Sipho

Zulu · First name · male · descriptive name

isiZulu for "gift".

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

Other Zulu first names

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