As South Africa navigates a year characterised by a notable decline in births, the significance of names emerges as a beacon of cultural pride and aspirations, reports Cape town Etc .
According to the latest Recorded Live Births RLB data from Statistics South Africa, parents in 2024 have gravitated towards names imbued with deep meaning, a trend that not only reflects personal beliefs but also points to a larger narrative around joy, resilience, and identity.
Names such as Lethabo, meaning joy or happiness, and Lubanzi, which translates to wide or expansive, topped the charts for boys. For girls, Onalerona, meaning He God is with us, along with Zanokuhle and Melokuhle, whose meanings revolve around goodness and beauty, were the most popular choices.