Zimbabwean Ndebele Names

Bulawayo also known as "City of Kings"

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)

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)

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:

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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
..................................................

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

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) Male
Thenjiwe (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