What Does the Name Boipelo Mean?
The name Boipelo is a unisex name of African origin. It is derived from the Sesotho language and means “to be proud” or “to be respected”. The name is often given to children in South Africa, Botswana, and Lesotho as a sign of respect and pride.
History of the Name Boipelo
The name Boipelo has its roots in the Sesotho language, which is spoken by the people of Lesotho, Botswana, and South Africa. The word boipelo comes from two words: boi, meaning “to be proud” or “to be respected”; and pelo, meaning “of” or “belonging to”. Together, these two words form the phrase boipelo, which translates to “to be proud of” or “to be respected for”.
The name Boipelo has been used in South Africa since at least the 19th century. It was popularized by the Xhosa people who lived in what is now known as Eastern Cape Province. The Xhosa are an ethnic group that speaks a Bantu language called IsiXhosa. They are known for their strong sense of identity and pride in their culture.
Boipelo has also been used as a surname in some parts of South Africa. In this case, it is usually derived from the first name of an ancestor who was known for his or her strength and courage. This could have been someone who fought against colonial rule or someone who was a leader in their community.
Popularity of the Name Boipelo
The name Boipelo is not particularly common outside of South Africa, Botswana, and Lesotho. However, it has become more popular in recent years due to its positive connotations and its association with strength and courage. It is also becoming increasingly popular among parents looking for unique names for their children.
In South Africa, Boipelo ranked #1,845 on the list of most popular baby names in 2019. This makes it one of the top 2% most popular names in the country. In Botswana, it ranked #1,919 on the list of most popular baby names in 2019.
Famous People Named Boipelo
There are several famous people named Boipelo including:
- Boipelo Mabe, a South African actress best known for her roles in television series such as Isibaya and Generations: The Legacy.
- Boipelo Seleke, a South African singer-songwriter who released her debut album titled I Am Me in 2018.
- Boipelo Makgopa, a Botswanan footballer who plays for Township Rollers FC.
Conclusion
The name Boipelo is a unisex name of African origin that means “to be proud” or “to be respected”. It has its roots in the Sesotho language and has been used since at least the 19th century by people living in what is now known as Eastern Cape Province. The name has become increasingly popular over recent years due to its positive connotations and its association with strength and courage.
