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Amandla

Zulu · First name · unisex · descriptive name

isiZulu for "power" or "strength", also the rallying cry ("Amandla!") of the South African anti-apartheid movement.

Source: Zulu naming tradition, cross-referenced across independent South African naming resources and Behind the Name (Zulu names)

Other Zulu first names

Andile
From anda ("increase, multiply"): "they have increased" — the family has grown with this birth. Used for boys and girls.
Ayanda
From anda ("increase, multiply"), present tense: "they are increasing" — the family keeps growing. The counterpart of Andile. Used for boys and girls.
Bongani
From bonga ("thank, praise"): "be thankful" / "give thanks." A name of gratitude for the birth.
Jabulani
From jabula ("rejoice, be glad"): "rejoice" / "be happy."
Lungelo
From ilungelo ("a right, an entitlement"): "a right." A name from the language of dignity and justice.
Lwazi
From ulwazi ("knowledge"): "knowledge."
Mandla
Zulu for "strength, power" — the singular of amandla (the plural form is the 0036 entry Amandla). Shortened forms include Mandlakhe, Mandlenkosi in compounds.
Nkosana
From inkosi ("king, chief") + the diminutive -ana: "prince" / "little chief." Also a term of endearment for a first son.
Nkosazana
From inkosi ("king, chief") + the feminine diminutive -azana: "princess." The female counterpart of Nkosana.
Nkululeko
isiZulu for "freedom".
Nobuhle
isiZulu for "beauty".
Nomusa
From the feminine name-former Nom- ("mother of") + umusa ("grace, kindness, mercy"): "mother of grace." Also Nomsa.
Nomvula
From Nom- ("mother of") + imvula ("rain"): "mother of rain" — given to a girl born while it was raining.
Sanele
From anela ("be enough, be satisfied"): "we have enough" / "we are satisfied" — a family saying this child completes it.
Sibusiso
From busisa ("to bless"): "a blessing." Shortened to Sbu.
Sifiso
From fisa ("to wish, desire"): "a wish" — what the family had wished for. Also spelled Sfiso.
Sipho
isiZulu for "gift".
Thandeka
From thanda ("to love"): "loved" / "lovable" / "beloved."
Themba
Zulu for "hope" and "trust" — also the verb, "to hope, to trust."
Zinhle
From -hle ("good, beautiful"): "(the girls) are beautiful" / "they are good" — izintombi zinhle. A name affirming daughters.

More descriptive names, from other cultures

Ayyur · Amazigh
Tamazight for "moon".
Desta · Amharic
Amharic for "joy, happiness".
Djama · Bambara
Bambara for "the crowd" or "the community".
Chilufya · Bemba
Bemba for "the one who is lost".
Kasuba · Bemba
Bemba for "sun".
Chifundo · Chewa
Chichewa for "mercy".
Chikondi · Chewa
Chichewa for "love".
Agibu · Fulani
Fulfulde for "patient" or "meticulous".
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