Popular Afrikaans Names and Their Meanings
Aba – Usually given to a female child born on Thursday.
Abu – A masculine name which simply means “Father”.
Abebi – It simply means “we asked and got her”.
Abina – Usually given to a female child born on Tuesday.
Abiba – A feminine name that is given to a child born after her grandmother’s death.
Adonis – Usually given to a male child. It means God of peace and love.
Aitan – A variant of the Biblical name Ethan which simply means “strong”.
Ajani – An inspirational name which means “he who wins the struggle”.
Ajayi – A masculine name that is given to baby boys who are born face down. It simply means “born face down”.
Alake – Means “one to be honored”.
Amiri – A masculine name which means Prince.
Aziza – A feminine name which simply means “Precious”.
Barke – Simply means “blessings”.
Bash – A masculine name which means “forerunner”.
Bayode – A name that is given to the male child which simply means “he comes with joy”.
Bern – Borrowed from the Swiss, it means “peace” in the Afrikaans language.
Bokamoso – Simply means “the future”
Berhane – A feminine name which means “my light”.
Bibi – Daughter of a king, Lady, Grandmother
Christiaan – A Dutch variant of Christian.
Dawie – Masculine name related to the Hebrew name David which simply means “beloved”.
Dane – A feminine name coined from Danae.
Dian – A feminine name which means “divine”, but is used for boys by Afrikaners.
Dolinde – A form of Adelinde.
Elize – An Afrikaans form of Elise which simply means “consecrated to God”.
Elna – A contracted form of Eleonora which means “beloved”.
Elspeth – A variation of Elizabeth which also means “consecrated to God”.
Fabunni – A sophisticated Afrikaans name meaning “God has given me this”.
Francois – An Afrikaans form of Francis which means “free man”.
Gerhardus – A variant of Gerard often used by old-school Afrikaners.
Gidea: A masculine name related to the Hebrew name Gideon, which simply means “was neglected for long, but has started to climb now”.
Hansie – A version of Johannes which simply means “God is gracious”.
Heinrich – Borrowed from German, the name means “home of the king”.
Henrico – A masculine name which simply means “state ruler”.
Imka – Simply means “water”.
Jaivyn – A cheerful and friendly name which means “light spirit”.
Janco – A Dutch-Hungarian form of John which simply means “Jehovah has been gracious”.
Jaquan – means “loving or good spirit”.
Jengo – meaning ‘one with a reddish complexion’.
Johan – Simply means ‘God is gracious’.
Kabili – meaning “possession”.
Kai – Usually for children who have water as their sign. It simply means “sea”.
Leeto – Simply means “journey”.
Lencho – Used as an alternative for Leo. it simply means Lion.
Luan – Also means Lion
Maghiel – A variant of Machiel, the Dutch form of Michael, meaning “Who is like God?”
Ricus – Simply means “sovereign ruler”.
Rylond – Afrikaans spelling for Reynold which simply means “counselor or ruler”.
Sybella – A unique Afrikaans name which simply means “Oracle or Prophetess”.
Thandolwethu – Feminine name which simply means “our love”.
Theolene – Means “people or soft”.
Trudene – A feminine name which simply means “spear of strength”.
