Zulu names for boys and girls with their meanings

Zulu names for boys and girls with their meanings

Names are very important among the Zulu people. People from Europe and other parts of the world who have immersed themselves within Zulu speaking communities with an intention of learning the language have been successful because among many things, they assumed a Zulu name. In an IsiZulu class it is important for students to identify a Zulu name they like. The Zulu name will give the students the atmosphere and the feeling of being in South Africa. Before choosing a Zulu name, it is vital to know how naming works among Zulu people, who tend to give meaningful names to their children. The naming contexts vary. When a new baby is born, many members of the baby’s extended family give the baby names that may reflect concepts related to various contexts, including among many, the following:

Historical events of the time of birth;

The parents’ experiences;

The parents’ emotions;

Environmental changes;

Parents’ dreams or future aspirations for the baby;

Bible related names or even the baby’s physical features.

Here are some examples of boys’ and girls’ names below:

 Boys’ names

Anele – enough (it often goes for twins – Anele/Banele… Anele/sanele

Bangizwe – fighting for land

Bhekizizwe – looking after the nations

Bhekumbuso – looking after the kingdom

Bhekumuzi – llook after the household

Bonginkosi – thank the Lord

Davida – biblical name

Dingane – one of the Zulu kings

Dumisani – praise

Fanyana – little boy

Gatsha – branch

Langa – sun / day

Langelihle – new day

Langelisha – beautiful; day

Linda – wait / expect

Lungelo – right as in one’s right

Lwandle – ocean

Lwazi – knowledge

Mandla – power or energy Mfana/Bafana – boy/boys

Matewu – biblical name

Mphikeleli – the perseverant one

Mpilo – Life

Mpumelelo – success

Msizi – helper

Mthunzi – shade

Musawenkosi – God’s grace

Ndleleni – on the way

Nhlakanipho – wisdom/ the wise one

Njabulo – happiness/ joy Nkanyezi – star

Nkosi/ Nkosiyabo – king/ their king

Ntokozo – joy

Philani – live/ you all live.

Sanele – we have enough

Sfiso – wish

Shaka – one of the Zulu kings

Sibusiso – blessing

Siphiwe – we have been given

Sipho – gift

Sithembiso – promise

Siyanda – we are increasing

Solomoni – biblical name

Thamsanqa/ Thami – Luck

Thando – love (appropriate for boys more than girls)

Themba – hope

Thulani – be quiet or be comforted

Velaphi – where are you from

Vusumuzi – restore the household

Zenzele – do for self

Girls’ names

Amahle – beautiful ones

Ayanda – they increase.

Buhle – Beauty and kindness

Busisiwe – the blessed one

Celiwe – The one we asked for

Duduzile/ Dudu – the consoler/ comforter/ she comforted me/us

Funani – search / you all search

Hlengiwe – redeemed’.

Jabulile – cheerful, happy one

Khulekani – Salute/ pray

Khanyisile – the one who brings light

Khethiwe – the chosen one

Mbalenhle/ Mbali – beautiful flower/ flower

Mhambi – traveler

Nandi – a queen’s name (King Shaka’s mother’s name)

Nkosingiphile – the lord has given me Nokuthula – peace/ peaceful one (she stands for peace)

Nobuhle – beauty/ the beautiful one

Nolwazi – the knowledgeable one

Nomusa – grace/ graceful one/ she stands for grace

Nomvula – born on a rainy day

Nonhlakanipho – wisdom/ the wise one

Nonhlanhla – luck/ the lucky one

Nonjabulo – happiness/ joy

Nontobeko – the humbe one

Nontokozo – joy

Ntombifuthi – a girl again

Ntombizodwa – girls only

Nonkululeko – the one associated with freedom

Nosisa – tenderness/ the tender one

Nozipho – bearer of gifts

Nothando – love (she stands for love)

Phindile – repeated experience (a girl again)

Sibongile – we are thankful

Sindisiwe – saved

Siphephelo – solace, place of peace

Thandiwe/ Thandi – the loved one

Thulisile – the quiet one/ the one who made things quiet

Zandile – abaundant girls

Zanele – they are enough

Zinhle – beautiful girls

Zodwa – girls only

Zulu surnames/last names

Men are respectfully addressed by their surnames.

UMthethwa/ Ubaba uMthethwa

Women are addressed by their maiden names the the prefix ‘Ma’.

MaCele/ UMaCele