Shona
names are used by the Shona people of Zimbabwe.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Anaishe f & m ShonaDerived from Shona
anashe, meaning "who is with God".
Anesu f ShonaA Shona name for girls. It means "God is with us".
Banga m ShonaMeans "knife" or "sword" in Shona. Banga is the name of a Ngbandi god of water.
Bvumai m ShonaBvumai means "Admit".
This may be a name given to say to adversary admit that you were wrong, you were defeated or that you committed the offence Chenjerai m ShonaChenjerai means "Be on guard, wisen up". Chenjerai Hunzvi the Zimbabwean Freedom Fighter is one bearer of this name.
Chimurenga m ShonaChimurenga is a Shona word roughly translated to English as, "revolutionary struggle". The Shona language is spoken by the Shona people of Zimbabwe. This word is sometimes used as a given name.
Dzikamai m ShonaDzikamai means "settle down".
The name is given to express the idea of settling down and not jumping from one relationship to another or one project to another. The former Zimbabwean Minister and MP, Dzikamai Mavhaire is one well known bearer of this name.
Dzinashe m ShonaDzinashe means "It's with the Lord". One well known bearer of this name is Dzinashe Machingura.
Gamuchirai f ShonaMeans "accept or receive" in Shona. It is typically given to a child born out of wedlock.
Garikai m ShonaMeans "Live well, safe, healthy and prosperous".
Gondai m ShonaMeans "to trust or place hope in" in Shona.
Gwinyai m ShonaGwinyai means "be strong". The Zimbabwean tennis player Gwinyai Tongoona is a famous bearer of this name.
Hamunyari f ShonaHamunyari means "Have you no shame".
This name is given in a feuding situation.
Hazvinei f ShonaHazvinei means "Never mind, no worries".
This name may be given by a parent who was offended Hazviperi m & f Shona"It does not end". Situational name given in circumstances where family faced unending troubles or trials.
Jekesai f Shona"Make it clear". Meant to speak to neighbor or family to make clear their position or purpose.
Kambeu m ShonaKambeu means "little seed".
This name may be given to a child who was very small at birth Karikoga m ShonaMeans "one who is alone". The name may be given to say that one who lives alone or was born alone without siblings.
Kuchinei m ShonaKuchinei means "What more is left to do, to see or to say"
This name may be given by a parent who is at their wit's end. The Zimbabwean singer of the 1970-80s Kuchinei Chikupo was one well known bearer of this name.
Machiveyi f Shona"What do you seek or covert?" Situational name given in circumstance where family has covetous neighbours or kin.
Maita f ShonaA Shona (Zimbabwean) name that implies gratitude for something that has been done well. It may be spelt as Mayita or Mazvita depending on the area of origin of the speaker.... [
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Majaya m ShonaGiven to the last male born of the the family born in the same year. If families have male children in a given year the last to be born normally carries the name. The year of boys.
Makanaka f ShonaMakanaka means "You are good". #This name is usually given in praise of God".
Masimba m ShonaMeans "powers, energy" in Shona. Other meanings are possible.
Mazvita f ShonaMeans "we are grateful" or "many thanks" in Shona.
Miriro f & m African, ShonaStarted in the early 1900's. Name was given to the second born daughter of the family. Name means "to be expected." Basically the one who was waited for.
Motsi m & f ShonaMeans "first one" or "one who has matted hair" in Shona.
Muchena m ShonaOne who is white or light skin tone. Or Blessing in Ndau dialect of Shona
Munesu f & m ShonaMeans "God is with us" or "God is within us" in Shona.
Namatai m ShonaNamatai means "Pray or praise and worship God".
Ndakaitei f ShonaMeans "What did I do?"
This name is an expression of regret by a parent. Usually given by a single mother whose partner does not take responsibility of the child born.
Ngwarai m ShonaNgwarai means "Be diligent, wisen up, be on guard".
Nokutenda m & f ShonaMeans "with gratitude (associated with faith in God)" in Shona.
Nyashadzashe m & f Shonaits from zimbabwe and is in the shona language it means Gods grace
Onai f ShonaMeans "Look and see".
This name may be given in various circumstances calling the hearer to look and see what transpired especially before and around the birth of that child Onayi f Shona"See it, see this". Situational name which says see what we have, behold.
Panganai m ShonaMeans "to consult or advise each other" in Shona.
Paradzai m ShonaParadzai means "destroy". This is possibly addressing an adversary challenging them to destroy what you have if they can".
Petina f ShonaThe name of the Zimbabwian writer Petina Gappah.
Pikirayi m ShonaVow to it. Promise. Name of a Zimbabwean journalist Pikirayi Deketeke.
Raviro f ShonaMeans "promise, oath or pledge" in Shona.
Regai m ShonaRegai means "Let it be, leave it alone"
Revai m & f ShonaMeans "Talk or gossip about".
This is a name given to address neighbours that continue to gossip about your family Ruregerero m ShonaRuregerero means "Forgiveness".
This name may be given by a parent seeking forgiveness.
Ruvheneko m & f ShonaMeans "Enlightenment".
This name is a declaration that we have seen or received enlightenment or better circumstances Sarudzai f ShonaMeans "Be selective or discriminate". #Depending on circumstances the name may be a call to be selective in what you do or maybe blaming someone for being discriminating"
Simbiso f ShonaMeans "One who strengthens or source of encouragement".
Tanaka m & f ShonaMeans "we are good, we are blessed" in Shona.
Tanyaradzwa f ShonaMeans "we have been consoled", "we have found comfort" in Shona, often bestowed upon a girl born after a tragedy or difficulty, she being the source of consolation or comfort; the implied meaning is "blessing, godsend".
Tavaziva m ShonaTavaziva means "We know them".
This name is given in a feuding situation to say we know who the enemy is.
Tendeso f & m Shona (Rare)Can mean "faith" or some may use it as meaning something used to give thanks
Tinaye m ShonaTinaye means "We have got him or her". Former Manicaland Provincial Governor Tinaye Chigudu is one well known bearer of this name.
Tirivanhu m ShonaMeans "We are people".
This name says do not look down upon us or take us for granted, we are human like you Tirivashe m & f ShonaMeans "We belong to the Lord". #This is a Christian name for believers declaring their loyalty to God".
Tizirai m ShonaMeans "Run to".
This refers to running to take refuge in.
Todini m & f ShonaMeans "What shall we do?".
This is a name of exclamation or questioning given by a parent who is lost regarding what to do in their circumstances Toendepi m ShonaMeans "Where shall we go". #This name is given where a family has grievances against their neighbours and desire to move away".
Toperesu f & m Shona"Flaming sword" believed to be used by the kings
Torevei m & f ShonaMeans "What shall we say?".
This is a name of exclamation or questioning given by a parent who is a lost for words regards the situation they are in Upenyu m ShonaUpenyu means "life".
This may be given by a parent meditating over the circumstances of life. Varaidzo m ShonaVaraidzo means "One who keeps company".
This is given to acknowledge your child as one with whom you keep company. It is common to give this name to a child born in your later years.
Vongai f ShonaMeans "Be thankful". This name is both a call to be thankful and an expression of gratitude.
Vushemadzoro m ShonaThe name comes from Shona tribes in which KingShip was prevalent. This name was usually given to the chosen next bearer of the throne. The name means the Kingship turnover, i.e. the practice of succeeding a leader... [
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Zivanai f & m Shona"Know each other". Meant for relatives to keep in touch.
Zondai f & m Shona"You may hate me." A situational name where a family is telling it's enemies you may hate me all you want.
Zororo f & m ShonaRest. "May be speaking of a time of rest or peacefulness experienced by family around time of child's birth".
Zuva f ShonaMeans "day; daylight; sun; sunlight" in Shona.