Aphiwe
Meaningthey are given · Xhosa
Aphiwe is an African gender-neutral name meaning “they are given”, with Xhosa roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. It suits a boy or a girl equally well.
Did you know?
- Word funAphiwe doesn't repeat a single letter: 6 letters, all different.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Aphiwe would score 14 points, thanks largely to the H (worth 4).
Fewer than 5 US babies a year get this name, so SSA doesn't list it. That makes it truly rare.
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Aphiwe
Aphiwe is a gender-neutral name of African origin meaning “they are given”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It's a rare choice in the US, so your child is unlikely to meet another Aphiwe at school. It works for a boy or a girl, which suits parents who'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
Origin:African names
More African names
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Unisex name: Zuri · beautiful
- Girl name: Aisha · alive
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Girl name: Zahra · radiant, bright
Questions about the name Aphiwe
What does the name Aphiwe mean?
Aphiwe means “they are given” and comes from Xhosa. Other gender-neutral names with a similar meaning include Jonathan (“God has given”), Johnathan (“God has given”), Nathanael (“God has given”) and Johnathon (“God has given”).
What is the origin of the name Aphiwe?
Aphiwe is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Xhosa. Other African names to consider are Layla (“night”), Zuri (“beautiful”), Aisha (“alive”) and Cairo (“the victorious”).
Is Aphiwe a boy or girl name?
Both. Aphiwe is a true gender-neutral name used for boys and girls. That balance makes it a good pick if you'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
What names are similar to Aphiwe?
If you like Aphiwe, you might also like Jonathan, Johnathan, Nathanael and Johnathon.
What should I know before naming my baby Aphiwe?
Aphiwe is an African gender-neutral name meaning “they are given”, with Xhosa roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. It suits a boy or a girl equally well. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.