Ngciva is a Xhosa surname meaning “the lean one” or “slender.”
Meaning & Origin:
From the Xhosa verb “ukuciva” (to be lean), describing physical appearance. Found among Xhosa communities in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
Notable People:
No widely known figures with this surname.
Mnisi is a Swazi surname meaning “of the rain clan.”
Meaning & Origin:
A totemic name referring to the rain as a clan symbol, representing life and fertility. Common in Eswatini and South Africa’s Mpumalanga.
Notable People:
Mnisi family (traditional leaders in Swazi culture).
Makamu is a Venda surname meaning “deputy” or “second-in-command.”
Meaning & Origin:
From the Venda word “makamu” denoting a leadership position below the chief. The name suggests ancestral connection to traditional governance structures.
Notable People:
No widely recognized figures with this surname.
Makhaza is a Nguni surname meaning “the wounds” or “scars.”
Meaning & Origin:
From the Zulu/Xhosa word “ikhaza” (wound) with prefix “Ma-” (plural). The name may commemorate ancestral battles or hardships overcome.
Notable People:
No notable figures recorded with this surname.
ⓒ 2025