According to Statistics South Africa, the most popular baby names in the country in 2019 were Melokuhle and Enzokuhle.
Here are South Africa’s top 10 girl names and top 10 boy names of 2019:
Girl names
- Melokuhle, 3,418 baby girls
- Enzokuhle, 3,273
- Amahle, 2,534
- Lethabo, 2,420
- Omphile, 2,350
- Okuhle, 2,313
- Lesedi, 2,154
- Lethokuhle, 2,079
- Lisakhanya, 2,077
- Rethabile, 1,951
Boy names
- Enzokuhle, 3,851 baby boys
- Lethabo, 3,138
- Lubanzi, 3,110
- Melokuhle, 2,907
- Junior, 2,471
- Lethokuhle, 2,169
- Siyabonga, 1,979
- Omphile, 1,292
- Thato, 1,887
- Bokamoso, 1,883
In general, the popular baby forenames for males and females reflect positive hopes for the child, express beliefs and are inspired by positive connotations of both love and acceptance.
In 2018, the top name for both girls and boys was Enzokuhle.
In the girls’ top 10, Lethokuhle and Lisakhanya replaced Amogelang and Onthatile.
In the boys’ top 10, Lethokuhle replaced Amogelang.
Finally, the top five middle names per gender in 2019 were…
- Girls: Precious, Princess, Angel, Blessing, Hope
- Boys: Junior, Blessing, Gift, Prince, Lubanzi
Source: P0305 – Recorded live births, 2019 – Stats SA
Image: Adapted from Flag of South Africa (public domain)
