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97 cool baby names local celebs gave their kids

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They're cool, they're popular, and they have more Instagram followers than you. 

No, we're not talking about celebrities, we're talking about their kids!

The children of South African celebrities are born with the same swag as their moms and pops and their names might be just the right inspiration for parents-to-be who aren't sure of a name to choose for their little bundles. 

From names unique to our local shores to the biblical and international, here's a list of 97 names all taken from South African A-listers and their little ones. 

A

Aaliyah (F) 
Meaning: To ascend, sublime, exalted
Origin: Hebrew, Arabic, Swahili
Parents: Comedian David Kau and wife Thalia

Abraham (M) 
Meaning: Father of many 
Origin: Hebrew
Parents: Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers and wife Danielle

Adrienne (F)  
Meaning: The dark one
Origin: French
Parents: Actress and television presenter Roxy Burger and husband Neil Shraga

Aenea (F) 
Meaning: The praised one
Origin: Greek
Parents: Former Miss South Africa, model and TV Presenter Cindy Nell-Roberts and husband Clive Roberts

Afia (F)
Meaning: Born on Friday
Origin: Ghanaian
Parents: Comedienne Tumi Morake and actor and screenwriter Mpho Osei-Tutu

Alakhe-Ilizwe (M) 
Meaning: Will build our home land 
Origin: isiXhosa
Parents: Radio and TV personality Anele Mdoda and Thandile

Alicia (F)
Meaning: Honest, noble, truth 
Origin: Spanish, English, Swedish, Greek
Parents: Actors Connie and Shona Ferguson

Amahle (F) 
Meaning: The beautiful ones
Origin: isiZulu 
Parents: Soccer player Andile Jali and reality TV star Nonhle Ndala 

Amarè (U) 
Meaning: Handsome
Origin: Ethiopian
Parents: Soccer player, Andile Jali and reality TV star, Nonhle Ndala 

Amelie (F) 
Meaning: Striving
Origin: French
Parents: Current captain of the South African national cricket team Francois "Faf" du Plessis and wife Imari Visser

Anacã (M) 
Meaning: Bird
Origin: Brazilian
Parents: Models Candice Swanepoel and Hermann Nicoli

Andile (U) 
Meaning: The family is growing
Origin: isiZulu 
Parents: Soccer player Andile Jali and reality TV star Nonhle Ndala 

Anesu (U) 
Meaning: God is with us
Origin: Zimbabwean 
Parents: DJ Black Coffee (Nkosinathi Maphumulo) and wife, actress Enhle Mbali

Armani (U) 
Meaning: Free 
Origin: Italian 
Parents: Singer-songwriter and actor Bobby van Jaarsveld and wife Annatjie

Asante (U) 
Meaning: Thank you 
Origin: Swahili, Tanzanian 
Parents: DJ Black Coffee (Nkosinathi Maphumulo) and wife, actress Enhle Mbali

B

A post shared by Tumi M*r*ke (@tumi_morake) on

 

Bonsu (M)
Meaning: Whale
Origin: Ghanaian
Parents: Comedienne Tumi Morake and husband, actor and screenwriter Mpho Osei-Tutu

Bontle (F)
Meaning: Beauty
Origin: Sesotho
Parents: Former Miss South Africa, television personality and business woman Basetsana Kumalo and husband, media mogul Romeo Kumalo 

Brooklyn (U)
Meaning: One who lives near a brook, name of a New York City borough
Origin: English 
Parents: TV personality, Phat Joe (Majota Kambule) and model, Farai Rook 

A post shared by Ewan (@ewan_strydom) on

Deogracia (M) 
Meaning: God's grace, Divine
Origin: Latin, Spanish, Hindu
Parents: Comedian David Kau and wife, Thalia

Dominic (U)
Meaning: Belonging to God
Origin: Latin 
Parents: TV presenter, Ewan Strydom and wife Adrienn 

E


Elise (F)
Meaning: Oath of God
Origin: Hebrew  
Parents: TV personality, Minki van der Westhuizen and husband, former rugby player Ernst Joubert

Elsa (F)
Meaning: God's promise
Origin: Hebrew
Parents: TV personality, Minki van der Westhuizen and husband, former rugby player Ernst Joubert

Elton (M) 
Meaning: From the old town
Origin:  English 
Parents: Professional rugby player, Elton Jantjies and girlfriend Iva Ristic

Esona (F) 
Meaning: A gift that brings joy
Origin: isiXhosa
Parents: DJ Black Coffee (Nkosinathi Maphumulo) and wife, actress Enhle Mbali

Ethan (M)
Meaning: Firm, strong and long-lived
Origin: Hebrew
Parents: Former Miss South Africa, model, TV Presenter, Cindy Nell-Roberts and husband Clive Roberts

Eva (F)
Meaning: life, living one
Origin: Hebrew
Parents: Actors Nico and Christi Panagio

F

Franja (F) 
Meaning: Stripe 
Origin: Spanish 
Parents: Afrikaans country singer, Juanita du Plessis and husband Herman

G


Gabriella (F)
Meaning: God is my strength
Origin: Italian 
Parents: Model Lee-Ann Liebenberg and husband Nicky van der Walt 

Gia (F) 
Meaning: God's gracious gift
Origin: Italian 
Parents: Model Lee-Ann Liebenberg and hubby Nicky van der Walt 

Imbo (M) 
Meaning: Ancient 
Origin: isiXhosa
Parents: Singer, actress and radio personality, Unathi Nkanyi and husband, radio personality Thomas 'Bad Boy T' Msengana 

A post shared by emo adams (@emo_adams) on


Jade (U)
Meaning: Stone of the side
Origin: Spanish
Parents: Singer, musician and composer Nianell and husband Andrew Thompson

James (M) 
Meaning: One who follows
Origin: Hebrew
Parents: Actor, singer and producer, Emo Adams and wife Michelle Gildenhuys

Jamie (U)
Meaning: Supplanter
Origin: Scottish
Parents: Singer-songwriter and actor and artist, Jak de Priester and wife, Michele Roux

Jessica (F) 
Meaning: Foresight 
Origin: Hebrew
Parents: Former footballing legend, Lucas Radebe and his late wife Feziwe Radebe

John (M) 
Meaning: God is gracious
Origin: Hebrew
Parents: Former South African cricketer, AB de Villiers and wife, Danielle

A post shared by ZINHLE JIYANE (@djzinhle) on


Kade (U)
Meaning: From the wetlands
Origin: Gaelic
Parents: South African Afrikaans singer and TV personality Kurt Darren and wife, Dunay

Kaeley (F) 
Meaning: Keeper of the keys, pure
Origin: English 
Parents: Singer, musician and composer Nianell and husband Andrew Thompson

Kadar (M) 
Meaning: Strong
Origin: Arabic
Parents: Actor, singer and producer, Emo Adams and wife Michelle Gildenhuys

Kairo (U)
Meaning: Victorious One
Origin: Arabic
Parents: DJ Zinhle (Ntombezinhle Jiyane) and rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes

Katerien (F) 
Meaning: Pure
Origin: Latin
Parents: TV personality, Minki van der Westhuizen and husband, former rugby player Ernst Joubert

Kean (M) 
Meaning: Ancient, enduring
Origin: Irish, Gaelic, Old English
Parents: TV presenter Ewan Strydom and wife Adrienn 

Kenzie (F) 
Meaning: The fair one
Origin: Scottish
Parents: R&B singer Loyiso Bala and wife Jennifer 

Keziah (F) 
Meaning: Sweet-scented spice 
Origin: Hebrew
Parents: South Africa Rugby Test captain, Siya Kolisi and wife Rachel 

Khalid (M)  
Meaning: Lives forever
Origin: Arabic
Parents: Fashion and beauty blogger, Aisha Baker and husband, South African cricketer Wayne Parnell

Khanukani (U)
Meaning: What do you long for? 
Origin: Ndebele 
Parents: Actress, television host and artist, Khanyi Mbau and businessman Mandla Mthembu 

Khumo (M) 
Meaning: Wealth, riches
Origin: Tswana 
Parents: Kwaito star Kabelo Mabalane and actress Gail Mabalane 

Kingston (M) 
Meaning: King's town 
Origin: English 
Parents: Actors Lesley-Ann Brandt and husband Chris Payne Gilbert  

Kyrah (F) 
Meaning: Lady 
Origin: Greek
Parents: South African Afrikaans singer and TV personality Kurt Darren and wife, Dunay

Leben (M)
Meaning: Life
Origin: German
Parents: Singer-songwriter and actor, Bobby van Jaarsveld and wife, Annatjie

Leo (M)
Meaning: Lion 
Origin: Latin
Parents: Former Miss South Africa Vanessa Carreira-Coutroulis and husband Chris Coutroulis

Lesedi (U) 
Meaning: Light
Origin: Sesotho
Parents: Actors Connie and Shona Ferguson. Comedienne, Tumi Morake and husband, actor and screenwriter, Mpho Osei-Tutu have also named their son Lesedi. 

Lian (F) 
Meaning: Daughter of the sun, graceful willow tree
Origin: Chinese
Parents: Singer Heinz Winckler and wife, TV personality Aletté-Johanni Winckler

Lilitha (F) 
Meaning: Light 
Origin: isiXhosa
Parents: DJ Black Coffee (Nkosinathi Maphumulo) and wife, actress Enhle Mbali

Liphelo (U)
Meaning: Last born  
Origin: isiXhosa
Parents: South Africa Rugby Test captain, Siya Kolisi and wife Rachel 

Liyema (F)
Meaning: Standing still 
Origin: isiXhosa
Parents: South Africa Rugby Test captain, Siya Kolisi and wife Rachel 

Lucas (M)
Meaning: Bright, shining
Origin: Greek
Parents: Former footballing legend, Lucas Radebe and his late wife Feziwe Radebe

Max (U)
Meaning: Greatest 
Origin: Latin 
Parents: Singer, actress and television presenter Patricia Lewis and husband, Mark Whitfield

Mario (M)
Meaning: Hammer
Origin: Latin 
Parents: Afrikaans country singer, Juanita du Plessis and husband Herman

Mija (F)
Meaning: My daughter
Origin: Spanish
Parents: Singer-songwriter and actor and artist, Jak de Priester and wife, Michele Roux

Mika (U)
Meaning: Gift from God
Origin: Hebrew
Parents: Singer-songwriter and actor and artist, Jak de Priester and wife, Michele Roux

Mila (F)
Meaning: Dear one
Origin: Russian
Parents: Former Miss South Africa Vanessa Carreira-Coutroulis and husband Chris Coutroulis

N

Nicholas (M) 
Meaning: Victory of the people  
Origin: Greek
Parents: South Africa Rugby Test captain, Siya Kolisi and wife Rachel 

Nikola (M)
Meaning: Victorious People  
Origin: Serbian, Croatian and in Hungarian
Parents: Former Miss South Africa Vanessa Carreira-Coutroulis and husband Chris Coutroulis

Nkosinathi (M)
Meaning: God/Lord/King-is-with-us
Origin: isiZulu  
Parents: Former Miss South Africa, television personality, and business woman, Basetsana Kumalo and husband, media mogul Romeo Kumalo 

Noah (M)
Meaning: Comfort; long-lived; repose 
Origin: Hebrew
Parents: Professional rugby player Elton Jantjies and girlfriend Iva Ristic 

Ofentse (F)
Meaning: God has conquered
Origin: Setswana
Parents: Former footballing legend, Lucas Radebe and his late wife Feziwe Radebe  

Olivia (F)
Meaning: Olive branch, symbol of peace
Origin: Latin
Parents: Actors Diaan Lawrenson and Jody Abrahams

Owami (F)
Meaning: She is mine
Origin: Ndebele
Parents: Former footballing legend, Lucas Radebe and his late wife Feziwe Radebe

Pavani (F) 
Meaning: Goddess 
Origin: Hindu
Parents: 5FM DJ Sureshnie Rider and husband Leigh Rider

Phalo (M)
Meaning: Name of ancient king of the Xhosa clan
Origin: isiXhosa
Parents: Xhosa Singer and song-writer, Simphiwe Dana and Msa Xokelelo

R

Reuben (M)
Meaning: Behold, a son
Origin: Hebrew
Parents: Singer Heinz Winckler and wife, TV personality Aletté-Johanni Winckler

Ruan (M)
Meaning: Sandalwood
Origin: Sanskrit
Parents: Afrikaans country singer, Juanita du Plessis and husband Herman

Ruri (U) 
Meaning: True 
Origin: Sesotho 
Parents: Metro FM DJ, Tbo Touch (Thabo Molefe) and actress Thuli Thabethe

Sbahle (F)
Meaning: We are beautiful
Origin: isiZulu 
Parents: TV and radio personality, Ntando Duma and rapper Junior De Rocka (Junior Mzizi)

Shaka (M)
Meaning: The name of a Zulu tribal leader
Origin: isiZulu 
Parents: Former Miss South Africa, television personality, and business woman, Basetsana Kumalo and husband, media mogul Romeo Kumalo. Media personality, Nandi Madida and husband Zakes Bantwini also named their son Shaka. 

Shay (U)
Meaning: Admirable
Origin: Gaelic 
Parents: Actors Nico and Christi Panagio

Shia (U)
Meaning: Gift of God
Origin: Hebrew 
Parents: Media personality Zuraida Jardine and husband Josh Lindberg 

Sinako (U)
Meaning: We are able 
Origin: isiXhosa
Parents: Singer, actress and radio personality, Unathi Nkanyi and husband, radio personality Thomas 'Bad Boy T' Msengana 

Simeon (M) 
Meaning: Obedient
Origin: Hebrew 
Parents: Singer Heinz Winckler and wife, TV personality Aletté-Johanni Winckler

Sion (M)
Meaning: God is gracious
Origin: Welsh 
Parents: Singer-songwriter and actor, Bobby van Jaarsveld and wife, Annatjie

Sophia (F)
Meaning: Wisdom
Origin: Greek
Parents: Former Miss South Africa Vanessa Carreira-Coutroulis and husband Chris Coutroulis

A post shared by Loyiso (@loyisobala) on

Taoana (M)
Meaning: little Lion
Origin: Sesotho 
Parents: Comedian, actor and director Kagiso Lediga and partner, producer Tamsin Andersson 

Tayden (M)
Meaning: Combination of the names Taylor and Aiden
Origin: American
Parents: Singer, musician and composer Nianell and husband Andrew Thompson

Thandolwethu (U)
Meaning: Our love 
Origin: Ndebele 
Parents: Actress, model, radio, and television personality, Pearl Thusi and Sports personality Walter Mokoena 

Thomas (M)
Meaning: Twin
Origin: Greek
Parents: Actors Diaan Lawrenson and Jody Abrahams  

Tori (F) 
Meaning: Bird 
Origin: Latin, Japanese
Parents: Loyiso And Jennifer Bala

My boy, little Wolfe...

A post shared by Paul Rothmann (@paulrothmann1) on

Wolfe (M)
Meaning: Wolf 
Origin: Anglo-Irish 
Parents: Pasella Presenter, Paul Rothmann and model, Candice Boucher 

Z

A post shared by Zolani Mahola (@zolani) on

Zaiden (M)
Meaning: The lucky one
Origin: Hebrew
Parents: Professional rugby player Lionel Mapoe and girlfriend Clarissa

Zandisile (F)
Meaning: We have added to the family 
Origin: isiXhosa
Parents: Xhosa Singer and song-writer, Simphiwe Dana and Msa Xokelelo

Zani-Lee (F) 
Meaning: Gift from God (Zani), Meadow (Lee) 
Origin: Hebrew, Old English 
Parents: Singer-songwriter LeAnne Dlamini and husband, music mogul Sipho Dlamini 

Zarah (F) 
Meaning: To flourish
Origin: Arabic 
Parents: Professional rugby player Lionel Mapoe and girlfriend Clarissa

Zaria (F)
Meaning: The brightest maiden, pure, sublime, honorable
Origin: Arabic 
Parents: Media personality Zuraida Jardine and husband Josh Lindberg 

Zaya (F) 
Meaning: A woman who wins
Origin: Native-American
Parents: Singer-songwriter LeAnne Dlamini and husband, music mogul Sipho Dlamini 

Zazi (U) 
Meaning: The name of an ancient Afghanistan tribe, the Karlani Pashtun 
Origin: Pashto
Parents: Freshlyground lead singer Zolani Mahola and husband Nicholas Klemp

Zenithande (U) 
Meaning: Love
Origin: isiXhosa
Parents: Freshlyground lead singer Zolani Mahola and husband Nicholas Klemp

Ziah (F) 
Meaning: Light 
Origin: Hebrew 
Parents: Actor, singer and producer, Emo Adams and wife Michelle Gildenhuys

Zoe (F) 
Meaning: Life
Origin: Greek 
Parents: Kwaito star Kabelo Mabalane and actress Gail Mabalane

We'll keep extending this list – send your suggestions to babynames@parent24.com and we could publish your letter. Do let us know if you'd like to stay anonymous.  

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