A list of Sotho Baby Names:

• Kgomotso - comforter

• Mpho - gift

• Thabo - joy

• Kagiso - peace

• Katlego - success

• Kutlwano - a good relationship between people

• Koketso - add more to what you have

• Kabelo - When you distribute something between people.

• erato - love

• Naledi - star

• Neo- gift

• Tshepo- hope

• Lesego - lucky

Zulu first 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

Hlengiwe (f) - redeemed

>Jabulani or in short Jabu (m) - rejoice

Khethiwe (f) - chosen, the one who is chosen

Kwanele (m) - it is enough

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