Do you know what was South Africa’s most popular baby surname of 2024?
Stats SA gives a fascinating insight into naming conventions, showing that nine of the top ten most common surnames come from Nguni clans.
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) recently confirmed that Dlamini retained its position as the most common surname among babies registered in South Africa during 2024, comfortably surpassing its closest competitors and reinforcing a trend observed since 2016.
The official data, released as part of the Recorded Live Births statistical findings for 2024, tracks births captured across the country’s registration system.
According to the official statistical release, Dlamini was the most frequently registered surname for newborns of both sexes throughout 2024. The data, compiled by Stats SA based on records from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), demonstrates the overwhelming popularity of certain cultural names.
The data shows that Dlamini recorded 5,928 registered births for 2024. This figure placed it ahead of Ndlovu, which tallied 5,142 registrations, and Nkosi, with 5,038 registrations.
The release provides a fascinating insight into South African naming conventions, confirming that nine out of the top ten most common surnames originated from Nguni clans. These include origins stemming from isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, and siSwati linguistic groups.
The lone exception to this Nguni dominance was Mokoena, which managed to clinch the seventh spot overall.
The table below shows the top ten most popular baby surnames and the number of registrations recorded in the 2024 data:
Most popular surname in South Africa, 2024
| Rank | Surname | Number of Registrations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dlamini | 5 928 |
| 2 | Ndlovu | 5 142 |
| 3 | Nkosi | 5 038 |
| 4 | Khumalo | 4 974 |
| 5 | Sithole | 4 100 |
| 6 | Mkhize | 3 431 |
| 7 | Mokoena | 3 385 |
| 8 | Mthembu | 3 218 |
| 9 | Gumede | 3 161 |
| 10 | Ngcobo | 3 117 |
While Dlamini proved its surname prowess, forenames showed gender split preferences. The most popular choice for baby boys was Lethabo, while Onalerona was the leading name for baby girls. Intriguingly, three names – Lethabo, Nkanyezi, and Lesedi – featured within the top ten for both sexes.
This continuity in surname trends since 2016 underscores the cultural significance of these names within South African society. The report is derived from live births recorded between 1 January 2024 and 28 February 2025. The recording of these births is a critical step towards citizens accessing fundamental rights such as education and healthcare.