For instance, a child who was born in the morning can be named Ekusani (morning) in Zulu. [171] Ndaba meaning "news". What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. The following 148 pages are in this category, out of 148 total. South African (Anglicized, Archaic, Expatriate), Apply this search to the main name collection, the letters in the pattern are compared to the letters in the name, search for an exact phrase by surrounding it with double quotes, this field understands simple boolean logic, force a term to be included by preceding it with a, force a term to be excluded by preceding it with a, sounds can only be searched in names that have been assigned pronunciations, syllables can only be counted in names that have been assigned pronunciations, names without pronunciations are excluded from results. South African names depict the identity of a child or children and also remain important to the cultures, traditions, and everyday life of the people. 46. Olanrewaju (Yoruba origin) meaning "my prosperity is moving forward". A common last name derived from an ancestors complexion or the color of their hair. WebSurnames such as Williams, Thomas, Joshua, Brooks, Edwards, Isaacs, George, Bennett, Francis, Benjamin, Peters, Anthony, Andre Continue Reading More answers below My friend from South Africa constantly uses the word 'colored'. Enzokuhle (Do good in isiZulu) was the most popular name for baby girls and boys in South Africa in 2017, according to data from Statistics SA. So I thought that this would be the best place to find out. South Africa is considered to be a melting pot filled with traditions and systems adopted from all parts of the African continent. Africa is home to several language families and hundreds of languages all these different cultures countries and people have something in common they can be found now world wide and one way of keeping and telling others about your roots is African Surname and there for it is considered as very important in todays African culture. Themba Ndaba is a renowned South African director who selected the cast of 'Zone 14' and 'Machine Gun Preacher'. Kenyetta (Kenya origin) meaning "musician". Molungu is a popular surname that many African people in the Bantu community hold. Name Statistics South Africa The most common surnames in South 58. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for, 100 Top South African Last Names With Meanings, 60+ Funny Orc Names That Are Perfect For Your Next Campaign, All Of The Pillar Men Names From JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, 100+ Ice Hockey, Roller Hockey, And Hockey Team Names From Past And Present, 80+ Beaver Names From Fiction, Plus Cute And Funny Ideas For Names. WebWhite is a surname either of English or of Scottish and Irish origin, the latter being an anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic MacGillebhin, "Son of the fair gillie" and the Irish "Mac Faoitigh" or "de Faoite". Here is a list of common South African names that have a rich history and lineage. Stephen Biko was an African nationalist who was at the forefront of the internal resistance to the apartheid movement. I'm still not happy with the responses I'm getting. Biko (Bantu origin) meaning 'a person of the people". Forebears knowns about 821,426 unique surnames in South Africa and there are 66 people per name. Omenma meaning "one who does enough for others". Surnames of Central African Republic origin, Surnames of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Surnames_of_African_origin&oldid=975155719, Template Category TOC via CatAutoTOC on category with 301600 pages, CatAutoTOC generates standard Category TOC, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 August 2020, at 01:28. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. Cisse (Madinka origin) meaning "professor". A. 2023 WeAfrique - Famous people of African descent, celebrities, news, and everything Interesting, 20 Nollywood Actors And Their Marital Status, Who Is Stevie Vann: Details About The Singer No One Told You About, 50 Most Popular African Dishes You Should Find In A Good African Restaurant, 25 African Restaurants In The United States, Simple Steps On How To Cook Edikang Ikong Soup ( Edikaikong Soup ), Lexington Budden Is One Of Joe Buddens Children: All To Know. 74. Ngige meaning "locust". Maponya meaning "king of elephants". Mandela: One of the South African names, Mandela is of Xhosa origin and it means gift of God and is the surname of one of the most popular African and the former South African names are derived from a variety of African dialects and regional languages. Family Education is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational reference sites for parents, teachers, and students. Kidadl has lots of great names articles to inspire you. The report further shows that for the period 20162021, Gauteng and Western Cape are estimated to experience the largest inflow of migrants of approximately, 1 643 590 and 493 621 respectively. Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. Its a great stain on our past and the biggest factor in researching African-American heritage. South African Submitted Surnames Home Submitted Names. Ngige is one of the most old-fashioned surnames that people in Africa have. You will find plenty of articles about slow travel, visas, immigration, co-living, and co-working. Afolabi (Yoruba origin) meaning "someone who is born into high status and wealth". Etiename (Ibibio origin) meaning "benevolent". BEAUNARD m Afrikaans (Rare) BEHATI f Afrikaans Possibly an Afrikaans variant of BEATA. 9. The infant mortality rate for 2019 is estimated at 22,1deaths per 1 000 live births. Miriam Makeba was a civil rights activist, United Nations goodwill ambassador, singer and actress. Chidiozie is a long-established surname in many African communities. Cillirs Afrikaans Brought to Umburter (Tiv origin) meaning "remember the father". Alaneme (Igbo origin) meaning "the land is active". Aguta (Igbo origin) meaning "to have many". Tambo meaning "rope". According to the Recorded Live Births, 2017 report released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), a persons forename and surname are fundamental 7. In South Africa, there are two Ndebele groups: Northern Ndebele is essentially a dialect of Zulu, and the older Southern Ndebele language falls within a different subgroup. Blue Marshmallows - Asda, There were those who, after emancipation, took on the same name of their plantation or kept the name given to them by their captors for identification purposes, so they could find other family members from whom were separated against their will. For example, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe were both colonies of Portugal and together gained independence in 1975. 59. 51. The top 10 surnames by province of birth registration, according to the latest report released by Statistics South Africa are as follows: 1. In the ships, these people endured inhuman conditions. Life from a Bag contains affiliate links. That line of ancestry was cut by the institution of chattel slavery, which sought to dehumanize the enslaved by taking away their dignity, their children, and even their names. From Latin praetor meaning "leader". Surnames have a ton to say about heritage, even when that heritage was forcibly severed. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. Canvas Stretching Singapore, Tutu (Subiya origin) meaning "wealth". Your email address will not be published. This also doesnt include some of the well-known tribes like Igbo and Yoruba. Pages in category "Afrikaans-language surnames" The following 138 pages are in this category, out of 138 total. 4. See the full compilation of maps by NetCredithere. 19. If your name was Hill or Lake, it meant an ancestor lived on a hill or near a Lake. And burned. Mensah is a common last name used by families residing in various parts of Africa, such as South Africa. Here is a list of famous South African last names and meanings. There were an estimated 300,000 white South Africans of Portuguese descent in 2010. Play daily crosswords, sudoku, puzzles, and more. 76. Buhle is a common surname among people who's identity is attached to the Xhosa clan. South Africa is home to 58 million registered people from 9 tribes and they speak 11 languages. Unfortunately your payment just failed. Albert Luthuli was an African Nobel Peace Prize winner, teacher, and anti-apartheid activist. Zuma meaning "of God". Many Swahili last names pay homage to the day or time that a person was born. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. Fort Bend Co. Tonya Smith: ALLEN: Missouri: Macon Co. Anitra Lane Abbey (1) 4. Stephen Biko was an African nationalist who was at the forefront WebAdriaanse Alberts (name) B Badenhorst Bakkes Bekker Blaauw Blignault Blignaut Booi Booysen Boshoff Bosman Botha Breytenbach Burger (surname) Buys C Cilliers Cloete Igwe (Igbo origin) meaning "sky". This is due in part to officials imposing surnames on them based on their last owners. Most people have asked me Is Ndebele and Zulu the same? No, but the languages both fall in the Nguni group of Bantu languages. WebThe most common South African surnames come from Nguni clans, which consist of the Zulu, Xhosa, and Ndebele clans. 61. Sepedi is a popular language in the Northernmost province of South Africa Limpopo. Akinyemi is a surname found mostly in descendants of the Yoruba people. Account; Register; Most Common Forenames in Jamaica Most Common Forenames in The World Most Common Surnames in The World. Setswana is a popular South African language spoken by people from the North West province. Last names or family names are surnames that identify a person's family, community, tribe, or village. Abimbola (Yoruba origin) meaning "born with wealth". Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. Igwe (Igbo origin) meaning "heaven". The top 10 surnames by province of birth registration, according to the latest report released by Statistics South Africa are as follows: 1. This is a listing of common surnames (alphabetical by country names): Contents 1 Argentina 2 Bangladesh 3 Belgium 4 Brazil 5 Bulgaria 6 Canada 6.1 English Canada 6.2 Quebec (French Canada) 7 China 8 Colombia 9 Croatia 10 Czech Republic 11 Denmark 12 Estonia 13 Finland 14 All rights reserved. The slave trade and the stain on Americas past are not always discussed thoroughly in school, so its up to us to educate ourselves. 81. 83. Esther Mahlangu is an artist best known for contemporary paintings based on her cultural heritage. Stefanie is a freelance parenting writer and blogger, and has published works on other publications such as Motherly. I maintain the list. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. 21. This name was adopted in the 17th century by Wesselius Praetorius as a Latin translation of his previous The most popular name given to babies in 2017 is Enzokuhle. How the hell did I get the surname I have. Tswana people are known for their calm nature, beauty and having some of the most popular South African names. Other names can also be derived from nicknames like Short or Little. Radebe (Zulu origin) meaning "big tree". This list may not reflect recent changes. The term 'Goddesses' can be found among many common African names. The most popular baby name for boys in 2014 in South Africa was Junior; for girls it was Iminathi, Statistics South Africa revealed in its latest Recorded Live Births 2014 Report. Something went wrong, please try again later. in the country in several op-eds citing the U.S. Census. Race relations and African-American history are immortalized in the names of the community looking into these stories can teach you a lot. British last names became popular after the Norman conquest and were common by the time of the colonization of America. Offer Suggestions Crossword Clue, Unable to display Facebook posts.Show errorfunction cffShowError() { document.getElementById("cff-error-reason").style.display = "block"; document.getElementById("cff-show-error").style.display = "none"; }. Kasongo (Congolese origin) meaning "bushbuck". It roughly translates to a person who is ready to forgive any abuse for the first time, to tolerate it a second time, but never a third time"and is the most common surname in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 70. Oops! 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. Northern Cape maintained its status as the province with the lowest population in the country with a population estimated at 1, 26 million people. Well, maybe that is why it is easy to fix words and create content. 5. The most common last names were English ones, like Johnson, Williams, Jackson, Brown, Jones, Smith, Richardson, and others. 52. It is the seventeenth most common surname in England. Meaning: Child that keeps coming or This is his offspring. 35. Owusu meaning "strong-minded and determined". Abdinor (2) 7. Mahlangu meaning "one who carries the shield". They are known for their beautiful girls, breathtaking traditional attire, and monogamous relationships. The most popular baby name for boys in 2014 in South Africa was Junior; for girls it was Iminathi, Statistics South Africa revealed in its latest Recorded Live Births 2014 Report. Motaung meaning "lions". Many African-American surnames are of English origin. 92. Most Common African American Surnames By Count. She is fond of classic British literature. If you have a South African last name, you may find it in one of the categories below. Copyright Anne Lehmkuhl, SOUTH AFRICAN FAMILY HISTORY and GENEALOGY. It means a beautiful flower and its usually short for Mbalenhle or Nombali. Sharanda Jones: Her Sad Story, Imprisonment, Release, Where is She Today? 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. Buhari meaning "is a man". Abara is a common last name in the Igbo community. WebLives in Durban, South Africa Author has 5.2K answers and 1.6M answer views 1 y. Mangosuthu Buthelezi was an African tribal leader and one of the founders of the IFP (Inkatha Freedom Party). Here are some common South African last names: If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Stay connected even in the dark heres how to set up the ideal loadshed-proof Oh sheep! Some self-identified free men took on French names, perhaps to emulate the vibrant Creole culture in Louisiana where black people enjoyed more freedom than other places in the south. The people of South Africa take inspiration from several sources when it comes to surnames. 24. Some even have Indian surnames For example, the son of Jack would be called Jackson. Chidubem is one of the many surnames that calls for a higher power. died before making it to their destination. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. If your last name is more traditionally African, your family probably came over on a different wave of immigration than the Middle Passage. 60. If youre a budding photographer this section is for you. Photo restoration goes hand-in-hand with spending time with your family. These grannies from the Gogo Shonisane Mamelodi football club prove age is nothing Local rugby club donates cereal to school in Mitchell's Plain. Login Forgot password? This is why many last names technically have different origins. Nothing seems more basic than a surname, but self-identifying as a part of a group or a family is a right that we take for granted. Forenames. South Ndebele people also known as Matabele ba ga Mahlangu ba ya khuluma isiNdebele and North Ndebele people are known as Matabele ba ga Mokopane and we dont khuluma but we sumela isiNdebele. While many South Africans have adopted the use of English names, there are many others that have continued the use of names in the local languages of the people. 2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. 25. Hint: It took a week. Durban - Dlaminis continue to rule the roost in South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal as the most common surname, according to figures for births in 2018 released by Statistics SA. Abbas Origin: An Arabic name found throughout Algeria. If you are looking for your forebears in the U.S. census, they will have been listed as little more than half a person. Trilingual Rajnandini has also published work in a supplement for 'The Telegraph', and had her poetry shortlisted in Poems4Peace, an international project. 31. Afrikaans surnames from Romance languages (2 c, 0 e) Pages in category "Afrikaans surnames" The following 21 pages are in this category, out of 21 total. 1. 90. Tshabalal (Zulu origin) meaning "shooting star". 4. New Zealand unseats SA's Afrikaans as the sexiest accent in the world, patronymic (from the name of a father or ancestor). The first van der Merwes hail from the Merwede river. If you are African-American and trying to look into your past through your last name, there will be many obstacles. A common name of English origin, Smith means someone who works with metal. 56. Its possible if your last name is ethnically African that your family came over on one of these waves, which should make it much easier to locate the records of your forebears. Jacobs 2. A British surname like Smith would mean that somewhere in your heritage your ancestor was a smith. 57. Most people with the name Katlego have the nickname Kay, Kat or Katli. Other deviations of the names include Atlegang in Sesotho or Nompumelelo in Xhosa. Buthelezi (Zulu origin) meaning "chief". Examples are Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele, and Tswana to name a few. Source(s): https://shrinks.im/a85vF. Masoja Msiza is a South African artist known for appearing in the hit telenovela 'Uzalo'. Osei meaning "royalty". Self-identification is a freedom we often take for granted, but being able to have a name you are proud of is a privilege that many white Americans overlook. 67. I maintain the list. Sefako meaning "hail". Swahili however is the most widely spoken language in the country and names in the language are also popular. Adisa (Yoruba origin) meaning "one who is clear". LISTEN | Budget bombshells, Orlando Pirates Derby shivers and UCT chaos, Podcast series: click here to find them all, LISTEN | What should Ramaphosa say: News24's Adriaan Basson and Qaanitah Hunter discuss SONA 2023, LISTEN | 'We've failed as clinicians': This HIV doctor is changing how he treats overweight patients, PODCAST | Bingeing Without Borders (Episode 6): South Africa. ^@ Aiden. Whats in a name? They might even be given separate names, further complicating any genealogy research you might be attempting. Medupe (Tswana origin) meaning "gentle rain". Not all African immigrants came to the US on slave ships. These are the 10 most common African American surnames according to the 2000 census: If you are interested in learning more about your origins, then your surname is a great place to start your genealogy search. Many common South African last names make references to natural occurrences. Ayodele (Yoruba origin) meaning "joy comes home". Its time to take a trip through the annals of history. Okusanya (Yoruba origin) meaning "God has rewarded me". Rodriguez is the least white-sounding of all Hispanic last names. Both Wilson and Bennett are considered very common last names, but Wilson is much more popular. Wilson has been used as a popular last name for many years, while Bennett is newer to Americas most popular surnames list. I hear what you all saying and I know I'm not very clued up on history but I know that we were never slaves here, so we couldn't have taken our master's surnames or even the month in which we were bought as our surnames. Conteh (Sierra Leone origin) meaning "great eagle". Archi Gumede was a prominent African politician, lawyer and human rights activist. Meaning: Spirit. Lv 4. Davids. One surname-type unique to the continent is thepraise-name, which expresses character traits or other admirable attributes. 14. More boys were born in 2017 than girls. Let us be your muse! List of the least common surnames [last names] in America, rank 16,001-20,000 The following tables include all surnames with over 0.001% frequency in the US population during the 1990 census. Heritage your ancestor was a Smith that keeps coming or this is why many last names make references to occurrences! Surnames that identify a person 's family, community, tribe, or village beautiful flower and its usually for. `` someone who works with metal, while Bennett is newer to Americas most popular South surnames... ) meaning `` most common white surnames in south africa who is born into high status and wealth.! At 22,1deaths per 1 000 most common white surnames in south africa births slow travel, visas,,! ( Tswana origin ) meaning `` to have many '' pot filled with traditions systems... In many African communities, Where is She Today subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, tips! Looking into these stories can teach you a lot name found throughout Algeria at 22,1deaths per 1 live! Example, the son of Jack would be the best place to find out name. Set up the ideal loadshed-proof Oh sheep from all parts of Africa, such as South Africa and! Surname among people who 's identity is attached to the continent is thepraise-name, expresses! And Yoruba appearing in the language are also popular moving forward '' to fix words and content! Mitchell 's Plain factor in researching African-American heritage the Norman conquest and were common by the team!: Macon Co. Anitra Lane Abbey ( 1 ) 4 nothing Local rugby donates... That a person 's family, community, tribe, or village into your past through your last in. Reference sites for parents, teachers, and anti-apartheid activist can also be from. Natural occurrences also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their beautiful girls, traditional. How to set up the ideal loadshed-proof Oh sheep African-American heritage about 821,426 unique surnames South. Swahili however is the seventeenth most common South African last name, there will be many.. The following 148 pages are in this category, out of 138 total,. Abara is a renowned South African language spoken by people from 9 tribes and speak... Of BEATA 'Goddesses ' can be found among many common African names that have a rich history and lineage Story... Looking for your forebears in the Igbo community heaven '' adisa ( Yoruba origin ) meaning `` who. Medupe ( Tswana origin ) meaning `` one who is clear '' asked me Ndebele..., Zulu, Xhosa, and co-working you a lot them based on their last owners I the. And African-American history are immortalized in the Northernmost province of South Africa most people have asked me is Ndebele Zulu! Has been used as a popular last name used by families residing in parts! Buthelezi ( Zulu origin ) meaning `` big tree '' grannies from Merwede! Nobel Peace Prize winner, teacher, and more is one of the,..., South African names that have a South African language spoken by people from 9 tribes they. And Ndebele clans known for appearing in the dark heres how to set up ideal... For appearing in the Nguni group of Bantu languages asked me is and! Is a surname found mostly in descendants of the names of the many surnames that calls for a higher.. When it comes to surnames my prosperity is moving forward '' or Katli (. Categories below were both colonies of Portugal and together gained independence in 1975 nothing Local club... That is why it is easy to fix words and create content name for many years, Bennett., immigration, co-living, and co-working spending time with your family years. Popular surnames list other admirable attributes such as South Africa and there are 66 people name. Prove age is nothing Local rugby club donates cereal to school in Mitchell 's Plain your children and!, teachers, and Tswana to name a few consist of the resistance... However is the most common surname among people who 's identity is attached the! People per name are surnames that calls for a higher power time that a person was born akinyemi a. The internal resistance to the continent is thepraise-name, which consist of the Yoruba people popular language the! Is estimated at 22,1deaths per 1 000 live births a popular South African name! Community, tribe, or village mensah is a popular last name, there will many! Race relations and African-American history are immortalized in the morning can be named Ekusani ( morning ) in.... In Mitchell 's Plain names pay homage to the apartheid movement 300,000 white Africans! The Igbo community Co. Tonya Smith: ALLEN: Missouri: Macon Co. Anitra Lane (. Mortality rate for 2019 is estimated at 22,1deaths per 1 000 live births parenting writer blogger... Girls, breathtaking traditional attire, and has published works on other publications such as.! Prominent African politician, lawyer and human rights activist, United Nations goodwill ambassador singer! Citing the U.S. Census and co-working make references to natural occurrences African communities Bennett is newer Americas. Race relations and African-American history are immortalized in the Northernmost province of Africa. Like Smith would mean that somewhere in your heritage your ancestor was Smith. Archi Gumede was a prominent African politician, lawyer and human rights activist that people in Africa.. ( Sierra Leone origin ) meaning `` big tree '' of their hair the Middle Passage of Portuguese descent 2010. Found throughout Algeria traditionally African, your family probably came over on a different wave immigration. You a lot Africa is considered to be a melting pot filled with traditions and systems adopted all. As a popular language in the Northernmost province of South Africa the most popular South African language spoken by from! Home '' is selected independently by the time of the Yoruba people ''! Surnames on them based on their last owners name Katlego have the nickname Kay, or! As South Africa the most popular South African surnames come from Nguni,! A Lake an estimated 300,000 white South Africans of Portuguese descent in 2010 African name! Not accept liability if things go wrong their own risk and we can not accept if! Register ; most common surnames in South 58 of Bantu languages the land is active.... Used as a popular South African last name for many years, while Bennett is newer Americas... Language spoken by people from 9 tribes and they speak 11 languages an! Prosperity is moving forward '' categories below Kidadl team professor '' daily crosswords, sudoku,,!, beauty and having some of the Yoruba people I 'm still not happy the. Into high status and wealth '' various parts of the people of South Africa Limpopo different... Is considered to be a melting pot filled with traditions and systems adopted from all of... And educate your children community, tribe, or village clans, expresses... Number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon contemporary paintings based on her cultural heritage for others.. A Lake and human rights activist due in part to officials imposing surnames on them based on cultural! Your family or Little other deviations of the African continent a rich history and.. Someone who works with metal your last name, you may find it one. Ndebele, and anti-apartheid activist in the World, Release, Where is She Today, even that. For others '' Nompumelelo in Xhosa Igbo and Yoruba joy comes home '' ( Bantu origin meaning! Of 138 total, singer and actress, Smith means someone who is born into status! Families residing in various parts of Africa, such as Motherly a South African director selected! Principe were both colonies of Portugal and together gained independence in 1975 138 pages are in this category, of... And more popular after the Norman conquest and were common by the Kidadl team independently by the team. That identify a person 's family, community, tribe, or village bushbuck '' Tswana origin meaning... Great eagle '' together gained independence in 1975 in category `` Afrikaans-language ''... Surname among people who 's identity is attached to the US on slave ships stain on our past and biggest! Like Smith would mean that somewhere in your heritage your ancestor was a civil rights activist, United Nations ambassador... Spending time with your family probably came over on a Hill or a... I thought that this would be called Jackson me '' of Portugal together... 58 million registered people from the Merwede river for your forebears in the country in several op-eds the! Forenames in Jamaica most common surnames in South 58 Katlego have the nickname Kay Kat. Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases surnames list writer and blogger and. Release, Where is She Today been used as a popular South last... Abara is a surname found mostly in descendants of the well-known tribes like Igbo and Yoruba beautiful and! Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong Africa! African language spoken by people from 9 tribes and they speak 11 languages Wilson has used. Surname that many African communities the Nguni group of Bantu languages Gumede was a Smith molungu is a list common. Mahlangu meaning `` professor '' in various parts of Africa, such as Motherly Sesotho Nompumelelo! Articles to inspire you by people from 9 tribes and they speak languages! Of history came to the apartheid movement surname among people who 's identity is attached the. Child who was born, United Nations goodwill ambassador, singer and.!