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Xhosa-speaking people are part of the Nguni people, who represent nearly two-thirds of South Africa’s Black population (1). When it comes to naming a child, the Xhosa tradition may inspire you. So, we have compiled some beautiful Xhosa baby names to help you choose the right one. Xhosa tradition is rich in creative verbal expression, including Intsomi (folktales), proverbs, and isibongo (praise poems). Xhosa names usually refer to the clan, their deity, or the family they were born into. Many parents seek to name their babies based on diverse traditions worldwide. Below are popular Xoha names that we have compiled after searching through multiple trusted websites and baby name databases. Read on to find the name you think will suit your baby the most.
Key Pointers
- Xhosa baby names draw inspiration from the rich cultural traditions of the Xhosa people, referencing clan, deity, or familial lineage.
- Here, names hold greater significance than surnames, and women add their clan names as prefixes to their surnames after marriage.
- Akhina, Mthobeli, and Zintle can be stylish options for girls, while Fezile, Ntando, and Silumko can be bold choices for boys.
Each name’s deep and beautiful meanings helps you choose one based on your desirable attribute.
The Xhosa Culture
Xhosa is the second largest cultural group among the Zulu-speaking population in South Africa. The Xhosa language is known as isiXhosa in its native language. It is part of the language group known as Nguni. The Xhosa language has many different variations.
In the culture, names are considered more important than surnames and are often used to trace the ancestral history and roots of a person, as children are named based on their ancestors. When a woman gets married, she has to add her clan name as a prefix to the new surname.
All the Xhosa baby names have a special meaning attached to them.
Top Xhosa Baby Girl Names And Their Meaning
In Xhosa tradition, a girl is named twice—once at birth and again when she gets married (2). As names hold significant meaning in this culture, there are many options to choose from. Below are some popular choices.
1. Anathi
The name Anathi is pronounced Ah-nah-tee. It is a unisex name and means ‘they are with us’.
2. Akhona
The name Akhona means ‘a present’, which your daughter is for you! It is a unisex name and is pronounced ah-khoh-nah.
3. Aphiwe
Pronounced ah-pee-weh, Aphiwe means ‘they are given’. It is a unisex name and you can use it for your baby girl.
4. Babalwa
Babalwa means ‘someone who is graced’. It is perfect for your little girl as you teach her to grow up into a graceful young lady. Its phonetic spelling is bah-bahl-wah.
5. Bathandwa
Bathandwa, pronounced bah-thahn-dwah means ‘beloved’, just as your precious baby girl will be your beloved.
6. Buhle
The name Buhle means ‘beauty’. Its phonetic spelling is boo-leh.
7. Bongani
The name Bongani means ‘to be thankful’. To pronounce it correctly, you can follow its phonetic spelling—boh-ngah-nee.
8. Cebisa
As you teach your baby girl more about the world and help her learn more, she will grow into an intelligent young woman, whom people will look up to for advice. The name seh-bee-sah means ‘one who can give advice’.
9. Esihle
The name Esihle is pronounced eh-see-leh and means ‘someone who is beautiful’. It will be perfect for your little baby girl who is the prettiest creation you have ever seen.
10. Fezeka
Fezeka is pronounced feh-zeh-kah. The name refers to being fulfilled, and your daughter has come to your life to make it complete.
11. Fundiswa
Fundiswa, pronounced foo-ndee-swah means ‘someone who is educated’. While the literary meaning may look like something that refers to only bookish knowledge, it also means ‘someone who is sensible and smart’.
12. Funeka
Funeka means ‘the one who is needed’, and your precious little girl is one who is much needed in your life and home. Its phonetic spelling is foo-neh-kah.
13. Gcobisa
Here is a very unique name which is pronounced goh-bee-sah and means ‘the one who is exciting’.
14. Khanyiswa
Khanyiswa is the one who lights up. Khah-nee-swah is its phonetic spelling. Your little girl will light up your life with her presence.
15. Khethiwe
The name Khethiwe means ‘the chosen one.’ This three syllable name is pronounced kheh-thee-weh
16. Khunjulwa
Teach your baby girl all those attributes that will help her make a mark in this world, and be true to the name khoon-jool-wah, which means ‘the one who will be remembered’.
17. Kuhle
This lyrical name is pronounced koo-leh. It means ‘wellness’, and your baby girl’s wellness is what you pray for every day.
18. Lindelwa
The name Lindelwa means ‘the one who was awaited’. If you have planned for a long time for your baby girl, then leen-dehl-wah will be just perfect.
19. Lulama
The name pronounced loo-lah-mah has a lyrical sound to it and means ‘someone who is mild and soft-spoken’.
20. Mafungwashe
If your baby girl is your first child, you can name her Mafungwashe, which is pronounced as mah-foon-gwah-sheh and means ‘the first girl’.
21. Mandela
The name Mandela needs no introduction and it is a name to honor the anti-apartheid revolutionary leader and former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. Its phonetic spelling is man-deh-lah.
22. Mncedisi
Its phonetic spelling is m-ncheh-dee-see. It means ‘a helper’. As your little girl grows up, she will be your partner sharing your joys and happiness.
23. Mthobeli
The pretty name, m-thoh-beh-lee means ‘the obedient one’. This is how you want your girl to be, as you teach her to be disciplined enough to grow into an independent and compassionate human being.
24. Nandipha
Over the coming years, you will teach your girl a lot of things that will help develop her liking and taste. The name Nandipha, pronounced nahn-dee-pah means ‘the one who has good taste’.
Did you know?25. Nceba
Teach your baby girl to grow up into a kind and merciful human being, as the name Nceba means ‘mercy’. Its pronunciation, n-tseh-bah, is a little different from its spelling.
26. Ndiliswa
The name Ndiliswa, pronounced n-dee-lee-swah means ‘the respected one’, and will be perfect for your baby girl who will grow up into a fine young lady, to be respected by all.
27. Nobomi
The short and sweet name Nobomi or noh-boh-mee means ‘life,’ as she truly is your life.
28. Nocawe
If your baby girl was born on a Sunday, the name Nocawe will be perfect, as it means ‘the girl who was born on Sunday’. The name’s phonetic spelling is noh-kah-weh.
29. Nomthandazo
Nomthandazo, pronounced nohm-thahn-dah-zoh means ‘a prayer’.
30. Nomuula
Nomuula, pronounced noh-moo-lah means ‘rain’. It is apt for your baby girl if she was born on a rainy day. Just as raindrops bring in a feeling of freshness, your baby girl will bring in freshness into your lives.
31. Nontasasa
The name Nontasasa means ‘the one who is born in the early morning’. Its phonetic spelling is Non-tah-sah-sah.
32. Notumato
Your baby girl is the prettiest creation you have seen, and the name Notumato means ‘the one who is beautiful at birth’. To pronounce it, you can follow its phonetic spelling—noh-too-mah-toh.
33. Nofoto
Here is a special name if you want to please your mother, as Nofoto means ‘someone who is like her grandmother’. This unique name is pronounced noh-foh-toh and has a lovely meaning.
34. Nkosazana
The pretty name Nkosazana means ‘princess’. It is a beautiful name that is pronounced n-koh-sah-zah-nah. As your little daughter grows up, she will turn into a fine young lady, who is compassionate, kind, independent and beautiful.
35. Nomble
Nohm-bleh means ‘one who is graced with beauty’. Not only the external beauty also refers to the beauty of your daughter’s heart.
36. Ntombentsha
Ntombentsha means ‘a new girl’, or ‘a newly born’. This four syllable name is pronounced n-tohm-ben-chah.
37. Olwethu
The name Olwethu means ‘the one who is your own!’ Its phonetic spelling is ohl-weh-thoo.
38. Qaqamba
Qaqamba means ‘the one who shines bright’. The name has three syllables—kah-kahm-bah.
39. Simthandile
You love your baby girl with all your heart and soul, and the name Simthandile, pronounced seem-thahn-dee-leh could be ideal. It means ‘we have loved her’.
40. Siphosethu
Your baby girl is your precious gift and the name Siphosethu means ‘the one who is your gift’. This adorable name is pronounced see-poh-seh-too.
41. Sisipho
Sisipho, pronounced see-see-poh means ‘the one who is your gift’, perfect again for your baby girl.
Quick fact42. Thembeka
The name Thembeka means ‘the one who is trustworthy’. Its phonetic spelling is thehm-beh-kah
43. Thozoma
The lyrical name Thozoma is pronounced toh-zoh-mah and it means ‘calmness’.
44. Vuyokazi
Vuyokazi means ‘happiness’. Use the phonetic spelling voo-yoh-kah-zee to pronounce it right.
45. Zimkhitha
The name zim-kee-thah means ‘the one who has dignity’.
46. Zintle
It means ‘the beautiful one’. Its phonetic spelling is zin-tleh.
Top Xhosa Baby Boy Names And Their Meaning
A study states that a name’s meaning is one of the most important factors that Xhosa parents consider when choosing a name for their child (3). Here is a collection of some beautiful Xhosa baby names for your little darling boy, along with the beautiful meaning it has.
47. Mahlubandile
The name Mahlubandile is like no other name you have heard before. Its literal meaning is ‘the clan has increased’. However, mah-loo-bahn-dee-leh can also be used to signify that there is a new member in the family.
48. Themba
The name Themba, pronounced thehm-bah means ‘one who is trusted and is full of faith and hope’. It is a beautiful name which signifies all the strong traits that a person should possess.
49. Uuka
Uuka means ‘someone who is ready to rise up’. It’s pronounced oo-kah.
50. Thandiwe
The name Thandiwe means ‘someone who is loved’. Your precious baby boy will be the most loved in your family, and hence it is the perfect name. Thahn-dee-weh is a unisex name.
51. Nomlanga
The name Nomlanga means ‘the sun’ and it can signify your little boy’s growth. It is pronounced nohm-lah-ngah.
52. Bathandwa
Bathandwa is pronounced bah-thahn-dwah. It refers to someone who is beloved, just as your baby boy is.
53. Daluxolo
The name Daluxolo means ‘one who is a believer in peace’, ‘who is a peace maker’. Dah-loo-koh-loh is especially appropriate in today’s world, which is in great need of peace.
54. Esihle
Here is a short name which means ‘someone who is beautiful’. What can be prettier than your boy for you. This cute name is pronounced eh-see-leh.
55. Fezile
The name Fezile is perfect for your little baby boy, as it means ‘someone who is accomplished’, which is what your baby boy will be through the coming years. Feh-zee-leh holds a lot of power within and will inspire your baby boy to learn all those traits and behaviors which will help him grow into a truly accomplished young man.
56. Gcobani
Gcobani means ‘the one who is joyful’. The name is pronounced goh-bah-nee. It portrays a happy and a positive child.
57. Aviwe
The name ah-vee-weh means ‘the one who has been heard’.
58. Ayabonga
Ayabonga is a beautiful name which means ‘grateful’. Its phonetic spelling is ah-yah-boh-ngah.
59. Bhutana
If your baby boy is a younger sibling, the name is perfect for him, as it means ‘little brother’. Pronouncing it is also easy, just follow its phonetic spelling—bhoo-tah-nah.
60. Bonginkosi
The name Bonginkosi is pronounced boh-ngi-n-koh-see. It signifies thanking god.
61. Bulelani
Your baby boy is your precious gift and you are thankful for his arrival. The name boo-leh-lah-nee means ‘to be thankful’.
62. Dumisa
The name Dumisa means ‘praise’. Its phonetic spelling is doo-mee-sah.
63. Fezekile
Fezekile refers to the person who is complemented. The name is pronounced as feh-zeh-kee-leh
Did you know?64. Fundani
Fundani is pronounced foo-dah-nee. It means ‘to learn’, and as your baby boy grows up, there will be a lot that he will learn before turning into a wonderful young man.
65. Gugulethu
Your baby boy is your pride and the name Gugulethu, pronounced goo-goo-leh-too means just that, ‘the one you are proud of’.
66. Jongikhaya
The name Jongikhaya means ‘the one who will watch over the home’. Its phonetic spelling is joh-nee-khah-yah.
67. Khwezi
Khwezi is pronounced Kweh-zee, It means ‘a star’ and is perfect for your little boy who is lighting up your life.
68. Khuselwa
Khoo-sehl-wah means ‘the one who will always protect’.
69. Langa
Just as the sun shines bright, so shall your little boy, and the name lah-ngah means just that, ‘the sun’.
70. Lonwabo
Your baby boy has brought happiness in your life, and the name Lonwabo means ‘happiness’ too. Its phonetic spelling is lohn-wah-boh
71. Lubabalo
The name Lubabalo is pronounced Loo-bah-bah-loh. It means ‘the one who is full of grace’.
72. Luthando
Your baby boy fills you up with love and the name Luthando means ‘love’. Pronunciation is loo-thahn-doh.
73. Luzuko
Luzuko means ‘glory’. This three syllable name is pronounced loo-zoo-koh.
74. Lwazi
This name is pronounced lwah-zee. Your little boy will grow up to be full of knowledge and the name Lwazi means just that.
75. Mabhuti
If your little boy is a younger sibling, mah-bhoo-tee is the perfect name as it means ‘a little brother’.
76. Madoda
Madoda means ‘men’. It is pronounced mah-doh-dah.
77. Malibongwe
Malibongwe, pronounced mah-lee-bon-gweh means ‘let it be praised’.
78. Mandla
The name mahnd-lah means ‘the one who has power’.
79. Mangaliso
Mangaliso means ‘wonderful’ and is pronounced mahng-ah-lee-soh.
80. Mbulelo
If you are thankful for your little boy’s arrival, mm-boo-leh-loh is the perfect name, as it means ‘thankfulness’.
81. Meluzmi
Meluzmi means ‘the one who represents home’. Your baby boy will represent you and your family with the name meh-looz-mee.
82. Mkhokeli
The name Mkhokeli is pronounced mkhok-eh-lee. It means ‘a leader’.
83. Mthandeni
You love your baby boy and the name Mthandeni means ‘love him’. The phonetic spelling of this name is mthahn-deh-nee.
84. Mpumelelo
The name Mpumelelo, pronounced m-poo-meh-leh-loh means ‘success’.
85. Nkokheli
Nkokheli means ‘a leader’. Its phonetic spelling is n-koh-kheh-lee.
86. Nkululeko
The name Nkululeko is pronounced n-kool-loo-leh-koh. It means ‘freedom’.
87. Ntando
Ntando means ‘the one with a strong will’. This three syllable name is pronounced n-tahn-doh
88. Nyaniso
N-yah-nee-soh means ‘truthfulness’.
89. Qaqambile
Qaqambile means ‘brightness’. You can pronounce it as kah-kahm-bee-lay.
90. Sibabalwe
This name is pronounced see-bah-bahl-way and means ‘the one who is blessed’.
91. Silumko
See-loom-koh means ‘a wise man’.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of adopting Xhosa names among non-Xhosa communities, reflecting a broader appreciation and celebration of South Africa’s rich cultural diversity. This shift often signifies a desire to honor indigenous languages and traditions, as Xhosa names carry deep meanings, usually tied to significant cultural, spiritual, or natural elements. Non-Xhosa parents are increasingly choosing these names for their children to embrace a sense of inclusivity and connectedness to the broader African heritage.
Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the significance of Xhosa baby names?
According to a study, in the Xhosa community, a baby is usually named after a family member, a friend to honor them, or a famous person or religious personality (3). Therefore, Xhosa names are typically inspired by God, clan, or the family in which the baby is born.
2. Can non-Xhosa people use Xhosa baby names?
Non-Xhosa people can also use Xhosa names as long as the parents are comfortable with the name and the name has no cultural or social implications at the place they live.
3. How do Xhosa parents choose baby names?
Xhosa parents may consider several factors before picking the newborn’s name. These factors include the family’s expectations or aspirations, gratitude to God and ancestors, the composition of the family, and the circumstances of the baby’s birth. Concurrent life events may also play a role such as the death of a family member (4).
4. How have Xhosa baby names evolved?
A study published noted Xhosa children often receive ‘church’ or ‘school’ names due to colonization and missionary efforts. The study also notes a return to traditional names as people seek to express and preserve their ethnic identity (5).
When naming a baby, it is natural for parents to seek the ones that have an impact on their baby’s life. They may also seek names that represent their ancestry. If that is what you desire, these Xhosa names would be a suitable choice. Xhosa baby names are unique as they have a beautiful syntax. Additionally, since Africa is the second largest continent in the world, it has many unique varieties of baby names. These names differ from culture to culture. Besides Xhosa names, there are Sepedi baby names, Shona baby names, Zulu baby names, and more. We have listed many interesting names along with their meanings for you to choose from in this post. So grab your partner and go over the options to see which name best matches your child.
Infographic: Xhosa Baby Names With Their Meanings
The Xhosa tribe is one of the indigenous tribes of Southern Africa. If you are looking for traditional and unique names for your little one, give the following infographic a read, where we have combined a list of Xhosa names for girls and boys. Save and share it with others! Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Xhosa.
https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/xhosa - Out with old, in with the new: Negotiating identity in re-naming a Xhosa umtshakazi.
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/laligens/article/view/195317 - Naming Practices in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
https://ans-names.pitt.edu/ans/article/view/1463/1462 - The use of proverbial names among the Xhosa society: socio-cultural approach.
https://www.academia.edu/77219877/The_use_of_proverbial_names_among_the_Xhosa_society_socio_cultural_approach - Bertie Neethling.; (2008);Xhosa First Names: A Dual Identity in Harmony or in Conflict
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233608841_Xhosa_First_Names_A_Dual_Identity_in_Harmony_or_in_Conflict
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