What is the birth name of Nelson Mandela?

Nelson Mandela's birth name is Rolihlahla, which means "pulling the branch of a tree" or "to cause trouble" in Xhosa. This name reflects his heritage and the cultural significance of names in his society. Rolihlahla was given this name at birth, and it signifies his identity before he became known as Nelson, a name given to him by an English teacher at school, which he adopted in his later life. Understanding this aspect of Mandela's identity is important, as it highlights the cultural context in which he grew up and the impact of colonial influences on his life.

The other names listed do not accurately represent his birth name: Nelson is a name he adopted during his education, Mandela is his surname reflecting his lineage, and Hlongwane is a name associated with his family line but is not his given name.