Xhosa is one of the most interesting cultures in South Africa when it comes to naming children.
Many of these names are in reference to the clan, God or the home/family to which the child is born.
Many young parents are choosing to give their children Xhosa names these days. Here is a list of 200 Xhosa baby names and their meanings – enjoy!
A
Athandwa: Loved
Ayakha: Build
Anovuyo: Joyful
Abulele: Thankful
Amyoli: The clan is happy
Alulutho: Of great help
Ahluma: The clan has grown
Avethandwa: Truly loved
Alunamida: None ending love/faith
Asiphesona: Gift given to us (by God)
Amila: They are firm
Avuyile: They are delightful
Aseza: Still coming
Aluve: Feel, be aware of
Amkhitha: Beautiful
Akhinzolo: Build peace
Abongile: Thankful
Asemahle: Beautiful
Anathi: They are with us
Afeziwe: Fulfilled, done
Amahle: Beautiful
Anele: Sufficient
Amathuba: Opportunities
Athenkosi: Thankful
Anele: Sufficient
Aphiwe: Given, gift
Asive: Let he/him hear us
B
Bungcwele: Holiness
Bhongo: Pride
Budlelwane: Relationship
Buhlebendalo: Natural beauty
Bomikazi: Life
Buyiswa: Brought back
Bulumko: Wisdom
Bonga: Give thanks
Bathathu: They are three
Bandile: They have increased
C
Chulumanco: Joy
Chuma: Grow
Cebokazi: Great plan
Cwenga: Be still
D
Dumo: Praise/Honor
Dambisa: Relieve/soothe
E
Endinako: What I have
Elethu: Our hope/pride
Enzokuhle: Do beautiful things
Emsulwa: Innocent
F
Fundiswa: Smart/educated
Fundile: Smart/educated
Faniswa: One who looks like
Fezile: Fulfill
G
Gcobanisa: Be glad
Gugulethu: Our pride
Gcina: Keep
H
Hlumelo: Growth
Hlumisa: Make it grow
Hlalumi: Keep standing firm
Hlonela: Obey/abide
I
Isipho: The gift
Izibele: Grace
Imihlali: Rejoice
Iminathi: (The Lord is) standing with us
Indiphile: (The Lord has) given us
Imange: Stand by the Lord
Inam: (The Lord is) with us
Iviwe: (Prayers have) been heard
Ibongwe: To be praised
Imibongo: Thankfulness
Ivakele: Prayers have been heard
Iyana: (Full name: Iyana imvula nentsikelelo zayo): a rain of blessings
J
Jongikhaya: One who watches over the home
Jonga: Look
K
Kamva: Future
Khayone: God didn’t make a sin by giving me him/her
Kholo: Faith
KhwezI: Morning star
Kumkani: King
Khazimla: Shine bright
Kungawo: By the power of God
Kwakhanya: It is bright
L
Lakhiwe: a home has been built
Liyema: The home is standing
Lulibo: First ripe fruits of a tree
Luzuko: Glory
Liyakhanya: The sun is shining
Lithetha: The sun is bright
Lwando: Increment, increasing
Lithalethu: Our light
Lumko: Carefulness/wisdom
Lingomso: Tomorrow/ the future
Luvuyo: Of joy
Lunje: (Love is) like this
Liqhamile: Bright
Ligugu: He or she is our pride
Langalethu: Our son
Lihle: Is beautiful
M
Milani: Be firm in faith
Manyano: Being united
Mpumelelo: Success
Melokuhle: Stand for good things
Malime: Home must stand
Mivuyo: Joyfulness
Mihlali: Joy
Minentle: Beautiful day
Mfihlakalo: Hidden
Mpilo: Life
Mikhulu: Great hope
Minqweno: Hope
Mawande: May the house increase
Mayine: Let it rain
Mthetheleli: Saviour/redeemer
Masande: Lets increase
Mava: Wisdom, experience
N
Ntsika: Pillar
Nkosana: Prince
Nande: Increase
Nandile: Increased
Nkazimulo: Glory
Ncedo: Help
Ntlakanipho: Clever/smart
Nkosiyethu: Our King
Noncedo: Of help
Nolukholo: Of faith
Noluthando: Of love
Ndinani: I am with you
O
Othalive: One who hears the name of God
Oyintando: One who is loved
Okuhle: Beautiful things
Owam: My own
Odwa: (Boys) only
Okhanyo: Of brightness
Oyisa: They defeated/victory
Olwethu: Our faith
Onako: One who can
Olona: Great love/great faith
P
Phawu: Symbol (of love)
Phelo: Last born
Phelisa: To end
Phumza: Relief
Phezisa: An end
Q
Qhayiya: The future
Qhamani: Be bright
Qiqa: Think
S
Simnikiwe: We have been given
Sixolise: Bring peace to us
Sisikelelwe: We are blessed
Sinovuyo: We are glad
Sinalo: We have hope
Silindokuhle: We expect great things
Simile: We are standing
Salizwa: Gift
Someleze: Encourage us
Somila: We’ll be firm
Sonele: We are enough
Simanye: Unite us
Sibabalwe: We have been blessed
Sesethu: Our gift
Sinethemba: We have hope
Siphelo: To conclude
Siyabulela: We are thankful
Sibulele: We are thankful
Sizamkele: We welcome the girls
Siphosethu: Our gift
Sibahle: We are beautiful
Simamkele: We welcome him/her
Sivuyile: We are glad
Simthandile: We loved her/him
Sumeya: Never doubt God
T
Thandiwe: Loved one
Thando: Love
Thandolwethu: Our love
Thandile: Being loved
Thimna: Belongs to me
Thandeka: Lovely/ lovable
Thembelani: To put our trust in
Thembalethu: Our hope
U
Unathi: With us
Uyanda: House is increasing
Unambitho: To savour/to be enjoyed
V
Vuyiseka: Made to be happy
Vuyelwa: The one who we are happy for
Vuyo: Happiness
Vusumzi: Rebuild the home
W
Wandile: Increase of home
Wonga: Status
Wanda: The home is increased
Wandisiwe: Home has been increased
X
Xhanti: Anchor
Xabiso: Value
Xola: Stay in peace
Y
Yonela: Be content
Yanga: May (God)
Yiva: Hear
Yolo: Happiness
Yibanathi: Be with us
Yongama: Be great
Yomelela: Be strong
Yandisa: Increase us
Z
Zuko: Glory
Zosuliwe: Tears have been wiped
Zubenathi: Be with us
Zobuhle: Of beauty
Zodumo: Of praise
Zukiswa: To be praise
Ziyanda: The (girls) are increasing
Zinathi: God’s blessings are with us
Zukhanye: Be bright
Zingce: Be proud
