List of Zulu first names
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This is a list of common Zulu first names, with the meanings given. Zulu names, like most indigenous names in Southern Africa, are often given regarding the situation of the family when a child is born. For example, if the parents were aiming for three girls and have had three they may call their last daughter Zanele (we have had enough girls / we are satisfied). If a baby is born after a storm, it may be called Nomvula (with the rain). The gender of the name is given in brackets.
Amahle (m/f) – the beautiful ones
Andile (m/f) - they have extended, the family is growing
Ayanda (m/f) - they augment (the family)
Ayize (m/f) – let it happen / come
Bandile (m) - they have extended in number
>Bheka (m) - behold
Bhekizizwe (m) - Look after the nations
Bhekithemba (m) - Look after hope / Look for hope
Bonginkosi (m) - Thank the Lord
>Bongani (m) - Be thankful
Buyisiwe (m) - Returned
Busisiwe (f) - Blessed
Dingane (m) – one who is searching
Duduzile (f) - Consoled
>Dumisani (m) - Praise [God]
Gugu (f) - Precious
Hlengiwe (f) - Redeemed
>Jabulani or in short Jabu (m) - Rejoice
Khethiwe (f) - Chosen, the one who is chosen
Kwanele (m) - It is enough
Lindelani (m) - Wait
Lindiwe (f) - Waited for
Londisizwe (m) - Protect / take care of the nation
>Mandla (m) - Power
Manelesi (m) - Satisfier
Mbali (f) - Flower
Mondli (m) - feeder
Msizi (m) - Helper
>>Nandi (f) - sweet
>Nathi (m) - short for Nkosinathi
Nhlakanipho (m) - Wisdom
Njabulo (m) - Happiness
Nkosinathi (m) - God is with us
Nkosingiphile (f) - The Lord gave me
Nkosiphendule (m)- God has answered
names beginning with No- are usually female
Nobuhle (f) - the beautiful one
Nolwazi (f) - the one with knowledge
Nomathemba (f) - Hope
>Nomsa (f) - the caring one / faith
Nomusa (f) - with Grace / Kindness
Nomvula (f) - after the rain
Nomzamo (f) - Struggle
Nonhlanhla (f) - Luck
Nonkululeko (f) - Freedom
Nozipho (f) - mother of gifts
Ntokozo (f) - Joy / Happiness
Ntombifuthi (f) - Another girl
Ntombizanele (f) - Enough girls
Ntombizodwa (f) - Only girls
Phila (m) - in good health
Philani (m) - be well
Sakhile (m) - We have built
Samukelisiwe (f) - We have been welcomed
>Sandile (m) - We have increased
>Sanele (m) - We are satified / have enough
S'bu (m) - short for Sibusiso
>Sibongile (f) - We are thankful
Sibongiseni (m) - We are thankful
>Sibusiso (m) - Blessing
>Sifiso (m) - wish / what we had wished for
Sihle (m) - short for Simosihle
Simangele (f) - Surprise
Simosihle (f) - Beautiful feeling
>Simphiwe (m/f) - We have been given him/her
Sindiswa (f) - Saved
Sinethemba (f) - We have hope
Sinenhlanhla (f) - we have luck
Siphephelo (f) - Refuge
Siphelele (m) - We are complete
>>Sipho (m) - Gift
Siphokazi (f) - Gift
Sithembiso (m) - a Promise
Siyabonga (m) - We thank you
Siyanda (m) - We are increasing
Sizani (f) - you all help
Sizwe (m) - nation
Slindile (f) - we're waiting
S'phamandla (m) - Give us strength
>Thabo (m) - happiness
Thabisa (f) - bring joy
Thandeka (f) - Beloved
>Thandiwe (f) - Loved
Thando (f/m) - love
>Themba (m) - Trust, hope, faith
Thembisile (f) - Promised
Thenjiwe (f) - the trusted one
Tholakele (f) - Found
>Thulani (m) - Be still / quiet (used as a consolation, 'hush')
Thulisile (f) - she who made things quiet
Ulwazi (m) - the one with knowledge
>Unathi (f) - God is with us
>>Vusi (m) - short for Vusumuzi
Vusumuzi (m) - Builder of the home
Wandile (m) - you are extra
Xolisile (f) - (We are) sorry
Xolani (m) - you all have peace
Zama (f) - try
Zandile (f) - they have multiplied
>Zanele (f) - We are satified / we've had enough of girls (see Zanele Mbeki)
Zithembe (m) – trust yourself
Zinhle (f) - (the girls) are good/beautiful
Zodwa (f) - short of Ntombizodwa
> Particularly common >> Increasingly used as a name by other language groups, including some Anglo-Africans
See also
- Zulu language
- Zulu people
Sources
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