

Pronunciation: No-fo-to
Meaning: Someone who is like her grandmother
Best for: Female

84. Nocawe

Pronunciation: No-ca-we
Meaning: A female child born on Sunday

85. Nomthandazo

Pronunciation: Nom-tan-da-zo
Meaning: Prayer
Best for: Female

86. Ndiliswa

Pronunciation: Ndi-li-swa
Meaning: Respected
Best for: Female

87. Mncedisi:

Pronunciation: Mhn-ce-di-si
Meaning: Helper
Best for: Female

88. Khunjulwa

Pronunciation: Khun-jul-wa
Meaning: One who will be remembered
Best for: Female

89. Nontasasa

Pronunciation: Non- ta-sa-sa
Meaning: One who is born early in the morning
Best for: Female

90. Natumato

Pronunciation: Na-tu -ma-to
Meaning: One who is beautiful at birth
Best for: Female

Tswana Names and Their Meanings

91. Boipelo

Pronunciation: Boi- pe-lo
Meaning: Proud
Best for: Female

92. Botshelo

Pronunciation: Bot-she-lo
Meaning: Life, friendly and approachable
Best for: Female

93. Gorata

Pronunciation: Go-ra-tah
Meaning: Bold
Best for: Female

94. Dipuo

Pronunciation: Dee-ou-wo
Meaning: Talks/ rumors
Best for: Female
Also used by Southern Sotho

95. Itumeleng

Pronunciation: Itu-mee-leng
Meaning: Joy
Best for: Female

96. Keeya

Pronunciation: Kee-yah
Meaning: Garden flower
Best for: Female

97. Lorato

Pronunciation: Lo-rah-to
Meaning: love
Best for: Female

98. Naledi

Pronunciation: Nah-le-di
Meaning: Star, to shine
Best for: Female

99. Lesedi

Pronunciation: Le- se- di
Meaning: Light
Best for: Female

100. Tale

Pronunciation: Ta- leh
Meaning: Of a Noble
Best for: Female

Afrikaans Female Names

101. Mieke

Pronunciation: My-Khu
Meaning: water
Best for: Female

102. Adelheid

Pronunciation: Ah-del-heit
Meaning: Nobility
Best for: Female

103. Landi

Pronunciation: Lan-di
Meaning: Violet
Best for: Female

104.Hansie

Pronunciation: Han-si-(e)
Meaning: God is gracious
Best for: Female

105. Klara

Pronunciation: kla-ra
Meaning: Bright and clear
Best for: Female

106. Agetha

Pronunciation: Ah-ghe-thur
Meaning: Good woman
Best for: Female

107.Akpena

Pronunciation: Ahk-pe-nuh
Meaning: Thanks to God
Best for: Unisex

108.Elna

Pronunciation: El-nah
Meaning: Beloved
Best for: Female

109.Zonja

Pronunciation: Zon-jah
Meaning: Wisdom
Best for: Unisex

110. Wilhelmina

Pronunciation: Wil-hel-mi-na
Meaning: Helmet, protection
Best for: Unisex

111. Saartije

Pronunciation: Saar-ti-jeh
Meaning: Princess
Best for: Female

112. Abebi

Pronunciation: Ah-bee-bi
Meaning: We asked and got her
Best for: Female

113. Aletta

Pronunciation: Ah-lee-ta
Meaning: Truth
Best for: Female

115. Alizea

Pronunciation: Ah-li-zee
Meaning: Joyful
Best for: Female

116. Andrietta

Pronunciation: Ahn-dree-tah
Meaning: Strong and manly
Best for: Female

117. Rethabile

Pronunciation: Ree-thu-bi-le
Meaning: We are glad
Best for: Female

118.Lusea

Pronunciation: Lu-see
Meaning: light
Best for: Female

119. Skat

Pronunciation: S-kat
Meaning: Treasure
Best for: Female

120. Naemi

Pronunciation: Nae-mi
Meaning: Pleasantress
Best for: Female

Tsonga Names

121. Felani

Pronunciation: Fe-lah-nee
Meaning: The one worth dying for
Best for : Unisex

122. Horisani

Pronunciation: Ho-ri-sah-ni
Meaning: Heal, creativity, charm, female, be victorious

123. Khana

Pronunciation: k-ah-na
Meaning: Victory dance
Best for: Female

124. Mbhuri

Pronunciation: m-bu-ree
Meaning: Beautiful
Best for: Female

125. Mikateko

Pronunciation: mi-kah-teh-koh
Meaning: Blessing
Best for: Female

126. Sana

Pronunciation: Sa-nah
Meaning: Warm sunray
Best for: Female

127. Nyiko

Pronunciation: Nyi-koh
Meaning: Gift
Best for: Female

128. Mukungu

Pronunciation: Mu-ku-ngu
Meaning: Plan
Best for: Female

129. Amukelo

Pronunciation: A-mu-keh-lo
Meaning: Acceptance
Best for : Unisex

130. Basambilu

Pronunciation: Bah-sam-bee-lu
Meaning: Pure hearted
Best for: Female

Ndebele Female Names and Meanings

131. Kholwa

Pronunciation: Col-u-wha
Meaning: Belief
Best for: Female

132. Ntombizodwa (Zodwa)

Pronunciation: Ntom-ni-zod-wa
Meaning: Only Girls, I always wonder
Best for: Female

133. Bekezela

Pronunciation: Be-ke-ze-lah
Meaning: Be patient
Best for: Female

134. Senele

Pronunciation: See-nee-leh
Meaning: Enough
Best for: Female

135. Yolanda

Pronunciation: Yoh-lan-dah
Meaning: The go-getter
Best for: Female

136. Nolwazi

Pronunciation: Nol-waa-zi
Meaning: To Have knowledge of something,mother of Knowledge
Also used by Zulu
Best for: Female

137. Methembe

Pronunciation: Mee-tem-be
Meaning: Trust in Him (God)
Best for: Female

138. Lungile

Pronunciation: Lu-gi-le
Meaning: One who is good
Also used by Zulu
Best for: Female

139. Tulani

Pronunciation: Tu-lah-ni
Meaning: Keep calm/ keep quiet
Best for: Female

140. Thandeka

Pronunciation: Th (a)-nde-ka
Meaning: beloved/lovely
Also used by Zulu
Best for: Female

Southern Sotho Names ( Sepedi)

141.Lerato

Pronunciation: Le-raa-too
Meaning: Love
Best for: Female

142. Mathapelo

Pronunciation: Ma-ta-peh -loh
Meaning: Mother of prayer
Best for: Female

143.Oratile

Pronunciation: O-ra-tee-le
Meaning: He /she loves ( loved), God willed it, God’s love
Best for : Unisex
Also used by Tsawana

144. Dipuo

Pronunciation: Dee-ou-wo
Meaning: Rumor /talks
Best for: Female
Also used by Tsawana

146. Ntsoaki

Pronunciation: uhn-tso-ah-kee
Meaning: An only female sibling
Best for: Female

147. Sesi

Pronunciation: Sey-si
Meaning: Sister
Best for: Female

148. Bina

Pronunciation: Bee-nah
Meaning: To dance/freshness
Best for: Female

149. Bertha

Pronunciation: Ber-taa
Meaning: Bright
Best for: Female

150. Bokang

Pronunciation: Boh-kang
Meaning: Rejoice /praise
Best for: Unisex

Unique South African Female Names That Depict Love, Beauty, and Royalty

Amore is a romantic name meaning love
Anika means sweet-faced
Bibi the name is usually used for a daughter of a King. It means grandmother or lady
Riana is the feminine name of Rain which means little king and is used by girls.
Amable is a popular Zulu name that means the beautiful one
Thandeka, which means love or beloved
Simosishile, it means a beautiful feeling
Nothembi means the beautiful one
Simphiweyi, this name is associated with royalty and it means princess
Nothando, means mother of outbound love