Khoisan Baby Boy Names – A to Z and Meanings

Choosing a name for your baby boy is a significant decision that holds cultural, familial, and personal significance. Khoisan culture, with its rich heritage and deep-rooted traditions, offers a plethora of unique and meaningful names. In this article, we delve into the world of Khoisan baby boy names, exploring a diverse array of options from A to Z, each with its own distinct significance and charm.

A Brief Overview of Khoisan Culture

Before delving into the names themselves, it’s essential to understand the cultural context from which they originate. The Khoisan people, also known as the indigenous San and Khoi peoples of Southern Africa, have a rich and ancient history that spans thousands of years. Traditionally hunter-gatherers, the Khoisan are renowned for their deep connection to the land, their intricate languages, and their unique click consonants.

Boys Khoisan Names

1. Kagiso – Meaning “peace” or “tranquility.”
2. Kabelo – Meaning “inheritance” or “gift.”
3. Dikotsi – Meaning “buffalo.”
4. Mokgadi – Meaning “chief” or “leader.”
5. Tumelo – Meaning “faith” or “belief.”
6. Lesedi – Meaning “light.”
7. Tau – Meaning “lion.”
8. Kaggen – Name of a Khoisan trickster god.
9. Thabo – Meaning “joy” or “happiness.”
10. Lentswe – Meaning “voice” or “sound.”

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With A

1. Aakeem – Meaning “wise” or “intelligent.”
2. Akiro – Meaning “clear and bright” or “intelligent.”
3. Amadi – Meaning “rejoice.”
4. Amari – Meaning “strength” or “power.”
5. Ayo – Meaning “joy” or “happiness.”
6. Amanzi – Meaning “water.”
7. Amaru – Meaning “one who builds.”
8. Akani – Meaning “to build” or “to establish.”
9. Aramis – Meaning “one who is elevated.”
10. Aran – Meaning “wild goat” or “mountain goat.”

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With B

1. Bakari – Meaning “hope” or “promise.”
2. Biko – Possibly derived from “Ubiko,” meaning “reputation” or “fame.”
3. Bashan – Meaning “sacred.”
4. Babatunde – Meaning “father has returned” or “father has come back.”
5. Banda – Meaning “he who persists.”
6. Bulal – Meaning “strong.”
7. Bathandwa – Meaning “beloved.”
8. Bhekizizwe – Meaning “look after the nation.”
9. Bomani – Meaning “warrior” or “fighter.”
10. Buziba – Meaning “triumphant.”

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With C

1. Ceba – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and means “to be praised” in Zulu.
2. Caba – A name that resembles Khoisan phonetics and could carry its own meaning or significance within a community.
3. Cubho – A name that might be adapted to fit Khoisan phonetics, meaning “knowledge” or “wisdom” in some Bantu languages.
4. Camagu – Again, not traditional Khoisan, but it’s a Xhosa name meaning “gratitude.”
5. Cenga – A name that could be adapted to fit Khoisan sounds, meaning “to grow” or “to thrive” in some African languages.

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With D

1. Dumi – Meaning “to be silent” or “to keep quiet.”
2. Diba – Meaning “leader” or “chief.”
3. Duma – Meaning “thunder.”
4. Dibatana – Meaning “unity” or “togetherness.”
5. Dithato – Meaning “perseverance” or “endurance.”
6. Dabula – Meaning “happiness” or “joy.”
7. Diholo – Meaning “survivor” or “one who overcomes.”
8. Dingaan – Derived from the Zulu name for a king or leader.
9. Diteko – Meaning “principles” or “values.”
10. Dziva – Meaning “river” or “stream.”

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With E

1. Embo – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and means “dream” in some African languages.
2. Enzokuhle – Also not traditional Khoisan, but it’s a Zulu name meaning “do good” or “do well.”
3. Esihle – Again, not traditional Khoisan, but it’s a Xhosa name meaning “beautiful.”
4. Eziko – Though not specifically Khoisan, it could be adapted, meaning “home” or “place” in some African languages.
5. Ezile – Another name that could be adapted, meaning “beautiful” or “good” in some African languages.

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With F

1. Fundi – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and means “learner” or “student” in Swahili.
2. Fuzile – Again, not traditionally Khoisan, but it’s a Xhosa name meaning “conquer” or “overcome.”
3. Fako – Though not specifically Khoisan, it could be adapted, meaning “to arrive” or “to come” in some African languages.
4. Fikile – Another name that could be adapted, meaning “arrived” or “arriving” in some African languages.
5. Futhi – While not directly Khoisan, it’s a Zulu word meaning “again” or “more.”

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With G

1. Gatsha – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and is a Zulu name meaning “battle.”
2. Gwede – Again, not traditionally Khoisan, but it’s a Xhosa name meaning “change.”
3. Goba – Though not specifically Khoisan, it could be adapted, meaning “to knock” or “to tap” in some African languages.
4. Gugulethu – Another name that could be adapted, meaning “our pride” in Zulu.
5. Gutu – While not directly Khoisan, it’s a Shona name meaning “lips,” which could symbolize eloquence or expression.

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With H

1. Hlumelo – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and is a Xhosa name meaning “faith.”
2. Hlakanipha – Again, not traditionally Khoisan, but it’s a Zulu name meaning “be wise.”
3. Hlompo – Though not specifically Khoisan, it could be adapted, meaning “to teach” or “to instruct” in some African languages.
4. Hlulani – Another name that could be adapted, meaning “to calm” or “to soothe” in some African languages.
5. Hlengiwe – While not directly Khoisan, it’s a Zulu name meaning “be calm” or “be patient.”

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With I

1. Izikhothane – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and is a name representing a youth culture in South Africa.
2. Izwe – Again, not traditionally Khoisan, but it’s a Xhosa name meaning “nation” or “land.”
3. Ilanga – Though not specifically Khoisan, it could be adapted, meaning “sun” in Zulu and other Bantu languages.
4. Induku – Another name that could be adapted, meaning “weapon” or “spear” in Zulu.
5. Inhlanhla – While not directly Khoisan, it’s a Zulu name meaning “luck” or “fortune.

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With J

1. Jabu – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and is a Zulu name meaning “joy.”
2. Jalamba – Though not specifically Khoisan, it could be adapted, meaning “grasshopper” in some African languages.
3. Jikelele – Again, not traditionally Khoisan, but it’s a Xhosa name meaning “entirely” or “completely.”
4. Jabulani – While not directly Khoisan, it’s a Zulu name meaning “rejoice.”
5. Jabulile – Another name that could be adapted, meaning “happy” or “rejoicing” in some African languages.

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With K

1. Kagiso – Meaning “peace” or “tranquility.”
2. Kabelo – Meaning “inheritance” or “gift.”
3. Kaggen – Name of a Khoisan trickster god.
4. Kagiso – Meaning “peace.”
5. Kamogelo – Meaning “acceptance” or “welcome.”
6. Kano – Meaning “the leader.”
7. Katiso – Meaning “direction” or “guidance.”
8. Kealeboga – Meaning “thank you” in Setswana.
9. Kelebogile – Meaning “I am grateful” in Setswana.
10. Kgotso – Meaning “peace” in Setswana.

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With L

1. Lefa – Meaning “bequest” or “inheritance.”
2. Lehlohonolo – Meaning “luck” or “blessing.”
3. Lesedi – Meaning “light.”
4. Lethabo – Meaning “happiness” or “joy.”
5. Lumko – Meaning “wisdom.”
6. Luyanda – Meaning “to increase” or “to grow.”
7. Lefa – Meaning “one who is chosen.”
8. Lunga – Meaning “sun” or “light.”
9. Luthando – Meaning “love” or “affection.”
10. Luntu – Meaning “justice” or “fairness.”

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With M

1. Mokgadi – Meaning “chief” or “leader.”
2. Mpho – Meaning “gift” or “blessing.”
3. Molomo – Meaning “mouth” or “speech.”
4. Mphoentle – Meaning “beautiful gift” or “handsome blessing.”
5. Mothusi – Meaning “helper” or “advisor.”
6. Makatini – Meaning “mountain.”
7. Mosima – Meaning “prosperous” or “fortunate.”
8. Modise – Meaning “leader” or “ruler.”
9. Makgetha – Meaning “prosperous” or “wealthy.”
10. Mosehle – Meaning “chosen” or “elect.”

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With N

1. Nokwanda – Meaning “mother of all” or “she who brings great happiness.”
2. Nkanyezi – Meaning “star” or “starlight.”
3. Nkosinathi – Meaning “God is with us.”
4. Ntando – Meaning “desire” or “wish.”
5. Nqobizitha – Meaning “conqueror” or “victor.”
6. Ntsika – Meaning “pillar” or “foundation.”
7. Njabulo – Meaning “happiness” or “joy.”
8. Ntombenhle – Meaning “beautiful girl” or “pretty girl.”
9. Nkosi – Meaning “king” or “lord.”
10. Nkosana – Meaning “prince” or “young chief.”

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With O

1. Omphile – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and is a Tswana name meaning “he is given.”
2. Onkemetse – Again, not traditionally Khoisan, but it’s a Tswana name meaning “he who has been blessed.”
3. Onkarabile – Though not specifically Khoisan, it could be adapted, meaning “he who has been loved” in Setswana.
4. Onalerona – Another name that could be adapted, meaning “he who is surrounded by grace” in Setswana.
5. Otsile – While not directly Khoisan, it’s a Setswana name meaning “he has come” or “he has arrived.”

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With P

1. Pula – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and is a Setswana name meaning “rain.”
2. Paki – Though not specifically Khoisan, it could be adapted, meaning “touch” or “feel” in some African languages.
3. Pfarelo – Again, not traditionally Khoisan, but it’s a Venda name meaning “joy.”
4. Paseka – While not directly Khoisan, it’s a Setswana name meaning “Easter.”
5. Phemelo – Another name that could be adapted, meaning “faith” in Setswana.

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With Q

1. Qhama – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and is a Xhosa name meaning “be strong” or “stand firm.”
2. Qhawe – Though not specifically Khoisan, it could be adapted, meaning “hero” or “champion” in some African languages.
3. Qondiswa – Again, not traditionally Khoisan, but it’s a Xhosa name meaning “be healed.”
4. Qiniso – While not directly Khoisan, it’s a Zulu name meaning “truth” or “reality.”
5. Qinani – Another name that could be adapted, meaning “be happy” or “be joyful” in some African languages.

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With R

1. Rethabile – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and is a Sotho name meaning “we are happy.”
2. Relebogile – Though not specifically Khoisan, it could be adapted, meaning “we are grateful” in Setswana.
3. Reatlegile – Again, not traditionally Khoisan, but it’s a Tswana name meaning “we are blessed.”
4. Retselisitsoe – While not directly Khoisan, it’s a Sesotho name meaning “we are saved.”
5. Rantso – Another name that could be adapted, meaning “word” or “speech” in Setswana.

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With S

1. Sesotho – Meaning “language of the Sotho people.”
2. Sipho – Meaning “gift” in Zulu and Xhosa.
3. Sizwe – Meaning “nation” or “people” in Zulu and Xhosa.
4. Sakhile – Meaning “we have built” or “we have constructed.”
5. Sello – Meaning “wealth” or “riches” in Sesotho.
6. Sechaba – Meaning “community” or “society.”
7. Sibusiso – Meaning “blessing” in Zulu and Xhosa.
8. Sizwe – Meaning “nation” or “people” in Zulu and Xhosa.
9. Sithembiso – Meaning “trust” or “reliance” in Zulu and Xhosa.
10. Siyabonga – Meaning “we are grateful” in Zulu and Xhosa.

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With T

1. Tebogo – Meaning “gratitude” or “thanksgiving” in Setswana.
2. Thabo – Meaning “joy” or “happiness” in Sesotho.
3. Tumelo – Meaning “faith” or “belief” in Sesotho and Setswana.
4. Tshepo – Meaning “hope” in Sesotho and Setswana.
5. Thabiso – Meaning “joy” or “rejoicing” in Sesotho and Setswana.

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With U

1. Uthando – Meaning “love” in Zulu.
2. Umthombo – Meaning “fountain” or “source” in Zulu.
3. Ubuhle – Meaning “beauty” in Zulu.
4. Ukhona – Meaning “there is” or “there exists” in Zulu.
5. Uzuko – Meaning “heritage” or “lineage” in Xhosa.

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With V

1. Vukani – Meaning “wake up” or “arise” in Zulu.
2. Vuyani – Meaning “rejoice” in Xhosa.
3. Vuyo – Meaning “happiness” in Xhosa

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With W

1. Wandile – Meaning “you have increased” in Xhosa and Zulu.
2. Wenzile – Meaning “he has done it” in Zulu.
3. Wandisile – Meaning “he has increased us” in Xhosa.

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With X

1. Xolani – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and is a Zulu name meaning “peace.”
2. Xhanti – Though not specifically Khoisan, it could be adapted, meaning “to be happy” in Xhosa.
3. Xolile – Again, not traditionally Khoisan, but it’s a Xhosa name meaning “forgiven” or “forgiveness.”

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With Y

1. Yanda – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and is a Xhosa name meaning “family” or “relatives.”
2. Yonela – Though not specifically Khoisan, it could be adapted, meaning “be enough” or “sufficient” in Xhosa.
3. Yanga – Again, not traditionally Khoisan, but it’s a Xhosa and Zulu name meaning “be first” or “be ahead.”

Khoisan Baby Boy Names With Z

1. Zwelinzima – While not traditionally Khoisan, it has a similar sound and is a Xhosa and Zulu name meaning “be responsible.”
2. Zukhanye – Though not specifically Khoisan, it could be adapted, meaning “illuminate” or “shine” in Xhosa.
3. Zinzi – Again, not traditionally Khoisan, but it’s a Xhosa and Zulu name meaning “beauty” or “beautify.”