30 South African Boy Names with Meanings

Every South African boy name below comes with its meaning or origin — and 2 of the 30 names include the native spelling, drawn from Wikipedia. Jump to a letter, or play the duel game: choose between two names at a time until your personal top 10 remains.

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B D F I J L M N S T V X Z

South African boy names starting with B

BandileBandile is a masculine given name, derived from the Nguni word ukwanda/kwandile, meaning "to increase/multiply/to grow/expand.". Notable people with the name include: Bandile Masuku (fl.
BaneleBanele (Zanele female) is a masculine given name, derived from the Nguni word anele, meaning "enough".
BonganiBongani is a masculine given name, derived from the Nguni word bonga, meaning "to give thanks." .
ButanaButana is a South African masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Butana Komphela (1955–2022), South African politician Butana Almond Nofomela (born 1957), South African police officer

South African boy names starting with D

DumisaniDumisani is a Nguni masculine name meaning "to give praise" or "to worship". Notable people with the name include: Dumisani Mthenjane, South African politician Dumisani Mpofu (born 1973), Zimbabwean footballer Dumisani Ngwenya (born 1984), South African…

South African boy names starting with F

FezileFezile is a masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Fezile Bhengu (born 1954), South African politician Fezile Mkhize (born 1991), South African actor, physician and model Fezile Mpela (born 1973), South African actor, presenter, singer…

South African boy names starting with I

IrvinآروینIrvin is a male given name of Indo-European origin. In Old Gaelic, the meaning of the name is "freshwater" or "friend of the sea." It can also be used as a variant of Ervin, the Eastern European version of the German name Erwin.

South African boy names starting with J

JabulaniJabulani is a Zulu word meaning "rejoice". Jabulani may refer to:

South African boy names starting with L

LindaniLindani (Lindiwe female) is a masculine given name derived from the Nguni word linda, meaning "wait". Lindani Ndwandwe (born 1975), South African golfer Lindani Nkosi (born 1968), South African actor

South African boy names starting with M

MatomeMatome is a masculine Sepedi, Tsonga, and Japanese given name. In Sepedi the name means "second son", in Tsonga it means "to gather/united", and in Japanese it means ""summary/conclusion/settlement".
MbongeniMbongeni is a given name, derived from the Nguni word ukubonga, meaning "to praise".
MbuleloMbulelo (Nombulelo female) is a masculine South African given name derived from the Xhosa word bulela, meaning "gratitude".
McebisiMcebisi is a South African masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Mcebisi Jonas (born 1960), South African politician Mcebisi Skwatsha (born 1964), South African politician
MncedisiMncedisi is a masculine given name. Notable people with this name include: Mncedisi Filtane (died 2020), South African politician Mncedisi Malika (born 1997), South African cricketer Mncedisi Nontsele (born 1959), South African politician Mncedisi Shabangu (c.
MnqobiMnqobi is a masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Mnqobi Duma (fl.
MpumeleloMpumelelo is a South African masculine given name. It may refer to: Pommie Mbangwa (born Mpumelelo Mbangwa, 1976), Zimbabwean cricket commentator and former cricketer Mpumelelo Mhlongo (born 1994), South African sprint and long jump athlete Mpumelelo Saziwa,…

South African boy names starting with N

NdumisoNdumiso is a masculine given name meaning "praise" in the Zulu and "psalm" in Xhosa.
NjabuloNjabulo is a South African masculine given name. Notable people with the surname include: Njabulo Blom (born 1999), South African soccer player Njabulo Mabuza, Swazi businessman and politician Njabulo Manqana (born 1986), South African soccer player Njabulo…
NkosanaNkosana is a masculine African given name which means prince. Notable people with the name include: Nkosana Makate (born 1977), South African businessman Nkosana Mpofu (born 1990), Zimbabwean first-class cricketer
NkululekoNkululeko (Nonkululeko female) is a masculine given name derived from the Nguni word Inkululeko, meaning "freedom/liberty".

South African boy names starting with S

SandileSandile is a masculine African name that is derived from the Nguni word ukwanda/kwandile, meaning "to increase/multiply/to grow/expand." It may refer to Sandile Ginindza, Swaziland football player Sandile Hlatjwako (born 1988), Swaziland football player…
SibusisoSibusiso (Busisiwe female) is a masculine given name derived from the Nguni word busisa, meaning "to bless". A shortened familiar versions is Sbu/S'bu.
SifisoSifiso is a South African given name. When translated to English It means Wish.
SiyabongaSiyabonga (Sibongile female) is a South African given name/term meaning "Thanks or Thank you".
SongezoSongezo is a South African masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Songezo Jim (born 1990), a South African cyclist Songezo Zibi (born 1975), a South African politician and businessman

South African boy names starting with T

ThaboΤThabo (Τhα'βω) is a masculine African given name, derived from the Sotho-Tswana word thaba, meaning "happiness" or "joy".
ThembaThemba (Nomathemba female) is a South African name meaning faith. This term is often used in a Godly manner.

South African boy names starting with V

VusumuziVusumuzi is an African masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Vusumuzi Masondo (born 1957), South African military commander Vusumuzi Mazibuko (born 1984), South African cricketer Vuza Nyoni (Vusumuzi Nyoni, born 1984), Zimbabwean…

South African boy names starting with X

XolaniXolani is a South African Xhosa, Zulu male given name. Notable people with this name include: Xolani Dlwati, South African priest Xolani Mahlaba, South African cricketer Xolani Mdaki, South African footballer Xolani Mlambo, South African footballer Xolani…

South African boy names starting with Z

ZwelakheZwelakhe is a masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: Zwelakhe Mthethwa (fl.

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Frequently asked questions

How many South African boy names are in this list?

This list has 30 South African boy names, from Bandile to Zwelakhe, and 2 of them include the native spelling. Every entry comes with its meaning or origin, sourced from Wikipedia.

What are some well-known South African boy names?

Well-documented South African boy names include Bongani, Siyabonga, Dumisani, Mbulelo and Ndumiso. Scroll the list above for the meaning and origin of each one.

How do I choose the best South African boy name?

Reading a list only gets you so far — comparing names head to head is faster. Play Name Duel with this set: it shows you two South African boy names at a time, and your choices eliminate names round by round until your personal top 10 remains.