Top International Consultant, Speaker, Facilitator and Author in the areas of Human Relationships, Communications, Diversity Issues, Workplace Harmony Managment and Personal Diversity. The following was written, by Brian Moore, of Mthimkhulu International, as an information response to our friend Tony Lenart - who responded to our article "The relevance of names and naming.", he said:-
"The only thing I don't quite understand is why some parents choose a negative name - which then acts as an affirmation thereafter - eg A friend is called Miriam which I believe means mischevious (and she is), or why Shaka Zulu's mum would want to call her son "parasite" till she dies. (OK I get she was VERY strong willed and stubborn - but still!)"
With reference to the naming of King Shaka, the legend goes that his mother Nandi was very angry at being seduced and then deserted by Shaka’s father, Senzangakhona kaJama.
He and his advisors had denied her pregnancy saying that it was a merely a stomach beetle. Thus, when the child was born, she presented this “stomach beetle” to him saying, “Here is your Shaka.”
The intention was to remind him of the existence of his child, and to prove that she had not lied. Obviously now the name Shaka, has elevated the lowly beetle to a very high standing, amongst the Zulu people.
In many African cultures, names from nature are often used. For example Ngwenya (Zulu), Ngwena (ShiBemba, Mokoena (Sesotho - pronounced Mukwena) all mean crocodile. Ndlovu and Tlau mean lion in two languages. Bhungane, -the name of a famous Zulu leader – is a locust in Zulu. Mthimkhulu is a big tree. Langalibalele - hot sun).
People’s names in African languages often signify events or situations. For example in the Zulu tradition (the father gives the name soon after birth), boys are highly sought after and if a girl is born first, her name may be Ntombelihle (beautiful girl)/ or Ntombikayise (father’s girl). If a second girl is born her name could be Ntombifuthi (A girl again). If a third girl is born she could be named Ntombizodwa (girls only!)
As the good professor has indicated, our article on names and naming, current events often impact the names of the children.
Perhaps the names like Nelson (Mandela), Nonkululeko (f)/ Nkululeko (m) (with freedom) will impact us in the future.
These names will have been created by the new freedom from Apartheid, in our country, and the heroes that fought for it.
The following was written as a information response, to the following question, from our friend Tony Lenart - in response to our article "The relevance of names and naming.":-
"The only thing I don't quite understand is why some parents choose a negative name - which then acts as an affirmation thereafter - eg A friend is called Miriam which I believe means mischevious (and she is), or why Shaka Zulu's mum would want to call her son "parasite" till she dies. (OK I get she was VERY strong willed and stubborn - but still!)"
With reference to the naming of Shaka, the legend goes that Nandi was very angry at being seduced and deserted by Shaka’s father, Senzangakhona kaJama . He and his advisors had denied her pregnancy saying that it was a merely a stomach beetle. Thus, when the child was born, she presented this "stomach beetle" to him saying, "Here is your Shaka."
The intention was to remind him the of the existence of his child, and to prove that she had not lied. Obviously now the name Shaka, has elevated the lowly beetle to a very high standing amongst the Zulu people.
In many African cultures, names from nature are often used. For example Ngwenya (Zulu), Ngwena (ShiBemba, Mokoena (Sesotho - pronounced Mukwena) all mean crocodile. Ndlovu and Tlau mean lion in two languages. Bhungane, -the name of a famous Zulu leader – is a locust in Zulu. Mthimkhulu is a big tree. Langalibalele - hot sun).
People’s names in African languages often signify events or situations. For example in the Zulu tradition (the father gives the name soon after birth), boys are highly sought after and if a girl is born first, her name may be Ntombelihle (beautiful girl)/ or Ntombikayise (father’s girl). If a second girl is born her name could be Ntombifuthi (A girl again). If a 3rd
As the good professor has indicated, in our article on names and naming, current events often impact the names of the children.
Perhaps the names like Nelson (Mandela), Nonkululeko. Nkululeko (with Freedom) will impact us in the future. These names will have been created by the new freedom from Apartheid, in our country.
Here is more info on names and meanings in the Zulu languages:
Bangizwe (m) - Fighting for land or born during a war.
Bheka (m) - Look, watch, take care of.
Bhekabantu - Look after the people.
Bhekinkosi (m) - Look to the King (God).
Bhekisisa (m) - Watch carefully.
Bhekimuzi (m) - Look after the household/ descendants.
Bhekizifundiswa (m) - Watch (and learn from) the educated ones.
Bikwaphi (f) - Where should the report be sent?
Bongani (m) - Give thanks.
Busisiwe (f) - She has been blessed.
Cebile (f) - Rich.
Duduzile (f) - Consoled.
Dumisani (m) - Give praises.
Fanyana (m) - Little boy.
Fikile (f) - She has arrived (i.e. born).
Hlengiwe (f) - Nursed.
Hluphizwe (m) - He who harasses the nation.
Jabulile (f) - She is happy.
Khanyisile (f) - She has brought light (i.e. happiness)
Khulekani (m) - Pray.
Khulelaphi (f) - Where should she grow up?
Lindani (m) - Wait.
Lindiwe (f) - We have been waiting for her.
Lungile (f) - She is good.
Makhosazana (f) - Princesses (plural of "nkosazana").
Malusi (m) - Shepherd.
Mandla (m) - Power or energy.
Maphikelela (m) - He who perseveres.
Matshana (m) - Little stones.
Mbalenhle (f) - Beautiful flower.
Mbali (f) - Flower.
Mfanafuthi (m) - It's a boy again.
Mgwazeni (m) - Stab him.
Mhambi (m) - Traveller.
Mncedisi (m) - Helper.
Mndeni (m) - Family or descendants.
Mondli (m) - Feeder.
Mphikeleli (m) - He who perseveres. See also Maphikelela.
Mpinkulu (m) - Big or great war.
Mpumelelo (f/m) - Success.
Mthandeni (m) - Love him.
Mthunzi (m) - Shadow.
Musawenkosi (m) - God's grace.
Mzikayise (m) - Father's household.
Mzwandile (m) - The family has increased.
Ncelebana (m) - Spy.
Ndleleni (m) - On the road.
Ndumiso (m) - Praise (noun).
Nelisiwe (f) - Satisfied.
Nikeziwe (f) -
Nkosazana (f) - Pricess. See also "Makhosazana".
Nkosenye (m) - One king or another king.
Nhlanhla (m) - Luck. Compare with "Nonhlanhla".
Nkosinhle (m) - The King (i.e. God) is good.
Nobuntu (f) - Mother of humanness (human kindness).
Nokukhanya (f) - Mother of light or enlightenment (i.e. wisdom)
Nokuthula (f) - Mother of quietness (peace).
Nomakholwa (f) - Mother of believers.Nombuso (f) - Mother of the kingdom.
Nombuyiselo (f) - Mother of restoration.
Nomcebo (f) - Mother of wealth.
Nompilo (f) - Mother of health.
Nomthandazo (f) - Mother of prayer.
Nomusa (f) - Mother of grace.
Nonhlanhla (f) - Mother of luck. Compare with "Nhlanhla".
Nonkululeko (f) - Mother of freedom.
Nosipho (f) - Mother of a gift. Compare with "Nozipho".
Nozipho (f) - Mother of gifts. Compare with "Nosipho".
Nqobile (f) - She has conquered.
Nsizwa (m) - Young man.
Ntombifuthi (f) - It's a girl again.
Ntombikayise (f) - Father's girl.
Ntombiyakhe (f) -
Ntombizodwa (f) - Girls only.
Phindile (f) - Repetition.
Phiwokwakhe (m) - He who was given what was rightfully his.
Samukelisiwe (f) - We have been allowed to receive.
Sibongile (f) - We give thanks.
Sibusiso (m) - Blessing.
Sicelo (m) -
Sifiso (m) - A wish.
Sindisiwe (f) - Saved.
Sinenhlanhla (m) - We have luck (we are fortunate).
Sinethemba (m) - We have hope.
Sinoxolo (m) - We have peace (we are peaceful).
Siphesihle (m) - Good gift.
Siphiwe (f/m) - We have been given.
Sipho (m) - Gift.
Sithembiso (m) - Promise.
Sithokozile (f) - We are happy.
Sonto (f) - Sunday.
Thamsanqa (m) - Luck.
Thandekile (f) - The loved one.
Thandiwe (f) - She is loved.
Thathani (f) - Take.
Themba (m) - Hope.
Thembeka (f) - Trustworthy.
Thembekile (f) - Trusted.
Thembelihle (f) - Good hope.
Thembisile (f) - She has promised.
Thoko (f) - Happiness.
Thokozile (f) - Happy.
Tholakele (f) - She has been found (i.e. born).
Thulani (m) - Be quiet.
Velaphi (m) - Where from?
Vumile (f) - She has agreed.
Vusumuzi (m) - Raise (develop) the household or descendants.
Xolani (m) -
Zanele (f) - They are enough (i.e. the children).
Zenzele (m) - Do for self.
Zibonele (m) - See for yourself.
Zithulele (m) - He is quiet.
Zondlile (f) - She has nourished herself.