Abstract
Naming characters in literature forms part of characterization. The name assigned to a specific character is the
author’s conception as well as a message the author wants to pass to his audience, because names have a
significant meaning and they relate to specific issues. AmaXhosa are named based on their clan names, Christian
beliefs, family experiences, parents’ expectations, events surrounding birth, or after a certain forefather. Although
scholars have researched character naming in isiXhosa literary texts, using literary onomastics, there is a paucity
of extended research on naming of female characters and analysis of their names using feminism. Therefore, the
aim of this research is to analyse names given to female characters in selected isiXhosa literary texts. We used
qualitative research approach to analyse seven names from four literary texts written in the past and contemporary
ones. In analysing these texts, we used literary onomastics as well as black South African feminism. Although
authors may have followed the African manner of naming characters and the assumptions of onomastics in naming
female characters, names given to female characters reveal gender inequality, which lead to acts of gender-based
oppression, portray female characters as second-class citizens who depend upon men. This paper contributes in
encouraging writers to consider other principles in naming female characters in their narratives, so that they are not
accused of singling one gender for oppression.