Izithakazelo ZakwaZulu: Zulu surnames & Zulu clan names list

Izithakazelo ZakwaZulu: Zulu surnames & Zulu clan names list

Zulu clan names are authentic African identities. Zulus identify themselves with their paternal clans and surnames. In most African communities, people identify with their clans, and children take their father's surname. Discover the Izithakazelo ZakwaZulu clan names and surnames below.

Izithakazelo ZakwaZulu
Women in Zulu wedding clothes. Photo: @kholeka_kaykaybusane
Source: Instagram

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Clan and surnames give Zulu people a sense of belonging. Their names carry deep personal, cultural, familial, and historical connections. You should learn more about the Zulu clan and surnames if you plan to give your offspring Zulu baby names.

Izithakazelo ZakwaZulu clan names

The Nguni people of South Africa include the Xhosa, Zulu, and Ndebele. They reside across the country and share names. Zulu are the largest ethnic group in South Africa. They are around 10 million to 12 million in population and mainly live in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Zulu clan names and surnames

Izithakazelo ZakwaZulu clan names are an essential part of Zulu culture. A Zulu surname or last name indicates one's family and tribe/clan. There are many clans and sub-clans in the Zulu community. Below are some Zulu clan names and some of the surnames people of these communities use:

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Clan nameSurnames
BhebheBhebhe DlomoLangeniMakhedamaMakhul’emini Mpuku Mselemusi MthendekaNgowesikhombisaNogwenceSiweniSihlanguSoqubelSoyengwaseWavuka WawuncindaYabuyeZingwazi
BhembeDangazelaGuliwe KhotaMgabhi MnteniMashininiMavundlaNjengesindwanePhiliphili SihlamuhlamuSinukamnandzi Unabo
BhenganiNyambawuSingo
BhenguDlabazaneHlangabezaIngwani JaliKanephuKangwane LamulaNgabeNgamazoloNgcolosiNgwadiNgwaneNyawoSigampu ShongololoWathi
BhuyeniSigwaxa
BiyaseKhathini LuphondoNgonyama YendunaZiqubu
BiyelaBalibeleBazumeKhabeniLuzumane MalandelaMenziwaMgaziMvundlane NdabaNdabezithaNjezi NtshangaseXhoko!
Blose (Bhulose)BhuloseBohlela ChobileDimba DumaMadiba (Madziba)MselekuNdeluNoncengwaShinga
BophelaBuleniHlomuka MlomulaNgidiNkomedl’abantu Sgwaca
ButheleziEnaganisMnandi MnyamanaNgamondiNgqengelelePhungasheShengeSokwalisa

Zulu people name babies before they are born. They also perform an imbeleko ceremony to introduce the child to the ancestors. There is no naming ceremony in the culture. Below are Izithakazelo ZakwaZulu surnames in alphabetical order:

Zulu surnames starting with A, B, and C

  • Amahle
  • Andile
  • Anele
  • Ayanda
  • Ayize
  • Bantwini
  • Bayeni
  • Bhedleni
  • Bele
  • Bhebhe
  • Bhejelibomvu
  • Bhembe
  • Bhengu
  • Bhensela
  • Bhovungana
  • Bhungane
  • Bikelwayo
  • Bikwayo
  • Binda
  • Biyase
  • Biyela
  • Blose
  • Bophela
  • Boyabenyathi
  • Bukhosini
  • Caluza
  • Cebisa
  • Cebekhulu
  • Cenge
  • Chagwe
  • Chamane
  • Chibi
  • Chibini
  • Chiliza
  • Cibane
  • Chonco
  • Cwalile
Zulu surnames
A couple in Zulu traditional wedding clothes. Photo: @traditionalafricanweddings
Source: Instagram

Zulu clan names starting with D and F

  • Delwayo
  • Dikane
  • Dimba
  • Dimbane
  • Dimbani
  • Dinabantu
  • Dinangwe
  • Dindela
  • Dingila
  • Dindi
  • Dinwa
  • Dlabane
  • Dlabazane
  • Dladla
  • Dlakadla
  • Dlakela
  • Dlamane
  • Dlambula
  • Dlamdaka
  • Dlamini
  • Dlamlenze
  • Dlangamandla
  • Dlawuza
  • Dlebenkomo
  • Dlodlo
  • Dlomo
  • Dludla
  • Dludlu
  • Dlungwana
  • Doncabe
  • Donda
  • Dubandlela
  • Dubazane
  • Dube
  • Dukada
  • Duma
  • Dumakude
  • Dumisa
  • Dunge
  • Duyaza
  • Duze
  • Dwala
  • Fihlela
  • Fakazi
  • Fakude
  • Fanisa
  • Fenya

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Zulu names
Women in Zulu traditional clothes for weddings. Photo: @heartprintsafrica
Source: Instagram

Zulu clan names starting with G

  • Gabadela
  • Gabela
  • Gabhezi
  • Gabhisa
  • Gadlela
  • Gazu
  • Galu
  • Gagashe
  • Gama
  • Gambu
  • Gambuse
  • Gamede
  • Gasa
  • Gasela
  • Gatsheni
  • Gcaba
  • Gcaleka
  • Gcugcwa
  • Gcumisa
  • Gcwabe
  • Gcwensa
  • Gebashe
  • Gebhezi
  • Gedeza
  • Gence
  • Gengeshe
  • Gigaba
  • Gina
  • Gininda
  • Goba
  • Gobhozi
  • Godide
  • Goje
  • Gotsholo
  • Gubeshe
  • Gubhela
  • Gubhuza
  • Gubulundu
  • Gugushe
  • Gule
  • Guliwe
  • Guma
  • Gumede
  • Gumbi
  • Gwacela
  • Gwagwa
  • Gwala
  • Gwamanda
  • Gwanyana
  • Gwija
  • Gxabhashe
Zulu surnames
Zulu wedding. Photo: @munaluchibridal
Source: Facebook

Zulu clan names starting with H and J

  • Hadebe
  • Hangala
  • Hhoyiyane
  • Hlabisa
  • Hlabangane
  • Hlatshwayo
  • Hlela
  • Hlengwa
  • Hlomuka
  • Hlongwa
  • Hlongwane
  • Hlophe
  • Hlubi
  • Hlumakazi
  • Jali
  • Jama
  • Jamasijadu
  • Jamile
  • Jele
  • Jibela
  • Jili
  • Jiyane
  • Jobe
  • Jokiwe
  • Juqula
Zulu names
Zulu traditional wedding. Photo: @SundayWorldZA
Source: Facebook

Zulu clan names starting with K and L

  • Khaba
  • Khabalidaka
  • Khambule
  • Khanyeza
  • Khanyile
  • Khaphela
  • Khathi
  • Khathini
  • Khathide
  • Khawula
  • Kheswa
  • Khezokhulu
  • Kholose
  • Khomo
  • Khonjwayo
  • Khosini
  • Khoza
  • Khuba
  • Khubisa
  • Khuboni
  • Khukhuza
  • Khulu
  • Khuluse
  • Khumalo
  • Khumbuza
  • Khuyameni
  • Khuzwayo
  • Khwela
  • Khwane
  • Kubheka
  • Kunene
  • Kweyama
  • Lakaza
  • Lamula
  • Langa
  • Lange
  • Langeni
  • Lembede
  • Longode
  • Lubelo
  • Ludonga
  • Lukhele
  • Luqe
  • Lutholoni
  • Luthuli
  • Luvuno
  • Lwandle

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Zulu clan names
Children performing Zulu wedding songs. Photo: @seedofhopesa
Source: Facebook

Zulu clan names starting with M

  • Mabanga
  • Mabaso
  • Mabhena
  • Mabhoko
  • Mabizela
  • Mabika
  • Mabhodla
  • Mbutho
  • Mabuya
  • Mabuyakhulu
  • Mabuza
  • Macingwane
  • Made
  • Madela
  • Madi
  • Madiba
  • Madide
  • Madinane
  • Madlala
  • Madlanduna
  • Madondo
  • Madonsela
  • Mdotshana
  • Maduma
  • Maduna
  • Malembe
  • Madlula
  • Madziba
  • Mafobo
  • Mafulela
  • Mafuleka
  • Magagula
  • Magubane
  • Magutshwa
  • Magwaza
  • Mageba
  • Mahaye
  • Mahamba
Zulu surnames
Women in Zulu traditional clothes. Photo: @ZULU Traditional Attire
Source: Facebook
  • Mahlaba
  • Mahlalela
  • Mahlangu
  • Mahlase
  • Mahlinza
  • Mahlobo
  • Mahulube
  • Majoka
  • Majola
  • Majozi
  • Makhanya
  • Makhaye
  • Makhathini
  • Makhaza
  • Makhedama
  • Makhoba
  • Makhubo
  • Makhulukhulu
  • Makhunga
  • Malambule
  • Malevu
  • Malinga
  • Maluleka
  • Mamba
  • Manana
  • Mangcamane
  • Mantshinga
  • Mangede
  • Mangena
  • Mangethe
  • Manyoni
  • Mnqamu
  • Manqele
  • Mnquhe
  • Manzi
  • Manzini
  • Manzezulu
  • Maphalala
  • Maphindela
  • Maphanga
Zulu names
Women in Zulu wedding attires. Photo: @khanyows_accessories
Source: Instagram
  • Maphisa
  • Mapholoba
  • Maphumulo
  • Masango
  • Maseko
  • Mashaba
  • Mashasha
  • Mashinini
  • Mashimane
  • Mashiya
  • Masibekela
  • Masikane
  • Masina
  • Masinga
  • Masilela
  • Masondo
  • Masuku
  • Mathaba
  • Mathebela
  • Mathebula
  • Mathebula
  • Mathenjwa
  • Mathetha
  • Mathula
  • Mathunjwa
  • Mathibela
  • Mathonsi
  • Mathwasa
  • Mavela
  • Mavundla
  • Mavuso
  • Mawanda
  • Mawewe
  • Mayeza
  • Mayise
  • Mayisela
  • Mazalankosi
  • Mazibuko
  • Mazwi
  • Mbamali
  • Magoza
  • Magolwana
  • Magononde
  • Maziya
  • Mbanjwa
  • Mbatha
  • Mbatshazwa
  • Magujwa
  • Mbembe
  • Mbekwa
  • Mbende
  • Mbeje
  • Mbhele
  • Mbhense
  • Mbhodwe
  • Mbhobho
  • Mbhulangwe
  • Mbili
  • Mbokazi
  • Mboko
  • Mbonambi
  • Mbongwa
  • Mbongwe
  • Mbotho
  • Mbonane
  • Mboyisa
  • Mbulazi
  • Mbulaze
  • Mbuli
  • Mbungela
  • Mbunjwa
  • Mbuyazi
  • Mbuyisa
  • Mbuyise
  • Mcambe
  • Mcambi
  • Mcanco
  • Mcanyana
  • Mchunu
  • Mcoyi
  • Mcwaye
  • Mcusi
  • Mdaka
  • Mdakane
  • Mdladla
  • Mdlalose
  • Mdlanyoka
  • Mdletshe
  • Mdlenevu
  • Mdluli
  • Mdlumbi
  • Mdonswa
  • Mdunge
  • Mehloluhlaza
  • Memela
  • Nenzi
  • Menziwa
  • Meyiwa
  • Mfeka
  • Mfusi
  • Mgabhi
  • Mgabadeli
  • Mgasela
  • Mgazi
  • Mgcaleka
  • Mgenge
  • Mgobhozi

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Zulu names
Women performing a traditional dance. Photo: @RevMpanza
Source: Facebook
  • Mgilija
  • Mhayise
  • Mhlabandlovu
  • Mhlambo
  • Mhlanga
  • Mhlangu
  • Mhlanya
  • Mhlongo
  • Mhlongwane
  • Mhlophe
  • Mhlungu
  • Mgwaba
  • Miya
  • Mjadu
  • Mjoli
  • Mjwara
  • Mkhabela
  • Mkhandlela
  • Mkhathini
  • Mkhatshwa
  • Mkhithi
  • Mkhize
  • Mkhokeleleki
  • Mkhulisi:
  • Mkholo
  • Mkhumbuzi
  • Mkhungo
  • Mkhonza
  • Mkhwananzi
  • Mlaba
  • Mlalane
  • Mlalazi
  • Mlambo
  • Mlangatshe
  • Mlangeni
  • Mlawula
  • Mlungisi
  • Mlungwana
  • Mlondo
  • Mlotshwa
  • Mncube
  • Mncwabe
  • Mncwanga
  • Mngadi
  • Mngoma
  • Mngomezulu
  • Mngwemkhulu
  • Mngwengwe
  • Mnguni
  • Mnikathi
  • Mnisi
  • Mnomiya
  • Mnqayi
  • Mqungebe
  • Mnyandu
  • Mnyoni
  • Mondise
  • Motha
  • Mnangwe
  • Mntambo
  • Mntimande
  • Mtolo
  • Mntungwa
  • Mnyamande
  • Mpangazitha
  • Mpanza
  • Mphankomo
  • Mphahlwa
  • Mphazima
  • Mphephethwa
  • Mphemba
  • Mpila
  • Mpikela
  • Mpofana
  • Mpungose
  • Mpumuza
  • Mpunzana
  • Mqadi
  • Msane
  • Msani
  • Msamkhulu
  • Mshazi
Zulu clans
Men in traditional Zulu attires. Photo: @absolutelyblackrsa
Source: Facebook
  • Mshengu
  • Mshibe
  • Msibi
  • Mshikela
  • Mshikila
  • Mshiyane
  • Mseleku
  • Msimang
  • Msindazwe
  • Msokazi
  • Msomi
  • Msweli
  • Msuthu
  • Mthabela
  • Mthalane
  • Mthanti
  • Mthembu
  • Mthethwa
  • Mtimande
  • Mthimkhulu
  • Mthinti
  • Mthiya
  • Mthiyane
  • Mthombeni
  • Mthonti
  • Mtshali
  • Mtumaseli
  • Mtuswa
  • Musi
  • Mvelase
  • Mveni
  • Mvubu
  • Mvuyana
  • Myeza
  • Mwandla
  • Mwelase
  • Myeni
  • Mzila:
  • Mzileni:
  • Mzilankatha
  • Mzimela
  • Mzizi
  • Mzobe
  • Mzolo
  • Mzomba
  • Mzoneli
  • Mzukase
  • Mzulwini

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Izithakazelo ZakwaZulu
Woman in Zulu bridal attires. Photo: @TWEWeddingExpo
Source: Facebook

Zulu clan names starting with N

  • Nala
  • Nandisa
  • Ncala
  • Ncwaba
  • Ncwane
  • Ndandali
  • Ntenga
  • Ncama
  • Ngcamane
  • Ncanana
  • Ncongwane
  • Ncube
  • Ncusi
  • Ndaba
  • Ndabandaba
  • Ndabase
  • Ndabansele
  • Ndawo
  • Njomane
  • Nkundlande
  • Ndabezitha
  • Ndawonde
  • Ndima
  • Ndimande
  • Ndinisa
  • Ndiyema
  • Ndlala
  • Ndlandla
  • Ndlangamandla
  • Ndlanzi
  • Ndlanya
  • Ndlela
  • Ndlondlo
  • Ndosi
  • Ndlovu
  • Ndondakusuka
  • Ndonga
  • Nduli
  • Ndwandwe
  • Nene
  • Ngazitha
  • Ngcamu
  • Ngcemu
  • Ngcobo
  • Ngcolosi
  • Ngema
  • Ngiba:
  • Zikhungwini
  • Ngidi
  • Ngobese
  • Ngobisi
  • Ngomane
  • Ngonini
  • Ngotsha
  • Ngubane
  • Ngubeni
  • Ngungunyana
  • Ngwane
  • Ngwazi
  • Ngwenya
  • Ngwekazi
  • Nhlabathi
  • Nhlanhla
  • Nhlanhlampofu
  • Nhlane
  • Nhlapho
  • Nhleko
  • Nhlengethwa
  • Nkala
  • Nkamzwayo
  • Njiki
  • Njinji
  • Nkabinde
Izithakazelo ZakwaZulu
Women in Zulu wedding attires. Photo: @khanyows_accessories
Source: Instagram
  • Nkonyeni
  • Nkosi
  • Nkumane
  • Nkomo
  • Nkomose
  • Nkomoye
  • Nkwakha
  • Nkwali
  • Nkwaliyenkosi
  • Nkwanyana
  • Njapha
  • Nodanga
  • Nodlomo
  • Nogantshi
  • Nombela
  • Nombhoco
  • Nomndayi
  • Nomvuma
  • Nondaba
  • Nondlela
  • Nonduma
  • Nongalaza
  • Nongalo
  • Nonkosi
  • Nonkululeko
  • Nontanda
  • Nontuli
  • Nonyana
  • Nowanqa
  • Nozulu
  • Nqumela
  • Nsele
  • Nsibande
  • Nsibanyoni
  • Nsindane
  • Nsukuza
  • Ntaka
  • Ntanzi
  • Ntenga
  • Ntsele
  • Ntamonde
  • Ntshangase
  • Ntshalintshali
  • Ntshingila
  • Ntshiza
  • Ntombela
  • Ntuli
  • Nxamalala
  • Nxasana
  • Nxele
  • Nxumalo
  • Nyazitla
  • Nyambose
  • Nyanda
  • Nyandeni
  • Nyathi
  • Nyawo
  • Nyawokhulu
  • Nyawose
  • Nyembe
  • Nyembezi
  • Nyide
  • Nyokayebululu
  • Nyongwana
  • Nzama
  • Nzamela
  • Nzima
  • Nzimande
  • Nzimase
  • Nzuza

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Zulu names
Woman in Zulu attires. Photo: @ntuthuko.marcello
Source: Facebook

Zulu clan names starting with 0, P, and Q

  • Onjengenyamazane
  • Phakathi
  • Phakathwayo
  • Phathwayo
  • Phetha
  • Phethela
  • Phewa
  • Phikela
  • Phingoshe
  • Phoseka
  • Phoswa
  • Phungula
  • Phuthini
  • Qomazitha
  • Qwabe

Zulu clan names starting with S

  • Sabela
  • Sabelo
  • Sameya
  • Sangwani
  • Sangweni
  • Sembathwa
  • Sengwayo
  • Shabane
  • Shabane
  • Shabalala
  • Shabangu
  • Shamase
  • Shandu
  • Shange
  • Shangase
  • Shazi
  • Shengele
  • Shelembe
  • Shezi: Dlaba
  • Shibase
  • Shinga
  • Shoba
  • Shombela
  • Shoyisa
  • Shozi
  • Sibanda
  • Sibalukhulu
  • Sibaya
  • Sibeko
  • Sibisi
  • Sibiya
  • Sigagu
  • Sigegede
  • Sibhene
  • Sibindi
  • Sijadu
  • Sikhakhane
  • Sikhosana
  • Sikobi
  • Sikhunyana
  • Sikwayo
  • Silangwe
  • Simelane
  • Sithenjwa
  • Sithole
  • Sithombo
  • Sithuli
  • Sitolotolo
  • Sishangwe
  • Sishi
  • Sishiya
  • Siwele
  • Siyaya
  • Siyeshe
  • Soduba
  • Sokhela
  • Sokhulu
  • Sokhwebula
  • Somboni
  • Somfula
  • Sompisi
  • Sandanezwe
  • Sondini
  • Sondisa
  • Sontuli
  • Songiya
  • Sonqandile
  • Sothole
  • Sotobe
  • Swazi
Izithakazelo ZakwaZulu
A Zulu bride. Photo: @shelimasondo
Source: Instagram

Zulu clan names starting with T and W

  • Tiba
  • Thabethe
  • Thabizolo
  • Thango
  • Thabekhulu
  • Thela
  • Thembekwayo
  • Thembela
  • Thenjwayo
  • Thobeni
  • Thole
  • Thoyana
  • Tukane
  • Thuliswayo
  • Thumbela
  • Thumbeza
  • Thusi
  • Thusini
  • Thwala
  • Wanda
  • Wasendlunkulu
  • Wela
  • Weza
  • Vilakazi
  • Vumase:Sikhumbane, Mfumu

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Zulu clan names starting with V, X, and Y

  • Vabaza
  • Vangisa
  • Vezi
  • Vumisa
  • Vundla
  • Vunisa
  • Xaba
  • Xala
  • Xhakaza
  • Ximba
  • Xolo
  • Xulu
  • Yengwa
  • Yengwayo
  • Yei
  • Yeyeye

Zulu clan names starting with Z

  • Zaca
  • Zakwe
  • Zama
  • Zimase
  • Zimbu
  • Zamisa
  • Zibani
  • Zikhali
  • Zikhonjwa
  • Zikode
  • Zincume
  • Zindela
  • Zinomswani
  • Zimu
  • Zinyane
  • Ziqunde
  • Zitha
  • Zizi
  • Zondi
  • Zondo
  • Zosongo
  • Zubane
  • Zuke
  • Zulu
  • Zuma
  • Zumbisa
  • Zungu
  • Zwane

What is Izithakazelo in English?

Izithakazelo is a Zulu tribal praise to the ancestors. For instance:

  • Izithakazelo Zakwa Khumalo is a praise to Hhumalo's ancestors.
  • Izithakazelo Zakwa Zulu is a praise to the Zulu ancestors.
  • Izithakazelo Zakwa Ndlovu is a praise to Ndlovu's ancestors.
  • Zivela Kanjani Izithakazelo hails Kanjani's ancestors.

What are Zulu names for girls?

Zulu has many beautiful unisex names. Here are some Zulu names for boys and girls

  • Amahle: The beautiful ones
  • Andile: A family is growing
  • Anele: The last born
  • Ayanda: They augment
  • Ayize: Let it happen
  • Kholwa: Believe
  • Melamina: Carry my name
  • Melokuhle: One who represents good things
  • Mpilenhle: Prosperous life
  • Msizi: Helper
  • Mthandeni: Love
  • Nolwazi: The one with knowledge
  • Owethu: Ours
  • Sihle: Mercy
  • Simphiwe: A gift
  • Siphesihle: Beautiful gift
  • Thalente: Talented
  • Unathi: She/he is with us
  • Ziphozonke: All the gifts

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Izithakazelo ZakwaZulu clan names and surnames honor the Zulu people's traditions. These names bind the Zulu people all over the world together. They are a unique sense of identity to them.

Zulu surnames & Zulu clan names list
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: Original

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