Appendix:Zulu given names

This is a list of common Zulu first names, with the meanings given. Zulu names, like most names in, 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, they may be called. The gender of the name is followed afterwards.

Amahle — the beautiful ones

Anele — the last born

Andile — they have extended, the family is growing

Ayanda — they augment (the family)

Ayize — let it happen/come

Bandile — they have extended in number

Bheka — behold

Bhekizizwe — look after the nations

Bhekithemba — look after hope/look for hope

Bonginkosi — thank the Lord

Bongani — be thankful

Buyisiwe — returned

Busisiwe — blessed

 — one who is searching

Dingani — what do you need

Duduzile — consoled

Dumisani — praise God

Dumisile — they have praised

Gugu — precious/treasure

Hlengiwe — redeemed

Jabulani or in short Jabu — rejoice

Jabulile — she is happy

Khanyisile — bringer of light,brought light

Khethiwe — chosen, the one who is chosen

Kwanele — it is enough

Kholwa — believe

Lwazi — knowledge; the one with knowledge

Lindelani — wait

Lindiwe — waited for

Lindokuhle — wait for the best

Londisizwe — protect/take care of the nation

Mandla — power

Mandlenkosi — power of God

Manelesi — satisfier

Mbali — (short for Mbalenhle) flower

Mbalenhle —beautiful flower

Minenhle — beautiful day

Mlungisi — fixer

Mondli — feeder

Mpendulo — an answer

Mpilenhle — prosperous life

Mpumelelo — success Mqhele - crown Msizi — helper

Mthandeni — love him/her

Mthokozisi — certifies

Muzikayise — he who builds his father's home

 — sweet

Nathi — short for Nkosinathi

Ndondoloza — possibly meaning "I will guard" (from the prefix "ngo", meaning "I will" and the suffix "-londoloza", meaning "guard, keep, protect or preserve")

Ndumiso — praise

Nelisiwe — satisfied

Nhlakanipho — wisdom

Njabulo — happiness

Nkosinathi — God is with us

Nkosingiphile — the Lord gave me

Nkosiphendule — God has answered


 * names beginning with No- are usually female

Nobuhle — the beautiful one

Nobesuthu

Nolwazi — the one with knowledge

Nomathemba — hope

Nomsa — short for Nomusa

Nomusa — with grace/kindness

Nomvula — after the rain

Nomzamo — struggle

Nondondoloza — Charmaine

Nonhlanhla — luck

Nonkululeko — freedom

Nothembi

Nozipho — bearer of gifts Nqubeko - progress or continuity Ntokozo — joy/happiness

Ntombi — girl/woman

Ntombifuthi — another girl

Ntombizanele — enough girls

Ntombizodwa — only girls

Ntombizonke — all girls

Phila — in good health (be well, singular)

Philani — be well (plural)

Philangezwi — live by the word of God (plural)

Philisiwe — healed (plural)

Phumlani — rest Qiniso - the truth Sakhile — we have built

Samukelisiwe — we have received e.g a gift.

Sandile — we have increased

Sanele — we are satified/have enough

S'bu — short for Sibusiso

Sibongakonke — we are thankful for everything

Sibongile — we are thankful

Sibongiseni — (you), be thankful with us

Siboniso — being a leader

Sibusiso — blessing

Sifiso — wish/what we had wished for

Sihle — short for Simosihle/Siphesihle. Sihle meaning mercy/compassion

Simangele — surprise

Simangaliso — miracle

Simosihle — beautiful feeling

Simphiwe — we have been given him/her

Sindisiwe — saved

Sinegugu — we have precious treasures

Sinethemba — we have hope

Sinenhlanhla — we have luck

Siphephelo — refuge/place of peace

Siphelele — we are complete

Siphesihle — beautiful gift

Sipho — gift

Siphokazi — gift

Siphosethu — our gift

Sithembiso  — a promise

Siyabonga — we thank you

Siyanda — we are increasing

Sizani — you all help

Sizwe — nation

Slindile — we're waiting

Siphamandla — give us strength

Thabo — happiness

Thabisa — bring joy

Thalente — talent

Thamsanqa — we have luck

Thandeka — beloved

Thandiwe — loved

Thando — love

Themba — trust, hope, faith

Thembeka — be trustworthy

Thembisile — promised

Thenjiwe — the trusted one

Tholakele — found

Thulani — be still/quiet (used as a consolation, 'hush')

Thulisile — she who made things quiet

Unathi — s/he is with us

Vusumuzi  — builder of the home

Wandile — you are extra

Xolisile — (we are) sorry

Xolani — you all have peace

Zama — try

Zamokuhle — try the good

Zandile — they have multiplied

Zanele — they are enough (whether just girls, or children in total) (see )

Zithembe — trust yourself

Zinhle — (the girls) are good/beautiful

Zodwa — short of Ntombizodwa

Zonke — all

Zonkizizwe — all nations

Ziphozonke — all the gifts