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The following are Ndebele names as they are used ,spoken and written by people of the Ndebele tribe in Zimbabwe.As someone who grew up among the Ndebele and took Ndebele lessons from kindergarten to high school, I wrote all the names from my head because I know friends and people with such names, and I can recognize any Ndebele name.>> Scroll Down To The List of Names
When it comes to generating names, the Ndebele language allows a lot of creativity and flexibility. For example, for the word “Thokoza” which means “be happy” you can have the following derivative names :
Thokoza >>>
Thokozani
Thokozile
Nontokozo
Ntokozo
For the word “Jabula” which means “enjoy, rejoice, celebrate”, you
can derive the following names:
Jabula >>>
Jabulani
Jabulisani
Njabulo
Sijabuliso
Nonjabulo
For the word “Themba” which means “hope/rely on/trust in”, you can derive the following names:
Themba >>>
Thembani
Thembekile
Sithembile
Thembeni
Thembelani
Themba
Thembile
Sinethemba
Sithembiso
Thembiso
Thembokuhle
Thembisile
Thembezile
For the verb “Thanda” which means “love or like”, you can derive the following names:
Thanda >>>
Thando,
Thandiwe,
Thandile,
Thandeka,
Thandani,
Thandelani,
Thandolwethu,
Thandekile
Thandanani,
Nothando,
Nontando,
Nothandiwe,
Ntando,
Sithandekile,
Sithandiwe,
Sinothando,
Thandolwenkosi,
Thanduxolo,
Thandumenzi,
Thandudumo,
Thandelani,
Sithandeni,
Mthandeni,
Thandezile,
Sthandile,
Sthandweni,
Thandisile,
Sthandisile,
Thandolwami,
Thandukwazi,
Sthandukwazi,
As you can see, the use of verbs, adjectives and nouns to generate names in the Ndebele language allows you to generate lots of names, possibly more names than in any other language that you might think of.
Just like Xhosa, Zulu and Khoisan languages, Ndebele has some
interesting click sounds which are hard to pronounce for anyone who did not
take Ndebele lessons at a younger age. Some of the interesting click sounds are:
Ca – kucacile (it’s clear and concise)
Qa – iqanda (an egg)
Nxa – Nxa (if,when)
Qha – iqhawe (hero)
Xa – ixoxo (frog)
Nqo – sinqobile (we conquered)
Nca – mncedisi (helper)
Cho – chola (grind) uchago
(milk)
Ngqo – amangqonqo (beads)
Gci – gcina (to keep) igciwane ( bacteria/virus)
Go Back To Top
List of Male & Female Ndebele Names and their Meaning in Random Order
Xha – uxhwalile (you are naughty or rude) umxhanxa (a
traditional Ndebele dish composed of boiled maize and sugar)
Zimbabwean Ndebele is referred to as Northern Ndebele to differentiate it from Southern Ndebele spoken in South Africa. It is a Nguni language
derived from Zulu. Here are some of the basic Ndebele phrases used in everyday
life and their translation:
Livuke njani? – (Good
morning) – You start with Li when
you are greeting an elderly person, a senior or someone who is older than you.
The opening is used to show respect to an older person.
Uvuke njani? – (Good
morning) – You start with U when you
are greeting a friend, sibling, a youth or somebody at your level.
Ibizo lakho ngubani?
– (What is your name?)
Lihlala ngaphi? –
(Where do you stay?) – Once again Li is
used to show respect to an elderly person.
Uhlala ngaphi? – (Where
do you stay?) – Once again U is used
when you are greeting a youth, friend, sibling or somebody at your level.
Ngiyakuthanda – (I
love you)
Ufunani? – (What
do you want?)
Litshone njani – (How
was your day?) – Once again Li is
used to show respect to an elder
Utshone njani -
(How was your day?) – Once again U
is used when you are talking to a youth, friend, sibling or somebody at your level.
Salibonani? – (How
are you?) – Here Li is used to show
respect when greeting an elderly person but it’s not an opening phrase.
Sabona? – (How are
you?) – You omit the Li when it’s a
casual greeting i.e. when talking to a youth, friend, sibling or someone at
your level.
Uvela ngaphi? – (Where
are you coming from? The phrase is also used to ask your hometown or village
depending on the conversation).
Ekhaya kungaphi? –
(Which village or town do you come from?)
Emashops kungaphi
bhudi? – (Where are the shops my brother?) – Here an English word “shops”
is combined with Ndebele. You will find such combinations in towns and
locations.
Ngicela ungitshengise
indlela yakoBulawayo – (Can you please show me the way to Bulawayo)
Ngicela ukubuza –
(Can I please ask you something?)
Uyangaphi? – (Where
are you going?)
Ngicela amanzi
okunatha – (Can you please give me some water to drink)
Asambe edolobheni
– (Let’s go to town)
Ngiyakwazi – (I
know)
Ungaboqamba amanga
– (Don’t tell lies)
Ulamanga – (You
are lying)
Ngithunywe ngubaba ukuzothatha
imali – (My father sent me to take some money)
Ubaba lo uyahlupha
kakhulu – (This man is very troublesome)
Uyangidelela – (You
take me for granted or you don’t respect me) singular term
Uyasidelela – (You
take us for granted or you don’t respect us) plural
Uyadelela – (You
don’t respect)
Uyaduba wena - (You are troublesome)
Uyaduba wena - (You are troublesome)
Inganekwane – (a
folktale or story for kids)
In case you want to learn Ndebele, I found a relevant video on YouTube: The lady in this video is mixing Ndebele with Zulu phrases and accents:
XX XX
Go Back To Top
List of Male & Female Ndebele Names and their Meaning in Random Order
Notes***English translation in brackets
Zamani (try) male
Zibusiso (blessings) male+female
Ziboniso (visions) male
Sakhile (we built) female
Bongani (thank you) female
Bunjiwe (beautifully built,attractive) female
Siyabonga (thank you) male
Dalubuhle (born beautiful) female
Sibongile (thank you) female
Sibusisiwe (we are blessed) female
Sibusiso (a blessing) female
Sibangani (what are we fighting for?) male
Senzangakhona () male
Sibangilizwe (we are fighting for the country) male
Smilo (character) female
Ntombizodwa (girls only) female
Ntombiyakhe (his girl) female
Thando (love) male
Thandiwe (loved) female
Mandla (power/strength) male
Mbuso (kingdom) male
Mthandazo (prayer) male
Mehluli (conquerer) male
Melusi (shepard,livestock herder,cattle herder) male
Mlamuleli (one who intervenes,stops fighting) male
Mlamuli (one who intervenes,stops people from fighting) male
Mthulisi (one who consoles,stops another person from crying)
male
Mgcini – (a keeper) male
Busani (rule) male
Bhekizwe (look at the country) male
Zandile (many) female
Zenzo (deeds) male
Lindani (watch over,keep watch) male
Thokozani (be happy) female+male
Mandlenkosi (God’s power) male
Nomalanga (sun)
female
Simangaliso (miracle/wonder) female
Silibaziso (distraction/something that keeps you
entertained/relaxed/makes you forget/diverts your mind) female
Xolani (forgive) male
Xolisani (ask for forgiveness) female
Zodwa () female
Celani (ask) male
Gcinukuthula (keep the peace) male
Qalani (start/provoke)
Likhwa () male
Thabani (be happy) male
Thulani (be quiet) male
Nokuthula (peace) female
Lingadani (don’t be sad) female
Ndabicacile (the story is clear) male
Ayanda (they are multiplying/increasing) female
Zandile (they are many) female
Zanele (enough) female
Zinhle (beautiful) female
Nhlanhla (luck) male
Samukeliso () female
Jabulani (enjoy/celebrate/have fun) male
Bhekimpilo (look at life/confront life) male
Philani (live) male
Themba (hope/rely on/trust in) male
Thembelani (have hope/put your trust in) male
Sikhumbuzo (reminder) make
Sithandazile (we prayed) female
Langa (sun) male
Langelihle (beautiful day) male+female
Ntokozo (celebration,fun,joy) male
Ntando (will) male
Ntandoyenkosi (will of God) male
Nhlalo (lifestyle) male
Nonhlanhla (luck) female
Nomagugu (precious) female
Gugulethu (our treasure / our precious one) female
Sthandisiwe () female
Sthandekile (we are loved) female
Thandazani (pray) male
Mqabuko () male
Nqinekile () male
Bekithemba (have hope in) male
Nomaqhawe (heroine) female
Lifa (Inheritance)male
Lifalakhe (His/her inheritance) male
Andile (they are many) male
Anele (they are enough) male
Mqondisi (the one who corrects/fixes/directs/makes right)
male
Lungisani ( repair/fix/make right) male
Qhawe (hero) male
Sukoluhle (happy day) female+male
Suku (day) male
Ndodana (son) male
Njabulo (happiness,celebration) male
Khethiwe (chosen) female
Ndabezinhle (good news) male
Ndaba (news) male
Tholumusa (find mercy/grace) male
Hlengiwe (redeemed) female
Sihlengisizwe (we redeem the nation) male
Sitshengisiwe (we were showed) female
Nothando (love) female
Nomusa (mercy) female
Nomathemba (hope) female
Nomaqhawe (heroine) female
Musa (mercy/grace) female
Nkanyiso (brilliance) male
Sikhanyile (we shined) female+male
Gugulethu (our treasure) female
Mpilo (Life) male
Nosipho (gift) female
Sipho (gift) male
Nkululeko (freedom) male
Mongameli (leader/president) male
Nkathazo (troublesome) male
Nkosi (king) male
Snini (relative) female
Butho (soldier) male
Butholezwe (soldier of the nation) male
Qinisile (we are sure/telling the truth) female
Qinani (be strong) male
Qinile (we are strong) female
Nobesuthu () female
Nobuhle (beauty) female
Sinobuhle (we have beauty) female
Buhle (beauty) female
Sinqobile (we conquered) female
Nqobile (we conquered) male
Dumisani (praise) male
Dumezweni () male
Dudu () female
Duduzani () female
Siphathisiwe (we are forwarding/carrying /bringing something
on behalf of...) female
Thembelani (have faith in...) male
Thembekile (faithful) female
Khumbulani (remember) male
Kwenzakwenkosi ( deed of the Lord) male
Sibaliso () female
Danisile () female+male
Thobekile (polite ) female
Khayelihle (good home) female
Mkhokheli (leader) male
Mlindeli (guardian/security guard/caretaker) male
Thabo () male
Lungile (good) female+male
Hambo (journey) male
Mthokozisi (the one who brings happiness) male
Mduduzi (the one who comforts/consoles) male
Sithabile (we are happy) female
Sidanisiwe (we are sad) female
Thenjiwe (trusted) female
Sinikiwe (given) female
Sibalisiwe () female
Thokozani (enjoy,celebrae,be happy) female
Nonsikelelo () female
Mncedisi (helper) male
Thamsanqa () male
Thubelihle (good chance) female
Thuba (chance) female
Nhlonipho (respect) male
Sinanzeni (recognize) female
Nobukhosi () female
Bukhosi () male
Sindiso (redemption) male
Sindisiwe (saved) female
Sandile (we aremany) male
Sabelo (reply) male
Vuyo () male
Vulindlela (open the way) male
Velaphi (where are you coming from) male
Vuyani () male
Ntombenhle (good/beautiful girl) female
Zodwa () female
Makhosi (queens) female + male
Silibele (we are unaware) male
Vusa (wake up,raise,lift) male
Velempini (coming from the war) male
Fikile (he/she has arrived)
girl
Mayibongwe (give thanks to) male+female
Mandlenkosi (God’s power) male
Mayibongwinkosi (Give thanks to the Lord) male
Bongile (thanks) female
Bongiwe (thanks) female
Buhlebenkosi (God’s beauty) female
Cacile (clear) female
Celesile (rejoice) female
Busisiwe (Blessed) female
Simeleni (why are we standing?) female
Mphathisi (someone who asks you to carry or send a parcel on
his/her behalf) male
Sakheleni (why are we building?) female
Mtshumayeli (preacher) male
Sithenjiwe (we are trusted) female
Bekezela (be patient) male
Mbekezeli (A patient companion /a patient person / someone
who encourages patience) male
Mkhuleko (prayer) male
Sikhulekile (we prayed) female
Mbonisi (one who makes you see) male
.................................
Tholakele (found) female
Mluleki () male
Musawenkosi (the grace of God) female + male
Somandla (God) male
Hleziphi (where are you staying/sitting) female
Sidanisile (make sad) female + male
Nodumo (praise) male+female
Dumolezwe (praise the nation) male
Dumolwenkosi (praise the king) male
Dumoluhle (good praise) male
Singabantu (we are people) male
Sinokuthula (we have peace) female
Sinothando (we have love) female
Siphosenkosi (gift of the Lord) male
Mhlanguli () male
Lindiwe (protected) female
Mzamo (a plan) male
Vusumuzi (revive the family) male
Thabo () male
..................................................
Mzamo (a plan) male
Vusumuzi (revive the family) male
Thabo () male
..................................................
Minenhle (Good Afternoon) Female
Mongiwa () Female
Samkeliso (Which That is Received) Female
Nom'hle (The Beautiful One) Female
Duduzile (Comforted, Comfort) Female
Nomsa (Kindness) Female
S'nothando (We Have Love) Female
Sanelisiwe (We Are Enough/ Complete) Female
Buhle (Beauty) Female
Nothabo (Happiness) Female
Saneliso (Which That Makes Complete) Female
Ntando (Choice) Female + Male
Sanelisiwe (We Are Complete) Female
Siphiwo (Gift) Female
Zingile () Female
Nompilo (Life) Female
Nomsa (Kindness) Female
Siwoneni (What Wrong Did We Do?) Female
Nontobeko (Disciplined) Female
Thabiso (She Who Makes Happy) Female
Simelinkosi (We Are Waiting For The Lord) Female
Simisosenkosi (The Character of the Lord) Female
Sisasenkosi (Mercy of the Lord) Female
Thenjiwe (Dependable, Trusted, Reliable) Female
....................................................................
Mkhululi – (The one who liberates) Male
Mxolisi – (The one who asks for forgiveness) Male
Nkathazo – (Give trouble) Male
Mpilo - (Life) Male
Lungelo (Your Right - as in human rights) Male
Malungelo (Your Rights)
MaleThenjiwe (Dependable, Trusted, Reliable) Female
....................................................................
Nomalisa
() female
Bahle
(they are beautiful) female
Beluseni
(lead them) male
Sithulisile
(We silenced them/We made them quiet) female
Sithulisiwe
(We were silenced) female
Bobotheka
(smile) male
Makhosazana
(princesses) female
Nkazimulo
(glow/shine) male
Fanisani
(compare/show similarities) male
Nosiku
() female
Nokuthaba
(she that is happiness/happy) female
Sethulile
(we brought) female
Xolile
(make peace) male+female
Nhlalwenhle
(good life) male
Nontobeko
(One with discipline, grace and patience) female
Nesisa
() male
Vuyiso
() male
Sibukisiwe
(we were shown) female
Methembe
(trust in) male
Methuseli
(one who intimidates) male
There are hundreds of other Ndebele names.If you know of any
Ndebele name which has been omitted from the list,Please add it in the Comments
Section below:
You might want to read about Zimbabwean Shona Names
ngqabutho
ReplyDeleteNgqabutho is heir usually first boy in the family.
DeleteWhen l look at all these names is it not safe to say they are Nguni names as they seem to be common across all Nguni languages rather than to call them Ndebele names?
DeleteNolwazi (wisdom) female
ReplyDeleteButho (warrior) male
Thandeka (be loved) female
Bonke (all) female
Lwandle (the sea/ocean) male
Nqabelo (male)
Muziwenkosi (home of the Lord) male
Hi do you by any chance know what the name Dotito means
ReplyDeleteHi, would anyone know the ndebele name for Mathew? I am looking for a friend and know that was the translation. thank you for your help..
ReplyDeleteThere is no Ndebele name for Mathew, is the short answer to your question but if you are looking for a derived name it would be Mathewu.
DeleteThere is no Ndebele name for Matthew but if you are looking for the derived name it would be Mathewu. However, if you literally translated the meaning of Matthew, which is, gift of Jehovah then the Ndebele version of it would be Siphosenkosi.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSandisiwe
ReplyDeleteSandisiwe is derived from ukwanda which means to multiply or have more of something. So, as a name it is applied in the sense of a family addition when a new baby is born. A family might choose to name a new baby Sandisiwe thereby acknowledging that the family has multiplied due to the birth of that child. Bandile, Sandile, Bayanda, Kwanda, Kwandakwethu, etc are all valid Ndebele names derived from the verb ukwanda. Kwandakwethu would actually be a short format of Ukwandakwabakwethu if you were to give the full derivation of the name. Many Ndebele names are shortened in a similar fashion just as long as the meaning is not lost in the shortening process.
DeleteWhat's pepisiwe mean
ReplyDeleteThat would be Phephisiwe as a Ndebele name normally feminine and the meaning of which is stating an apology to. In the context of naming a child thus, a family would be stating an apology to another most likely or acknowledging that an apology has been received from another family and therefore they are naming their child so in order to publicise the fact. The two versions of the name in full respectively would be Baphephisiwe and Siphephisiwe both just shortened, in this case to Phephisiwe.
DeleteWouldn't it also mean sheltered?
DeleteWould love to learn ndebele as am married to one
ReplyDeleteWould love to learn ndebele as am married to one
ReplyDeleteThere is a very good and indeed commendable effort that has obviously been applied in producing quite a comprehensive list of common Ndebele names here. I have only had a very quick scan of the list and spotted a few errors some small and some quite significant in the meanings of the names. For instance, the name Gugulethu would be the one with the meaning, hope or more fully, our hopes and dreams whereas, Nomathemba instead of hope is actually, trust or faith. Both the meanings are equally valid because you will find that in the Ndebele language there is often more than one meaning to the same name or word. The name Nomathemba is just the feminine of Themba coming from the verb themba, to trust. You can have in the masculine; Themba, Thembelihle, Thembeka, Thembalakhe, Thembakhulu, Thembani, Tembinkosi, etc. The noun themba in common with the verb (v.t.) themba, in common use as a name have both the meanings, trust or to trust, rely on or faith, to have faith, with the later specifically being in a religious sense. Hence the feminine name Nomathemba has all the meanings; one who is trusted, one who can be relied on and one who has faith. That is just a snippet of a short analysis of what I have scanned quickly here. With more time and a little bit more work, a lot can be done to improve upon what is already a very good and commendable start.
ReplyDeleteMzila: Gugulethu means "Our precious item" simple.
DeleteMine is Sibusiso but egoli its a guys name:)
ReplyDeleteYou could add Nozimanga to the list. What would you say the meaning is?
ReplyDeleteThe name is derived from "izimanga" which means "miracles". Sometimes, African names are difficult to translate directly but you can identify base names from which they are derived.
DeletePlease is there a ndebele name called "Zandonda" and what does it mean?
ReplyDeleteSorry, I have never heard of such a name in Northern Ndebele.
DeleteThis might be a typographical error of "Zamadoda" Meaning those of men or pertinent, pertaining to men.
DeleteHowever, Zando or izando is the plural of isando which means a hammer.
DeleteIs Ndaniso a Ndebele name or a Zulu name as l know of someone from Kzn with that name too.. What does it mean??
ReplyDeleteThere are names which are common to both Zulu and Northern Ndebele. All I can say is that Ndaniso is derived from the word "ukudana" (sad) or "udanile" (he/she is sad). Other names which you can derive from these words are Sidanisile and Danisile.
Deletethe meaning of Sothini
ReplyDeleteSothini means what shall we say
Deletethank you
Deletethanks for this I was just looking for a name to give to my daughter incase i have a baby girl in future God knows when Am called Thebe, its a Setswana name meaning shield and I named my Son Thobo still Setswana Meaning Harvest now I came across Thobe(kile) I think I should name my daughter that name since I now know what it means....(Polite?)
ReplyDeletethank you
Is there a Ndebele name that means Courage for boys? I once was told one but forgot it.
ReplyDeleteKHUTHAZA!!!!!!!
DeleteIs there an Ndebele name for boys that means courage?
ReplyDeleteHi,meaning of Mavuma please
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMavuma and Madonge meaning please
Mavuma is one who consents derived from the v.i.,verb intransitive vuma, to consent or to agree. Vumani, for example, would be the plural of asking a group to consent or agree to a proposal i.e. give their collective consent or agreement to a proposal than has been put forward to them.
DeleteThere is Mqoqi meaning the organizer, then there is Mqondobanzi meaning the wise one, Mqhelisi meaning the one who extends derived from Qhela, Qazimpi meaning seek for war, Qhubekani meaning proceed and Mnqobi meaning victor just to mention a few. Note that these are all male names
ReplyDeleteIs Mavuma a Zimbabwe name or does it come from Egyptian/Coptic?
ReplyDeleteI am looking for a ndebele male name that starts with letter K and with biblical reference
ReplyDeleteI am looking for a ndebele male name that starts with letter K and with biblical reference
ReplyDeleteKholwani,khulisani
DeleteKholwani...i am not sure by what you mean when you say with a biblical reference but i am only sure that somehow the name kholwani is close to the bible and is also a ndebele name starting with the letter K.Kholwani means Believe.
Deleteis the surname "Chiripayi" a ndebele or a shona surname?
ReplyDeleteThat name or word doesn't exist in Ndebele
DeleteIt's a shona surname
Deletethe meaning of dinigmpilo,thank you
ReplyDeleteDingimpilo????
DeleteDingimpilo literally means seek for life
Deleteshould be dingimpilo meaning seek for life
DeleteThe meaning of the name Likhwa
ReplyDeleteLikhwa is a male name basically it means handsome guy
Delete...and "Makabaniso"??
ReplyDeleteVery insightful discussion on names... As a suggestion will it not be appropriate to say Nguni names rather than Ndebele names as all these names you will find in other Nguni languages... Therefore they cannot be of Ndebele origion but certainly Nguni Origion
ReplyDeleteSure, these names are common across Nguni languages such as Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi. They are Nguni names. The writer never said they are originally Ndebele, he is just listing Ndebele names
DeleteDingindawo; Daluthando; Dalokuhle: Mncedisi; Hlekiwe; Dumezweni; Bongani; Sibusiso; Sibusisiwe: Zandile; Mnumzane;
ReplyDeleteI would like to find out the origin of my name, Zhiperangaye, I understand it's Zimbabwean,does anyone have any idea? Thanks
ReplyDeleteWhat is the name for a baby girl meani ng faith?? Thembekile?? Is there other?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the name for a baby girl meani ng faith?? Thembekile?? Is there other?
ReplyDeleteWill l be wrong to name a boy Vusi and to mean the wakener.? The one who unlocks breakthroughs in our family.
ReplyDeleteWhat does ngqabutho means
ReplyDeleteNgqabutho means first born male in the family
DeleteIsivalo sembiza ngesindebele kuthiwa yini?
ReplyDeleteWhatdoes mbonisi in shona mean or a shona name for mbonisi
ReplyDeleteMuratidzi
DeleteNgqabutho means first born male in the family
ReplyDeleteVusi?
ReplyDeleteI KNOW 'IMPIYAHLABA' FROM BULAWAYO.
ReplyDeleteSalisiwe
ReplyDeleteZinzile
ReplyDeleteZinzile
ReplyDeleteZinzile
ReplyDeleteWhat does Nesisa mean
ReplyDeleteSimthandile ??
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to learn the ndebele click words at 16 or more?
ReplyDeleteAnd again is there anyone who can help me with the meaning of my second name Nonceba
Sicocosenkosi (male) the king's head ring
ReplyDeleteNdonsakusa (male) bright morning star
Mqhele (male) the crown
M'akhi (male) builder
What does Lirikum mean in Ndebele?
ReplyDeleteLooking for a male ndebele or zulu name meaning an answered prayer
ReplyDelete