Names aren't just labels in the Pride Lands. They're destiny. If you've spent any time watching Kion and his crew, you know the show leans heavy into Swahili. It’s not just for flavor. Every one of the lion guard names of characters serves as a literal blueprint for who that animal is or what they're supposed to do. Honestly, it’s a bit on the nose once you translate it, but that's the charm of Disney's Junior-verse.
Most people just hear "Bunga" and think it sounds funny. But there’s a logic here that goes back to the 1994 original film. When The Lion King first dropped, names like Simba (Lion) and Nala (Gift) set the tone. The Lion Guard took that "Noun-as-a-Name" concept and ran a marathon with it. It’s kind of brilliant if you're a linguist, and kinda predictable if you're a cynic. Let's get into what these names actually mean and why the writers chose them.
The Core Five and the Power of Swahili
Kion is the obvious starting point. His name is a shortened version of Kiongozi. In Swahili, that translates directly to "Leader." It’s not subtle. From the moment he discovers the Roar of the Elders, his entire identity is wrapped up in that word. He isn't just a prince; he is the guy in charge. Interestingly, the show creators at Disney Television Animation didn't just pick words that sounded "cool" or "African-ish." They worked with Swahili consultants like Sarah Mirza to make sure the grammar didn't make native speakers cringe.
Then you’ve got Bunga. He’s the "Bravest," but his name is a bit more of a playground insult. Bunga can mean "fool" or "silly person" in certain dialects. It fits, right? He’s a honey badger. Honey badgers are notoriously chaotic. He jumps into situations that would make a sane lion run for the hills. The writers leaned into the idea that bravery and stupidity are often two sides of the same coin. He’s the comic relief, but his name warns you exactly what kind of trouble he’s going to cause.
Fuli is different. Her name comes from Khafuli, which relates to being "fast" or "quick." As the "Fastest" in the Guard, she’s the only one who doesn't constantly rely on Kion’s roar to get things done. She’s independent. Unlike the others, she doesn't live in a group. Cheetahs are solitary. Her name reflects that sharp, quick-footed nature. It’s short, punchy, and sounds like a gust of wind.
Beshte and Ono: The Muscle and the Eye
Beshte is the "Strongest." His name literally means "Friend." This is a crucial distinction. In the wild, hippos are terrifying. They kill more people in Africa than lions do. But in The Lion Guard, Beshte is a big, soft tank. By naming him "Friend," the show flips the script on the hippo's real-world reputation. He’s the muscle, but he’s the emotional glue of the team.
💡 You might also like: Ebonie Smith Movies and TV Shows: The Child Star Who Actually Made It Out Okay
Ono, the "Keenest of Sight," has a name that sounds like an exclamation. Ono is often linked to "See" or "Look." It’s functional. When Kion yells "Ono, look from the sky," he’s basically saying "Look, look." It’s redundant, but it works for a preschool audience.
Beyond the Guard: Villains and Outsiders
The bad guys get the short end of the stick when it comes to naming. If your name is Janja, you’re destined for a life of crime. Janja means "crafty" or "cunning." It’s the perfect label for a hyena leader who is always trying to outsmart the Pride Landers. He’s not necessarily strong, but he’s slippery.
Then there’s Cheezi and Chungu.
- Cheezi comes from Kichizi, which means "crazy."
- Chungu means "bitter" or "sour."
Imagine being born and your parents name you "Bitter." You’d probably end up hanging out in a graveyard with a bunch of scavenger hyenas too. These names create a linguistic barrier between the "good" animals (who have noble names like "Leader" or "Friend") and the "bad" animals (who are "Crazy" or "Crafty"). It’s a classic Disney trope. Character is destiny.
The Return of the Outsiders
When the show brought back Zira and her brood from The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, the naming conventions stayed consistent. Kovu means "Scar." It’s a literal mark of his heritage, even though he isn't Scar's biological son. Vitani is "In Battle" or "War." She was a soldier from birth.
📖 Related: Eazy-E: The Business Genius and Street Legend Most People Get Wrong
Nuka is the saddest one. Nuka means "Smell" or "Stink." In the hierarchy of the Outlands, he’s the lowest of the low. His name is a constant reminder of his inadequacy. It’s harsh. But it adds a layer of grit to the show that balances out the "Zuka Zama" musical numbers.
Why Does This Matter for Fans?
You might think it’s just a cartoon. It’s not. These lion guard names of characters provide a gateway into a language spoken by over 200 million people. It gives the world-building a weight that The Paw Patrol just doesn't have. When a kid learns that Asante means "Thank you" because a character said it, that’s a win for cultural literacy.
There's also the "Night Pride" introduced in the later seasons.
Rani, the Queen of the Tree of Life, has a name that means "Queen" in Hindi/Sanskrit, not Swahili. This was a deliberate shift. As the Guard traveled further from the Pride Lands, the names changed to reflect the geography. Baliyo, Surak, and Nirmala—all these names have roots in Indian languages. It signaled to the audience that we weren't in Kansas (or Kenya) anymore.
The Nuance of Translation
Sometimes the translations aren't 1:1.
Take Makini, the young mandrill. Makini means "attention" or "poise." She’s anything but poised when we first meet her. She’s clumsy and talks too much. Her name represents her potential, not her current state. She’s training to be a Royal Mjuzi (a storyteller/shaman). Her name is something she has to grow into.
Compare that to Rafiki. Everyone knows Rafiki means "Friend." He’s been the mentor since the 90s. By giving Makini a name that implies "Focus," the writers are showing her character arc. She has to learn to quiet her mind to take over Rafiki’s job.
👉 See also: Drunk on You Lyrics: What Luke Bryan Fans Still Get Wrong
How to Use This Knowledge
If you’re a writer, a gamer roleplaying in this universe, or just a parent being grilled by a toddler, keep these three things in mind:
First, look for the root word. Most names in the show are just Swahili nouns with the last vowel tweaked.
Second, check the personality. The name is almost always a spoiler for the character's main trait.
Third, notice the language shifts. If a character doesn't have a Swahili-sounding name, they’re probably from a different part of the world (like the Night Pride or the red pandas).
Actionable Insights for Lion Guard Fans:
- Translate Before You Create: If you’re making an "OC" (original character), don't just pick a cool-sounding word. Use a Swahili dictionary to find a trait that fits. "Jasiri" (Brave) is already taken, but "Hodari" (Hardworking) might fit a builder character.
- Watch for Language Easter Eggs: The show often hides plot points in the dialogue. When a character uses a Swahili phrase, it usually mirrors the theme of the episode.
- Explore the "Night Pride" Dialect: If you prefer the later seasons, look into Hindi and Sanskrit names. It’s a completely different naming convention that focuses more on status and spirituality than raw personality traits.
Understanding the names makes the show more than just a 22-minute distraction. It’s a puzzle. Once you have the key—the Swahili language—the characters become much more three-dimensional. You start to see the connections between the old Guard and the new, and you realize that in the Pride Lands, you really are what you're named. It’s a heavy burden for a honey badger named "Foolish," but Bunga seems to handle it just fine.