One of the most exciting things when expecting a baby is the chance to pick his or her name. You may find a name that honours your own family's culture and heritage. Or maybe you'd like some inspiration to get started. Consider our list of some of the most popular names given to babies in the Zulu Culture.
We've provided the names as well as their meanings alphabetically below.
Boy's Names:
- Anele - Sufficient or adequate
- Bafana - Boy
- Bangizwe - Fighting for land
- Bhekimuzi - Look after the household
- Bhekizizwe - Looking after the nations
- Bhekumbuso - Looking after the dominion
- Bonginkosi - Thank the Lord
- Dumisani - Praise
- Fanyana - Little boy
- Funani - Search or want
- Gatsha - Branch
- Kagiso - Peace
- Kgabu - to decorate richly
- Langa - Sun, rebirth, brightness
- Linda - Wait
- Lwandle - Ocean
- Maphikelela - Preserves
- Mandla - Power of energy
- Mpilo - Life
- Mpumelelo - Success
- Msizi - Helper
- Mthunzi - Shadow
- Musawenkosi - God's grace
- Ndleleni - On the road
- Nkanyezi - Star
- Nkosenye - One king / Another king
- Nkosiyabo - The king
- Phila - Get well, live
- Philani - To be alive
- Phiwokwakhe - he who was given what was rightfully his
- Sanele - We are satisfied, we have enough
- Sfiso - Wish
- Shaka - name of a tribal leader
- Sibusiso - Blessing
- Siphiwe - We have been given
- Sipho - Gift
- Sithembiso - Promise
- Siyanda - We are increasing
- Solomon - Peach
- Thamsanqa - Luck
- Thando - Love
- Themba - Hope
- Thulani - Be quite or be comforted
- Velaphi - Where from
- Vusumzi - Raise the household
- Zenzele - Do for self
- Zithulele - Quiet
Girls Names:
- Amahle - Beautiful one
- Ayanda - One who is always increasing
- Ayize - Let it happen
- Busisiwe - Blessed
- Buhle - Beauty & goodness
- Duduzile - Consoled
- Hlengiwe - Redeemed
- Inyoni - Bird
- Isisa - Tenderness
- Jabulile - Be cheerful, be happy
- Khanyisile - Bringer of light
- Khethiwe - The chosen one
- Khulekani - Salute
- Lerato - Love
- Liyana - It's raining
- Lukhona - It's available
- Mbalienhle - A beautiful flower
- Mhambi - Traveler
- Mthunzi - Shade
- Nandi - Sweet
- Ndondoloza - Prudence
- Nhlakanipho - Wisdom
- Nkosingiphile - Lord, I'm in good health
- Nofoto - Like her grandmother
- Nokuthula - Peace and tranquillity
- Nolwazi - Knowledgeable
- Nomvula - After the rain
- Nonhlanhla - Luck
- Nonkululeko - Freedom
- Nonjabulo - Happiness
- Nozipho - Bearer of gifts
- Ntokozo - Happiness or joy
- Ntombizodwa - Lady
- Samukelisiwe - We have been welcomed
- Sibongile - We are thankful
- Siphephelo - Place of peace
- Sindisiwe - Saved
- Sinenhlanhla - We have luck
- Sizakele - Be helped
- Sizani - Be advantageous
- Thabisa - Delight
- Thadie - Loved one
- Thobeka - Humble
- Thulisile - She who made things quiet
- Ulwazi - Knowledge
- Yibanathi - Be with us
- Zanele - They are enough
- Zobuhle - Lady of beauty
