Dlamini: Another among South African names of Etswana origin that means royalty. Meaning: Mercy. This name is suitable for both genders. Esther Mahlangu is an artist best known for contemporary paintings based on her cultural heritage. South African variant of Both. Meaning: Flower or blossom., 4. More so, African surnames are plainly out of this world. Meaning: Child that keeps coming or reincarnation., 5. Mostafa Origin: An Arabic name found throughout Egypt. 14. It means destined to be a warrior in Yoruba language. Agu (Nigerian origin) means "tiger" and is a popular Igbo name. Musa Origin: Nigerian. It is a Malian surname, which means blessing. Derefaka Gogo, Canada, In Most West African countries (Togo, Benin, Ghana, Cote dIvoire), the majority of Southern people name their children based on their day of birth. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. 15. Get in touch! Bankole -Widely used among the Yoruba families, it means help build our house or build my house for me. 75. Mensah One of the most popular African names, Mensah comes from the Akan group, and means third child born to a couple. Theophilus Khumalo is a retired South African football player, best known for playing in South Africa's national team. 59. Adby Origin: Nigerian (Yoruba). Each last name has an origin and a meaning, and we have also included any additional information or history behind some names. Usually used as a given name and the last name, Olatunji means wealth awakes again. It originates from the Swahili culture and means delight or happiness. 90. Keita (Malian origin) means "blessing," found among the people of Mali. It has its origins in the Benin culture and means seeking refuge in the elders protection. Good question! Meaning: One who possesses a clever head. 53. It is now common in South Africa. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. This category has the following 9 subcategories, out of 9 total. The History of South African Surnames. 75. Accordingly, all letters that make up these last names must be duly considered and put into perspective while trying to pronounce them. Mary Twala was an artist who started her career by starring in 'Generations', a South African TV series. 50. Discover your DNA story and unlock the secrets of your ancestry and genealogy with our DNA kits for ancestry and the world's most comprehensive DNA database. 26. Usually earned, Agrinya means warrior in the Yala language. Mulder. Third item on the film. Itumeleng (Botswanan origin) means joy. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. Axmed (Somali origin) the variant for Ahmed. It means a good runner. 100 Unique and Most Common African Last Names (Surnames), While doing our research for African Names we found these interesting aricle parts and we feel like sharing them with you, My name (Noxolo) means peace in Xhosa. Miriam Makeba was a civil rights activist, United Nations goodwill ambassador, singer and actress. Afia (Akan origin) meaning "born on a Friday," commonly found in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Toure (Ghanaian origin) means "elephant," from the Soninke word. Preparations for the long-awaited Cape Town E-Prix are on track for next Saturday 25 November when the event kicks off on the streets of the Green Point Precinct. Okusanya (Yoruba origin) meaning "God has rewarded me". 66. Asa directly translates to shield, so Alasa means lord or owner of the shield. Meaning: The Lord is gracious.. Nenge -This unusual surname means see in Tiv. 86. It is usually given to boys. Amani (Ethiopian origin) means faith. Negga (Ethiopian origin) means "the night has passed". Some names describe the parents reaction to the birth (such as Kayode, Gwandoya, Abeni and Monifa) and still others are descriptive of the newborn or of desired characteristics (like Yejide, Dada, Chiumbo and Zuberi). Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. Meaning: The night has passed.. So I would say that perhaps one would find God in a lot more African names than one would suspect. We have listed 100 surnames of African origin in this article. South African variant of Both. Stephen Biko was an African nationalist who was at the forefront of the internal resistance to the apartheid movement. Chizimu Origin: Malawian (Lambya). Sometimes used as a first name, this surname means the king/crown/royalty opens the belly/ womb. Zadzisai (Shona origin) meaning "fulfillment of a promise". The surname Keita gained prominence after the rule of the Keita dynasty from the 11th to the 17th century. Albert Luthuli was an African Nobel Peace Prize winner, teacher, and anti-apartheid activist. Madia South African. Temitope It means mine is worthy of thanks or gratitude, and is suitable for both boys and girls. 34. Nnadi (Igbo origin) meaning "my father lives". Chimwemwe (Malawi origin) means pleasure or joy. 93. Makeba meaning "precious jewel". 98. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. This list contains Ethiopian last names, Sudanese last names and many more. It is usually given to boys. You e-mail me the surnames you are interested in, and I send you the e-mail address(es) of the person(s) who are researching these surnames for their own family history. Last name Onwuachimba means Death could never wipe out a community. It is actually an oxymoron, a religious friend has suggested I change my name BUT, why should I? 43. You will find the place of origin and the meaning of each name in this list too. It means may I not lack a family or a home. Coetzee Afrikaans. In the Tamazight language, Amaziane means young or little. It is usually considered a male name. Behind the Name: Ndebele Given Names. Meaning: Unknown. Botha Southern African, Afrikaans. The northern part of Africa, according to the UN, is made up of seven countries. 8. Derived from the Tiv language, it means remember the father. 32. It is among the most common African last names. 84. 61. Phukuntsi (Tswana origin) meaning "one who attracts flies". Hailing from the ethnic group Yoruba, Abiodun is often used both as a surname and a first name. 50. South african last names starting with M It is usually given to boys. Dikeledi (Botswanan origin) means tears. Farouq The redeemer, one who differentiates between the right and wrong. Some are based on ones village or tribe, personal characteristics, or where they live. creative tips and more. Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company. It means "leaves" (verb) in Swahili. The name can be translated as fullness of power. Whilst this is a list of last names, many of the last names on this list have also been used as first names too. A name that acknowledges a divine concession is Chukwunyelu, which means God gives in Igbo. In the United States anyone who manifests African ancestry is coded as "black". This does not influence our choices. This name is also predominantly given to boys. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. 35. 58. 33. Oluwusi It means kingship has increased. 20. Discover the ethnic origin and meaning of last names. Jelani -One of the given and last names for boys among the Swahili tribes, Jelani means mighty or full of strength. Afumba (Zambian origin) meaning "when they plan". 15. Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning. Adomako Origin: Ghanaian. Gebreyes (Ethiopian origin) means servant of. 96. Common South African surnames. 79. Meaning: Born during the festival or war. 23. If you liked our suggestions for South African last names then why not take a look at something different like Nigerian Last Names or Caribbean Names. Bilaal (Somali origin) means moistening. Chidubem (Igbo origin) meaning "guided by God". Afolabi (Yoruba origin) meaning "someone who is born into high status and wealth". Ilunga, for example, is of Bantu origin.It roughly translates to "a person who is ready to forgive any abuse for the first time, to . It means supreme or a great warrior and is usually given to boys. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. Kasongo (Congolese origin) meaning "bushbuck". Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. Examples are Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele, and Tswana to name a few. And Its curious there arent many hausa names (if any at all). One of such names is a Yoruba surname Falade, which means god of divination has intermingled with royalty. The first name is Bright. Fatsani (Botswanan origin) means be meek in Chewa. This name has been brought to the big screen all over the world through a fictional character Okoye in a cultural phenomenon, the Black Panther movie. It is considered to be fundamentally masculine. 45. Abara is a common last name in the Igbo community. Owusu meaning "strong-minded and determined". Bankole (Yoruba origin) meaning "build my house for me". Dive into this post for some amazing and interesting African surnames. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. 60. Ladipo (Nigerian origin) meaning "wealth and prosperity," peculiar to the Yoruba people. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. 78. And many of the names in Oromo (another Ethiopian language) that contain Waaq as in Waaqgari, or Waaqayoo are similar derivations from the Oromo word for God (Waq). A mainstream name among the Igbo surnames in Nigeria, Obi means heart. Tawfiq Means an opportunity or chance to gain knowledge or succeed in life. 76. You need to be quite careful and focused to be able to produce these African last names as they should be. It means a good runner. Achebe is an invocation of a deity, which means the Goddess protects. This diversity is evident in all facets of their existence and it is very prominent. Achebe (Igbo origin) meaning "the Goddess protects". In the Igbo language, Aguta means to have plenty or to have plenty/many. It means one who has many people to call for help, and is considered typically male. Ray Phiri was a Malawian immigrant who went on to become one of South Africa's most renowned Jazz musicians. Back to top? FamilyEducation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get in touch! Pretorius Southern African, Afrikaans. It is an aspirational surname with Igbo origin, which means to be higher or to be better. Amadou Toumani Toure was a radical Malian military leader who served twice as Mali's president. Surnames serve as a tool to identify our ancestry. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. But by the grace of God, my first and middle names are not only African but reflect the ethnic origin of where I know my maternal ancestors come from, the Mandinka people. 27. 31. 7. - wife of Ralph Patrick Murray (1): 3. This complex background makes summing up African naming traditions in a few paragraphs very difficult. It is a favored name for boys among people of Yoruba lineage. 48. 23. For example Gebre-Egziabher in the Ethiopian/Eritrean languages of Amharic/Tigrinya means Servant of God and those are Christian names. Negga/Nega Origin: Ethiopian. This name from the Igbo tribes means my God is alive or my father lives. A well-liked Yoruba male name, Abioye means born into royalty or the son of royalty. It is generally given to boys. Buhle is a common surname among people who's identity is attached to the Xhosa clan. Ghana's founding father Kwame Nkrumah chose to name his two sons after fellow African leaders. When we come to my dads name Negussie it means my king and my grandpas name Aberra means its shining so when you read my entire name it has a meaning of Daniel my king shines. Yeah, I hope I will shine forever and be a man for a change. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. It is also a display of honor for the eze or king in some parts of Igboland. Nnadi -This name from the Igbo tribes means my God is alive or my father lives. Chibuzo is an African last name that means God give me directions. I think my name shows more the hope and wish of my parents than mine (given that I am on the atheistic side of things). Among the Xhosa and Ndebele groups of people, Buhle is a popular name which means handsome or beautiful. A A A. Avocado consumption in South Africa has been on the rise in recent years, just like in many other places around the world. These beautiful South African names derive from the country's rich history and are influenced by its many languages and traditional inhabitants. It means one who acts at the time of scarcity. Meghnagi (Libyan origin) could refer to zion. 88. 62. http://www.expressos. I bet you were unable to make out a few of their pronunciation. Okoro (Igbo origin) meaning "greatness". 4. Much like Scotland, most last names can date back to a particular patriarch within the tribe that which the name was based. If you are looking for more unique names, you can look at our articles on South African Names and African Last Names. From lino cutting to surfing to childrens mental health, their hobbies and interests range far and wide. 25. Meaning: We added to the crown.. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. 47. Stemming from the Yoruba group, Adeleke means the king/crown/royalty triumphed. Uduike (Igbo origin) meaning "full of power". This skyrocketing demand has a variety of negative side effects, like high prices or bad farming practices, but now there seems to be another one to keep an eye on: immature avocados. 100. 37. Of Yoruba origin, the name means the crown is good. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. It can be translated into the land is active. His reason was to rid the country of all of Mobutus influence and he felt a change of name was the way to do it. From the time I got to know about the traditional meaning of my name, I developed a sense of responsiblity to my Family, my heritage and my culture. Abara Origin: West African (Igbo). 52. Meaning: Bushbuck.. "Bruyn" is an archaic spelling of "bruin", meaning "brown". Name and surname: NE NTULI STUDENT NUMBER: 60283858 UNIQUE NUMBER: 888570 MODULE: PVL 2601 ASSINGMENT 1 SEMESTER 2 2020 Question 1 a. Abara is a common last name in the Igbo community. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. Her love for content creation made her pivot her career from science to writing. Meaning: Born with wealth.. This name is mostly given to sons by the hopeful family. Onai (Shona origin) meaning "call to observe". Other variants include Ali and Alioun. If you want your babys name to be promising, then, this is the perfect name to choose. Zuma meaning "of God". It has its roots in Yoruba and it means a lot of wealth. Some of these names can also be found in other parts of Africa, but are more commonly found amongst people in northern Africa. 94. Aguta (Igbo origin) meaning "to have many". 80. It is suitable for boys. Odili meaning "peace". Keita It is a Malian surname, which means blessing. 33. Their names are based on male lineage. Masoja Msiza is a South African artist known for appearing in the hit telenovela 'Uzalo'. Last names come from indigenous, colonialist, and diasporic roots. SOUTH AFRICAN SURNAMES - P PLEASE NOTE: This is ONLY a listing of who is interested in which South African families. Thebe Medupe is an African Astrophysicist recognized for his work on a project called 'Cosmic Africa'. Sometimes also a given name for boys. 73. what are the parameters you have used to arrive at this results ? Hamadache (Algerian origin) the meaning is unknown. The surname with Yoruba origin means god has rewarded me for my sufferings. What I like about this name is it reflects which tribal group of South Africa I come from. YM, Ethiopia. Zivai Another name that originates from the Shona group is Zivai, which means you must know. It is generally considered to be a masculine name. Often spelled as Adby, this name is a very popular first name and last name among men in Nigeria and people who are of African descent across other continents. Many common South African last names make references to natural occurrences. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Afrikaans-language_surnames&oldid=1108286178, Template Category TOC via CatAutoTOC on category with 101200 pages, CatAutoTOC generates standard Category TOC, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 3 September 2022, at 15:23. It shows the unity of the families in the Yoruba groups. Brought to South Africa by settlers of French decent some time in the past 300 years. 68. You can hear a certain surname in a family being carried forward for many generations. Thank you! Albaz (Jewish origin) means falconer and originates from Morocco and Algeria. 3. 9. Its not just some common names you hear every day. Agwuegbo (Nigerian origin) means "the hardship is over," found among the Igbo people. Having its origin in Yoruba, Awolowo means the oracle has dignity. Abebe Origin: Ethiopian. Mwanajuma (Swahili origin) meaning "born on Friday". 93. Desmond Tutu is a renowned clerk and theologian, known for his work in the human rights sector. The two civil sanctions that are available to Mrs Tau to enforce the maintenance order in her and the boys ' favour in the specific circumstances of this case are; I.A warrant (writ) of execution against the maintenance debtor ' s property. 2. It is a conventional surname across various African people and means one who is born on orie market day. 1. Africa is the land of abundant natural resources and cultural diversity. Thanks! 49. This name is primarily masculine. Onyeneme It is a name that compliments a person, and it means one who does well. 68. Commonly used as a male name in Nigeria, Anenih means God bearing name. There we go! 51. This surname is possibly derived from the Sonink word tr, which means elephant. 16. 85. Surnames of Kenyan origin (37 P) Surnames of Moroccan origin (46 P) Surnames of North African origin (1 C) Surnames of Somali origin (4 P) Surnames of South African origin (5 C, 5 P) Surnames of Swaziland origin (1 P) Surnames of Tunisian origin (10 P) Surnames of West African origin (5 C, 3 P) Swahili-language . Achebe (Igbo origin) meaning "Goddess protects". Gowon (Tiv origin) meaning "the rainmaker". Toure -This surname is possibly derived from the Sonink word tr, which means elephant. Ambuya Mlambo was a groundbreaking broadcaster and television host best known for her programs geared towards children. Teklehaimanot Origin: Ethiopian. Orji Another conventional name that praises physical strength is Orji. Obi -A mainstream name among the Igbo surnames in Nigeria, Obi means 'heart'. 68. Ndiaye (Senegal origin) meaning "descendant of the lion clan". Abbas Origin: An Arabic name found throughout Algeria. Radebe (Zulu origin) meaning "big tree". 86. Lucas Radebe is a former African football player who became known as 'The Chief' during his time at Leeds United. While going through these last names, remember that many African names may be masculine; however, as parents, choose the surnames that connect with you and suit your baby. Abebe (Amharic origin) meaning "flower". 48. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. Mandela (Xhosa origin) meaning "gift of God". Udu means a clay pot to fill water, and Ike means strength. South african last names starting with R Jlassi (Tunisian origin) means loyalty or sincerity. Amaechi (Igbo origin) meaning "who knows tomorrow". March 03 , 2023. Some practice various tribal religions, others Islam or Christianity. Surnames like Abimbola that reference wealth and prosperity are common in South Africa. Badu Origin: Ghanaian. Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Afrikaans surnames from Germanic languages, Afrikaans surnames from Indo-European languages, Afrikaans surnames from Romance languages, https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Afrikaans_surnames&oldid=67421191, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. 100. De Bruyn Afrikaans. Buhari meaning "is a man". 76. 24. 64. 8. Another nickname that also functions as a surname is Egebe, which means kite. Wairimu Kuria, Kenyan in US, African names comes with great pride and power. Alinafe (Malawi origin) means he is with us. 90. It means one who is born during the festival or war. As Africa is made up of 54 countries (making it the second-largest continent in the world), its naming systems are diverse. So a name is really very important. 95. Kenyetta (Kenya origin) meaning "musician". Most Popular African Last Names Or Surnames, Infographic: Top African Surnames Rich In History And Culture. Chikondi (Malawi origin) means love. Among the Igbo groups, Igwe means heaven, which is considered the highest realm of existence. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. Boujettif Origin: Northern African (Archaic). 28. Among the citizens of Senegal, Ndiaye is a ferocious surname as well as a given name. The research found that in Africa, most surnames are connected to geographic origin, occupation, lineage or personal characteristics.One surname-type unique to the continent is the praise-name, which expresses character traits or other admirable attributes. 42. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.