World Cup Baby Names – Fifa, Bafana, Soccer City
| 22 June 2010 | Filed under Baby Names, Baby Names in the News, Boy Names, Funny or Bizarre, Girl Names, Pop Culture Baby Names, Twin Names, Unique Baby Names |
The 2010 World Cup, currently underway in South Africa, has been inspiring South African parents to bestow World Cup-themed baby names.
In Johannesburg, a baby girl was named Fifa after the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the body that governs international soccer.
A set of twins also born in Johannesburg was named Ke Nako and Soccer City. Ke Nako, a Zulu phrase meaning “it’s time,” is part of the official slogan of the 2010 World Cup. Soccer City is the stadium that hosted the World Cup’s opening match.
In Bloemfontein, a set of twins was named Bafana and Mexico after the two teams that played in that opening match, South Africa (Bafana Bafana) and Mexico.
No babies named Vuvuzela yet, but I’ll keep my eyes peeled.
Source: South Africa World Cup baby names: Moms choose Fifa, Bafana, and Soccer City by Savious Kwinika
Fifa is also an Icelandic and Faroese name meaning “cotton grass.”
Interesting coincidence.
A vuvuzela attempt!
An Uruguayan couple is trying to get the government to accept “Maria Vuvuzela” as their daughter’s name.
I’ll let you know if I hear more (i.e. whether or not the name is approved).
Must be my lucky day. According to Examiner.com, a “Vuvuzela Mhlongo” was born at KwaZulu-Natal Hospital recently, along with babies named:
Goalkeeper Sithole
Half-time Hlatshwayo
Jersey Magubane
Kick-off Shabalala
Midfielder Zwane
Offside Mchunu
Park n Ride Khumalo
Red-card Mbatha
Soccer City Mthembu
Stadium Gumbi
Striker Hadebe
Substitute Shandu
Tickets Ngubane