Nelson Mandela’s traditional clan name was Madiba.
Madiba was the name of a Thembu chief who ruled in the 19th century, and Mandela belonged to the Madiba clan. In South Africa, using a person’s clan name can be a respectful and familiar form of address. Many South Africans therefore called Mandela “Madiba,” especially after he became a national and international figure.
Madiba is not Mandela’s birth name or one of his given names. He was born Rolihlahla Mandela, and his teacher later gave him the English first name Nelson. He also received the Thembu name Dalibhunga at his initiation ceremony in 1934. These names refer to different parts of his identity: personal, colonial-school, ceremonial, and clan-based.