South African Names - 150 Popular South African Names And Meanings

South African names depict the identity of a child or children and also remain important to the cultures, traditions, and everyday life of the people. While many South Africans have adopted the use of English names, there are many others that have continued the use of names in the local languages of the people.

Some South African names are given based on some things surrounding the birth of a child. For instance, a child who was born in the morning can be named Ekusani (morning) in Zulu. Also, in Swahili, a child can be named Mosi (Mosee) if he is the first child.

While there are many South African names, here are the most popular of names to know.

What are the Best and Most Common South African Names?

There are different languages in South Africa and all of these languages have different names. Swahili however is the most widely spoken language in the country and names in the language are also popular. Interestingly, these many of these names are not only used in South Africa but in many other countries. For instance, Swahili is spoken in many countries such as Zimbabwe and Kenya hence Swahili names are also popular in the rejoins.

When given children South African names, families tend to look at religion and other circumstances that may lead to the birth of these children.

South African Names In Different Languages and Their Meanings

Swahili Names, Pronunciation and Their Meanings

1. Amani

Pronunciation: Ah-ma-ni
Meaning: Peace
Best for: male/female

2. Ayanna

Pronunciation: Ah-ya-nna (ah-yan-nah)
Meaning: Peace
Best for: male/female

3. Barack/Barrak

Pronunciation: b(a)-rak
Meaning: lightning/blessing
Best for: male

4. Jabari

Pronunciation: j(a)-ba-ri
Meaning: valiant
Best for: boy

5. Jelani

Pronunciation: Je-la-ni
Meaning: Great and powerful
Best for: male

6. Lulu

Pronunciation: lu-lu
Meaning: pearl
Best for: female

7. Malaika

Pronunciation: M(a)-lai-kah
Meaning: angel, heaven’s gate opener, beautiful
Best for: female

8. Simba

Pronunciation: si-mba
Meaning: lion
Best for: female

9. Nia

Pronunciation: ni-yah
Meaning: with purpose
Best for: female

10. Penda (Penha)

Pronunciation: pen-dah or Pe-ndah
Meaning: beloved, love
Best for: female

11. Bokamoso

Pronunciation: Bu-ka-mo-soh
Meaning: Future, destiny
Best for: male/female
Also used by: Tswana

12. Zuri

Pronunciation: zoo-ree
Meaning: Beautiful
Best for: female

13. Uhuru

Pronunciation: u-hu-ru
Meaning: freedom
Best for: male

14. Kenyatta

Pronunciation: ken-ya-ta
Meaning: jewel
Best for: Male

15. Kenyada

Pronunciation: ken-ya-da
Meanining: gem
Best for: female

16. Baraka

Pronunciation: bar(a)-ka
Meanining: blessing
Best for: male

17. Dedan

Pronunciation: di-dban
Meanining: loves the city
Best for: male

18. Abedi

Pronunciation: ah-beh-dee
Meaning: Worshipper
Best for: male

19. Akina

Pronunciation: ah-kee-nah
Meaning: solidarity
Best for: male

20. Aza

Pronunciation: ah-zah
Meaning: strong, powerful
Best for: male/female

21. Adea

Pronunciation: a-day-a
Meaning: A kind from God
Best for: females

22. Zahara

Pronunciation: zaa-haa-raah
Meaning: To shine
Best for: females

23. Msia

Pronunciation: (h)m-siya
Meaning: wise man
Best for: males

24. Kamaria

Pronunciation: kah-mah-ree-yah
Meaning: like the moon
Best for: females

25. Nadira

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

26. Shani

Pronunciation: shaa-niy
Meaning: marvellous or wonderful
Best for: males/females

27. Dai

Pronunciation: dah-ee
Meaning: demand
Best for: males

28. Mulele

Pronunciation: Mu-lele
Meaning: man who flies
Best for: males

28. Andwele

Pronunciation: ahn-dwel-lay
Meaning: God brings me
Best for: males

29. Omari

Pronunciation: Oh-mar-ee
Meaning: God the highest
Best for: males

30. Mosi (Mosee)

Pronunciation: mo-see
Meaning: first-child
Best for: males/females

31. Imani

Pronunciation: e-mah-nee
Meaning: faith
Best for: males/females

32. Zawati

Pronunciation: za-wah-tee
Meaning: gift
Best for: females

33. Aziza

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

34. Mchumba

Pronunciation: m-chum-bah
Meaning: sweetheart
Best for: males/females

35. Mwamini

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

Zulu Names and Meanings

36. Shaka

Pronunciation: Shah-kah
Meaning: Zulu tribal ruler
Best for: male

37. Amahle

Pronunciation: Ah-mah-shle
Meaning: Beauty/The beautiful one
Best for: females

37. Langa

Pronunciation: lang-gah
Meaning: Sun, sunshine
Best for: males

38. Andile

Pronunciation: Ahn-dee-le
Meaning: Increased, They have increased, plenty, added or countless, they have multiplied, added, abundance
Best for: males/females
Also used by: Xhosa, Zulu

39. Ayanda

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

40. Banele

Pronunciation: Bah-ne-leh
Meaning: enough, the children are enough, they are enough, just
Best for: Male
Also Used By: Xhosa and Ndebele languages

41. Jabulani

Pronunciation: Jah-boo-lah-nee
Meaning: rejoice
Best for: male
Also used by: Swahili

42. Minenhle

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

43. Mandhla (Mandla)

Pronunciation: Man-dhla
Meaning: Strength
Best for: male

44. Melokuhle

Pronunciation: me-lo-ku-shle
Meaning: beautiful one
Best for: male/female
Also used by: Xhosa

45. Lindiwe

Pronunciation: lin-dee-we
Meaning: waited for
Best for: female

46. Thandolwethu

Pronunciation: tan-dol-weh-tu
Meaning: our love
Best for: male/female
Also used by: Xhosa

47. Siyabonga

Pronunciation: see-ya-bo-nga
Meaning: we are grateful, thank you, give thanks
Best for: male/female
Also used by: Xhosa and Ndibele languages

48. Kaya

Pronunciation: Kah-yah
Meaning: restful peace
Best for: female

49. Gugulethu

Pronunciation: gu-gu-leh-tuu
Meaning: pride, treasure, our hope
Best for: female
Also used by: Xhosa and Ndebele

50. Sifiso

Pronunciation: see-fee-so
Meaning: wish, what we had wished for
Best for: male/male

51. Bhekithemba

Pronunciation: be-ki-tem-bah
Meaning: look for hope, behold the hope
Best for: male

52. Jabulile

Pronunciation: jah-bu-li-leh
Meaning: she is happy
Best for: female
Also Used by: Swahili

53. Lwazi

Pronunciation: l(u)-a-zi
Meaning: knowledge
Best for: male

54. Melamina

Pronunciation: me-la-mi-na
Meaning: carry my name, advocate for me
Best for: male/female

55. Nandi

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

56. Nobantu

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

57. Samkelo

Pronunciation: sam-gye-lo
Meaning: The gift of God, to accept God’s power
Best for: male/female
Also used by: Xhosa

58. Enzokuhle

Pronunciation: en-zoh-kuh-shle
Meaning: to do good, to do great
Best for: male/female

59. Bafana

Pronunciation: bah-fah-nah
Meaning: boy, young man
Best for: males

60. Enanela

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

61. Lindelani

Pronunciation: lin-deh-lah-nee
Meaning: wait, be patient
Best for: females

62. Dingiswayo

Pronunciation: din-gis-wah-yoh
Meaning: a great zulu king
Best for: males

63. Kakaka

Pronunciation: ah-zee-zah
Meaning: name of a Zulu Prince
Best for: males

64. Meshindi

Pronunciation: meh-shin-dih
Meaning: Winner, conqueror, victor
Best for: males

65.Zithembe

Pronunciation: zee-tem-beh
Meaning: trust yourself
Best for: male/females

Xhosa Names and Their Meanings

66. Sifso

Pronunciation: s(u)f-soh
Meaning: wish
Best for: male/female

67. Anele

Pronunciation: Ah-ne-le
Meaning: Enough, he/she is enough, anoint, satisfied
Best for: males/Females

68. Khayone

Pronunciation: ka-yo-neh
Meaning: God didn’t make a mistake for blessing me with you, you are God-given
Best for: male/female

69. Tshegofatso

Pronunciation: t-shego-f-at-so
Meaning: blessing, one who brings blessings
Best for: male/female
Also used by, Tswana

70. Lesedi

Pronunciation: Le-see-di
Meaning: Light, God’s light, gift from God, shining
Best for: Female
Also used by: Tswana

71. Melisizwe

Pronunciation: me-lis-we
Meaning: nation’s leader
Best for: male

72. Zintle

Pronunciation: zint-leh
Meaning: the beautiful one
Best for: female

73. Nkosi

Pronunciation: ng-koh-see
Meaning: ruler, king, god, or lord
Best for: male

74. Bhutana

Pronunciation: bu-taa-nah
Meaning: little brother
Best For: male

75. Thembeka

Pronunciation: tem-be-kah
Meaning: trustworthy
Best for: female

76. Mthobelo

Pronunciation: m-to-be-loh
Meaning: obedient one
Best for: female

77. Lephelo

Pronuciation: lep-(h)-ee-loh
Meaning: the end
Best for: male

78. Wonga

Pronunciation: wong-gah
Menaing: status
Best for: male/female

79. Lulama

Pronunciation: luu-lah-mah
Meaning: soft-spoken
Best for: female

80. Themba

Pronunciation: tem-bah
Meaning: hope, trust
Best for: male/female

81. Kuhle

Pronunciation: Kuu-leh
Meaning: wellness
Best for: female

82. Luthando

Pronunciation: lu-taan-doh
Meaning: it is love
Best for: male/female

83. Zola

Pronunciation: zo-lah
Meaning: calm
Best for: male/female

84. Bandile

Pronunciation: Bhan-dee-le
Meaning: The family is growing, and they have increase
Best for: male/female
Also used by: Zulu, Ndebele

85. Faniswa

Pronunciation: faa-nee-swa
Meaning: one who looks like me
Best for: female

86. Gcina

Pronunciation: cee-na
Meaning: the last one
Best for: male/female

87. Jongikhaya

Pronunciation: jon-gee-kah-yah
Meaning: look after your home
Best for: male/female

Southern Sotho Names and Meanings

88. Dino

Pronunciation: Dee-no
Meaning: Spearman

89. Lethabo

Pronunciation: Lee-Taa-bo
Meaning: Happiness, joy
Also used by: Tswana and Zulu languages

90. Mpho

Pronunciation: M-pho
Meaning: gift
Best for: male/female
Also used by: Tswana, Sesotho

91. Tuma

Pronunciation: too-mah (tu-mah)
Meaning: immortal
Best for: male

92. Thato

Pronunciation: tah-toh
Meaning: love of God, God’s will
Best for: male
Also used by: Tswana

93. Lerato

Pronunciation: Le-raa-too
Meaning: love
Best Suited for: female

94. Oratile

Pronunciation: O-ra-tee-le
Meaning: he/she loves(loved), God willed it, God’s love
Best for: male/female
Also used by: Tswana

95. Dipuo

Pronunciation: dee-ou-wo
Meaning: rumours/talks
Best for: female
Also used by: Tswana

96. Bokang

Pronunciation: boh-kang
Meaning: rejoice or praise
Best for: male/female

97. Mathapelo

Pronunciation: ma-ta-peh-loh
Meaning: mother of prayer
Best for: female

98. Thapelo

Pronunciation: ta-peh-loh
Meaning: prayer
Best for: male

99. Matseliso

Pronunciation: mah-tshe-lee-soh
Meaning: consolation
Best for: male/female

100. Ntsoaki

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

Tsonga Names and Meanings

101. Amukelo

Pronunciation: a-mu-keh-lo
Meaning: Acceptance
Best for: male/female

102. Dzunani

Pronunciation: zu-nah-nee
Meaning: be proud
Best for: male

103. Felani

Pronunciation: fe-lah-nee
Meaning: the one worth dying or
Best for: male/female

104. Hanyani

Pronunciation: han-ya-nee
Meaning: live long
Best for: male

105. Horisani

Pronunciation: ho-ri-sah-ni
Meaning: heal
Best for: female

106. Khana

Pronunciation: k-ah-na
Meaning: victory dance
Best for: female

107. Mukungu

Pronunciation: mu-ku-ngu
Meaning: plan
Best for: male/female

108. Mbhuri

Pronunciation: m-bu-ree (m-bu-rih)
Meaning: beautiful
Best for: female

109. Mikateko

Pronunciation: mi-kah-teh-koh
Meaning: blessing
Best for: female

110. Nyiko

Pronunciation: nyi-koh
Meaning: gift
Best for: male/female

111. Sana

Pronunciation: sa-nah
Meaning: warm sunray
Best for: female

Ndebele Names and Meanings

112. Dumusani

Pronunciation: du-mee-ser-nih (Doo-mee-sa-nih)
Meaning: Praise
Best for: male
Also used by: Zulu

113. kholwa

Pronunciation: Col-u-wha
Meaning: belief
Best for: female
Also used by: Ndebele

114. Ntombizodwa (Zodwa)

Pronunciation: ntom-ni-zod-wa
Meaning: only girls
Best for: female
Also used by: Zulu, Xhosa

115. Noxolo

Pronunciation: nox-o-lo
Meaning: peace
Best for: female
Also used by: Xhosa

116. Sibongile

Pronunciation: si-bon-gle (See-bon-g(i)-le)
Meaning: we are thankful
Best for: female
Also used by: Zulu

117. Sibusisiwe

Pronunciation: si-bu-see-see-weh
Meaning: we are blessed
Best for: female

118. Bekezela

Pronunciation: be-ke-ze-lah
Meaning: be patient
Best for: female

119. Butho

Pronunciation: boo-toh
Meaning: soldier
Best for: male

120. Kanye

Pronunciation: kan-yeh
Meaning: togetherness
Best for: male
Also used by: togetherness

121. Esulu

Pronunciation: e-su-lu (E-soo-loo)
Meaning: clouds
Best for: male/female

122. Mtulisi

Pronunciation: m-tu-li-si
Meaning: One who consoles
Best for: male

123. Zibuseni

Pronunciation: zi-bu-se-nih
Meaning: rule yourself
Best for: male/female

124. Zwelethu

Pronunciation: zwe-le-tu
Meaning: Our nation
Best for: male/female

Afrikaans

125. Luan

Pronunciation: lu-han
Meaning: Male
Best for: male

126. Mieke

Pronunciation: my-khu
Meaning: Water
Best for: female

127. Adelheid

Pronunciation: ah-del-hiet
Meaning: nobility
Best for: female

128. Ade

Pronunciation ah-deh
Meaning: royal
Best for: male

129. Gidea

Pronunciation: gih-di-yah
Meaning: was neglected for long
Best for:

130. Landi

Pronunciation: lan-di
meaning: violet
Best for: female

131. Hansie

Pronunciation: han-si-(e)
Meaning: God is gracious
Best for: male/female

132. Leeto

Pronunciation: liy-tow
Meaning: journey
Best for: male

133. Akpena

Pronunciation: A-(k)pe-nah
Meaning: thanks to God
Best for: male/female

134. Lodewikus

Pronunciation: loh-deh-wih-kus
Meaning: war or battle
Best for: male

135. Zonja

Pronunciation: Zon-jah
Meaning: wisdom
Best for: male/female

136. Kamogelo

Pronunciation: kah-mo-geh-loh
Meaning: acceptance
Best for: male

Tshivenda Names

137. Khangwelo

Pronunciation: kaan-gue-loh
Meaning: forgiveness
Best for: male/female

138. Konani

Pronunciation: koh-nah-ni
Meaning: to be good/unite
Best for: male/female

139. Aluwani

Pronunciation: ah-ru-waa-nih
Meaning: be prosperous, grow up
Best for: male/female

140. Dakola

Pronunciation: dah-ko-lah
Meaning: hapiness
Best for: male/female

141: Maanda

Pronunciation: maan-dah
Meaning: power, strength
Best for: male/female

142. Mulalo

Pronunciation: mu-lah-loh
Meaning: peace
Best for: male

143. Rabelani

Pronunciation: rah-beh-lah-nih
Meaning: to pray
Best for: male/female

144. Takalani

Pronunciation: tah-kah-lah-nih
Meaning: be happy
Best for: male/female

145. Humbelani

Pronunciation: um-beh-lah-ni
Meaning: to ask
Best for: male/female

146. Hangawani

Pronunciation: ahn-gua-nee
Meaning: to forget
Best for: male/female

147. Itumeleng

Pronunciation: ee-too-meh-leng
Meaning: to be happy
Best for: male/female

Tswana Names and Meanings

148. Goitsemang

Pronunciation: giot-seh-mang
Meaning: who knows, gift of God
Best for: male

149. Boitimelo

Pronunciation: boo-eee-tu-meh-loh
Meaning: joy
Best for: female

150. Masogo

Pronunciation: ma-soh-goh
Meaning: Blessings
Best for: male

Other Tswana Names

Iminathi

Pronunciation: E-mee-nah-ti
Meaning: God stands with us, God is beside us
Best for: males/females
Also used by: Xhosa

Afeloteng

Pronunciation: ah-fe-lo-teng
Meaning: change it
Best for: males

Agang

Pronunciation: ah-gang
Meaning: build
Best for: male/female

Boikanyo

Pronunciation: boy-kan-yo
Meaning: a dependence
Best for: males

Dineo

Pronunciation: dee-nih-o
Meaning: gifts
Best for: males/female

Ditiro

Pronunciation: dih-tee-roh
Meaning: acts
Best for: males

Best and Common South African Last Names

Abara: The name has an Igbo origin and it means spirit
Diallo: this name originates from the Fula tribe and it means bold. A number of famous Africans answer the name. Some of them include Diallo Telli and Dillo Guidileye.
Kimathi: Also a name used in many African countries such as Ghana, South Africa, Kenya and Uganda. It has its origin in Kikuyu and it means earnest provider.
Buhle: the name is used mostly by the Xhosa clan to mean handsome
Chaka: This name is mostly known across many nations as it came to prominence as a result of the fame of Yvonne Chaka Chaka, a singer and entertainer. The name originates from Bemba and it means origin
Dlamini: Another among South African names of Etswana origin that means royalty. This name is commonly used as a surname and many South African popular people answer the name. Also, it became known for being used in the Athol Fugard book, Sizwe Bansi is Dead
Buthelezi: This name means chief and it originates from the Zulu language
Gumede: Many popular South Africans also use this last name such as Gugu Gumede. It originates from Zulu and it means to end what you have started.
Mbatha: a name that means protector and has been brought to prominence as a result of famous people in South Africa that include Nomzamo Mbatha, access, and businesswoman.
Mandela: One of the South African names, Mandela is of Xhosa origin and it means gift of God and is the surname of one of the most popular African and the former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.
Maponya: Another name that surfaces every now and then from South Africa in Maponya. This is partly because of Richard Maponya who is a businessman and one of the richest and most influential men in South Africa. The name means king of elephants.