World Cup baby names: Fifa, Bafana, Soccer City

soccer game

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

Image: Adapted from Portugal 2-3 Denmark, Football by José Goulão under CC BY-SA 2.0.

4 thoughts on “World Cup baby names: Fifa, Bafana, Soccer City

  1. 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).

  2. Must be my lucky day. According to Examiner.com, a “Vuvuzela Mhlongo” was born at KwaZulu-Natal Hospital recently, along with babies named:

    2010 Dlamini
    Argentina Sibiya
    Ball Skhakhane
    Brazil Khuzwayo
    Cameroon Vilakazi
    Coach Sibisi
    Denmark Ntombela
    England Nkosi
    France Kheswa
    Goalkeeper Sithole
    Half-time Hlatshwayo
    Italy Buthelezi
    Jersey Magubane
    Kaka Zuma
    Kick-off Shabalala
    Midfielder Zwane
    Offside Mchunu
    Park n Ride Khumalo
    Parreira Mthethwa
    Red-card Mbatha
    Soccer City Mthembu
    Stadium Gumbi
    Striker Hadebe
    Substitute Shandu
    Tickets Ngubane

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