Simba

/SIM-bah/

English: Lion

Also means 'brave' or 'strong' — historically a title given to warriors.

animals16 translations across African languages✓ Verified

Pre-colonial context

“The lion held deep symbolic power across pre-colonial Africa — a royal emblem, warrior title, and spiritual guardian long before European contact.”

In other languages

Amharicpre-colonial

Anbessa

/an-BEH-sah/

Symbol of the Ethiopian empire — the Lion of Judah.

Luhyapre-colonial

Etalang'i

Bukusu · KE

Ndebelepre-colonial

Ibhubesi

/ee-boo-BEH-see/

Ndebelepre-colonial

Isilwane

Luhyapre-colonial

Italanyi

Wanga · KE

Luhya

Italanyi

Afrikaanspre-colonial

Leeu

Vendapre-colonial

Ndau

Kalenjin

Ngetundo

Lion is a royal totem in many Kalenjin oral traditions

Kalenjin · KE

Zulupre-colonial

Ngonyama

'Master of all flesh'; from 'bhubeza' — to make the final decision.

Siswatipre-colonial

Ngwenyama

Shonapre-colonial

Shumba

/SHOOM-bah/

Clan totem name for the Shumba clan of the Shona.

Luopre-colonial

Sibuor

/see-BWOR/

Tswana (Setswana)pre-colonial

Tau

Hausapre-colonial

Zaki

/ZAH-kee/

Also used as a royal honorific in Hausa courts.

Know Lion in another language or meaning?

Other meanings

“Simba (Swahili)” also means

Brave

brave, strong, courageous

Culture & Governance

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