THE 2026 FIELD GUIDE IS HERERead the trend report
afrobabynamesFind a name

Thulani

/too-LAH-nee/Xhosa & Zulu · a boy or girl’s name

“Be quiet; be calm.”

In Xhosa

How to say it
too-LAH-nee
Given to
Boys and girls
Used in
South Africa
How common
common

Every way to write it

The name & its alternative spellings

Thulani

Nicknames & short forms

Thuli

From the same family

01Thulile“Quiet; calm.”Xhosafemale→︎02Thulisile“Has become quiet/calm.”Xhosafemale→︎03Thuliswa“Has been quietened, calmed, or comforted.”Xhosafemale→︎

In Zulu

How to say it
too-LAH-nee
Given to
Boys
Used in
South Africa
How common
common

Every way to write it

The name & its alternative spellings

Thulani

Nicknames & short forms

Thuli

From the same family

01Thula“Quiet, calm, and peaceful”Zuluany→︎02Thuli“Quiet one; be quiet.”Zulufemale→︎03Thulile“Peaceful, quiet, and gentle”Zulufemale→︎04Thulisile“She has become calm and peaceful”Zulufemale→︎05Thuluxolo“Peaceful and calm”Zuluany→︎