What was Nelson Mandela’s original given name?

Nelson Mandela’s original given name was Rolihlahla. The name was given to him at birth in 1918, before a teacher later assigned him the English name Nelson.

Rolihlahla is a Xhosa name. It is often translated literally as “pulling the branch of a tree,” while a common figurative explanation is “troublemaker.” The name reflects Mandela’s Xhosa heritage and his family’s connections to the Thembu royal house.

Mandela did not choose the name Nelson himself. In the colonial-era school system, African pupils were frequently given English names by teachers. His schoolteacher, Miss Mdingane, gave him the name Nelson, probably following the conventions of the period. Both names became historically significant: Rolihlahla identifies his personal and cultural origins, while Nelson became known worldwide through his political career.