Talk:Sipho

Meaning

I don't know Xhosa at all. But I plugged "Sipho Tsuluka Dlamini" into a translator and this is what I got:

Sipho - from "isipho" a gift or talent. This seems pretty clear, and is a common name.

"Tsuluka" might be from "usuleleko" which can take a form more like "tsuleleko". That means "sickness or infection which would make sense given the circumstances of the boys coming to England.

"Dlamini" might be from "dlamka" which means "to be alert; to be energetic; alive".

I might be reaching here, but he might've created the name meaning something like Sipho who "sickness curer" or something like that? Any thoughts? Anyone speak Xhosa? -- Strangerface 10:40, 24 August 2010 (PDT)

I got nothin' on Xhosa, but both "Tsuluka" and "Dlamini" pop up in a multiply-mirrored example of Xhosa naming practices: "a Mrs Mhlabeni (who is the daughter of Mr Tsuluka whose clan name is Dlamini) will be known as MaDlamini". I don't entirely understand how Xhosa clan structures work, but "Dlamini" seems to be a fairly widespread clan name. --Wombat1138 11:17, 24 August 2010 (PDT)