Appendix:Zulu given names
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 (they are enough --- in this case, either the children (zanele izingane) or the girls (zanele izintombi)). 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/treasure
Hlengiwe (f) - redeemed
>Jabulani or in short Jabu (m) - rejoice
Khanyisile(f)-bringer of light,brougth light
Khethiwe (f) - chosen, the one who is chosen
Kwanele (m) - it is enough
Lwazi (m)-the one with knowledge
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/f) - helper
Muzikayise (m) - he who builds his father's home
>>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
Nobesuthu (f)
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
Nothembi (f)
Nozipho (f) - bearer of gifts
Ntokozo (f) - joy / happiness
Ntombintombi (f)
Ntombifuthi (f) - another girl
Ntombizanele (f) - enough girls
Ntombizodwa (f) - only girls
Phila (m) - in good health (be well --- singular)
Philani (m) - be well (plural)
Phumlani (m)
Sakhile (m) - we have built
Samukelisiwe (f) - we have received e.g a gift.
>Sandile (m/f) - we have increased
>Sanele (m) - we are satified / have enough
S'bu (m) - short for Sibusiso
>Sibongile (f) - we are thankful
Sibongiseni (m) - (you), be thankful with us
>Sibusiso (m) - blessing
>Sifiso (m) - wish / what we had wished for
Sihle (m) - short for Simosihle/Siphesihle
Simangele (f) - surprise
Simosihle (f) - beautiful feeling
>Simphiwe (m/f) - we have been given him/her
Sindisiwe (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
Thamsanqa (m)
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
Lwazi (m) - knowledge
>Unathi (m/f) - s/he 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) - they are enough (whether just girls, or children in total) (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 [edit]
- Zulu language
- Zulu people
