Southern African (Shona, Sotho, Tswana and others) names

160 names from the Southern African (Shona, Sotho, Tswana and others) naming tradition, each with its meaning, origin, pronunciation and how it is seen around the world.

AlinafeUnisexConveys that a person is present or belongs within a community in Chewa.
AmogelangUnisexBuilt on the Setswana verb amogela, "to accept or welcome", so the name itself reads as a welcome to the child.
BoipeloUnisexSetswana for "joy" or "gladness", formed from the reflexive verb ipela, "to rejoice", with the abstract noun prefix bo-.
BoipusoUnisexSetswana for "independence" or "self-rule", from the reflexive verb ipusa, "to govern oneself".
BoitumeloUnisexSetswana for "joy", from the reflexive verb itumela, "to be glad or happy".
BokamosoUnisexSesotho for "the future", what is still to come.
BonoloGirlSesotho for gentleness or ease, from a root describing something soft and mild.
BontleGirlSetswana for "beauty" or "beautiful", from the adjective stem -ntle, "nice, good-looking".
ChifundoUnisexRefers to compassion and kindness, expressing the virtue of mercy.
ChifuniroUnisexConveys the concepts of desire and determination in Chewa.
ChikondiUnisexRepresents the concept of affection and compassion in Chewa.
ChikumbutsoUnisexExpresses the value of remembrance and reflection in Chewa.
ChimukaUnisexChitonga for a child who arrived later than expected, from a root meaning "late".
ChimwemweUnisexConveys happiness and delight in Chewa.
ChipiliroUnisexRepresents steadfastness and resilience in Chewa.
ChipoGirlShona for a gift or present.
ChisomoUnisexConveys favour and spiritual blessing in Chewa.
ChiyembekezoUnisexExpresses optimism and positive expectation in Chewa.
ChoolweUnisexChitonga for "luck", given as a mark of good fortune around a child's birth.
ChumaUnisexSignifies prosperity and material abundance in Bemba.
DakaraiBoyShona for rejoice, from a verb of gladness.
DalitsoUnisexRepresents a prayer for divine protection and goodwill in Chewa.
Danai (Southern African (Shona, Sotho, Tswana and others))GirlFrom a Shona verb meaning to call or summon.
DikelediGirlThe Setswana plural of keledi, "a tear", so together the word and name mean "tears".
FadzaiGirlFrom a Shona verb meaning to please or to make happy.
FaraiUnisexShona for rejoice or be happy.
FatsaniUnisexFrom Chewa: "to be meek" or "to show gentleness".
FungaiUnisexFrom a Shona verb meaning to think or to judge.
GanizaniBoyFrom Chewa: "to think" or "to reason".
GofaoneUnisexBuilt on the Setswana verb -fa, "to give", so the name reads roughly as "given" or "he or she has been given".
GoitseoneUnisexBuilt on the Setswana verb itse, "to know", so the name reads roughly as "known" or "he or she is known".
ItaiUnisexFrom the Shona verb root -ita, "to do, to act, to perform", in its polite or plural imperative form.
ItumelengUnisexSetswana for "rejoice" or "be happy", built on the verb itumela, to feel joy.
KabeloBoySesotho and Setswana for a share or portion, in the sense of something allotted or given.
KaboBoySetswana for "gift", from the verb aba, to share out or distribute.
KagisoUnisexThe Setswana word for "peace".
KaraboUnisexSesotho and Setswana for an answer or a reply.
KatlegoUnisexThe Setswana word for "success" or "prosperity".
KatlehoUnisexSesotho for success or prosperity.
KealebogaUnisexSetswana for "I thank you", from the phrase ke a leboga, "I do give thanks".
KefilweUnisexSetswana for "I was given", from the passive form of go fa, to give.
KeitumetseUnisexSetswana for "I am happy", the perfect-tense form of itumela, to rejoice.
KelebogileUnisexSetswana for "I am thankful", the perfect-tense form of leboga, to thank.
KeneilweUnisexA Setswana sentence-name built on the passive of go naya, "to give": read together it comes out as "I have been given".
KgomotsoUnisexThe Setswana word for comfort or consolation, built on the verb go gomotsa, "to console".
KgosiBoyThe Setswana word for a king or chief.
KhumboUnisexFrom Chewa: "wish" or "to wish for".
KhumoUnisexThe Setswana word for wealth or riches.
KoketsoUnisexThe Setswana word for increase or addition, from go oketsa, "to add to".
KondwaniBoyFrom a shared Tumbuka and Chewa verb root for gladness, roughly "be glad" or "rejoice".
KudakwasheBoyShona for "God's will", from words for wanting and for God.
KumbukaniUnisexFrom Chewa: "remember" or "to remember".
KutemwaUnisexFrom Bemba roots expressing happiness and joy.
LebogangUnisexA Setswana command form of go leboga, "to thank": together it reads as "be thankful" or "give thanks".
LebohangUnisexSesotho for "be thankful", an exhortation built from the verb for thanking.
LeratoUnisexSesotho for love, from the verb for loving or liking.
LesediUnisexThe Setswana word for light, built on the root -sedi, "to shine".
LesegoUnisexThe Setswana word for luck or blessing, from the root sego, "blessed".
LethaboUnisexSesotho and Setswana for joy or happiness, from the verb for being happy.
LimbaniBoyFrom Chewa, expressing the quality of strength and resilience.
LimbikaniBoyFrom Chewa, conveying the virtue of diligence and industriousness.
LoratoGirlThe Setswana word for "love", built from the verb rata, "to love or like".
LubutoUnisexFrom Bemba, referring to learning and illumination: the pursuit of wisdom and understanding.
MadalitsoUnisexFrom Chewa, expressing the idea of divine favour and good fortune: a name of gratitude and hope.
MainzaUnisexChitonga for the rainy season, given to a child born while the rains were falling.
MalebogoGirlThe Setswana word for "thanks" or "gratitude", built from the verb leboga, "to thank".
MalumboUnisexSignifies admiration or esteem in Bemba.
ManyaraGirlFrom the Shona verb -nyara, "to be ashamed or humbled": as a name, "you have been humbled".
MapaloUnisexReferences divine favour and good fortune in Bemba.
MapenziUnisexChitonga for hardship or trouble, marking real difficulty around a child's birth.
MasegoGirlThe Setswana word for "blessings", built on the root sego, which describes something fortunate or blessed.
MasoziUnisexThe plain Tumbuka word for tears.
MavutoBoyRefers to hardship or adversity in Chewa, though used as a given name with deeper cultural significance.
MayamikoUnisexExpresses thanks and appreciation in Chewa.
MayesoUnisexConveys the notion of divine trial or spiritual examination in Chewa.
MiyandaUnisexChitonga for "roots", as of a plant, used as a name for ties to family and ancestry.
ModiseBoyFrom modisa, the Setswana word for "shepherd" or "herder".
MphatsoUnisexFrom Chewa mphatso: "gift".
MphoUnisexThe Setswana and Sotho word for "gift", from the verb fa, "to give".
MtendereUnisexFrom Chewa mtendere: "peace".
MudiwaUnisexIn Shona, "beloved" or "darling": built on -da, "to love".
MunasheUnisexIn Shona, "with God": muna, "with", joined to Ishe, "lord" or "God".
MunyaradziBoyIn Shona, "comforter" or "consoler": an agent form of -nyaradza, "to console, to quiet".
MutintaGirlChitonga for "change", traditionally the name for a daughter who follows a run of sons.
MwayiUnisexFrom Chewa mwayi: "opportunity, chance".
MwenyaUnisexFrom Chewa, derived from a type of flowering tree: Breonadia salicina.
NalediGirlThe Setswana and Sotho word for "star".
NchimunyaUnisexChitonga for "same", traditionally the name for a child of the same gender as the siblings before them.
Neo (Southern African (Shona, Sotho, Tswana and others))UnisexThe Setswana word for "gift", from the verb naya, "to give".
NetsaiGirlFrom the Shona verb netsa, "to trouble, to bother": close to "troublesome one".
NhamoBoyThe everyday Shona word for misfortune, hardship or disaster.
NthabisengGirlFrom the Sesotho causative verb thabisa, "to make happy, to delight", shaped into an appeal addressed to the child.
NthandaUnisexThe Tumbuka word for star.
NyaraiGirlFrom Shona nyara, "be shy" or "be humble": an instruction addressed to the child.
NyashaUnisexThe Shona word for grace or mercy.
OfentseUnisexFrom the Setswana verb fenya, "to conquer": "he or she has conquered".
OmphileUnisexA Setswana name-sentence built on the verb fa, "to give": "he or she has given (this child)".
OnaleronaUnisexA Setswana name-sentence, "he or she is with us", built on the verb nna le, "to be with", and rona, "us".
OnthatileUnisexFrom the Setswana verb rata, "to love": "he or she loves me".
OntlametseBoyFrom Setswana, describing a child as "taken care of" or "provided for".
PalesaGirlThe ordinary Sesotho word for a flower, used directly as a girl's name.
PempheroUnisexFrom Chewa: "prayer, request, entreaty".
PenjaniUnisexFrom the Tumbuka verb for searching or looking for something, most likely used here as "seek".
PiliraniUnisexFrom Chewa: "to persevere, to endure, to be steadfast".
PulengGirlFrom Sesotho pula, "rain", with a locative ending: close to "in the rain".
RefilweUnisexFrom Setswana filwe, the passive form of the verb fa, "to give": "we were given".
RethabileUnisexSesotho for "we are happy", joining the prefix for "we" to the stative form of the verb "to be glad".
RudoUnisexFrom the Shona noun rudo, "love", built on the verb -da, "to love".
RufaroGirlFrom the Shona noun rufaro, "happiness" or "joy", from the verb -fara, "to be happy".
RumbidzaiGirlA command form of the Shona verb -rumbidza, "to praise", read literally as "praise her".
RutendoUnisexFrom the Shona noun rutendo, "faith" or "thankfulness", from the verb -tenda, "to believe" or "to give thanks".
SarudzaiGirlA command form of the Shona verb -sarudza, "to choose", read literally as "choose her".
SekaiGirlAn imperative form of the Shona verb -seka, "to laugh", read literally as "laugh".
SekaniBoyFrom the Tumbuka verb for laughing, read as an invitation to laugh.
SethunyaGirlFrom Setswana sethunya, "flower, blossom", built on the verb thunya, "to bloom".
ShamisoGirlFrom the Shona noun shamiso, "a wonder" or "an amazement", from the causative verb -shamisa, "to astonish".
ShupikaiGirlFrom the Shona verb -shupika, "to be troubled", itself from -shupa, "to bother, to trouble".
Simba (Southern African (Shona, Sotho, Tswana and others))BoyFrom the Shona word simba, "strength" or "power".
SimbarasheBoyFrom Shona simba, "power, strength", joined to ishe, "lord" or "God": "the power of God".
TadalaGirlThis name conveys the idea of receiving divine favour, literally meaning 'we are blessed' in Chewa.
TafadzwaUnisexFrom Shona fadza, "to please" or "to make happy": "we are pleased".
TakondwaUnisexThis name expresses joy and celebration, literally translating to 'we rejoice' in Chewa.
TamandaniUnisexThis name carries the meaning of elevation and honour, derived from the Chewa concept of exalting and praising.
TambudzaiGirlFrom Shona tambudza, "to trouble" or "to torment".
TaongaUnisexA short Tumbuka sentence-name built on the verb for thanking, understood as "we give thanks".
TapiwaGirlFrom Shona tapiwa, "we have been given" or simply "given".
TariroGirlFrom Shona tariro, "hope".
TasheniUnisexThis name carries an imperative sense of gratitude, literally meaning 'give thanks' in Bemba.
TatendaUnisexFrom Shona tenda, "to thank": "thank you" or "we are thankful".
TauBoySetswana and Sesotho tau, "lion".
TauraiUnisexFrom the Shona verb taura, "to speak".
TebogoUnisexFrom Setswana tebogo, "gratitude, thanks".
TebohoBoySesotho for "gratitude" or "thanks", from the verb "to thank".
TefoBoySesotho and Setswana for "payment", from the verb "to pay".
TendaiUnisexFrom the Shona verb tenda, "to give thanks, to be grateful".
ThabangUnisexFrom the Setswana verb go thaba, "to be glad": an imperative meaning "rejoice" or "be happy".
ThabisoUnisexFrom the Sesotho and Setswana verb thabisa, "to make happy, to delight", turned into a noun.
ThaboBoySesotho and Setswana for "joy" or "happiness", from the verb "to be glad".
ThapeloBoySesotho and Setswana for "prayer", built on the verb rapela, "to pray".
ThatayaoneUnisexFrom Setswana thata, "strength", with a possessive ending: read together as "his strength".
ThatoUnisexSesotho and Setswana for "will" or "desire", from the verb rata, "to want" or "to love".
ThokoUnisexThis unisex name is commonly used as a shortened form and carries positive connotations within Chewa communities.
ThokozaniUnisexFrom Chewa thokoza: "to be grateful, to give thanks".
TichaonaBoyA Shona sentence-name meaning "we shall see", from ticha, "we will", and ona, "to see".
TinasheUnisexA Shona sentence-name meaning "we are with God", from ti, "we", na, "with", and ishe, "lord, God".
TiongeUnisexA short Tumbuka and Chewa sentence-name from the verb for thanking, understood as "we thank".
TiyamikeUnisexFrom Chewa tiyeni: "we praise, we celebrate".
TokeloBoySesotho for "privilege" or "right", related to the verb loka, "to be right or proper".
TonderaiBoyFrom the Shona verb tondera, "to remember".
TshegofatsoGirlFrom the Setswana verb go tshegofatsa, "to bless": a noun meaning "blessing".
TshepisoUnisexFrom the Setswana verb go tshepa, "to trust or promise": a noun meaning "promise".
TshepoUnisexSesotho and Setswana for "hope", from the verb tshepa, "to trust" or "to hope".
TsholofeloGirlFrom the Setswana verb go tsholofela, "to hope or expect": a noun meaning "hope".
TsitsiGirlShona for "mercy" or "compassion".
TumeloUnisexSesotho and Setswana for "faith" or "belief", from the verb dumela, "to believe" or "to agree".
TumisangUnisexFrom the Setswana verb go tumisa, "to praise or make renowned": an imperative meaning "give praise".
WanangwaUnisexThe Tumbuka word for freedom.
WonganiUnisexFrom Chewa wonga: "to give thanks, to be grateful".
YamikaniUnisexFrom Chewa yami: "praise, glorify" and kani: "have become, will become".
ZikomoUnisexFrom Chewa zikomo: "thank you, greeting".